Category: Hall of Fame

On the nose, leather, vanilla, oatmilk, milk chocolate, praline, and a touch of citrus zest. The oak is more lifted, complex, nut-like, and focused on this than almost any other Canadian I’ve tried in recent years. Hard to call a $200 whisky a value, but this is it. I can’t think of a better nose on a Canadian. On the palate, vanilla swirl with cocoa, maple, and massive slices of fruit cake. Big oak, but balanced, chewy, still sweet.

The 97 proof orange label “single barrel” of Weller straddles the line between the Special Reserve and Antique, and provides a different take on the normally bathed wheater. Though last year’s version left a little to be desired, this year’s is a real treat, brimming with Weller leather and spice on the nose, the palate exhibits sweet caramel, tropical fruit, and a chewy nougat that’s just the best bourbon “candy” you’ll ever taste. Orange label 2023/2024 is dynomite!

Set right up against the banks of the Kentucky River are the metal clad Camp Nelson warehouses owned by and filled with Wild Turkey bourbon. The “Single Rickhouse” project which began last year highlights batches of barrels drawn from single warehouses across the three WT barrel campuses. The 2023 release of Camp Nelson Warehouse F was drawn from floors 4 and 5 and bottled at 117.6 proof. The initial palate is a barrel roll of spice and nougat, herbs and oak, red fruit, and really gentle butterscotch and vanilla. Big, tasty, worth the price profile that just keeps going 30-60 seconds after the sip. Chewy and delicious.

Older stocks of MGP “Light Whiskey” at some point will run out, because there’s no way any craft distiller will sit on ANYTHING for 15+ years. So what’s been bottled over the past few years will be it, more than likely. The category itself, created for blends and drinkers who preferred lighter whiskey, is basically just a notch between bourbon and vodka on the distilling scale, but when you add this many years in cask to it, you end up with a wholly different and fascinating product, far from what it was ever meant. Creamy vanilla explodes on the nose with thick butterscotch, intense florals, and rich butter. On the palate the 128 proof carries with it the most intense flavorful vanilla and butterscotch. This tastes like a George T Stagg version of a top shelf Canadian whiskey. Truly unique and delicious, interesting, but extremely approachable with just masses of flavor!

ANYONE SHOPPING AT BOURBON WORLD Dec 15th, 2023, CAN ENTER TO WIN THE RIGHT TO BUY THIS BOTTLE! This year’s Parker’s Heritage is a barrel proof rye bottled at 128.8 proof. Striking the right balance between rye spice and barrel spice, this year’s release exhibited smoked meats and smoldering oak fire on the nose with ginger, brine, and orange fruit emerging. On the palate, intensely chewy rye, bready at first, then sharp and textural. This ain’t a starter whiskey. The oak is dark, but eventually lets the grain come out and play as you chew. Fruit is obliterated on the finish leaving nothing but a tingling oak sensation. Blockbuster and worthy of the name!

ANYONE SHOPPING AT BOURBON WORLD Dec 14th, 2023, CAN ENTER TO WIN THE RIGHT TO BUY THIS BOTTLE! The combination of drinkabilty due to the relatively low proof of 90.4 and the bite of 12yrs of oak ageing along with the soft creamy spice of the wheated mash makes this the “go to” Pappy in the lineup. Drink it like Julian with a twist of lemon and a big rock. You’ll love it!

ANYONE SHOPPING AT BOURBON WORLD Dec 13, 2023, CAN ENTER TO WIN THE RIGHT TO BUY THIS BOTTLE! This year’s 2023 George T Stagg weighs in at 135 proof on the nose, aged for 15 years and 3 months in warehouses C, I, K, L, and M on floors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. A 55 second #4 char on Independent Stave casks was utilized. This year’s release is a big, massive whiskey as usual with leather, cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla frosting. Big, rich, barrel spice finish.

It’s BACK BABY! The 2023 edition of Midwinter captures the early magic of the brand with that signature dark red fruit nose and palate that combines the piney sweet bite of a high percentage rye with the deeply rich and fruity influence of part barrel ageing. Soft red fruit on the nose with vanilla bean and subtle rye spice emerging. On the palate, a sweet cocoa shines through with the dark rye spice presenting as snickerdoodle. Grab your favorite pipe and sweater and settle in for the night with this one!

A 56 proof beer finished in a variety of casks, including Pineau des Charentes, bourbon, ruby port, and even peated scotch. Meticulously blended in a “spare no expense” process that allows the “beer” to drink and age like a combination of fine spirit or fortified wine. High octane yeasts and LOTS of cask babying and blending contribute to the final unique flavor profile. Big initial fruit and malt on the nose. On the palate, it’s got alcoholic bite of a young ruby port with the rich malty blast of a barley wine. To be sipped and savored after dinner with stilton and walnuts.

Elijah Craig 18 as been around for many years. Back before the bourbon boom, you could regularly get it for $50, which means at that point in time it was probably the best deal in bourbon and held that title for many years. And even though the price and rarity have increased in recent years, I’m happy to say the quality has remained the same. Love a 90 proof 18yr with such a rich herb and fruit profile. It may be the most classically “Heaven Hill” of all the Heaven Hill brands as it simply drips with mint, caramel, pine, and orange, with an ethereal nuttiness that I’ve never seen replicated. Sure, you proof hounds might take exception to the lower proof, but damn if that doesn’t make it that much easier to ENJOY!