Category: Hall of Fame

Every Derby party needs some essentials, and in this case there are two that come to mind. One, Old Forester Signature 100 proof. This is THE bourbon of Louisville. It’s also maybe the best “go to” everyday bourbon available. At least 4 years old and 100 proof it’s got the signature Brown Forman mix of brown sugar, oak, and fruit. It’s perfectly proof for an Old Fashioned, but on Derby Day you’ve GOT to try it in a julep, just make sure you have the right ice. While you’re stocking up, don’t forget that the Chocolate Bourbon Ball is THE sweet treat you should be eating with your Benedictine sandwiches. Lucky for you thought, 1792 Distillery makes a cream liqueur under their Barton brand that’s essentially a Bourbon Ball in liquid form. Even if it’s hot out, pour this over ice and enjoy the sweet bourbon-y kick!

Since Old Grand Dad 114 has become more widely available again, we’d thought we revisit this under the radar value bourbon. Made with Jim Beam’s slightly higher rye recipe, the same as in Basil Hayden, and bottled without age statement at 114 proof. The normally “foxy” yeast and orange peel characteristic of Jim Beam is on full display with fruit, yeast, and oak being pushed forward by the higher proof. Light and fruity on the nose, but with bigger oak than regular Jim Beam, this is an easy every day sipper to fall in love with.

On final closeout for $50, RUN, don’t walk to the store to grab one of these single barrels of Highland Park 13yr cask strength single malt scotch aged exclusively in first fill European oak sherry butt. Distilled in 2006 and bottle in 2019 at 124.2 proof this malt exudes Orkney character with notes of dark honey, fruit cake, candied orange peel, and rich syrupy malt. The proof carries a wave of massive fruit, then subtle oak and finally the biscuit-y malt emerges from behind the sherry oak curtain. Tame it with a cube or proof it down with cold spring water, either way this is your end of the evening dram. A classic and one of our best deals ever.

Drawn from the same stocks as the much allocated Caribou Crossing, a true HIDDEN GEM is Sazerac’s Rich and Rare Reserve. It’s priced like bottom shelf, but it’s one of the BEST Canadian blends out there and for $12.99 a bottle it’s a completely under the radar blend. Even up against Crown or Canadian Club this vanilla and oak rich whiskey exudes character and stands up to it’s more premium brothers. Next time you have a Caribou Crossing on hand do the Pepsi challenge yourself and you’ll see what I’m talking about. We’ve always loved blended Canadian whiskies for their drinkability and dollar to flavor value ratio, but try it for yourself.

The latest Orphan Barrel project is fantastically tasty blend of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tenessee bourbons all bottled at the Dickel distillery in Tulahoma. Glad to see they could pull this one off, as Dickel is not to everyone’s taste, but they’ve managed to sweeten up the normally corn heavy whiskey with MGP along with some spice and elegance from an 18yr Kentucky bourbon as well. Doesn’t matter where it came from, the juice is legit. Bottled at 90 proof, the palate is nougatty soft with caramel, vanilla, and a really balanced oak profile. This is a sipper for sure at this proof. REALLY impressed with this one.

The shocking truth about Jack Daniel’s is that the older the whiskey and higher the proof the BETTER it keeps getting. Whiskey brands for years have leant on marketing speak around “the perfect age” or “aged to perfection” while being realtively vague about actual age, but then end up releasing older whiskies that just aren’t quite as good as their regular line up. This is not the case with Jack, as every experiment in longer ageing as well as higher proofs has proven far superior to the regularly released item. The second batch of Jack 12yr is just such a whiskey. Maple sugar goodness up and down the nose with piles of dessert aromas including toasted marshmallows. On the palate, more caramel and maple with the perfect amount of spice. Bottled at 107 proof, PERFECT in my opinion.

We’re always excited when brands show up and meet our Bourbon World customers. Yesterday’s Brother’s Bond event with founder Ian Somerhalder was a great event, but we’d be remised if we didn’t emphasize how GOOD these whiskies really taste. The regular bottling at 80 proof is a smooth sipper. And the forthcoming Cask Strength takes it to another level, not to mention the rye whiskey which has the depth and piney sweetness of a classic 95% MGP rye. Don’t forget, every drop of Brother’s Bond is made right here in Indiana with Indiana corn!

Five staves of Baked American Pure and five staves of Roasted French Mendiant oak have produced the harmonious balance of sweet vanilla to dark roasted cocoa that exemplifies the Black and White cookie itself for which this single barrel expression of Maker’s Mark is named. Bottled at 111.2 proof, I still think most people sleep on how good these Maker’s Barrel picks are, and have been. Of course the pricing was a little salty when they launched this project several years ago, but as the rest of the bourbon market has caught up, you might even consider a cask strength, custom expression of Maker’s a darn good deal. Sweet vanilla and tropical fruit on the nose with milk chocolate and toffee as well. On the palate, the perfectly sippable 111 proof starts out with big fruit and oak, but then slowly mellows into soft candy with a touch of baking spice. Grab these cookies before they’re gone.

This 18yr old traditional Heaven Hill mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% barley malt is bottled at 120 proof. While past releases of the heritage have been less than stellar (Corn Whiskey?) this bottle reclaims the throne. While Elijah Craig’s 18yr has more than tripled in price, it’s always been a 90 proofer and still is today. This is the big boy version and you can tell the first time your nose gets even remotely close to the glass. Big wave of leather and furniture oak with a very deep cinnamon aroma. So far, all very standard stuff from a big time release, but once you take a sip, all bets are off. It’s one of the most extraordinary whiskies I’ve ever tasted. There’s a lightness and sweetness along with the rich depth that I’ve never tasted from Heaven Hill. Unlike most ultra aged bourbons, this one actually develops fruit on the FINISH, with juicy fruit gum, rye pine spice, and 60 second finish that’s balanced and fresh as well as tasting ancient and leathery in the best ways. No joke, this is legendary stuff.

For the 150th Kentucky Derby, Woodford chose Kentucky artist Wylie Caudill, a chalk and mural artist known for large scale, bold, and colorful works of art, as the perfect compliment to this year’s HUGE anniversary race. If you haven’t already grabbed your 150th anniversary bottle you better run because they are going fast. Oh, and by the way, the sweet nectar inside is just classic Woodford, but that’s alright with us any day of the week. With the DNA of Old Forester, Woodford pretty much exemplifies the “wet bar in every basement” vibe that is Louisville and bourbon culture in the city. Balanced oak, brown sugar, and a touch of spice on the finish.