We kick off a whole week of Four Roses single barrel reviews with Big Red Liquors OBSK, a 9 year, 3 month old bottle at 120.2 proof. The 35% rye recipe bourbon combined with the spice-driven “K” yeast strain has never failed to disappoint. This particular barrel also has a rich caramel/butterscotch note on the nose along with the typical Four Roses baking spice aroma. On the palate it’s pure cinnamon cream, like licking the layers between a Pillsbury Cinnamon roll. SO GOOD. Our Big Store in Bloomington and our Cask Strength store in Greenwood will have this on hand for a special release event at 9:00 a.m. on July 27th. Line up early!
Category: Hall of Fame
Remus Babe Ruth Reserve
The new Remus “Babe Ruth” reserve is a blend of three of MGPs high rye bourbon recipes in honor of Babe Ruth. Only 10,624 bottles were produced, each representing one of Ruth’s plate appearances. Bottled at 111 proof, the blend comprises 12% of 2016 of the 44% rye bourbon, 70% of 49% rye bourbon, and 18% of the 36% rye bourbon, so for a Bourbon it’s about as rye heavy as you can get, which is great for an MGP which makes some of the best rye on the planet, period. Typical cinnamon candy on the nose with an appealing citrus note. On the palate it’s rock candy sweet with touches of big baking spice between fresh cut oak. This is a BIG whiskey.
Maker’s Mark Heart Release
Finished with 10 virgin oak staves this latest release from Maker’s Mark in the wood-finished series is meant to commemorate and honor the folks who work at Maker’s Mark in Loretto. Named the Heart release and bottled at 111.7 proof, the virgin oak staves have made this a real caramel bomb with milk chocolate, butterscotch and wood-spice notes not typically found in standard Maker’s. If some of the wood finished releases turn up the volume on the oak spice, this particular release has accentuated the sweeter notes found in Maker’s. If you are dessert whiskey lover like I am, you’ll LOVE this bottling.
Knob Creek Bourbon World 1951 Warehouse, Floor 5
Our second Knob Creek single barrel in our warehouse series is from the 1951 Warehouse K. This was aged on the 5th floor of a 7 floor traditional rickhouse which contains only 20,400 barrels as opposed to the newer 50,000 barrel warehouses. Bold nuts and caramel on the nose with almond and baking spices. On the palate, lots of dried fruit notes with barrel spice emerging on the finish. The difference between the 2006 warehouse and the 1951 warehouse side by side is interesting, as I think the 1951 may have pushed a little further into the wood, but both are incredibly delicious!
Knob Creek Bourbon World 2006 Warehouse Floor 6
There are 30 rickhouses on the Clermont campus, and we’re trying to pull a single barrel over time from each and every one of them, starting with the newest warehouse, built in 2006 with a barrel capacity of 50,400 barrels and 7 total floors. This selection from Warehouse 1 is from the 6th floor bottled at 120 proof, and is pure bourbon candy on the nose with praline, almond, and candied orange. On the palate, extremely rich and sugar forward with vanilla, toffee caramel, but still a distinct but richer orange note from the yeast.
Hibiki Suntory Japanese Harmony 750
This blended Japanese whisky from the House of Suntory is the epitome of art in liquid form. We just don’t ever get enough! Though Japanese whisky borrowed much of its foundational structure from Scotland, they’ve managed to create singular expressions through blending malt and grain that go beyond traditional Scottish forms. Long story short…this stuff is delicious, and worth your attention. Harmony is a non-age stated blend of malt and grain whisky with a unique sandalwood and rosemary nose with light and ethereal floral aromas. On the palate, candied orange peel and vanilla cream burst with complex but integrated fruit. Hints of the famed Mizunara oak linger through the finish.
Russell’s Reserve Camp Nelson and Tyrone Single Barrel Duo
There are two larger barrel campuses that Wild Turkey utilizes in their barrel program. The first is “Tyrone,” which includes 23 warehouses perched above the Kentucky River near the distillery itself. The other, known as “Camp Nelson” contains only 6 rickhouses, and is 45 minutes down the road, but still near the Kentucky River. Camp Nelson was not built by Wild Turkey, but was originally used to age “Canada Dry Bourbon” This year’s Camp Nelson barrel is 10years olf from Warehouse CN-E, floor 5 and features a blast of sweet oak with honey, orange, and almonds. This year’s Tyrone barrel is 9 years old from Warehouse TY-Q, floor 4 and features soft, earthy notes with a measured oak kick. Both are undeniably flavorful with the Camp Nelson tending to be a little sweeter.
Woodford Baccarat 150th Anniversary
Only 150 of these 150th Anniversary Derby Woodford bottles were ever produced. Half were sold during the Derby, the other half are being spread around the country. Aged for 6 years as regular Woodford, then aged an additional 8 years in XO Cognac casks, then 1 final year in Woodford Double Oaked casks that were air dried in the Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs, then bottled at the traditional Woodford Proof of 90.3 and set in Baccarrat crystal with a gold decanter top and decorative box.
Ardbeg Spectacular
Peatheads pay attention, this is your shot at this year’s Ardbeg Spectacular. Aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-port casks, the combo of sweet and smoky, richly fruited, along with salty, smoky, nutty, and downright tar-level peat is as spectacular as the name suggests. Complex but not lost or disassociative as many multi-cask aged whiskies can be, the 46%, non-chill filtered peat bomb hits all the right notes. Ardbeg has always been on the peatier side of Islay, but the port-cask ageing really shows a different side of what their smoke profile is capable of imparting.
Blood Oath Pact 10
Two rye based bourbons and a finished bourbon finished again in Cabernet Franc barrels, then finished again in Merlot barrels and bottled at 98.6 proof. Cinnamon toast and dark fruit on the nose with leather in the background. On the palate, very soft and well-integrated fruit along with vanilla, spice, and more cinnamon on the finish. Lots of finishing, but its a light touch and still tastes very traditional. Soft, smooth, creamy, and fruity throughout.