Category: Hall of Fame

The 6th and last barrel from Warehouse P, Floor 3 in our Bourbon World 2023 Buffalo Trace series may be the best of an amazing bunch. Very sweet fruit cocktail and oak combo on the palate with a touch of mint and cinnamon to balance out the sweetness. More mid-palate weight than some others and a really balanced, zero bite finish.

Wildflower honey on the nose with cherry cordial, vanilla bean, and caramel. On the palate, more soft caramels with mint and piney rye spice emerging. Unlike the berry bombs in this year’s Bourbon World Buffalo Trace series, this Warehouse L, Floor 4 is soft and elegant, emphasizing sweet mint and softer barrel spices. It just can’t be said enough that these Buffalo Trace single barrels are possibly the BEST value to flavor single barrels in the world.

The 4th barrel in our 2023 Buffalo Trace single barrel series is a HIGH FLOOR oak and spice bomb. It’s the 7th floor of a 9 floor concrete and tile building, so soft, balanced, regulated heat is likely the condition relative to other warehouses/floor combos. Most mature oak profile of the set so far. Bourbon candy aroma, deep set oak with some caramel corn as well. On the palate, loads of sugar and oak, maple syrup, rock candy, candy apple, and cinnamon spice throughout. This is rich, balanced oaky, dessert bourbon and just so darn drinkable at 90 proof.

Exploding herbs, leather, and fruit on the nose. Warehouse P, Floor 5. Unlike the berry driven Warehouse O and L, this P warehouse, floor 5 really brings the lighter, more floral and elegant notes to the party. Silky and soft on the mid-palate with more emerging florals, rock candy, pez, vanilla milkshake and a lightly peppermint finish. Get this one slightly chilled, no ice, and ENJOY!

The latest Russell’s Reserve 13yr is actually a blend of 13, 15, and 21 year old Wild Turkey bottled at 114.8 proof. Even though it took a STEEP price increase, it’s still one of the most sought after bourbon releases of the year, so let’s dig in. On the nose, a very complex and rich blend of vanilla bean, Jamaican pot-still rum, raisins, and leather. On the palate, a leather whip to the tongue, then rich candied oranges, toffee, and creamy caramel emerge. Spice is BIG, but in the background, leather is massive, but not overpowering. Sweetness is throughout, but never cloying or too rich. This is a massive whiskey that drinks light, and a light whiskey that drinks massive. It’s balanced, focused, and altogether damn delicious.

Before they took the “Jr” off the label, they released this 17th batch of Stagg Jr. at 128.7 proof, unfiltered. This WILL go down as a historic bottling. Rich berry and vanilla aromas, almost cassis, blackberry liqueur-like with a touch of cinnamon spice. On the palate, very richly spiced with more dark fruit on the finish. Fantastic depth and mouth-feel for the proof.

Blood Oath Pact 9 is a blend of 16yr and 12yr old Kentucky straight bourbon along with a 7yr old finished in Oloroso sherry casks, bottled at 98.6 proof. Intensely lifted herbal notes on the nose with mint, pine, and honey emerging, some yellow fruit as well. On the palate, a very rich and warming center palate, exploding with orange fruit, leather, and spice. Best mid-palate intensity I’ve ever had in a bourbon. Extremely spicy finish with a touch of fruit at the end.

This is the first release of the 2023 Bourbon World Buffalo Trace Single Barrels, from Warehouse “O”, floor 3, barrel #067. Nutty to start with peanut brittle, cinnamon butter, and caramel apple. On the palate, extremely sweet with TONS of spice/sugar depth. Much more complex than other BTs I’ve had in the best. Lengthy, spice-driven finish.

This traditional wormwood based shot liqueur from Chicago hasn’t changed much since Carl Jeppson founded the brand in the 1930s. Our barrel aged version, bottled exclusively for Bourbon World is just the thing you need. Earth, citrus, gasoline, month-old potato, with a dash of pinesol. On the palate, an all consuming dry herbal assault, kinda makes you hungry for any encased meat within reach. Long, regretful finish. Don’t burn the chops!

This year’s “Bourbon World” Eagle Rare is from Warehouse P, Floor 3 and delivers a velvet glove of fruit, spice, oak, and soft honey. Unlike this year’s Blanton’s which was deliciously off-profile, this Eagle Rare delivers a very soft, very drinkable, and extremely balanced version of the Eagle Rare 10yr profile that we all know and love. A touch of nuttiness mid-palate, some cocoa, some toffee, and a little creamy butterscotch to go with the oak, spice, and honey. There’s just a little bit of everything to love.