1792 Sweet Wheat Bourbon

For all the fanfare that Buffalo Trace’s wheated recipes receive (Weller, Pappy) there isn’t a lot of hype around the other major Sazerac distillery’s 1792 Sweet Wheat, a recipe they’ve been releasing since 2015. But I think it’s time people sit up and take notice. This whiskey is a knock out wheater with a healthy dose of herbs, oak, mint, and caramel on the nose. On the palate, it’s sweet, but not as sweet as the name suggests with a balance of leather, caramel chew, and vanilla. If you like Maker’s, Larceny, Weller, and Pappy, don’t skip the 1792 Sweet Wheat!

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye 750

The first edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey aged for six years in rickhouse W3 on the third, fourth and fifth floors. It was bottled at barrel proof without chill filtration at 123.2 proof. The corn seed varietal chosen for this release was Beck’s 6158. The best part of this new Heaven Hill G2G project is the fact that the mashbills are totally different than normal HH. Mashbills. In the case of this rye, it’s got 63% rye, 24% corn, and 13% malt. On the nose, this whiskey is HIGHLY perfumed with an almost camphor like aroma, along with wet cedar, very pleasant. On the palate, the 123.2 proof is a spice bomb reminiscent of MGP, extremely drinkable and on par with Thomas H Handy. This may be the sleeper hit of the bunch.

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon 750

High starch, higher alcohol yielding corn seed from Beck’s, an Indiana based company, ultimately makes better bourbon. In the case of Heaven Hill’s new Grain to Glass project, Beck’s seed 6158 worked perfectly in the rolling hills and rockier soils of central Kentucky to produce a 6+yr old 107 proof, 35% rye bourbon with ripe tropical fruit and lanolin notes on the nose, followed by very soft fruit palate with loads of rye fruit spice and a butter cream vanilla soft finish.

Double Eagle Rare

Let’s take a look at this $10,000 bottle of Double Eagle Rare. There’s no way I can taste this bottle considering we only have 1, but compared to other ultra luxury offerings, I think this bottling steps up more than any others. For one, it’s a great liquid at an age and proof worthy of the price point, but the presentation of the bottle, the glass blown eagle in the bottom as well as the glass decanter on top really set this a part. The last few years the Eagle Rare 17s at 101 proof have been some of the best and rarest of the BTAC collection. When you think a 20yr Bourbon is equivalent to a 40yr scotch and that MANY of those vintage dated scotch whiskies go for tens of thousands of dollars and are generally meant for collectors, a bottle like this is not out of the realm of what other like items in the market have fetched. That’s not to say it’s a bit much for the bourbon crowd who isn’t used to seeing prices like this, but I think overall the presentation, for those with the means, is worth the price of admission.

Weller Millennium

Watch Matt clumsily unbox a Weller Millennium, a “blend of vintage straight bourbon and wheat whiskeys distilled in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006, Weller Millennium highlights the impact that wheat has on the whiskey’s flavor: the softness imparted by the wheat creates a smoother, sweeter, more approachable expression. By marrying these exceptional spirits together, the whiskeys further harmonize with each other, creating a cohesive, balanced final product that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Four Roses 2024 Single Barrel OBSQ Cap n’ Cork

The OLDEST of this year’s 2024 Four Roses single barrels is this Cap n’ Cork OBSQ, Tier 5, aged 11 years and 3 months and bottled at 124 proof. The high rye (35%) recipe along with the Q “floral” yeast produces a well integrated mix of oak and sweet florals. Even though this is the oldest, it’s not nearly as oak driven as the OESF. The oak is there, but not over powering. There’s a candy corn sweetness to this bottle, and a massive dose of traditional cinnamon to go with it. If I’m picking MY personal fave’s of this year, I think it’s got to be a tie between this bottle and the much younger OBSK.

Four Roses 2024 Single Barrel OESF Gay’s Hops-n-Schnapps

Released at Gay’s Growth Parkway Angola location ONLY, this TIER 6, 125.8 proof, 11yr, 1 month old OESF sports spoonful’s of oak, herbs, and spices. Soft oak with vanilla and caramel on the nose. Massive fresh cut oak on the palate with nuts and some tropical fruit notes in the background. Tier 6 never fails to disappoint, though maybe people make too much of it. This Warehouse N beauty has it all, and with that much proof and oak, the bottle I have has made an incredibly dry and delicious Manhattan.

Four Roses 2024 Single Barrel OESO Big Red Liquors

The second BRL barrel of Four Roses is an OESO, 20% rye with the “rich fruit” yeast bottled at 9 years and 3 months at 115.8 proof from warehouse S on the north side, tier 2. On the nose, strong pine earth, blackberry, cinnamon, and generally dark fruit. On the palate, very layered with rose, lemon, dark berry, and rich cinnamon spice. Always enjoy the relatively lower proof Four Roses single barrels as they are easy to enjoy neat in all their flavorful glory!

Four Roses 2024 Single Barrel OBSV Cap n’ Cork

Our first Cap n’ Cork single barrel features an OBSV aged 10 years and 10 months and bottled at 116.8 proof. The already fruity high rye bourbon, combined with the fruity “V” yeast makes this one of the most elegant and ethereal Four Roses combos. The addition of almost 11 years of ageing further increases the complexity adding a Canadianesqe layer of fine vanilla and fresh cut oak to this fruit bomb. Be at Covington this Saturday for a chance to buy this bottle or it’s brother bottle, an OBSQ from Cap.

Four Roses 2024 Single Barrel OBSK Big Red Liquors

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!