Category: Hall of Fame

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

We’ve only got 1 5pk of this extremely rare Buffalo Trace Prohibition collection. 5 unique brands that harken back to the days when Buffalo Trace/Acient Age produced whiskey during prohibition and sold it under medicinal license. Three Feathers, Old Stagg, Spiritus Frumenti, Walnut Hill, and Golden Wedding included, each a variation on a straight bourbon or rye with different proofs except the Three Feathers which is a BLEND of straight bourbons. Three Feathers is bottled at 100 proof, Old Stagg is bottled at 132.4 proof, Spiritus Frumenti is bottled at 110 proof, Walnut Hill is bottled at 90 proof, and Golden Wedding Rye is bottled at 107 proof. We had only ONE 5 pack. The price was $2999.99. 

People always ask what my “go to” bourbons are, so here’s a quick tour of one of our regular bourbon sets to show you what I think is the best, both in terms of value and flavor profile. 

This 25yr old “North American” single malt whiskey from Whistlepig is likely of Canadian origin, but no matter, it’s a juggernaut of oak, fruit, and soft dessert like flavors. It’s finished in Silver Oak Cabernet Barrels and perfectly blends the fruit of the malt and the dark fruit of the cab all wrapped up in an ultra-aged, ultra cool, and ultra expensive package. 

Take your Old Fashioned to the next level with bitters and fruit infused sugar cubes from locally made “Your Granpa’s Old Fashioned” infused cocktail cubes. All natural organic brown sugar infused with bitters and orange that you break up in the glass, pour in the whiskey, add ice and you’re done! Handmade in Carmel Indiana by a mother and son team. What a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day!

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!