Category: Hall of Fame

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.

Our LOWEST PRICE in years, Jameson Irish whiskey is truly one of the great blended whiskies of the world. Like Seagram’s 7 or Crown Royal before it, Jameson is a blended whiskey that has somehow transcended it’s “Irish” category and become a shot occasion, a cultural symbol, and oddly enough an unbelievably delicious hardcore whiskey with broad appeal the world over. Here’s why…it’s SWEET with grass, honey, and a touch of oak. It’s got great DEPTH of flavor. It’s not hard to drink, but it does have enough complexity to enjoy over and over.

As we approach St. Patrick’s Day I can’t think of a better premium Irish Whiskey to take another look at today. Made with a portion of unmalted barley, as well as a portion of sherry cask aged whiskey, Redbreast is the superlative Irish whiskey. It somehow manages to pack MASSIVE flavor, but retain a lightness and drinkability that almost no other whiskey can claim. Sweet grass and hay aromas along with light oak, citrus and tropical fruit dominate the nose. On the palate, the combination of rich malt, light citrus, and gobs of delicious fruit with a sherry-inflected finish is all the celebration you need this St. Patrick’s Day. Midleton Distillery on the southern coast does it right and has been for a long time.

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” The 2024 Russell’s Reserve single barrels from “Bourbon World” which should be ready this summer take one from each of these campuses. The Tyrone barrel is soft, fruity, and inviting with the balance of 101 but the strength of barrel proof. The Camp Nelson on the other hand is rich and spicy, sizzling with flavor throughout.

Besides Weller Antique, my favorite EVERYDAY bourbon is usually a toss up between Wild Turkey 101 and Old Forester 100 proof signature, but I would say Old Fo 100 has it by a nose. It’s really just the perfect everyday bourbon. It’s not too spicy. It’s not too sweet. It’s elegant with fruit. It’s got enough bite at 100 proof, but is still extremely drinkable. Fill my decanter to the brim all day, every day with Old Fo 100 proof. It’s fun to hunt bottles, but it’s also okay to just enjoy the best life has to offer every day!

On April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur, blotting out the sun across a wide swath of Indiana. Hoosiers and friends from all over will gather together on this historic occasion to mark this celestial event, not expected to happen again until 2153. This special bourbon was distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and bottled in Bloomington, directly in the path of the eclipse. We hope you use it to toast this once in a lifetime experience. Bottled at 119.4 proof with no filtration, this is a FULL flavored whiskey with dark red fruit, cinnamon, and plenty of background char. On the palate, big dark fruit combines with apple pie crust sweetness, finishing with field honey, cinnamon butter, and a sweet dose of arm chair leather and oak.

Shhhhhh….don’t tell anyone about Evan Williams 100 proof Bottled-in-Bond, especially when we’ve got it on Red Hot Deal for UNDE $18. It’s at least 4 years old and bottled at 100 proof, from ONE distillery, made in ONE distilling season. Fresh mint and oak on the nose, typical Heaven Hill with a rustic woodsiness I’ve always enjoyed. On the palate, bright bourbon fruit mixed perfectly with a more mature oak profile. The decent malt content provides a touch of shortbread as well. Long finish, and complex, but not over oaked. For an “EVERYDAY” bourbon, it’s either this, Wild Turkey 101, or Old Fo 100 proof if you ask me. Why not have them ALL!

Locally aged, finished and bottled by West Fork, The Hugh Hamer Double Oaked rivals Woodford Double Oaked with a massive dose of sweet 99% candy corn goodness. Fresh cut oak, plums, and dark fruit on the nose with a touch of honey. On the palate, absolutely dripping with fresh barrel flavors. Bourbon candy, oak shavings, and more dark fruit. It’s bottled at 103 proof, so ice is fine and it calms the oak down a bit, but it’s a MUST try Old Fashioned because all that oak with sugar is something to behold.