Category: Hall of Fame

When Brown Forman SOLD the Early Times brand to Sazerac in 2020, they must have kept some choice barrels of that mashbill behind which were bottled initially WAY back as Early Times 354, and later the straight whiskey version of Early Times itself, which was then, and still is a sleeper hit. Fast Forward to 2024 with the release of this latest “Whiskey Row” series, and BF is rolling out a 10 year version the this 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley mashbill in the form of Old Forester 1924, commemorating a year when mashbills and whiskies from Prohibition-closed distilleries arrived on their doorsteps. It’s a clever bit of marketing with some actual factual parallels, but setting all that aside, what’s it taste like? First off, I LOVE the straight ET for its brown sugary goodness, along with lots of sweet body and traditional leather and spice flavors. The mixer whiskey for ET always had to be a little sweeter because that’s what that target demo demanded, and so once you saddle 10 years of age and bottle at an appropriate 100 proof you’re left with an OUTSTANDING whiskey in 1924. It actually tastes sweeter and younger than its age statement, but that’s the point. Sweet sugar goodness from start to finish. If you want something different and little more lively in your glass, go for this!

The lowest proof of any Stagg Jr, (now just Stagg) ever released, batch 23C is filled with wild berry aromas, including grape, blackberry, and darker florals. On the palate, initial oak explodes into fruit and spice. Honey, caramel, and nougat along with the continued line of dark fruit fight it out harmoniusly with the baking spices. Some fresh apple skins and apple pie cinnamon sugar to finish as well. Big, juicy, worth of the Stagg tag, but actually drinkable at full strength!

On the nose, leather, vanilla, oatmilk, milk chocolate, praline, and a touch of citrus zest. The oak is more lifted, complex, nut-like, and focused on this than almost any other Canadian I’ve tried in recent years. Hard to call a $200 whisky a value, but this is it. I can’t think of a better nose on a Canadian. On the palate, vanilla swirl with cocoa, maple, and massive slices of fruit cake. Big oak, but balanced, chewy, still sweet.

The 97 proof orange label “single barrel” of Weller straddles the line between the Special Reserve and Antique, and provides a different take on the normally bathed wheater. Though last year’s version left a little to be desired, this year’s is a real treat, brimming with Weller leather and spice on the nose, the palate exhibits sweet caramel, tropical fruit, and a chewy nougat that’s just the best bourbon “candy” you’ll ever taste. Orange label 2023/2024 is dynomite!

Set right up against the banks of the Kentucky River are the metal clad Camp Nelson warehouses owned by and filled with Wild Turkey bourbon. The “Single Rickhouse” project which began last year highlights batches of barrels drawn from single warehouses across the three WT barrel campuses. The 2023 release of Camp Nelson Warehouse F was drawn from floors 4 and 5 and bottled at 117.6 proof. The initial palate is a barrel roll of spice and nougat, herbs and oak, red fruit, and really gentle butterscotch and vanilla. Big, tasty, worth the price profile that just keeps going 30-60 seconds after the sip. Chewy and delicious.

Older stocks of MGP “Light Whiskey” at some point will run out, because there’s no way any craft distiller will sit on ANYTHING for 15+ years. So what’s been bottled over the past few years will be it, more than likely. The category itself, created for blends and drinkers who preferred lighter whiskey, is basically just a notch between bourbon and vodka on the distilling scale, but when you add this many years in cask to it, you end up with a wholly different and fascinating product, far from what it was ever meant. Creamy vanilla explodes on the nose with thick butterscotch, intense florals, and rich butter. On the palate the 128 proof carries with it the most intense flavorful vanilla and butterscotch. This tastes like a George T Stagg version of a top shelf Canadian whiskey. Truly unique and delicious, interesting, but extremely approachable with just masses of flavor!

ANYONE SHOPPING AT BOURBON WORLD Dec 15th, 2023, CAN ENTER TO WIN THE RIGHT TO BUY THIS BOTTLE! This year’s Parker’s Heritage is a barrel proof rye bottled at 128.8 proof. Striking the right balance between rye spice and barrel spice, this year’s release exhibited smoked meats and smoldering oak fire on the nose with ginger, brine, and orange fruit emerging. On the palate, intensely chewy rye, bready at first, then sharp and textural. This ain’t a starter whiskey. The oak is dark, but eventually lets the grain come out and play as you chew. Fruit is obliterated on the finish leaving nothing but a tingling oak sensation. Blockbuster and worthy of the name!

ANYONE SHOPPING AT BOURBON WORLD Dec 14th, 2023, CAN ENTER TO WIN THE RIGHT TO BUY THIS BOTTLE! The combination of drinkabilty due to the relatively low proof of 90.4 and the bite of 12yrs of oak ageing along with the soft creamy spice of the wheated mash makes this the “go to” Pappy in the lineup. Drink it like Julian with a twist of lemon and a big rock. You’ll love it!

ANYONE SHOPPING AT BOURBON WORLD Dec 13, 2023, CAN ENTER TO WIN THE RIGHT TO BUY THIS BOTTLE! This year’s 2023 George T Stagg weighs in at 135 proof on the nose, aged for 15 years and 3 months in warehouses C, I, K, L, and M on floors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. A 55 second #4 char on Independent Stave casks was utilized. This year’s release is a big, massive whiskey as usual with leather, cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla frosting. Big, rich, barrel spice finish.

It’s BACK BABY! The 2023 edition of Midwinter captures the early magic of the brand with that signature dark red fruit nose and palate that combines the piney sweet bite of a high percentage rye with the deeply rich and fruity influence of part barrel ageing. Soft red fruit on the nose with vanilla bean and subtle rye spice emerging. On the palate, a sweet cocoa shines through with the dark rye spice presenting as snickerdoodle. Grab your favorite pipe and sweater and settle in for the night with this one!