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Whiskey Review

James Oliver American Whiskey Review

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James Oliver American Whiskey

A few weeks after reviewing Burnside Bourbon, I was contacted by representatives of Indio Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon and asked if I wanted to review a few of their spirits.  I agreed and along in the mail came a few (very beautiful) bottles of whiskey. Three in total, including their American, Rye, and Canadian blend whiskies.

The Bourbon Barreled American Whiskey up for review today is particularly exciting to me because it is a high rye whiskey, double-barreled in used bourbon and sherry barrels. On the website, they claim the whiskey is “barreled and bottled” in Oregon, leaving some speculation open that the whiskey itself is being imported from somewhere else (UPDATE: the corn whiskey is sourced from MGP in Indiana, the rye from Bardstown, KY). In any case, this whiskey also won a “Best American Whiskey” Gold Medal at the 2015 International Whisky Competition.

With the background out of the way, let’s begin the review.

james oliver american whiskey label

Appearance

I really enjoy the branding and appearance of all of the James Oliver bottles. There’s a real retro feel going on that satisfies my inner hipster (a small, quiet voice, I assure you). The whiskey itself is golden with a slight reddishness (the sherry finish, I assume).  For what it’s worth, this bottle looks great on a shelf, moreso if you collect each of the whiskies from this producer.  The only thing I’m confused about is “Est. 1931” — an impressive date but seeing as Indio Spirits was founded in 2004, I’m not sure what the reference is to.

Nose

The nose gives away that this is a high-rye whiskey. Spices, some breadiness, oak, and a touch of vanilla. The combined aromas are very pleasant, an added bonus being that there’s very little ethanol burn so I can enjoy the aroma without feeling my nose light on fire.

Taste

To me, this whiskey tastes very much like a high-rye bourbon–it just doesn’t bite like most of the high-rye bourbons out there. The texture of the whiskey is medium bodied, quickly coating my palate. I pick up lots of caramel, rye spices, some vanilla, and a hint of that sherry–very enjoyable.

Finish

The finish here is long and smooth, with just the slightest touch of burn.

Final Thoughts

I give Indio Spirits a lot of credit here for thinking outside of the traditional American whiskey box by double-barreling this whiskey in ex-bourbon and sherry casks.  But they didn’t just think outside the box, they also delivered a quality product. I really appreciate how this whiskey packs a lot of flavor into a very smooth dram. It stacks up well against its other ~$30 competitors and it definitely deserves a bottle purchase.

Final Grade: B+

Whiskey Review: Burnside Bourbon

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Burnside Bourbon

A couple of weeks back I stopped by a local liquor store in Astoria and came across Burnside Bourbon. There are lots of new boutique distilleries releasing new products every week, but not many from my home town of Portland, Oregon, so I decided to give it a shot.

And without further ado, here’s the review (that rhymed, right?).

Specifics

  • Spirit Type: Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Eastide Distilling
  • Age: 4 Years
  • Proof: 96 proof

Burnside Bourbon

Appearance

The first thing that you notice when looking at any bottle of Burnside whiskey is the prominent portrait of none other than General Ambrose Burnside, who (you may have guessed), rocked sideburns so hard that they are named after him. The label on the bottle has a classic shape and a sort of washed out paper character that sings of the Civil War. The color of the spirit is a light amber.

Nose

On the nose I pick up heavy notes of corn, vanilla, and some oakiness, all behind a not so subtle ethanol.

Taste

I like the texture of this whiskey. Medium bodied texture starts smooth, and ends a bit rough — a bit like the Northwest in character if you ask me (though this whiskey might be a bit more on the smooth side). As for notes, I pick up oak, hints of rye, and light vanilla and caramel notes. Not exactly overwhelming on the taste side of things, but enjoyable all the same.

Finish

The finish here is medium length with about an average amount of ethanol burn. Pretty standard for what you’ll get for a $25 bottle of whiskey.

Conclusion

For about $25, this whiskey is worth a shot. It has some nice offerings from a flavor and texture standpoint, but there are dozens of contenders in this same price-point competing for this market.

Final Grade: B-

Whiskey Review: Jeffers Creek 6 Year Old Bourbon

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Jeffers Creek Whiskey

I came across Jeffers Creek whiskey after I saw it on sale at Gary’s Wine and Marketplace on Route 23 in NJ for $20. I had stayed away from it the last time I visited because it looked clearly like a cheap knockoff of Old Weller Antique wheat whiskey, but I noticed it had a Gary’s “recommendation” this time around so I figured I’d give it a shot.

So let’s get on to the review.

Specifics

  • Spirit Type: Bourbon
  • Proof: 80
  • Bottled by: King’s Mark Company (Louisville, KY)

Jeffers Creek Bourbon

Appearance

Well let’s start with the obvious: the bottle design is an exact ripoff of Old Weller wheat whiskey. The typeface, label design, shape of the bottle, and even how the top label is centered are all exactly the same.  I wouldn’t be incredibly surprised by this if Jeffers Creek was owned by the same company, but nope: different companies (Weller is Buffalo Trace). Wish I could tell you what the rational here is, but I can’t — if you can, please do drop in the comments (UPDATE: Thanks Mark for the heads up – this whiskey is indeed produced by the same company as Weller as identified by the UPC code!).

The color of the whiskey itself is a yellow tinged amber. When I pour the first drops and move it around in my glass, I’m surprised at how the liquid clings to the walls — syrupy, similar to something like a Makers.

Nose

Lots going on in the nose, but the first thing you notice is the burn that stings if you breath in a little too deeply. Hiding behind the intense fumes is oak and caramel.

Taste

Much like the nose, the first thing you’re likely to get with Jeffers Creek is a bit of gasoline. Behind it there are some pleasant notes of caramel, oak, and corn. After that, we get into more trouble when we get to the…

Finish

Long, sweet, and more than a little burn.

Conclusion

This is no Weller. But this also isn’t an awful whiskey. Sure for $20, I’d easily take an Evan Williams 1783 instead. But this isn’t some watered-down distillery backwash either.  If you’re feeling conflicted about buying it, toss a coin, or save yourself the $$ and bump your price-range up by $20 the next time you shop for a bottle.

Final Grade: C+

Scotch Review: Talisker Storm

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I’ve been a fan of Talisker single malt scotch ever since my first taste of the Talisker 10 Year about a year and a half ago.  The Talisker Storm, released by Diageo in 2013, is a No Age Statement (NAS) bottling, so there’s less factually to know about this spirit.  What is immediately obvious about this bottling, however, is that it bears striking resemblance to the 10 year though with some important differences, mainly to do with a heightened strength and aggressiveness.

Bottling Specifics

  • ABV: 45.8%
  • Age: no age statement

Nose

On the nose for Talisker Storm are notes of pepper, smoke, honey, and banana.

Palate

Talisker Storm opens with a nice medium-bodied oaky sweetness. Mellow, with mild peat and slight saltiness. Gentle yet full flavored all at the same time. Some harshness betrays this is probably a younger spirit than the 10 year.

Finish

Very clean, warming, with a lingering sweetness.

Conclusion

Talisker Storm is, as one online commenter put it, like “a storm in a tea cup.”  Somehow mellow yet powerful at the same time.  I’m not sure I would take Storm over the 10 Year, but it’s certainly a good bottle to buy, especially since I’ve seen bottles of this product selling for around $50 at different shops in the city.

Whiskey Review: High West Double Rye

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High West Double Rye“It’s about damn time.”

That was the first thought that came to mind when I sat down for a rooftop dram of this marvelous straight-rye blend. I’ve been drinking the Double Rye from the High West Distillery on and off again now for about a year. It’s just one of those whiskies that keeps you coming back again and again.

High West Double Rye is unique among rye whiskey in that in is actually a blend of two rye whiskies, a 2 and a 16 year. The result is a rye experience that switches back and forth between ultra smooth and kick in the pants spice.
But now for the review.

Product Information:

Spirit Type: Rye Whiskey
Producer: High West Distillery
Age: Mix of 2 year and 16 year rye
ABV: 46% ABV

Nose

Spices and more spices. As other reviewers have noted, there are some really interesting gin notes, notably a subtle evergreen smell along with some oak.

Taste

The Double Rye opens up very smooth with vanilla and caramel and transforms in a moment to a flavor bomb of rye spices, confectionary spices, and an interesting mix of botanicals. Lots of character!

Finish

The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering taste of orange peel and rye spice across the tongue. Really enjoyable.

Conclusion

This really isn’t a rye whiskey that any American whiskey sipper can afford to miss. For just $35 a bottle, it’s a standard on my shelf for the foreseeable future.
Final Grade: A

Whisky Review: Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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It seems like anyone beginning their journey in Scotch hears about the Laphroaig 10 Year almost immediately. It’s the go-to “peaty scotch” for beginners. And what can I say? It is indeed a very enjoyable scotch, at a great price-point, that offers a good introduction to the world of peaty scotches. It wouldn’t be my first scotch recommendation, but for any beginner looking to experience Islay, I highly recommend. Here’s why:

Product Information

  • Spirit Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch
  • Producer: Laphroaig
  • Website: http://www.laphroaig.com/
  • Age: 10 Years
  • ABV: 40%

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Nose

Get ready for robust, dominating peat. Smoke and black pepper up front, with an iodine (medicinal) note pushing through. As is common with Islay scotches, a whiff of sea salt is also present in the Laphroaig 10.

Taste

Heavily charred oak, cardomom, hints of vanilla, and pepper. I think in order to understand what this whisky is trying to say, you have to be vigilant in taking in the whisky’s aroma as you sip. The smoke on the nose is a great compliment. The body of the whisky is a medium-full, which surprises me considering the relatively low 40% ABV.  I think the only occasional complaint I have with this whisky is the peat, though welcome, can at times be a bit distracting to the other interesting flavors present in the profile.

Finish

Surprisingly a very clean, bright finish. The lingering note is charred oak and peat. The finish is almost as good as the taste, which is saying something.

Conclusion

Are there better scotches out there? Sure, but for about $45 a bottle in NYC, this is a tough scotch to beat for anyone looking for a peaty scotch on a budget. This is a buy.

Final Grade: B+/A- (Buy)

Whiskey Review: Rowan’s Creek Bourbon

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Rowan's Creek Bourbon

My Bourbon Journey continues with Rowan’s Creek Bourbon. I was looking for an aggressive bourbon at a great price point, and this bottle of Rowan’s Creek was my gamble. What a good gamble it was. At 100.1 proof, this bourbon packs a punch, but at just $38 in New York City, this is easily one of my top 5 bourbons. I picked this whiskey up at my new favorite local liquor store in Crown Heights: Liquor Warehouse, on Bergen St. and Washington Ave.  Now for the review…

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Product Information

  • Spirit Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Producer: Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD)
  • website: http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/whiskeys.html
  • Origin: Kentucky, United States
  • Age: 12 Years
  • ABV: 50%
  • Price: ~$38
  • Reviewed: Neat

Nose

In order of prominence: Caramel, vanilla, honey, rye spice, and cinnamon.

Taste

Plenty of spice present in this whiskey. Spicy upfront that quickly transforms into a thick flavor profile that coats the palate, with notes of caramel, slight butteriness, oak, and honey. Very good. A couple of drops of water bring the spice down and really help the caramel and vanilla to come through quite a bit more.  A complex but accessible whiskey.

Finish

Medium length finish, with caramel and vanilla. I also notice some confectionery notes as well that quickly disappear.

Conclusion

I really enjoy this bourbon. I’ve found it pretty difficult to find a bourbon that pairs well with a powerful cigar at a reasonable price. Rowan’s Creek bourbon absolutely hits the mark here, and at just $38 a bottle I’ll be back for more.

Final Grade: A (strong buy)

EXCLUSIVE: Rating Pappy Van Winkle’s: A vertical tasting. Which made #1?

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During one of our cold and dreary winters here in New York I invited some close friends to my house for a grueling task. I wasn’t asking them to move furniture or paint rooms which are the archetypal favors you may rope a friend into. No, this was a “chore” most mates would jump at the chance to aid in. The call I placed was to ask if they would assist me in rating a vertical of Pappy Van Winkle 15, 20, and 23yr. old bourbon. Needless to say both friends didn’t seem to mind lending a hand or their taste buds. However in order to gather sufficient and comprehensive results I had to put a few key methods into place.

First I chose these two friends for particular reasons. Although I had many people offer to “help” out with my study I felt I needed some specific tasters. One of them has tasted many a fine bourbon yet still considers his tasting acumen as” budding” and continuing to develop. Also this individual doesn’t covet any booze or cigar and price and/or hype never sways him. I can always count on him for an honest assessment and he is one friend who even keeps me grounded at times. The other person has never tried bourbon but is a big fan of wine with a developing palate enhanced by his extensive Sommelier certification coursework. He is an asset to the study as he has the ability to recognize taste but no preconceived notions on what bourbon should be.

The Setup:

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Second we had to do this study blind. In order to score without bias we needed to NOT be aware of what we were drinking. Each bourbon was covered up by someone not participating in the study and each bottle labeled simply 1, 2 & 3. We were poured each one in number order and utilized the UC Davis College Wine Score Card which applies to spirits as well. This card has a point system broken up into 3 categories with a scoring system for each category.  The categories were Appearance, Odor, and Taste. Each category was noted and then given a score. The scores were then added up for a final scoring on that particular spirit. The highest total score that can be achieved is 25 points on the UC Davis College Wine Score Card respectively. The results and ratings below are listed highest to lowest scored with tasting notes as well as the year of the bourbon. The results were quite surprising. Enjoy!

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1.  Pappy Van Winkle 20yr. Old Bourbon- 20 Points. We found that this bourbon was the sweet spot in terms of the time Pappy should be aged in barrel. The color was a wonderful golden amber with a honeyed hue and a touch of rose’. The first nose gave off alcohol aromas some vanilla and slight spice. Initial tastings had vanilla, baking spice and oak with medium intensity. The mid palate was smooth and refined with oak vanilla and earthy characteristics. The finish was long, rich and continued with an interplay of spices, toasted oak and vanilla. An extremely balanced bourbon with a length that beats many I’ve tasted.

Pappy15

2.   Pappy Van Winkle 15yr. Old Bourbon- 18 Points. The color in the glass was that of caramel and toasted almond. Nosing gave off aromas of cinnamon, citrus and spice. This bourbon had a weighty mouth feel with earth and vanilla dominating. Midway caramel, butterscotch and a bit of toasted oak came through. Some “bourbon heat” kicked in for a moment before finishing with a long caramel/toffee aftertaste. This was a medium intensity bourbon and we all felt it was a fine sipping spirit.

Pappy23

3.    Pappy Van Winkle 23yr. Old Bourbon- 17 Points. The color on this bourbon was medium with an amber hue. There was a more intense burn on the nose with some vanilla coming through on the second impression. There wasn’t much more on the front of this offering. First sip yielded baking spice, wood and coconut. Midway gave a lot of earthiness along with baking spices and some more vanilla and caramel. There was a lot of heat present and the finish took on a long earthy and spicy character. This bourbon came on with intense spice, heat and wood no doubt due to its aging however we did not feel the extended time benefited it.

The lineup and copious note taking

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So after a long hard afternoon which trickled into evening we concluded our findings. Having drunk these bourbons for years I wasn’t surprised to see the 20 yr. old the best in taste, flavor and finish as it has always been my personal favorite. We were all surprised to find that the 23yr. old scored the lowest in our tasting. This wasn’t a bad bourbon at all in fact it is of extremely high quality. The additional aging however seemed to overpower some flavors which seemingly hurt its scoring. What makes blind tastings so interesting is that you remove your preconceived notions and are forced to focus on the sight, smell and taste of the product alone. I would recommend getting some friends together and try a blind tasting. It can be done with any spirit and you may be surprised at what you THINK you like. I’m sure you won’t have any trouble finding friends to lend a hand in this endeavor,I sure didn’t.

Bull Moose Rye scores 97 points in blind tasting at Havanas Cigar Club!

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This past week I gathered some spirits and cigar aficionado friends of mine for a bourbon and rye blind tasting at Havana’s Cigar Club in East Meadow NY.  Our goal was to have all of us bring bourbons or ryes for a total of 20 bottles together for the tasting.  There were five guys total including myself with backgrounds ranging from sommeliers to certified tobacconists. All of us arrived at the private club at 11:00 am ready for the challenge. Another cigar associate was present as his job was to pour all the spirits as well as number them so we would have no idea what we were tasting. In addition we each had to fill out cards for every spirit tasted and evaluate them using a hundred point scale. We gave points for 4 separate criteria; 1. Appearance 2. Aroma 3. Taste & Characteristics and 4. Finish. After tasting we tallied all the points up for a top 5 best of the best. It was quite an afternoon with many surprises as to what we “Thought” was what. I urge anyone who hasn’t to organize your own blind tasting and you too may be surprised at how you taste. So without further ado, here is our official top five list and congrats to these wonderful spirits. Enjoy!

# 1: Rating 97 Points- Rough Rider Bull Moose Three Barrel Rye Whisky.

BullMoose

From Richard Stabile of Long Island Distillers makers of LiV vodka, Rough Rider Bourbon and Pine Barrens Single Malt this Rough Rider shot out the gate with three tasters commenting instantly on its aroma and complexity.  This rye had it all for us; spice, caramel, butter, toasted oak and some wonderful heat. All that with a silky mouthfeel and a finish that lingered on our taste buds for days. All of us agreed the Three Barrel aging was a brilliant idea that added to its intertwined flavors and finish. We need more of these innovations and more of this Rye!

Website: http://www.lispirits.com/

#2: Rating 96 Points- Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch.

This very close second in our tasting is one of my favorite bourbons. There are four different bourbons comprised here ranging from 11-17 years old.  The nose on this yielded cinnamon, all spice and even a bit of citrus. Notes of vanilla, oak and caramel dominated leaving an aged oak finish. A delicate bourbon due to its age and an amazing expression of what quality blending can accomplish.

Website: http://www.fourrosesbourbon.com/

#3: Rating 95 Points- Eagle Rare 17 year old.

Yet another choice bourbon that blew us away. This spirit gave off a candied nose along with some citrus and dried fruits. Its initial spice gave way to leather, tobacco and cinnamon. Subtle oak on the finish along with a shot of heat hit all of our sensory spots. I’ve always been a fan of the different style of Eagle Rare even in their lesser offerings and this one is not to be downplayed. A stylish bourbon.

Website: http://www.eaglerare.com/

#4: Rating 94 Points- Templeton Small Batch Rye.

We were surprised how far ahead this Rye got in our ratings but despite its seemingly gimmicky claims, this Rye stood out amongst they fray. Its nose was reminiscent of the holiday with pine, allspice and woods. The cinnamon and spice came forward along with a buttery mouthfeel and heated finish. I can’t say for fact that this is a “Prohibition Era” spirit but it’s sure tasty for this day and age.

Wesbite: http://www.templetonrye.com/

#5: Rating 93 Points- Kings County Distillery Bourbon.

We must have had NY on our minds as yet another NY spirit made our top tastings. This small batch bourbon out of Kings County delivered fine malts along with a lot of corn on the nose. The flavors gave hints of charred oak, leather and touches anise. The oak finish smacked on the sides of the mouth and kept us salivating for more.  Yet another unique style that cut through the rest.

Website: http://kingscountydistillery.com/

As you’ve probably guessed it was a tough afternoon sifting through choice bourbons and ryes at a private cigar lounge; fortunately we bit the bullet and suffered through the day. Our scientific method yielded the most unbiased ratings we could deliver. You’ll be happy to know we treated ourselves to some luxurious cigars afterward while dutifully sipping on the winner. All for you dear readers, all for you.

A Rye for the Ages! Rough Rider Bull Moose Three Barrel Rye…

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From the brainchild of Richard Stabile of Long Island Distillers makers of LiV vodka, Rough Bourbon and Pine Barrens Single Malt comes one of the best Rye’s I’ve tasted all year. What makes this rye so special is its aging and select finishing in wine barrels. The spirit is first aged for a minimum of four years in newly charred American oak casks. After aging it’s then finished in selected merlot and chardonnay casks. The result is a rye with a tremendous depth of flavor and a lingering finish. Speaking of “finish’, I just finished another bottle myself and the results are thus. Enjoy!

APPERANCE: A light copper color with legs that scurry down the glass. Swirling gives a nice feel of the depth of the spirit within.

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NOSE:  Initial flavors of oak, vanilla and spicy heat emerge. Second nose gives toasted wood, bread and some dried fruits.

TASTE: First sip is buttery with apricot some caramel and “merlot” flavors in its expression. The mouth feel is rich with flavors that demonstrates its balance. Both sides of the cheeks are coated with butter and spice that caress not overpowers the senses. The finish goes on forever with a velvety texture and flavors of caramel, toasted oak, butter and heat all at once. This is one of the most balanced and complex Rye’s I’ve tasted.

CONCLUSION: With Bull Moose Three Barrel Rye Long Island Distillers has produced probably my favorite spirit to date. This Rye delivers a cacophony of flavors on the palate and lingers on and on. This exceeded my expectations of rye and what can be done with it. The finishing in wine casks creates tastes and nuances that makes this a true sipping spirit. I’ve enjoyed most everything Rich Stabile has been putting out as of late but if I had to venture off with the “Rough Riders” and could bring only one spirit, this would be the bottle that I’d saddle up with.

Website: http://www.lispirits.com/front_page.php?msgerror=fail

 

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