Company on Label: Old Forester Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley Proof: 115° Age: NAS Further identification: Old label 1920 Prohibition Style If you want something with all the delicious dark fruit of the world. This is it. Dessert. Syrupy, medicinal cherry. Pepper and rye spice. Sweet notes try to hide a present leather. Woah. Chocolate heavy palate. Cherry mixes PERFECT with chocolate. Creamy caramel. Tasty bitter dark chocolate finish. Later in the glass I am finding a deep holiday winter-like vibe. A funky/nutty profile comes out and is still dancing around a beautiful oaky fruit medley. Rating: 5/5

You may already know I love my Hirsch Selected Whiskeys and their associations with great distillates. The clear parallels to my love for Willett make this a pour I find myself reaching for often. This same mash bill as some of those yellow label single barrels carried in 2021 is back again, but this time it carries an extra finish. 30 year old Hine XO cognac barrels were used to age this bourbon. It comes in a bougie box that immediately makes any shelf look fancy if you're into that sort of thing. I normally throw out 99% of my boxes but this is one I am keeping. I'm actually using one as a shelf riser in my whiskey study as the normal Booker's boxes I use were too tall to be able to hold up the ultra-tall Midwinter Night's Dram. I've had more than a few experiences with this bottle already if you can tell from the fill level. I've enjoyed sharing this one with friends already. It carries a slightly steep MSRP of around $180 if you can find it - most of my local stores only have a few if any on hand. The Hirsch brand website describes this release, saying: The Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an exclusive HIRSCH release finished in 30-Year-Old Hine Cognac XO barrels, in Bardstown, Kentucky. It’s rich, complex, and a well-rounded whiskey. This expression was brought from a collaboration between HIRSCH Selected Whiskeys and Hine Cognac. HINE COGNAC Internationally acclaimed for its blends, vintage and extra old cognacs, the 259-year-old cognac house takes pride in its unequalled collection of exceptional cognacs dating back to the 1800s. For us at HIRSCH, this is a unique collaboration with one of the most prestigious Cognac distilleries. 54 barrels of our 6-year-old bourbon were selected to finish in 30-year-old XO Hine Cognac casks for 18 months, adding subtle yet noticeable character of Cognac to our bourbon. This unique expression has a mash bill of 72% corn, 13% rye, 15% malted barley. On the nose, it offers notes of dusty cherry and charred citrus with a palate of over ripe stone fruit, fresh raisin, soft heat, and finishes dry yet flavors continue to develop. Well, you might be wondering what the heck I think about it by now... So let's jump into that part. Company on Label: Hirsch Distillers Bardstown Kentucky Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 13% Rye, 15% Malted Barley - a well established mash bill Proof: 127° Age: 7 years (7.5 is listed on the back label, though per their website that appears to include finishing time which is not traditionally how age statements work) Further identification: This red label Selected Whiskey from Hirsch comes in a book style box with a magnetic latch; it released for the first time in 2022 under the batch number AHH0722; the back label states the French Cognac casks used are 30 year old Hine XO barrels Nose: On first raising the glass I find chocolate tones up front. Pear, apricot and tart cherry follow closely behind. Bright florals dance clearly on a deeper inhale. Citrus, cinnamon and funk rise up well - hallmarks of the Bardstown, KY distillate. Overall things are light as traditional notes of caramel and oak fill most of the glass. Butterscotch hides out in some of the softer corners. At times this glass really comes alive with the white lily tones bubbling up in a bubbly splash of champagne. Troves of oak begin to fill my nostrils as I envision the vintage oak blanket chest I have always dreamed of owning for some reason. Time to dive in on a sip! Mmm. Creamy, delectable and complete upon returning my nose to the glass. It continues to be very dominantly oaky in a way that doesn't say overaged bourbon which clearly demonstrates to me that it is an interesting effect of the Cognac cask influence. Ginger, black pepper and allspice have crept in late becoming slightly too spicy for my nostril comfort level. Deep inhales near the bottom of the glass produce rich notes of leather, orange creamsicle and resinous, savory brown sugar. The empty glass smells of Pirouline wafer sticks again alongside powdered sugar and honeydew melon. Palate: Goodness that is quite effervescent as your first sip of the day. Chocolate covered cherries, dates and plum all hit the palate first before a wave of cinnamon takes over. The mouth feel is thick and nutty like a caramel apple grape dessert. Another sip is hefty again with the chocolate tones; this time it is Pirouline crème filled wafers hitting my tongue. It's surprisingly delicate once you get over the first shocks - I think the sweet, oaky Cognac has done well to subdue what can traditionally be quite a spicy cinnamon bomb on the tongue. The finish has improved approachability at the cost of some uniqueness & familiarity. It does well in this particular blend in that regard. Sipping along further I find honey sweetness, cardamom, saffron and creamy port wine. Shaking things up more pungent earthy tones begin to fall on my palate alongside some tobacco notes. The fruit has turned into more dried fruit, though it still is apricot and plum forward. It sizzles and rises comfortably through the mouth with a long finish of honeydew melon, cantaloupe and thick, chewy caramel. As I sit with this glass a good long while, I keep finding new things to love. It's been wholeheartedly enjoyable to drink all the way through. My last sip is a simple treat of vanilla frosting, clear Cognac silky grapes, and star fruit. Yum. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) I have been absolutely crushing this bottle. Those who are looking for the full-blown Willett funk will definitely find that the Cognac finish has modified things somewhat - I think it's actually for the better, though your mileage may vary. I like this better than I've liked a handful of purple top releases, though there are definitely examples that can usurp this too. This may have seemed on the shorter end of a review for me. I'm quite tired! Hopefully it's early to bed for me tonight after this tasty dram. Cheers!

The new kid on the block is here. This brand new mash bill from the powerhouse that is Jack Daniel distillery out of Lynchburg, TN is making another splash in the whiskey world - one that has bourbon hunters flocking towards it despite the unique style. The distillery describes this release on their website, saying: Our fifth annual special release is here - Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled 2022 Special Release American Single Malt Whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks. This year’s special release celebrates a brand new grain bill from the Jack Daniel Distillery - 100% malted barley. This is a one-of-a-kind experience crafted from the highest quality malted barley, charcoal mellowed, and twice barreled for a complex taste. This special release is first aged in brand new, American white oak barrels and then finished in the finest Oloroso sherry casks and bottled in its truest form, straight from the cask, with the proof ranging from 106.1-107.8. Jack Daniel's is famous for their 'Lincoln County Process' of charcoal filtration, which this release underwent. The maple wood charcoal is meant to both filter and sweeten, and if you've had some of JD's higher end single barrels or special releases, you'll be well acquainted with how great their whiskey can be. Owners of this new release are encouraged to register their unique bottle number, though I couldn't see this new release listed on the drop down menu at the time of writing. I've previously enjoyed writing reviews on Jack Daniel's 10 year, triple mash, Coy Hill, and the blessed experience of getting to pick a barrel proof single barrel with Lexie Phillips. I've long maintained that utilizing Oloroso sherry finishes is akin to whisk(e)y cheat codes given it almost always improves the mouthfeel, flavor and quality of spirits in my experience. I've tried this on 3 separate occasions now and I feel I'm now ready to offer my honest thoughts here today. So let's dive in! Company on Label: Jack Daniel Distillery Whiskey Type: American Single Malt Mash Bill Percentages: 100% Malted Barley Proof: 106.5° Age: NAS, but it described as being a 4 year whiskey that received another two years of finishing time; so this should drink akin to a 6 year release if we're being intellectually honest Further identification: This 2022 limited edition release is finished in Oloroso sherry casks Nose: Light bread, chocolate and molasses jump out of the glass first and foremost. Light, pink florals dance in the nostrils as the easy air passes through without a hint of the proof to be. Warm hints of baking pie crust and strawberry are alluring and delicious. Well rounded walnut compliments the oak. Simple, light, but still teeming with decent complexity; I'm impressed yet still yearning for more. Time for a sip. Coming back to the nose I continue to find the light florals as they intersperse between the malt and molasses. Dark woodshop aromas like walnut, acacia and linseed oil fill the air atop the liquid in my glencairn. Deep inhales produce the faintest smell of butterscotch as the glass continues to be perfectly approachable. Soft tones of vanilla and warm earthy tones reminiscent of leather fill the glass as it nears empty. Palate: Right away the strawberry tones come back but more so in a flambé style dessert rather than a warm baking pie as the nose let on. The mouth feel is oily and layered with a long linger of delicious banana bread that is subtle, but incredibly well executed. Seriously. The banana bread really is amazing here. It's layered well - moist and buttery with pecans and walnuts sprinkled throughout. A touch of sweet raisin further elevates the experience. Another sip (yes all that above was one sip) produces a decent wave of zest and heft with expressed lemon peel and vanilla meet in a din at the center of my tongue. Overall the mouthfeel continues to be oily as as the steam off of a freshly brewed cup of coffee joins the senses in joy. A larger sip and swish shows off Christmas spices and a big wave of plum. Coriander, allspice, cardamom and ginger blend well in an abstruse aperitif. As the glass wears on towards the bottom I find my teeth pinging with the evidence of an incredibly sweet sip. The expressed lemon peel returns, shaking out some new notes of herbal tea I wasn't finding before. These notes complement the coriander and cardamom spices well. My last sip is creamy upfront with lemon cake with a sugary vanilla glaze. The finish is medium with all the sherry really showing through here. Delectable! Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) To borrow a phrase from the incredibly dope Pablo Moix of Rare Character, I'd call this one supremely crushable. I don't know if this was intended to be a "Christmas release" but it sure tastes like it could be. The spices included are all reminiscent of some of the traditional ones you will see utilized around the holidays and I can definitely picture myself sipping this by a cozy fire throughout this Winter here in New England. This was very close to earning my 'Keep Amongst the Whiskey' distinction, but I would prefer this to have a little more power behind it in order to really wow me. Still - a thoroughly well crafted release that I commend the fantastic master distiller duo on. Have you tried this one yet? Hoping to? Make sure you are subscribed to the website (see below) and you might get that chance. Cheers!

It's another overdue review for a Barton shelfer that many have come to love. I have access to a lot of interesting single barrel versions of this release in Massachusetts, but I will be tasting the shelfer, non-store-pick version here. The Barton 1792 distillery has a long and interesting history that is not often talked about for whatever reason. They seem to just silently keep plugging (or chugging?) away at making a ton of great whiskey these days, even offering that as their explanation for why they stopped doing facility tours in June of 2022. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Situated in heart of bourbon country on 196 acres, the Distillery boasts 29 barrel aging warehouses, 22 other buildings including an impressive still house, and the legendary Tom Moore Spring. Barton 1792 Distillery is named in honor of the year Kentucky joined the United States. The brand website also describes the lore of the Full Proof release: Bourbon insiders have long acknowledged that full proof bourbon has a distinguished and rich flavor. This bourbon underwent a distinct filtering process,forgoing the typical chill filtration and passing only through a plate and frame filter. This allowed the bourbon to maintain a robust proof for bottling, as well as a full, rich and bold flavor. Bottled at its original 125 barrel entry proof, just as it was years ago when the barrels were first filled, 1792 Full Proof Bourbon is exceptionally distinct. Company on Label: Barton 1792 Distillery Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed (but assumed to be 74-75% Corn, 15-18% Rye, and 8-10% Malted Barley) Proof: 125° Age: NAS (minimum of 4 years, likely somewhere around ) Further identification: This is part of the flagship line from the 1792 series; it features the black neck tag and the distinct gold 'UFO' topper Nose: Caramel jumps out first and foremost - a foreboding simplicity that certainly isn't off-putting. Aromas of raisin, milk chocolate, walnut and a commanding spice level tickle the nose. Smokiness fills the glass after a swirl, covering up a funky smell that I can only relate to the faint aroma of socks that spent a long day in a hiking boot. Faint fruit comes across sugary, like the nearly nonexistent smell of a red starburst candy. As I ponder about how strange this experience has been so far, I decide to take a sip. Returning to the glass after a sip shows that there is just too much proof on 'full proof'. Deep licorice pops up between more volume on the smoky characteristics. A faint burning plastic aroma that I've found on some scotches layers in as well now. Overall its bright, but in a funky spice kind of way. The hallmarks here are the clove, allspice and everything bagel seasoning. Deep inhales mix the plastic tones found earlier with the smell of dry clay and playdough. Chocolate sings a pretty note in the near empty glass. The glass smells of sheets on the clothesline and a lemon-laden hot toddy made with chamomile tea once empty. The whiskey fades slowly off into creamy obscurity. Palate: My first sip is vaguely sweet, but a few seconds after a sip I feel my insides turn to flowing magma. I find subtleties of lemon peel, earthy tea, allspice, and mint. Deep astringency ties itself to the flavor of clove. Plum and blackberry want to break through but are sufficiently suppressed by the heavy volume of charred oak here. This whiskey feels similar to a double oaked release for whatever reason. Hints of dry banana peel taunt the tongue. I'm continuously reminded that this drinks hot as I struggle through the experience that I think is best described in the single word: 'rushed'. Banana flavors continue to build near the bottom of the glass as molasses, brown butter and cacao powder drastically improve the trajectory of this pour. Mm - as I finish my last sip I am suddenly surprised by a really delicious mouth coating of creamy tiramisu that was made with a heavy hand on the cocoa powder topping. Rating: 2/5 (Not good... Doesn't please my palate.) The end of the glass & the chocolatey notes it produced are definitely the saving grace of this pour, which otherwise was lackluster at best and a borderline mess at worst. I almost didn't drop the score to a 2 despite the two notes I really didn't like on the nose (licorice and burning plastic), as everything on the palate is okay... but ultimately the astringency and ever-apparent proof really push this into a category I don't really enjoy. It's a shame to discover this release just doesn't land right with me because I've been thoroughly enjoying some of the other 1792 shelfer releases as of late! As a bonus I shared a pour of this with my father who found some quite humorous notes I'll share below. Rick's notes / quotes: "This must be proofy." This is oily... I can't quite place the taste, but it's definitely different to anything I've ever had. Not different good... Not different bad... Just different. It's copper forward... It's like freshly soldered copper - loaded with lead. It's combative at the start, but it's open to negotiations with your senses. I really just don't like the oily characteristic. It's oily and metallic; it's like licking the Tin Man's armpit after Dorothy has just finished oiling it up. What a gem! Cheers!

It's time to dive into a new batch of Larceny Barrel Proof! I have already visited this wheated bourbon on two other occasions prior to tonight. I always try to taste something new several times to make sure I am not having a 'fluke' of a tasting during any formal reviews. I hope everyone spent some great time with family this week. Let's check Larceny C922 out! Company on Label: Old Fitzgerald Distillery (Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, and 12% Malted Barley Proof: 126.6° Age: 6 years (a blend of 6 to 8 year barrels) Further identification: Batch C922 is the 3rd and final release from 2022 Nose: Funky malted barley, caramel, and nutty butterscotch jump out at me. It's slightly bready, but tinged with an apparent proofy edge. Deep inhales show off bright vanilla. Overall it is simple yet imbalanced. There are flashes of orange marmalade, but otherwise it's just very traditional Heaven Hill as printer paper and vanilla sit in the glass. It's not quite as good as the 7 year bottled in bond release that Heaven Hill puts out, and I'm always surprised at how spice forward their wheated mash bills come out. Palate: My first sip is zesty with orange peel upfront followed by molasses. Chocolate, malt, and raspberry meet in a messy conglomeration. Layers of spice wash over the tongue in a way that says younger whiskey, without the true hallmarks of such a sip, namely missing distinct grains. Another sip is just as potent and spiced as allspice sits blandly yet still slightly uncomfortably on the tongue. Plum, linen & dark oak meld heavily. My last sip is softer than the rest with chocolate and some clementine sweetness. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I could go either way on it.) Overall this pour was far too one directional for me to love, but it is definitely approachable for a sipping whiskey if you enjoy spice and heft in your sips. I historically love Elijah Craig barrel proof releases significantly more than these. Check out some of my other 3/5 reviews to see what kind of company this release keeps. Cheers!

Kings County seems to be picking up steam in the whiskey world, making a big splash in the barrel proof whiskey fan circles. Their dark-as-night and proofed-to-the-moon small barrel single barrel releases are garnering some awesome feedback from discerning palates. All these bottles have been in my possession for some time, and I purchased them all fair and square, so I feel like I'm in a good position to finally draw some of my own conclusions and share my thoughts of this awesome craft distillery with you today. Whiskey enthusiasts have long been enamored with capturing the magic of a 'single barrel' and experiencing some level of ownership of that magic for themselves. This happens frequently today in the way of whiskey groups picking for an avid fanbase, or for liquor stores purveying a fine selection for their customers. At the heart of it, it's an opportunity to connect with people on a deeper, more personal level than mass releases can achieve. Single barrel reviews however, are a bit of a double edged sword... What I find in these barrels today could be completely different than any of the other single barrels in existence, so take this snapshot with a grain of salt, or regard it in a way that attempts to distill the essence of the experience as there will be parallels to other whiskeys of the same mash bill & cooperage. For the uninitiated, Kings County Distillery operates out of Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York & has been creating exclusively whiskeys in the Paymaster Building since 2012. They only ever sell whiskey they distilled themselves and won't source from anyone to achieve their final product. Some more info from the Kings County website: Kings County blends distilling practices from a variety of cultures into creative whiskeys that remain traditional while defying convention, using Scottish copper pot stills, open fermentation, and local grains to make American whiskeys that expand the category. One of the preeminent craft distilleries in the United States, the American Distilling Institute named Kings County Distillery of the Year in 2016. So let's dive right into 3 glasses of nearly hazmat whiskey - what could go wrong? Sunday Funday am I right? Let this serve as a reminder for you to drink more water, as I will be doing in between sips of these impossibly dark whiskeys. Social Wine Pick - Kings County Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Company on Label: Kings County Distillery Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% NY Corn, 20% UK Malt Proof: 138.2° Age: 6 years Further identification: This single barrel comes from barrel 3206 and was picked in 2022; these sold very quickly! Plaza Package Pick - Kings County Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Company on Label: Kings County Distillery Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% NY Corn, 20% UK Malt Proof: 134.2° Age: 7 years Further identification: This single barrel comes from barrel 1655 and was picked in 2022; it looks to still be available here Liquor Junction Pick - Kings County Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Company on Label: Kings County Distillery Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% NY Corn, 20% UK Malt Proof: 132° Age: 5 years Further identification: This single barrel comes from barrel 2392 and was picked a few years ago (2019 or 2020 I believe, before the back labels changed slightly); it shows batch #61 on the back; Liquor Junction carries many other Kings County products still today Social Wines Single Barrel Review Nose: Delicate candied malt and chocolate greet me upfront. Funky molasses, dark walnut bread and latex fill my nostrils with an effective potency indicative of the proof. These aromas all pass quickly as the glass evolves. Digging through I find gingerbread cookies and confectioners sugar. There's a soft, warm and brooding plum aroma like a mulled wine plum cobbler fresh out of the oven. I find the most sweetness on this glass of any of the 3. Returning from a sip I find pear, apple and cinnamon. There's a creamy, tannic characteristic like a mulled wine. Herbal tones swing in as the musty barrel influence makes itself known. It's bright and tingly in the nose. Overall its perfectly balanced between funky and sweet. This is possibly the best example of an approachable, sweet and complex bourbon from Kings County that I've ever tried. The only detracting point to this nose is that recurring latex / plastic note that keeps coming up; I'm really not a fan of it, but since it is only apparent from time to time I can still enjoy a majority of this glass. Mmm. The confectioners sugar and marshmallow are just on another level late in the glass if you can spend the time with it. Aromas from the empty glass include heavy smoke, sweet maple syrup and corn husks. Palate: Mmm. My first sip is delectable here. It sits creamy on the tongue before creating an aspen explosion after sending the sip down the chest. Chocolate covered cherries sit in the linger. The mouth feel is creamier than the other two, spreading and sticking to every portion of my mouth, reminding me of a good Weller Full Proof pick in that regard. Another sip produces more of that aspen note as milk chocolate and cinnamon splash against my tongue in harmonious zigzags. As the glass gets lower I find lemon peel has slowly crept in. Overall this starts creamy, crescendos fast in a hefty rise of cinnamon tinged mulled wine and caramel and then finishes soft and easy in a beautiful bell curve. Tasting the last sip produces loads of dark plum, raisin, fig and a trove of spice that really attacks the senses & rumbles the stomach. It's a hefty beast that may not be containable in a neat glass - I might consider making a phenomenal cocktail out of this. Plaza Package Single Barrel Review Nose: Creamy sweet tart aromas show up here. There's an intense prevalence of oak out of the oldest pick of the bunch. Dark soil meets clay in defiance of the sweet start. Soft and silky in the nose, I am not aware of the proof here. Faint expressed lemon peel and herbal tea are interesting additions. Light aromas of crayons make this glass feel rather simple on the nose. Revisiting the nose after taking a sip shows off a new creamy butterscotch aroma I really enjoy. Further arts and crafts aromas create a confusing array. Vanilla begins to establish prominence. Traditional whiskey drinkers will find this approachable as I find a lot of corn-based aromas of caramel and marshmallow. The late nose is a funky rollercoaster as sweet vanilla meets tarragon and fennel. The empty glass smells of dark chocolate covered raisins, soft brandy and beach sand. Palate: My first sip on this glass is balanced at first glance. The mouthfeel is thick and pervasive and it spreads to every corner it can find before settling out softly after a short while. I find brown sugar, buttery, candied walnuts and vanilla syrup. Overall this drinks surprisingly easy. Graham cracker meets nutty toffee & malt in a laid back, friendly hang out. Woah, after a long rest the mouth feel has turned quite drying with allspice, black pepper and an interesting blandness akin to balsa wood. Overall this doesn't have much complexity and the linger is unfortunately on the short end. My last sip is filled with cherry skins, soft florals, nutmeg and turmeric. Liquor Junction Single Barrel Review Nose: This one is definitely the lightest in intensity of the three, possible due to a good bit of oxidation at this point. I find the latex note I was finding on the Social Wines pick too. Smoky, heavy charcoal fills the glass. I can envision that the almost antiseptic quality here might be divisive to more traditional whiskey drinkers. Post-sip I find the nose to have caramelized well. Hints of anise sneak into the glass. Deep inhales are approachable and the smokiness returns well. Anise, leather and savory nutty tones balance well. I am reminded of the Worcestershire sauce base marinade that I use for homemade venison jerky. Mmm. Brown sugar adds to the delicious marinade experience. Overall this glass feels like a fine evening spent out in the woods by a camp fire. The empty glass smells of hot chocolate powder, molasses and orange peel zest. Palate: Sipping on this whiskey shows off an intense, malty effervescence as cherry cola tingles through the chest. It produces a heft I'd only personally recommend to the most seasoned whiskey drinkers ready for a high proof, full volume concert. The mouth feel is thick like molasses and produces flavors of lightly steeped tea in an oak mug. In the wise words of my good friend Eric Gilbert "it tastes like... burning!". Another sip is much easier to palate and I find dark chocolate, cherry skins, plum pie, and raspberry jam. Wow. That was an onslaught of flavor! As the glass gets lower licorice builds well. Cinnamon becomes quite potent and makes me start shaking my head in wonder where all of this flavor came from. My last sip is pleasant, though a little too heavy on the licorice for my personal preference. It lingers long with allspice, cardamom and black tea. Final Ranking: Tie 1. Liquor Junction Tie 1. Social Wines 2. Plaza Package The first place tie was tough. I both liked and disliked each for different reasons. Ultimately I had to settle them and did a blind tasting and still couldn't pick a winner. Overall I'd say I'm not overly crazy for any of these whiskeys. They are all certainly unique, but I don't think any of these are necessarily exceptional whiskey I need to have on my shelf. I really like the idea of trying some of these in cocktails, but my time of spending my own dollars on these single barrels are unfortunately going to be coming to an end unless something changes in these bottles, or another release comes along to change my mind. I still think they solidly fit my 3 score which means I could go either way on them. I'll still certainly enjoy and share the rest of these! Hope this was helpful - it's been a while since I've done a head to head. Cheers!

The experience tasting through several barrel proof single barrels with Lexie Phillips was a delicious dance of tasting notes & rich history. If you’ve never toured their Lynchburg facility you are seriously missing out! It takes an army to keep their operation running at the scale it does & such consistently good whiskey hitting bottles on a shelf near you. This will be a great barrel picking recap from my August trip to @jackdaniels_us. Also, why do I look like a ghost in the 2nd picture above? This single barrel coming to the @ljwhiskeyfamily barrel program is a thoroughly complex, delicious whiskey that is definitely ready to be drank. If you can’t read the tasting notes from that consistently messy @AmongstTheWhiskey handwriting - I'm here to give you another fresh review of the straight-from-the-barrel sample that Lexie let me take home. This is probably the coolest bottle in my whiskey study. The JD single barrel program is incredible - out of the hundreds of thousands of barrels that go through this distillery only 70-150 barrels get selected by the master distiller duo each year. They come from the top (7th) floor of some of the hottest warehouses and have some of the deepest barrel influence for those of us looking for something extra special. We got one such barrel which is an awesome honor that I’m glad I got to experience. You can see some of the fun we had in the reel I recently posted as well. The brand describes this barrel proof release well saying: From grain to barrel and straight to the bottle, our barrel proof Jack Daniel's single barrel is made for those who appreciate a pure taste experience. It doesn't get any more pure than straight from the barrel up in the rick houses! Now let's get into a (re)view! Company on Label: Jack Daniel Distillery Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% Corn, 8% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: TBD at time of bottling Age: 6 years (we picked it on it's exact 6th birthday - August 29th) Further identification: 2637 number: JD208246 comes from lot 16-H-29 (#14); the 16 is the year filled, H represents the 8th month of the year, and 29 is the day of the month in which it was filled, which just so happened to be 6 years to the date in which we sampled it Nose: Beautiful, funky oak is prominent on first lifting the warm glass to my nose. Dark walnuts, tingling vanilla and black pepper all mix cohesively. It is effervescent in the upper portion of my nose and it makes me want to sneeze taking deep breaths off the surface of the glass. Leather, creamed corn and another thick wave of walnut proves to be a delectable combination. Smoky molasses, brown sugar and dark wood feels like a Summer cookout is at hand. Soft tones of citrus and floral provide special complexity that surprises the senses. Overall the glass is creamy, cohesive and complete on the nose. Time for a sip! Coming back I find great aromas of vanilla wafer, buttery croissant and caramel-laden peanut brittle. The bright vanilla tones are balanced well by a potent dusty black pepper aroma. Funky, beautiful woodshop aromas return late in the glass; it reminds me of the Carpenters training center in Milbury, MA. Vanilla tones continuously round out all the aromas here as persistent softness is impressive behind so much flavor and an invisible amount of proof. The empty glass smells of rich, oiled leather, maple barbecue rub, distinct black pepper, and the conglomeration of a Thanksgiving dinner. Buttery turkey, dinner rolls, red wine, and mashed potatoes are all visible in my minds eye upon smelling this. Yum. Palate: Right away cherry hots zing across your tongue. Bananas foster cools things down on the back end. The intense first sip was a welcome shock, though my next sip is much more soft and cohesive as the nose is. Creme fraiche has a nice brightness to it contrasted by dark plum bread that is prevalent. Dark red cherry flavors blend well with tart raspberry and jammy fig. The mouth feel is thick and syrupy, lying somewhere between the consistency of molasses and cranberry sauce. Tangy fruit desserts abound in this glass, though they are quite subtle. I find strawberry rhubarb pie as the glass nears empty. My last sip throws a subtle nod back to warm baked banana bread before caramel, toffee and fluffy tiramisu finish out a robust, complex and amazingly crushable sip. Rating: Two Thumbs Up In order to keep myself honest and unbiased towards experiences in the whiskey world that have had lasting impressions on me, I will not typically score any whiskey I was personally involved in, such as this one. Despite this, you can certainly trust my tasting notes to be only what I manage to dig up in the several hours I typically spend with a glass during a review. I'm not surprised to see that my notes did not vary much from what I tasted at the distillery in Lynchburg to today. What is interesting is that this barrel will still go through some filtering before it gets to the real bottles that will be available at Liquor Junction stores across Massachusetts... Chris Fletcher has described the process for the barrel proof releases as being as simple as 'just taking out the sticks and stones', but time will tell how it changed from the day we sampled it to the day it hits the shelf! I'm hoping for very little, as this is a delicious whiskey in front of me. Let me know in the comments - does this one sound worth grabbing? This also isn't Liquor Junction's first rodeo in Jack Daniel's barrel proof! They did another pick with them in 2019 that I thought was awesome. Mine is long gone, but my good friend Eric hooked me up with the remainder of his bottle for me to compare to the new pick today! The previous bottle came from rick no R-14, barrel #42, and rings in at 131 proof. It is listed on the neck label as coming from barrel 19-15091 and was bottled on 12/4/19. Retasting the older pick I find there to be a lot of similarities, so fans of the old pick will not be disappointed! Vanilla, tart stone fruit and creamy characteristics also abound here. The chest hug and proof is more apparent on this one. I'm loving it and certainly glad to have the rest of this bottle to enjoy in good company. Thank you again Eric!

This Un-Gnome Whiskey challenge came from another rendition of an Instagram giveaway that @saxybourbon ran to celebrate 7,000 followers (wow - this guy really outpaced me)! You can find the giveaway post here, a video of the winners who are participating here, and I look forward to seeing everyone's notes and guesses from the 'Lucky 7'! I'm stoked to be able to participate in another one of these. The goal of the challenge is to have 7 people taste the sample blind and try to identify the brand, proof and age as close to correct as possible. This will go down as Un-Gnome Whiskey Blind Review #7 ironically enough! By some miracle I won the last giveaway and blind tasting competition - you can check out the results of that one here. The sample in this review was provided to me at no cost. Bottle information will be posted after the giveaway ends & a winner is announced on @SaxyBourbon's page The color is on the lighter side with a distinct haziness; I notice what might be slight flocculation and tiny particles of what I hope is barrel char... Rolling the glass to coat the walls produces a thick, oily sheet that refuses to form legs for quite some time. Nose: Bright linen, soft toasted caramel, and younger - though aged to satisfaction - oak aromas greet me upon first raising the glass. Soft cherry skins and slight floral tones come off the cool surface of my glass. Mmm, as I warm the glass with my hands creamy crème brûlée begins to waft up powerfully. Bright vanilla bursts forth on the swirl of the glass, though it's not quite blinding or too potent. There's a great mixture of sweet creamy tones and just a hint of smoke in the back. Time for a sip. Returning to the nose shows off the prominence of the oak again which is beginning to smell a bit older than the early nose let on. Creamy butterscotch is a nice late addition to the limited volume I'm working with. The end of the glass returns to the soft linen tones I started with and layers in just a hint of the expected aroma of new paper - a subtle undulation of lignin. Palate: My first sip produces explosive caramel. Soft cinnamon sizzles on the tip of the tongue as creamy lemon meringue pie creeps in late. The mouth coating is thin, but viscous much like the legs of the glass showed and it carries a lovely bit of char and smoke. Another sip and swish produces much more spice than the first sip as nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice culminate aggressively. The remaining sweetness that prevails is a lovely treat of cherry, plum and juicy peach. Again the smoky linger hangs on like none other I've tried. It definitely feels like a single barrel - I find no telltale sign like a flip-flop of flavors that suggests there is a blend going on here. Hmm, now things are really taking a turn (just as I said there was no flip-flop...). Alongside the spice I am starting to find some tropical fruit like mango, pineapple and hints of coconut. With the addition of a cooling sensation reminiscent of a faint, minty mojito... I am thoroughly confused, though I like what I am tasting. My last sip is another sweet one with cherry skins, minty raspberry and zesty spices. Rating: Thumbs Up! Final Guess: Old Elk Wheat Whiskey, 114.5 proof, aged 6 years (MGP distillate, 95% wheat / 5% malted barley) Reveal: Mayor Pingree Single Barrel Seelbach's Pick, 121.2 proof, aged 6 years Close! We got the right base distillate (MGP), was in the top 4 for proof, and nailed the age statement spot on. All that culminated in a weighted win for team Amongst the Whiskey! I'm honored to have clutched out a small victory in a group as talented as this one. Cheers to the fellow tasters: @jenny_loves_whiskey - 2nd place! @bourbonboot - 3rd place! @drewsdram - best proof guess! @ky_waterman - backup guess on point! @sipnngrilln - damn good guess and one I thought of too! @bourbon_browneyed_gal - a champion does their homework!

It's Starlight Sunday again in the Amongst household and I'm taking a short break from house chores to dive into a fun finish that I've been meaning to learn more about myself. Pineau des Charentes is an aperitif from western France and is rather uncommon elsewhere in the world. It is a fortified wine that can be made from either red or white grape varietals. The fortification comes from the addition of a Cognac eau-de-vie which is then matured. I actually picked up a bottle of the wine from Pierre Ferrand who lists their Pineau des Charentes as a dessert wine. I'll treat it as such and explore it once this review is over. Look for some extra notes at the bottom of the page on the wine if you are curious! Now let's dive into the whiskey. Company on Label: Starlight Distillery Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: A blend of Starlight's 3 & 4 grain mash (51% Corn, 20% Rye, 9% Wheat, 20% Malted Barley) and (60% Corn, 20% rye, 20% Malted Barley) Proof: 104.8° Age: 4 (and a half) years Further identification: Barrel FB233-1 was selected by one of the master distillers, Blake Huber, and was available at the gift shop to inquisitive minds back in May of 2022 Nose: Rich, thick caramel jumps out of the glass first and foremost. Warm baking spices, oiled leather and earthy orchard fruit dance with light effervescence in the nostrils. The aromas are distinctly close to the ground and I find it reminiscent of visiting a lush garden in the Spring; I smell hyacinth, lilac and daffodil. Beneath these sweet florals there's a rich base of oak that comes across heavy, dark and brooding which serves as a lovely contrast. I find some of the notes of a 'noble rot' without the potent sweetness that typically comes with it. The nose-feel is dry and laden with an intense darkness that comes with the melancholy of a rainy day. A swirl props up dry cocoa powder, walnut husk and a damp soil one might find under a log cutoff that has sat on the ground too long. The prominent note thus far has been the dark leather and earthy notes. Time for a sip! Returning to the glass I find the earthy notes have introduced a new layer of funk attributable only to the miracle of old oak. Dusty characteristics creep into the glass as black pepper, allspice and anise form a cocoon around the whiskey I was just formerly smelling. There's a fun corn chip aroma layered in with light paprika and a tangy, light yeast smell. I thoroughly enjoy the sorghum and brown sugar undulations on the back end of a long inhale on this glass. Everything here is delectable on the nose. The empty glass smells of nutty oak, butter, and brown sugar baked apricots. Palate: My first sip is much sweeter than the nose let on; tingling, effervescent wine grapes dance on the tongue. The mouth feel is incredibly light - almost as if nothing was there at all. The tingling sensation and lemon peel zest that rush in afterwards course corrects that fallacy. I find notes of darkly steeped black tea, allspice and potato skins. Another sip produces delicate balance as thin honey and jasmine soften the senses. Soft molasses comes to the end of a forest trail only to find the thin minty notes and a delicate balance of peach and apricot. This glass drinks glossy and sleek with very little in the way of volume, but a lot of great character. My last sip is just as delicate as the last & I'm left with the lingering impression of a relaxing day spent in good company. The linger is medium with soft vanilla, a hint of cinnamon, and a creamy cup of warm tea. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on it.) Although the palate didn't offer much in the way of complexity, I do think I have an appreciation for the master distiller's intent here. I think this whiskey serves much the same purpose as the wine it was finished in: an aperitif. It's delicate and soft enough that any dinner guest would be able to enjoy it, and it certainly stirs an appetite as my Sunday stomach will attest. For that reason it earns the "Keep Amongst the Whiskey" distinction. If you were to blind this against other quality whiskeys it would certainly fall somewhere in the middle of the pack given the light flavors, but I am still thoroughly impressed with the overall experience. It's actually been quite some time since a review has earned this mark, so kudos to Starlight for continuously cranking out awesome whiskey. As for the wine I mentioned earlier... this Pierre Ferrand smells amazingly vibrant. It's oily on the nose like a pot still Irish whiskey with intense sweetness reminiscent of a day spent apple picking in the Fall. One sip confirms the sweet suspicion as rich apple and pear notes bubble to the surface. Interestingly, I definitely find the same honey I tasted and the hyacinth I smelled on the Starlight finished whiskey. It's viscous, creamy, and perfectly balanced. I may have just found my new favorite wine (and I thought I only really loved similar forms of Cabernet Sauvignon). Goodness gracious that is good. Revisiting the whiskey after a sip of the wine tells me that perhaps the whiskey could have been finished a little longer, or perhaps it was finished too long. I wish more of the potent sweetness, that never overreaches into cloying territory, was transferred to the whiskey. The shock of the fortified wine has muted the whiskey to the point of no return - a welcome end to my imbibing for today as I prepare for the week ahead. I hope this review was helpful - please let me know what you think about this style of whiskey (or the wine) in the comments. Cheers!

I've faltered slightly in my mission to review every Booker's batch! I missed this late 2021 release for unknown reasons... I didn't miss picking it up, nor did I miss enjoying a few drams of it already, but somehow it never made either this site or my Instagram page... Odd! Today we fix that as part of a double header with "The Lumberyard Batch". Let's break it down. Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 124.4° Age: 6 years (6 months, 12 days) Further identification: 2021-04 Noe Strangers Batch comes bearing a sky blue label in a wooden box with a batch information card Nose: From the glass sitting a foot in front of me I can smell honey sweetness wafting into my nose. There's a beautiful sweet prevalence that is already inviting me to dive in early. Cherry skins, tootsie roll sweetness and skittles candy erupt off the glass as I get my nose closer to the rim of my glencairn glass. A fair bit of good barrel influence levels out as caramel begins to take over on the nose. I can tell there's a good bit of spice on the back end of this one being successfully tamped down by the sweeter, creamy smells. There's a sweet and spicy nutmeg characteristic that reminds me of spending time with family around the holidays. A darker molasses sets in as the glass begins to open up. Time for a sip! Coming back from a few small sips I find the stone fruit sweetness is still there but it has leveled off evenly with notes of bright tin, smoke and cornbread. It feels complex yet messy and enjoyable yet unrefined. A swirl of the glass unlocks marvelous vanilla heft still tied well to the cherry skins note from earlier. Yum. The vanilla heft sometimes crosses over into the paper category I find Heaven Hill usually elicits. I love coming back to the nose after letting the glass rest a few moments here. The potent confectioners sugar, buttery brioche bread and wallop of cherry sweetness is a delectable combination. The empty glass smells of bread, tarragon, honey and milk chocolate. Palate: Right away my teeth get shocked by the prevalent sweetness of plum, honey, boozy amaretto, fig and tawny port. The flavor of raisinettes doesn't quite have the power to keep holding down the spice as big notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove burst forth. Another sip levels all of these out with dry oak, creamy lemon caramel sauce, and Mandarin orange cake. There's just a hint of almonds in the linger - nuttiness being an expected hallmark of Beam products. It's surprisingly light on this batch. A larger sip and swish produces punchy tannins, hints of mint and a green earthy tone indicative of a healthy forest with strong undergrowth. The linger is fleeting with a short wave of the a fruity parfait & a short sizzle of cinnamon spice, but I am left satisfied despite the abridged length as it closes out with a soft mouthfeel that follows the storyline of a spoonful of honey. My last sip is well balanced as plum, cardamom and pepper wash over the palate softly. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on it.) Although the nose far outpaced the palate here... This is still a decently solid whiskey. I wish it had a bit of a better linger, but I can't complain about any of the flavors that I found. This profile just isn't my personal favorite. Baking spice lovers will certainly like this one. Using some of my historical experiences with other batches this one is definitely not quite as good as Beaten Biscuits, Bardstown Batch, or The Lumberyard Batch for some extra perspective. I hope this review helped you! If it did, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Cheers!

It's no surprise I've got another Booker's batch ready for review... These things come out 4 times a year normally - the most recent exception being 2020 which only featured 3. I won't wax poetic on the history of the brand as I believe I have covered that well in previous posts, but I think many have noticed the price continuing to creep up these days. I don't normally discuss price point as everyone's buying power is a little different, so I'll leave 'worth' for you to decide based on my notes. The Booker's website describes the makeup of the blend well: 2% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse X 3% came from the 3rd floor of 7-story warehouse 5 3% came from the 4th floor of 9-story warehouse D 17% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse Z 19% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Q 28% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse 1 28% came from the 6th floor of 7-story warehouse Z Now let's get into another Booker's review ... could this be amongst one of the greats? Let's find out. Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 124.8° Age: 7 years (1 months, 7 days) Further identification: 2022-02 The Lumberyard Batch comes bearing a light green label in a wooden box with a batch information card Nose: Mmm. A savory blend of salted caramel, molasses and dark walnut greets my nose upfront. It's not quite savory like Country Ham, but more so savory like more traditionally nutty batches. It's distinctly wood forward balanced by softer textures like buttery pecans, toffee and dark forest soil. Vanilla comes across slightly drying. Deep inhales bring up small flashes of lemon peel and brown sugar. Let's have a sip! Coming back to the glass I notice a new layer of leather that doesn't quite suggest a complete, higher aged bourbon, but a great balanced freshness. It suggests there might be some exceptional whiskey in here but it's been blended for volume (quite well from what I've gathered thus far). It feels both traditional and quite unique for its category. The darker earthy tones that support the tame yet funky oak do really well here. It's not infinitely layered, but it does a few things really well here. The volume is just right and every inhale produces something appealing whether it be vanilla, molasses or those delicious buttered pecans. It feels like a delicious bar snack in a glass! Late in the glass the earthy tones return well - it reminds me of being out in the woods in the Fall, an activity I truly try to maximize every year. The empty glass smells potent with layers of wood dominating with an earthy funk that is unmatched in modern whiskey. Smoked peanuts trail off as the last vapors of the pour expire. Palate: Right away I notice a cooling mouth feel of tingly lemon zest. It is followed by a sweeping wave of brown sugar, molasses and tame oak. It is distinctly sweeter than I would expect out of a Booker's batch with a hint of that first bite of a fresh, juicy apple. Another sip and swish brings in cherry skins, a slight tinge of cinnamon, a large dose of a comfortable Kentucky hug through the chest, and a shimmering linger of fruit and nut bars. Oh wow - about halfway through the glass strawberry flavors burst forth producing a nice fruit parfait experience. All these sweet notes are balanced well by a bready base of granola, nutty brown sugar cookie, and graham cracker. A larger sip and swish allows me to find raisin, raspberry and malted caramel ice cream. My last sip is a sweet return to the cherry skins and that juicy bite of an apple. The linger is long and tingling with just a hint of sweet grape effervescence behind a strong wave of vanilla. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) Everything here produced completely satisfying experiences, though I struggled to find exceptional depth which kept it out of the 5 category for me. In context to previous batches this one definitely stands out in my mind as being one of the better ones. I'd put it in the same league as Bardstown Batch and Tagalong Batch. Cheers!

It's time for another exciting new release from Barrell Craft Spirits! I am historically a huge fan of this style of blending and finishing as it allows for a wide array of creative freedom to create something unique & delicious. Batch 1 of the Seagrass was just divine, so they've set quite a high bar for themselves prior to launching this release. Another unique finish that I loved was the Tokaji single barrel that we selected for Spirit Animal Society. Barrell self describes their creation, saying: Each component whiskey in Vantage is finished separately, then systematically combined according to a blending process fueled in equal parts by a scientific approach, experience, creativity, and experimentation. This process focuses on the wood characteristics and the specific flavor contributions that each cask contributes to the blend. The result is a masterfully blended, perfectly balanced representation of the harmonious synergy between bourbon and barrel. This sample was provided to me from Barrell Craft Spirits at no cost and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to review this pour with no strings attached. Company on Label: Barrell Craft Spirits Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed blend of IN, TN, and KY mash bills Proof: 114.44° Age: NAS Further identification: This is another special release from Barrell Craft Spirits that dropped around September/October 2022 Nose: Toasted vanilla & marshmallow oozes out of the glass as I raise it towards my nose. Soft baking spice rises slowly revealing sweet cinnamon powder, brown sugar and leather. A soft bakery bread aroma wafts by the nostrils like a warm hug on a cold day. The nose-feel is incredibly delicate; as if someone had stacked a thousand cards just right into a fragile masterpiece. There's more vanilla, almost turning synthetic, as the nose compounds in volume. White table linens & Easter chocolate aromas transport me to comfortable, good times amongst family. Crème brûlée caramelizes live in the nostrils. Traditional barrel funk can be found on deep inhales, but again everything is so very delicate and mellow here - nosing like a slow Sunday morning where you've got nowhere to be. As the glass rests flower petals parting reveal a sweeter path forward as aromas of raisin, persimmon, and peppered plum jam build well. A vigorous swirl of the glass completely changes the glass as powerful savory tones come off the grill. Dark molasses, brown sugar and root beer take over. Time for a sip! Returning to the nose the sweetness and spice are more entwined & cohesive rather than the weaving undulation that started in the glass. When the liquid in the glass is disturbed it's amazing how much heft comes off of it as bready, oily tones volatize into the delectable vapors we love to breath in. There's great barrel funk hidden in the corners. Cherry shortbread tart dances well in the glass that nears empty. It's light with perfumery sweetness. The now empty glass reveals heavy, syrupy plum, milk chocolate and the softest oak tone that is still perceptible. Palate: Right away the mouth coating is rich with heavy cola, brown sugar, nutmeg and infinitely tingling spice that doesn't quite sting. The linger sits heavy on the tongue like a darker Werthers mixed with walnut and milk chocolate. Another sip becomes much softer as the spice subsides and rich, aged oak tones reveal their sweeter tannins. Caramel, cherry skins and the same rich raisin note from the nose is prevalent on a sip; the fruit is much clearer to the tongue than it was to the nostrils. A larger sip and swish reveals the delicious bakery experience well; I find orange glazed cranberry bread personally. It's a delicious treat that drinks well below its proof after the initial shock of the first sip of the day. My last sip is a doozy of brown sugar and nutmeg encrusted apricots. The finish is medium with maple syrup, almonds, and sunflower seeds atop a simple bowl of oatmeal. Rating: 4/5 This is really good whiskey. I can tell a lot of care, time and conviction went into crafting this. The high quality is especially apparent on the nose which elicited great depth that pulled forth so many great memories for me. It's an incredibly comforting pour - one I think I will remember for a long time because of how it made me feel. Drinking this made me feel welcome and comfortable. Reach for this when you are with your closest friends and family & remember to enjoy the company as much if not more than the whiskey. Cheers!