Happy Whiskey Wednesday, friends!
After getting some exquisitely bad news from my dentist about the virulent gum infection I've had for years, I think it's high time to purge my mouth with the nectar of the gods. Coming up is a new taster to me and something I've been eyeing in the store for a bit, and finally decided to give a shot; Beckenridge Distillery's Bourbon / Port Cask finish.
Now, if you know me or have been reading these reviews, you'll know that I absolutely fucking LOVE Angel's Envy Port Cask, and I was eager to try a different distillery's attempt at one. Let me preface this by saying, yes, I have tried High West's Mid Winter's Night Dram (not the Yipee-Kai-Yay though) and we'll definitely get to that once it's more seasonally appropriate. The major difference between the Beckenridge Port finish and other port cask-finished whiskeys is the higher rye content bourbon mash bill. Coming in at 3 years minimum age, the bourbon just barely skirts the legal definition for a bourbon, but hey, that's fine by me, ol' Beckenridge has a lot to show for it.
Nose - Immediately picking up the high rye that jump straight out of the glass, I get heavy pepper and oak scents, that fade really interestingly into a cascading sweetness of caramel and vanilla, the classic bourbon compatriots.
Palette - As your bring the glass closer to your mouth, you can almost sense the peppery, spicy elements of the rye flowing in via vapors, tickling the tongue with curiosity and mild anticipation, but this vanishes as surprisingly, the elements of the nose come through in reverse; A smooth, creamy, sweet caramel / vanilla bourbon classic slips in, with hints of dried dark fruit and sherry, all these flavors stay while the heat of the rye warms but doesn't burn, slowly numbing the tongue.
Finish - after the slight numbing from the rye spice, you are left with a sensation almost medicinally herbal, like that of a cherry throat lozenge that you left only on your tongue, with sweetness and spice lingering for a surprisingly long time.
this is quite a tame, unique experience of a bourbon that has a lot of layers and can be surmised to that of listening to a cool, unique concept album; Complete with a clear beginning, middle and end, with chorus, similar and often contrasting notes and chords, hell even the crescendo. This is a great sipper that, I fear, will be gone all to quickly at the rate things are going.
Wild Turkey 101
t's that time of the week again. Decided to keep it simple this week, one I am sure we've all tasted, and if you haven't it's a great budget pick. Wild Turkey 101 is a bold, spicy, high rye and unapologetic bourbon that can and will blast you with bird shot if you don't watch out. 101 has been a favorite of mine for a very long time, and (as I saw a thread in here a month or so ago) I was inspired to start drinking it (and make it my mainstay) via the recommendation of the incredible Hunter S. Thompson.
Included in the photo are a few other American staples of mine, the old man's generational shotgun - a 12g Savage model 76E, a very obscure, low-run from the late 70's - my favorite pair of boots and my daily wear, Red Wing Iron Ranger 8085s, and our star spangled banner in the background. The Turkey ain't no scotch, and there's not a whole lot to it other than a kick ass Kentucky Bourbon. Alright alright alright. Happy Whiskey Wednesday.
On tasting notes:
Nose: Citrus with touches of Rye spices and stone.Pepper, sweetness at the very very back - you gotta dig for it, but it's there.
Palette:
Cinnamon and (I get) orange peel, followed by nutmeg, mint, and spice, almost cayenne due to the rye.
Finish: heavy spice and lasting sensations of heat. Stays with you for up to 15 seconds.
High West Bourye
Happy Whiskey Wednesday! (yes, I am changing it from Monday to Wednesday - it sounds better)
This week we've got something made especially for Ylish and I - a Bunny Bouron and Rabbit Rye blended Antelabbit Jackalope? Either way, this one's a kicker. I keep begging the Missus for permission to get a Jackalope wall mount, however she is quite resistant to the idea on the grounds of the "jack" part being once-living.
I've thought about including tasting notes and my thoughts on the particular whiskeys in these posts, however it seems rather pedantic and snobby to put such opinions in the company of very few who really enjoy a glass of fine whisk(e)y, so I'd like to focus instead of the SFW porno shots of a glencairn and a bottle. It might not work for you, but this stuff gets my mouth watering - fortunately, I've got that glass right next to me.
Black Feather Bourbon
Happy Whiskey Wednesday everyone. This week I'm drinking something exclusive formerly only to Utah, but now more like the 'Wild West' (Texas, Arizona, Utah, Colorado). Black Feather has an interesting history; Founded by the holy trinity of fun-loving adrenaline addicts, and MTV big shots, Rob Dyrdek, Travis Pastrana and Jeremy Rawle.
Those are some big names, and the bottle's beautiful branding is no doubt to benefit from such entrepreneurs of style. The 'goal' of Black Feather was a simple one - to create a hard working "every day" whiskey that can be enjoyed under any circumstances. And that it can, especially at the very modest $30 a bottle.
It's a bit interesting compared to some other bourbons I've encountered in that it's sort of "alive" in the glass; That is, when you first pour it down it's just a heavy alcohol scent with a little touch of dates and vanilla. but, if you take your first sip and let it air out for 5 minutes or so, you'll go back to smell one of the sweetest scents you'll get out of a budget whiskey. Apple cobbler, cherries, and cake all come to mind on the nose. The palette comes in just a little flat compared to the nose, and the finish is similarly disappointing but not terrible... Just *average. However you'll be hard pressed to find a sweeter bourbon, and the bottle is sure to impress good company, especially for the price.
High West Double Rye!
Happy Wednesday. Today I had a great idea for a whiskey photo, unfortunately I don't have the right whiskey for to best fit the background idea.
Soooo... We're coming up with something I'm sure we're all feeling - the melancholy of Fall fast approaching. With the season shifting to oranges, reds and browns, I thought it appropriate to feature High West's Double Rye! as a spicy, warming, neat blend of 2-4 year 'young' ryes from MGP along with some 12-16 year 'old' ryes, iirc from **the same source. But this blend is a far cry from your basic sourced taste.
The nose is decidedly rye with cinnamon, herbs, and a bit of allspice. The palette shows rye up front but swiftly falls into buttery biscuits and honey; Then the finish, which lingers in and remains smooth, leaving with eucalyptus and a lasting menthol effect - all these come together to orchestrate a choir ever reminiscent of summer fading into the cool autumn breeze.
A special shoutout to Ylish on putting together the gorgeous autumnal floral arrangement in the background, and putting in a lot of effort to get our apartment "spooky!".
**EDIT**
Upon re-reading the product description (something I should have done BEFORE posting this review) it would appear that I was only half correct, the younger 2-4 year old rye is sourced, while the older is a mixed straight 80% Rye, 20% Malted Rye from High West themselves.... My bad on that one.