Oglebay Bourbon List ~

Eagle Rare 10 Year Single Barrel

W.L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond

Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond Bourbon

Whistlepig Farmhouse Bespoke Batch

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon

Wild Turkey Bourbon (81 Proof)

Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Bourbon

Angel’s Envy Bourbon Port Finish

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whisky

WhistlePig 10 Year Barrel Proof Rye

Whistlepig Old World Rye 12 Year

Eagle Rare 10 Year Single Barrel

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company Inc.
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Proof: 90
Age: 10 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1)
Color: Deep Gold

Eagle Rare uses the #1 Mashbill from Buffalo Trace, which is thought to be a low rye mashbill consisting of 10% or less rye. Eagle Rare recently went through a label design change which moved the 10-year age statement from the bottleneck to the back of the bottle. They also removed the single barrel statement from the bottle altogether. Buffalo Trace stated that because of the move from a hand-bottling line to a high-speed automated line, they can no longer use the single barrel statement. This is due to the fact that a bottle could technically contain a bourbon from two different barrels when the line switches from one barrel to the next.

NOSE
Eagle Rare 10 Year Single Barrel has a subtle yet delicious nose. Upfront I am hit with strong scents of orange peels and citrus mixed with aged oak. Lingering on the nose longer, I pick up scents of toasted marshmallow drizzled with honey. It’s not the most complex nose, but it’s a really easy nose to pick apart. It’s a great choice for someone who has a harder time picking out different scents on the nose because they’re prominent and easily distinguished with this one.

PALATE
The palate is simplistically sweet without a ton of depth. Upfront notes of honey toasted brown sugar, new oak, and light traces of white pepper are all present. While not deep, it’s very tasty and I would imagine that even a non-bourbon drinker would find it enjoyable. I found myself going back often to sip this throughout the review to taste more of the deliciously sweet palate.

FINISH
The finish continues the trend of sweetness that is found in the nose and palate. Medium in length, the most predominate notes are bubble gum, toffee, and honey. Light traces of vanilla and dry leather round out the finish. After the delicious palate, I had high expectations for a deeper finish, but that wasn’t the case. While not bad per se, it’s also nothing memorable either.

Rabbit Hole Heigold Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Rabbit Hole
Distillery: Contract Distilled at an Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery
Proof: 95
Age: 3 Years
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 25% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Color: Light Gold

While Rabbit Hole has maintained control over its mashbills and distilling process from its inception via contract distilling at an undisclosed Kentucky distillery, they began distilling onsite at their downtown Louisville location in 2018. As a result, the bourbon inside currently available bottles of Heigold has been distilled at an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky. It’s expected that distillate originating from their Louisville distillery will make its way into bottles replacing that distilled elsewhere in the next year or so as it of age.

NOSE
Caramel and gingerbread sweetness gently rise from the glass. A quick swirl reveals apricot and a touch of oak, adding a layer of dimension. It’s medium to light in overall intensity, and offers a pleasant and inviting introduction to the sip.

PALATE
Sweet brown sugar and caramel contrast with rye spice and burnt oak. The overall impression is characteristically sweet. The delivery is surprisingly gentle considering the proof, and the bourbon is relatively thin. Despite this, it’s an enjoyable combination of flavors few will find fault with.

FINISH
A crescendo of rye spice briefly surges in the finish, with sweet flavors of vanilla, caramel, and gingerbread rushing back quickly. Medium length, it ends on a sweet note which is consistent considering the rest of the sip.

On first glance Rabbit Hole’s sexy whiskey bottle with its modern design and elegant curves seems as if it may be just another marketing play – boring whiskey in a high-end bottle. But a closer look reveals more than meets the eye: It’s 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley mashbill, a 3 year age statement, and information revealing it was aged in barrels from Kelvin Cooperage.

W.L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company, Inc.
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Proof: 90
Age: NAS (Said to be around 7 years)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Burnt Orange

As part of Buffalo Trace’s wheat line, that in itself is reason enough to notice. All of Buffalo Trace’s wheat line originates from the same basic mashbill. That includes, Weller Antique. 107 Weller 12 Year, BTAC’s William Larue Weller and the infamous Pappy Van Winkle line. As the story goes, the Weller barrels are in a different location in Buffalo Trace’s warehouses than the Van Winkles barrels, but the basic recipe is the still same. Overall this is one of the most straight-forward bourbon Buffalo Trace puts out. There’s not a lot unique or memorable here, but a perfect candidate for an everyday decanter bourbon.

NOSE
The alcohol hits you first. It’s not overkill but a bit surprising for a 90 proofer. It has hints of apple, caramel, honey and a dab of vanilla. A light oak aroma also mixes in. An overall sweetness envelopes the whole package.

PALATE
The wheat grain makes this bourbon sweet and a very pleasant sip. The vanilla and caramels really come through more as they hit the tongue. It’s not a very complex sip, but at least a pleasant one.

FINISH
Although it starts sweet, it finishes with some amount of bite. The oak comes through during the finish and provides a bit of warmth to the sip. The bite doesn’t last long and acts as more of a finisher than a deal breaker. On some sips the alcohol does reveal itself quite a bit during the finish. Otherwise, the sweet honeysuckle finishes off the sip nicely.

Blanton’s

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company Inc., Blanton’s Distilling Company
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Proof: 93
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Golden Oak

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon has a storied history that ties together many namesakes of the Buffalo Trace distillery. Originally, Colonel Albert B. Blanton was the president of the George T. Stagg Bourbon Distillery, which is now known as the Buffalo Trace Distillery until 1952. During that period Elmer T. Lee worked under Blanton. As Lee was nearing retirement, he decided to bring forth one last product. A year before retiring, Lee brought to market the first commercial single barrel bourbon and named it Blanton’s after the late Colonel.

NOSE
A bouquet of honey, vanilla, light bubble gum, and orange citrus peel opens things up. Lying gently beneath are hints of barrel char and toasted sugars that tussle with floral notes. Light cinnamon and baking spices top things off. The scents are nuanced and inviting, creating a satisfying opening to open the sip.

PALATE
The palate hits with an initial sweetness, housing notable flavors of light caramel, honey, muted vanilla, and brown sugar. Underlying the opening flavors are leather, charred oak, and a rye spice, which bubbles to the top. The flavor combination is solid, owing to the fact that they all play together very well and demonstrate more of a “classic” bourbon flavor profile. While the flavors are more on the subdued side likely owing to the 93 proof the bourbon sports, what is present is formidable and enjoyable.

FINISH
A crisp finish rounds out the sip with vanilla, caramel, leather, dry oak, rye spice, and light peppercorn. There’s a pleasing sweet heat that lingers once all the other flavors fade. While it’s not as strong as the parts that preceded it, the finish nevertheless makes for an overall nice capstone for the sip.

Jim Beam Old Tub Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Proof: 100
Age: NAS (at least 4 years old)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Color: Light Gold

The name Old Tub holds particular meaning in the history of the Jim Beam distillery. In 1892 when James and Park Beam took over leading operations, they named the family distillery after their best-selling bourbon brand, Old Tub. The brand’s name was a reference to the large mash tubs in which mash was mixed, cooked, and stirred by hand. Jim Beam Old Tub is a non-chill filtered, non-carbon filtered, Bottled in Bond bourbon.

NOSE
The nose starts off with simple scents of oak, corn, vanilla, and a hint of hay. While there’s not a lot of complexity to what’s present, it owns what it does deliver. There’s also the slightest tingle of ethanol to remind you of its Bottled in Bond 100 proof.

PALATE
Sweet oak, vanilla, grain, a hint of peaches, and green peppercorn mingle together with vegetable and leather undertones that try to push above the sweet oak. It provides for a thin mouthfeel overall and is simpler and sweeter in nature. Don’t confuse that for being bad, as the palate delivers just enough flavor to be mildly interesting.

FINISH
A dash of rye spice along with subtle hints of peanuts, oak, and dry vanilla open the finish. The flavors hang on before eventually dropping down to an oaky rye spice medley. Medium in length, the finish is consistent with the rest of the sip in both its drinkability and averageness.

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond

Classification: Straight Rye
Company: Heaven Hill
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Proof: 100
Mashbill: 51% Rye, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley
Color: Copper

Rittenhouse Rye is produced in the tradition of the classic Pennsylvania or “Monongahela” rye whiskeys, which are believed to have had a spicier and fruitier flavor profile. This style is said to be a high rye mashbill consisting of 80-100% rye grain. Ironically Rittenhouse is a low rye (51%) which is typical of the modern Kentucky rye mashbill.

NOSE
A nice mixture of fruit and grain is immediately noticeable. Dried bananas and light peaches are mixed with hints of malty grains. It reminds me of a bowl of breakfast oatmeal in the sense that it’s a pleasing scent but one that’s very mellow and light. Surprisingly, it’s not very spicy at all.

PALATE
The peaches and dried bananas from the nose carry over, and now they’re nicely mixed with white pepper with a dash of spice. While the pepper and spice mixture are nice, it’s far from being your typical bold spicy rye flavor profile which you see with a lot of modern-day ryes. Instead, it’s more on the mellow fruity end. Additionally, Rittenhouse Rye doesn’t have a heavy mouthfeel however it’s also not light by any means. It’s nicely balanced overall.

FINISH
Leather, lightly charred oak, and light peach along with pepper and a dash of classic rye spice are all noticeable. While there’s a pleasant dash of heat up front, it’s not overly hot, and not overly spicy. Dried fruit and white pepper linger for a while on the back end of the finish. While the finish is on the shorter side and I wish it lasted longer, it’s still very enjoyable.

Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Brown-Forman Shively Distillery
Proof: 100
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Color: Medium-dark Amber

Old Forester 1897 Bottled In Bond is the second expression in the Old Forester Whiskey Row Series. According to the neck tag on the bottle, “This small batch craft expression will be presented in a lightly filtered old style, reminiscent of a 19th century bourbon, rich and bold in barrel character.

NOSE
A bright and lively blast of fruit with complementing floral and oak elements. The light sting from the alcohol is warming with a slight burn. Really nice and inviting overall.

PALATE
A great mix of sweet and spicy. Dark fruit is most prominent, with hints of caramel, vanilla, and just the right amount of oak rounding it out. The sweetness here is balanced by a nearly perfect spice note. It coats the mouth nicely making for a great mouthfeel. Overall well-rounded and quite balanced.

FINISH
Long, sweet, and almost perfectly balanced. The flavors in the palate linger for minutes after the sip with a tapering sweetness and light spiciness leaving a great aftertaste. One of the better finishes I’ve experienced in a while.

Whistlepig Farmstock Bespoke Batch

Classification: Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond
Company: Moriah Ventures, LLC
Distillery: Whistlepig Farm and Distillery
Release Date: March 2022
Proof : 100.1
Age: Aged at least 4 years, 1 month and O d ays, and up to 5 years, 2 month and 16 days in Vermont Estate Oak Barrels
Mashbill: 100% Remington Rye
Color: Golden Oak

NOSE
The nose is incredibly warm and cozy, and the dram just screams autumn. It starts with seafoam toffee and hot butterscotch sauce. The grain comes through with cinnamon reminiscent of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. Allspice and clove linger with tobacco. A touch of spearmint comes up in the background.

PALATE
The mouthfeel is velvety with clove and cinnamon slowly heating up the tongue. Brown sugar gives sweetness to the palate, and cereal adds a chewiness.

FINISH
Towards the end, tobacco and leather do not overpower the baking spices. The dram does have a slight rubbing alcohol finish, but it dissipates with mint coming through.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery/Brown-Forman Distillery
Proof: 90.4
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Color: Deep Dark Copper

Woodford Double Oaked is produced by re-barreling Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select in a second virgin charred oak barrel for a little under a year. The second barrel used is deeply toasted before being lightly charred.

NOSE
Upon a deep inhale, I’m greeted with a nice mixture of sweet and oaky. Toasted marshmallows, sweet vanilla, lightly toasted oak, and corn are topped with a drizzle of syrup. The additional aging in a second barrel seems to have imparted less wood on the nose than I would have expected, while also pulling forward the sweeter flavors you’d find in standard Woodford Reserve. Comparably, Double Oaked presents a surprisingly more diverse and enjoyable experience.

PALATE
Oak and sweet vanilla are the dominant flavors here. Beneath are subtle hints of leather, caramel, and dried dark fruits. Seeing as this was exposed to new charred oak twice, it’s surprising to see how well the sweetness of the vanilla plays nicely with the woody oak flavors. Although it doesn’t have a all-star flavor profile, Double Oaked still manages to come across as richer and heavier in comparison to standard Woodford Reserve. This is a very good thing seeing as how thin the standard expression comes across. It’s still an easier sipper, however it doesn’t taste nearly as watered down as its sibling does.

FINISH
The mellowest of heat is present, which makes for a really nice clean enjoyable finish. Dry leather, oak, tobacco, burnt caramel, baking chocolate, rye spice, and sweet dried fruits are present at the start. The finish then morphs into leather, oak, and a dash of white pepper, which lingers for a surprisingly long time. The finish delivers a great flavorful experience that is straightforward and easy enough for bourbon drinkers of any experience level to enjoy.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon consists of a mixture of pot still whiskey distilled at the company’s Woodford Reserve Distillery in Woodford County, and column still spirits from the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky. The exact mixture ratio is undisclosed.

NOSE
Simple classic bourbon scents of vanilla, honey, and light oak intermingle with light hints of orange rind and graham cracker. These are all topped with a surprising amount of ethanol. While it isn’t overly harsh, it seems odd for such a low proof bourbon. Ethanol aside, this is a low key nose with scents that are simple enough to enjoy for even a bourbon novice.

PALATE
Slightly sweet and thin, the palate delivers light flavors of vanilla, honey, and citrus which rest over a thin layer of rye and oak. The ethanol that was noticeable in the nose is nowhere to be found in the palate. In fact this drinks very light and if I went into this blind, I would have guessed this to be an 80 proof bourbon based on intensity alone. The flavors aren’t bad per say, but the palate is incredibly thin and leaves me wanting more.

FINISH
Green pepper, aged oak, leather, and hints of tobacco are all noticeable up front. As the finish lingers, it gives way to a slow burn with dry leather and a slight hint of tobacco lingering for a while. It contrasts the nose and palate in that the sweetness takes a backseat, but not necessarily in a bad way. It’s simple nature works well and the low proof makes this very easy to sip and enjoy.

Bulleit Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Diageo
Distillery: Undisclosed Source
Proof: 90
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Color: Medium Amber

According to Tom Bulleit, great-great-grandson of Augustus Bulleit, the first batch of Bulleit bourbon was made around 1830 and its production was discontinued after Augustus’s death in 1860. It’s original mashbill was two-thirds rye and one-third corn. In 1987, Tom Bulleit oversaw the distillation of the first batch of the modern-day Bulleit bourbon and paid tribute to the original mashbill by keeping the rye content higher than most bourbons on the market.

NOSE
Equal amounts of vanilla, caramel, and orange zest overlay more tamer notes of smoke, cherry, and oak. There’s a good amount of richness to the aromas, however they’re light on depth. An enjoyable spiciness bounces off the sweeter notes, but overall the nose is quite frank; straightforward with little fuss.

PALATE
A sweet caramel opening quickly transforms into a peppery oak bomb. Despite its light body it still manages to have a creamy mouthfeel and the palate surprisingly packs a burst of flavor. Unfortunately, this flavor pop is one-dimensional and not very complex, simply consisting of pepper and oak. Minor notes of cinnamon and ginger are also present, but they struggle to shine over the bourbon’s spiciness.

FINISH
The bourbon’s hardfisted spiciness continues until the very end. Spice, pepper, and oak dominate, with notes of butterscotch, mint, and cherry wavering in and out. There is an enjoyable amount of smoothness and creaminess on the finish that keeps the peppery spice from being too hard to drink. This is again surface-level complexity on display, but just enough overall quality to make the bourbon enjoyable.

Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Diageo
Distillery: Undisclosed Source
Proof: 91.2
Age: 10 Year
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Color: Reddish Amber

Bulleit 10 Year was a brand expansion in 2013. It has the same mashbill as their no age statement bourbon. According to Tom Bulleit in the spring 2013 Bourbon Review, “There are some barrels you come across that are good candidates to push out or age longer, and we’ve been following this system since day one. We finally got to the point where we believe we have enough quality barrels to bring an older Bourbon to the market.” He added that 10 year old bourbon is the youngest whiskey that goes into Bulleit 10 Year, with some 11 and 12 year old blended in as well.

NOSE
Sweet caramel and vanilla notes are beautifully offset by toasted oak and spice. A noticeable deeper layer of citrus, cherry, butterscotch , and pepper adds a small, but beneficial layer of depth. A healthy inhale of the aromas is even more satisfying as it brings out an extra layer of intensity. While it would be going too far to call the scents amazing, they definitely leave a positive impression and are better than some bourbons twice its price.

PALATE
Spice and wood jump strongly out of the gate, overlapping notes of cherry, vanilla, and leather. There is an enjoyable, yet relatively shallow amount of depth in the palate that’s over with far too quickly. A gentle sipper with a spicy bite.

FINISH
There is a fleeting intensity of flavors here. There’s an immediate rush of dark fruit and rye spice that quickly peters out leaving a dry, flat, and overall one-dimensional aftertaste. Wood takes over and dominates the long finish, overstaying its welcome and lasting longer than it should.

Old Grand-Dad Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 80
Age: NAS (At least 4 years based on TTB regulations)
Mashbill: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Color: Light Honey

The Old Grand-Dad brand was created by Raymond B. Hayden and named after his grandfather Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr. The bourbon has been in production since 1882, and is now owned by Beam Suntory and was marketed as part of their “The Olds” Collection which also includes Old Overholt, Old Tub, and Old Crow.

NOSE
Light cinnamon accompanied by vanilla, caramel, and a trace of baking spices are evident, but discreet. A swirl of the glass reveals a touch of oak along with green apples, though the scents are fleeting. While the aroma isn’t off-putting in any way, its overall lightness prevents it from reaching its potential, resulting in a below average nose simply for that reason.

PALATE
Baking spices and a touch of cinnamon coalesce, forming a spicy base. A familiar caramel note offers a contrasting sweetness, accompanied by light apple. The intensity on the palate is amplified by comparison to the nose, undoubtedly aided by the bourbon’s forward spiciness. And while still light overall, the mouthfeel has more weight than I would expect from an 80 proof bourbon providing adequate heft.

FINISH
As the baking spice and cinnamon dissipate, a sweet brown sugar flavor develops. The sweetness is accented by traces of apricot and oak, which quickly dissipate back to a lingering light spice. Light and approachable, the finish caps the palate off nicely maintaining a similar level of intensity.

Old Grand-Dad’s proof range runs from 80 to 100 for the bottled in bond version, to 114, establishing a nice range, with similar flavor notes threading their way throughout helps amplify the spice notes, giving more oomph at each proof point than would be expected.

Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Proof: 80
Mashbill: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Color: Light Gold

Basil Hayden’s Bourbon is one of four bourbons that comprise Jim Beam’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection. The others are Knob Creek, Baker’s Bourbon, and Booker’s Bourbon. Basil Hayden’s falls first in line proof-wise at 80 proof. While the other three bourbons in the Small Batch Collection all share the same mashbill of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley, Basil Hayden’s is created using Jim Beam’s high-rye mashbill that is found in Old Grand-Dad and Old Grand-Dad 114.

NOSE
Bright peaches and ripe mixed berries jump right out. Further hunting brings forth light traces of oak, orange zest, and a smidge of white pepper. The scents are on the lighter side overall due to the low proof, yet they’re still easy to identify and appreciate.

PALATE
The palate is understandably light due to the 80 proof that Beam bottles this at. Light vanilla, new wood, and peaches mingle together and form the entirety of the palate. While the 80 proof makes this incredibly easy to sip, the mouthfeel is noticeably thin, and even at the bottling proof, this seems lighter than average. A few additional proof points would have gone a long way to deepen the palate.

FINISH
The finish is short and almost nonexistent and ends almost as soon as it starts. Oak, light summer fruits, and a touch of corn grain along with new leather are present, but only after really hunting to find them. It’s reminiscent of a really watered down whiskey, which many would argue at 80 proof.

Basil Hayden’s is different in many ways from the other bottles in the Small Batch Collection. Positioned as a premium gateway bourbon, it’s proofed a whole 20 points lower than its next lowest sibling, Knob Creek. One trait it does share with Knob Creek and Booker’s Bourbon, is that it also lost its age statement (8 Year) in 2014. It’s rumored to be bottled at a higher age than Old Grand-Dad, but without an actual age statement it’s hard to trust much in that rumor.

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Campari Group
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Proof: 101
Age: NAS (Blend of 6-8 year old bourbons)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Color: Yellow Gold

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon is Wild Turkey’s flagship brand. Wild Turkey is distilled at a very low proof and according to the company, helps embody all of the barrel flavors during aging. It comes out of the barrel at around 109 proof necessitating only slight dilution before being bottled at 101 proof. This process helps produce a final product that, although not barrel proof, is close to what came right out of the barrel. Wild Turkey uses char #4 on their barrels which helps create the company’s flavor profile and deep color. Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell is the longest–tenuredactive master distiller in the world with 60 years experience and has worked at WIid Turkey in total for more than 65 years.

NOSE
A swirl of the glass reveals scents of vanilla, baking spices, and rye grain. Inhaling deeper admits scents of toasted oak, toffee, and a punch of ethanol that reminds you of the bourbon’s 101 proof. A faint layer of orange zest tops things off. It’s a zippy yet really pleasant way to open up the sip.

PALATE
Immediately noticeable is a light corn oil presence which sets the stage for a nice mouthfeel. This is layered with a healthy dose of rye spice, baking spices, and sharp oak, along with a gentle layer of vanilla and toasted oak. While the palate isn’t overly complex, it provides a really good reminder that if you focus on the fundamentals, you can still provide a solid experience for the drinker.

FINISH
A flash of rye spice jumps out front, and is joined by a combination of muted vanilla and oak. The sweetness of the vanilla quickly fades, leaving a spicy dry oak in its wake. The spice lingers and gently trails off. It provides for an all but average ending to an otherwise above average sip.

Wild Turkey Bourbon (81 Proof)

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Campari Group
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Proof: 81
Age: NAS (Aged “up to five to eight years” per the back text on the label)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Color: Light Amber

Wild Turkey Bourbon bottled at 81 proof was first introduced in 2011, replacing the 80 proof version that had been introduced back in 1974. Bottled just 1 proof higher than bourbon‘s legal minimum requirement of 80 proof, Wild Turkey Bourbon is essentially a lower proof version of Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon intended to offer a milder experience by comparison.

NOSE
Caramel, vanilla, and a splash of rye spice form a familiar and delicate base. Hints of oak and toffee tease in the background, but only slightly and with a strong inhale. A touch of cinnamon mingles in. Notably light, but pleasant and easily approachable at the same time.

PALATE
Caramel chews and baking spice provide a nice sweet-spicy mix. Muted notes of vanilla and seasoned oak tease their way in, along with a dash of rye spice. While the intensity of flavor is quintessentially light, there is just enough oomph to allow the flavors to make their way through. Maybe most shocking, the weight of bourbon is more than expected considering the proof, offering a satisfying mouthfeel.

FINISH
Rye spice reaches its highest point in the finish, though it still feels subdued in nature. Light cinnamon and a touch of caramel cap the finish off, which is short to medium length. Consistent with the rest of the sip, the finish offers a light, easy-going experience and lacks any unexpected surprises.

Wild Turkey Bourbon is meant to compete with the likes of Jim Beam Bourbon (white label), Four Roses Bourbon (formerly referred to as “yellow label”), Evan Williams (black label), and other bourbons offering a similar proof and price point. It hits above Jim Beam for sure, but finds a sort of “which one of them do you prefer?” ground among the rest of the bourbons mentioned. It’s the spiciest of the bunch, not quite as sweet as Evan Williams which puts sweet notes on display, and not quite as refined as Four Roses Bourbon which is a testament to their blending expertise.

Jefferson’s Very Small Batch

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Castle Brands
Distillery: Sourced (Blend of up to 4 Kentucky Straight Bourbons)
Released: Ongoing
Proof: 82.3
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Light Gold

While no exact ratio of barrels is given, Jefferson’s states that “four different Kentucky straight bourbon whiskies of different ages… one of the blends comprising of at least 55% of the total” are blended together to form each very small batch.

NOSE
Classic bourbon notes of corn, vanilla, and oak are all front and center. Hiding behind are lighter floral notes and ripe plum. A simple nose that while lacking in depth, is easy to dissect and enjoy.

PALATE
Slightly sweet, the palate again is on the simpler side. Vanilla and oak are the main flavors of the sip. Underneath are slight hints of honey and cherry. There’s not much depth, and the low proof doesn’t help this.

FINISH
The sip ends with an extremely short finish. Light hints of vanilla and slightly aged oak are the only discernible flavors. While the nose and palate might not have set a high bar to beat, the finish isn’t even able to match them and ends the bourbon on an incredibly forgettable note.

UNIQUENESS
Jefferson’s has not been bashful in exploring the innovative and unique side of bourbon production, and in fact is one of the more progress brands willing to try new experimentations in the bourbon space. Their Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea along with their cask finished products are some of the most innovative in the market.

Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Proof: 100
Age: 9 Years
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Color: Bronze

Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon is one of four bourbons that comprise Jim Beam’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection. The others are Basil Hayden’s, Baker’s Bourbon, and Booker’s Bourbon. Beam states that they “age every batch in maximum-char barrels to pull every bit of natural sweetness from the oak.”

NOSE
A slight nuttienes wafts out of the glass to kick things off. Inhaling deeper presents notes of vanilla, light oak, and a dab of caramel. A hint of char and a dab of fresh marshmallows round things out. It’s an enjoyable way to start off the sip.

PALATE
The pleasantness of the nose carries over to the palate. Rich oak builds a base, and is layered with green peppercorns, dabs of well balanced sweet vanilla, and lightly toasted caramel. It presents a lighter mouthfeel which is suiting to the overall lightness of the flavors present. Much like the no age statement (NAS) small batch, the flavors present are good and easily enjoyable, but they leave you wishing for them to be just a bit bolder.

FINISH
The finish is all business: aged oak, vanilla, and leather jump out front and are followed by a dash of black pepper and rye spice. A lingering oak and warming spice help to round things out. It’s a simple, yet enjoyable way to end, and helps cap off the sip nicely

Yellowstone Select Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Limestone Branch Distillery
Distillery: Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery
Proof: 93
Age: NAS (Website states a blend of 4-7 year old barrels)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Yellow Gold

Yellowstone Bourbon borrows its moniker from America’s first national park. The company donates a portion of Yellowstone Bourbon‘s proceeds to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)

NOSE
A simple and straightforward combination of lightly toasted oak, vanilla, a hint of caramel, and spice immediately greet you. Exploring further reveals baking spice, light marshmallow, and a dab of grain in the form of crackers. While they won’t blow you away or make you stop to ponder what’s in the glass, the aromas do blend well together and make for a nice opening to the sip.

PALATE
Oak and vanilla carry over from the nose and are joined by bursts of summer peaches, leather, and light caramel. A subtle brown sugar sweetness rounds out the light creamy mouthfeel. It’s a subtle yet satisfying blend of flavors and makes for an enjoyable midpoint of the sip.

FINISH
A dash of vanilla and sweet oak start off the finish. These flavors quickly morph to noticeably drier notes of oak, leather, and white peppercorn. There’s a very light undertone of spice that provides a nice heat. The finish is shorter in nature but aligns well with the rest of the sip.

Yellowstone Select bourbon is meant to be Limestone’s everyday offering that is easily accessibleand lower in cost.

Buffalo Trace

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company Inc.
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Proof: 90
Age: NAS (BT says it’s aged at least 8 years. The rumor is it’s between 8-10 years, usually 9.5 years)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Amber

Buffalo Trace!” The brand was released to the market in 1999 and is made from their “#1″ mashbi/1, which is thought to be made of 10% or less rye. According to Buffalo Trace’s website, the bourbon is batched from no more than 40 barrels at a time and is aged on the middle floors of various warehouses where it experiences the most temperature changes.

NOSE
Instantly likeable and pleasant with notes of caramel, honey, orange, and vanilla. The nose balances these flavors well while also providing an underlying layer of oak and mint.

PALATE
Sweet and mellow with notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and toffee. The palate might be too sweet for some, but probably very enjoyable for most. Light amounts of oak and rye spice round out the palate.

FINISH
A moderate length finish with oak at the forefront. The finish really opens up and develops and ultimately ends by filling your nostrils. It’s a very interesting and full flavored finish for a 90 proof bourbon.

What makes Buffalo Trace Bourbon unique is that for a lower priced bourbon it doesn’t taste “cheap.” Additionally, it’s surprisingly robust for a 90 proof bourbon. It’s not trying to be the most unique bourbon at the party, just one that everyone gets along with at the party.

Four Roses Small Batch

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Kirin Brewery Company
Distillery: Four Roses
Proof: 90
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Color: Honey

Four Roses uses 2 different mashbills and 5 different yeast strains to create10 unique bourbon recipes. Of those recipes, 4 are blended to make Small Batch – OBSK, OESK, OBSO, and OESO. The first letter is always o and designates the production facility, Four Roses Distillery. The second letter designates the mashbill which can be E {75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley) or B {60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley). The third letter is always Sand designates the whiskey distillation, straight whiskey. The fourth letter designates theyeast strain, which can be V (delicate fruit), K(slight spice), 0 (rich fruit}, Q (floral essence}, or F (herbal notes). Barrels are typically 6 and 7years old, with nothing younger than 6 years old and occasionally barrels as much as 8years old. As a result, the average age per batch is typically around 6 ½ years old. Bourbon from each of the 4 recipes is always used to comprise each batch, with 2-3 batches (of each of the 4 recipes) typically included in each batch.

NOSE
Oak, citrus fruit, and a hint of spice lay atop a bed of caramel. It’s light and approachable, but not characteristically unique.

PALATE
The mouthfeel is nice and creamy. A dimension of flavors offers enough to create interest, and they manage to keep one another in check. While the flavors are all a bit timid, oak, summer fruit, cherries, caramel, and rye spice are the most prominent. I detect echoes of additional flavors, but they’re so delicate it’ s hard to say what exactly. Four Roses Small Batch is easy on the palate , and while the combination offlavors is quite pleasant, the delivery is so delicate it has me thirsting for a bit mo re 00mph.

FINISH
The oomph I was looking for in the palate comes out in the finish. Long in duration, the complexity of the sip shines here, giving in to the dimension of flavors present in thi s four-recipe blend. The fl avor s of oak, summer fruit s, and caramel come forward against a backdrop of rye spice and seasoned oak. It’s hand s down the best part of the experience and invites you back for more.

Angel’s Envy Bourbon Port Finish

Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels
Company: Bacardi Limited
Distillery: Undisclosed Distillery(ies) in Kentucky
Proof: 86.6
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Color: Copper

Angel’s Envy Port Finish is blended in small batches of 8-12 barrels at a time. The company states that the bourbon is typically aged up to 6 years, and then is finished in ruby port wine casks for an additional 3-6 months. For the finishing process, the company uses 60 gallon ruby port barrels made from French oak which are imported directly from Portugal.

NOSE
Light oak, vanilla, and the slightest touch of berry jam drift upwards. Mingled in are peanut shells, and a touch of sweet syrup. The bourbon’s 86.6 proof is doing it no favors here, as the scents are light, and focus must be honed in to be able to sift through what is present.

PALATE
Muted vanilla, light oak, and leather swirl together and are joined are dashes of green peppercorn and syrup-soaked raisins. For being finished for 3-6 months, you’d expect more of an impact from the port barrels. However, this isn’t the case. While the flavors present are nice, the mouthfeel is on the thinner side, which detracts from their impact.

FINISH
Oak, faint hints of rye spice, vanilla, and light berry jam quickly leap up and almost as quickly fade away. Left behind are faint dry oak and a lingering light spice. The combination of flavors is a perfectly fine way to end, and truthfully, is one of the more memorable parts of the sip due to the fading spice. Much like the rest of the sip, it leaves you wanting for just a bit more impact.

While credit needs to be given to Angel’s Envy for paving the way for barrel finished bourbons to become accepted by whiskey drinkers, since its release, the cottage industry they helped create has slowly surpassed them. While Angel’s Envy Port Finish affords a great sip, its palate isn’t as bold as you see from other bourbons such as Yellowstone’s ongoing limited editions, or unique as the ongoing Blood Oath line. Additionally, while not utilizing another used spirit barrel, double barrel bourbons such as Woodford Double Oak or Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Finish.

Rabbit Hole Dareringer

Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished in PX Sherry Casks
Company: Rabbit Hole Distillery
Distillery: Undisclosed
Proof: 93
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 18% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Color: Red Amber

NOSE
Marmalade I Dried fruit I Cherry I Raspberry I Full & inviting.

PALATE
Burst of fruit I Cherry I Raspberry I Light oak I Sherry I Caramel I Sweet I Gratifying mouthfeel

FINISH
Gradually increasing spice throughout I Wet oak I Cherry I Red grape I Light raisin I Medium-length turning dry towards the end

OVERALL
Dareringer is a straight bourbon that is aged in new toasted and charred oak barrels and then finished in Casknolia Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks. Batches are relatively small at no more than 15 barrels; however, batch numbers are not provided on each bottle. While PX Sherry Cask finished bourbons can be over-the-top, Rabbit Hole manages to deliver a well-balanced experience that’s quite delicious. Dareringer is full of sweet fruit notes but manages to hold to its bourbon base with flavors of caramel and oak weaving in and out. Moreover, it’s surprisingly full-flavored for the proof which will appeal to a wide audience as it doesn’t taste high proof but offers a rich character. If you’re a fan of PX Sherry Cask finished bourbons, Dareringer is definitely worth checking out.

Redemption Rye

Classification: Straight Ry Whiskey
Company: Redemption
Distiller: MGP (Midwest Grain Product) Proof: 92%
Age: 2.5 Years
Mashbill: 95% Rye and 5% Barley Color: Dark Honey

NOSE
A hint of fresh dill, copper, vanilla taffy, oak, dark fruit, citrus zest, herbal spice, and a hint of toasted caramel. Aroma is that unmistakable dilly MGP 95/5 rye delivery that really comes to signify the resurrection of rye in the last few years.

PALATE
On the Palate, the robustness of 95/5 rye immediately shows up turning to an unmistakable herbal-oaky flavor of the barrel all rounded out with hints of sugar cookie.

FINISH
The Copper, oak, citrus zest, and dill carries through from beginning to end along with nominal heat slightly dissuaded by the sugar cookie finish. Good balance, Medium to light body and a warm finish.

Knob Creek Straight Rye

Classification: Straight Rye
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Proof: 100
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Believed to be at or just slightly above the legal minimum of 51% rye)
Color: Light Gold

Bottled at the same proof as the standard Knob Creek Bourbon, Knob Creek Rye is the only standard ongoing rye product in Jim Beam‘s Small Batch Collection. Beam doesn’t disclose its mashbill, but it‘s believed Knob Creek Rye is a barely legal rye at just over 51% rye.

NOSE
For supposedly being a little over 51% rye, the nose is surprisingly expressive and more inline with higher percentage rye whiskeys. Fresh cracked rye grain, green apple, and charred oak mingle together. Additionally, there’s an underlying layer of smokey syrup present. For a 100 proof rye, the nose is layered full of flavor.

PALATE
Light amounts of rye grain, white pepper, citrus rinds, vanilla, pine effervescence, and oak are noticeable. The sip is light overall for a rye. It is ever so slightly spicy and not the most rye forward sip by any means. That said, its 100 proof makes this easy to sip on and enjoy without being too hot.

FINISH
Light rye spice, sweet vanilla, and oak are present at the start. The finish has a small amount of heat upfront that fades away leaving a layer of light rye and tannic oak that linger for a while. It’s a nice way to end the sip, albeit it doesn’t leave a memorable experience behind either.

Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey

Classification: Straight Rye
Company: Diageo
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 90
Mashbill: 95°/o Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Color: Hay

Bulleit 95 Rye hit the market just before rye began to take off, and as a result for many rye drinkers and bartenders, it has become their de facto rye. The oft used “95” in the name refers to the 95% rye in its mashbill, which at the time of its unveiling, was less common to see a rye whiskey in the U.S. with such high rye content in its mashbill.

NOSE
Strawberry cream, dill, pine, and fresh muddled mint are soft and quite gentle with a peppery pop that follows. The nose features little in the way of surprises, yet the scents work well and their overall intensity will be quite pleasing to most. A touch of oak and additional sweetness further helps round out the aroma. Despite being largely straightforward, the nose is bright, lively, and very satisfying.

PALATE
A pop of orange peel, followed by green tea, graham cracker, and minty pine open the palate with a bit of excitement. Mild molasses, brown sugar, and slight rye spice follow, providing necessary contrast. Much like the nose, the flavor profile borders on traditional, but finds a way to impress the more time you spend with it.

FINISH
Oak ramps up in the finish, creating a dry aftertaste. The flavors from the palate drop off rather quickly and aren’t replaced but anything superior. A touch of leather, mild spice, and pepper linger, creating a tasting experience more in line with what you’d expect from a rye. Straightforward yet again, but this time it’s more of a drawback compared to the rest of the sip, as the finish’s flavors just don’t have enough to offer to counter it.

Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Rye

Classification: Straight Rye
Company: Rabbit Hole
Distillery: Contract Distilled at an Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery
Proof: 95
Age: 3 Years
Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Color: Light Copper

NOSE
Summer fruits IHints of vanilla ISubtle rye spice ITouch of white peppercorn I Light& airy

PALATE
Oak I Hints of dry leather and tobacco I Light spice ISweet vanilla IEarthy

FINISH
Rye spice I Dry oak I Flashes of vanilla I Short and to the point

OVERALL
Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Rye is a whiskey that’s hard to hate yet also won’t stand out in a crowd. The highlight of the sip is its palate which nicely balances more earthy flavors with just the right amount of sweetness to give it some character. I can see this being a nice transitional rye, albeit a more expensive one, for bourbon drinkers who are looking to explore this whiskey category.

WhistlePig Piggy Back Rye

Classification: Rye Whiskey
Company: Moriah Ventures, LLC
Distillery: Undisclosed Canadian Distlllery(ies)
Release Date: April 2019 (Ongoing)
Proof: 96.56
Age: 6 Years
Mashbill: 100% Rye
Color: Golden Hay
MSRP: $50 (2021)

Before his passing, master distiller Dave Pickerell had a dream of creating an aged rye specifically for cocktail use. The end result is PiggyBack Rye, which according to the company, is a nod by Pickerell to the love and respect he had for the bartending community. In fact, the company designed the bottle for ease of handling by bartenders.

NOSE
Fragile scents of spice waft from the glass. These take form as rye spice, cinnamon spice, and baking spice. They mingle with light earthy notes of tobacco leaf, leather, and peppercorn. Very subtle scents of hay, vanilla, and honey swirl beneath. The nose is full of nuanced aromas; however, its lighter nature makes you hunt for them. Regardless it’s a nice way to open the sip.

PALATE
Sweet and spicy, the palate is an interesting concoction of contrasting flavors. Brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla are in a constant push-pull with bold rye spice and white peppercorn. Helping push the spice notes to the forefront are underlying notes of leather and dry oak. While the sip is on the thinner side offering a mouthfeel that seems mismatched to its dynamic flavor profile, the flavors are spot on for what I’d expect from a Canadian rye of this age.

FINISH
A rush of spice envelopes the mouth thanks to bold rye spice mixed with Red Hot candies, cinnamon, and lightly charred oak. Dry leather and light tobacco notes appear and linger in a slow dance with a heated spice note. It’s a medium-long finish that offers a simple yet nice way to round out the sip.

High West Double Rye

Classification: Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys
Company: Constellation Brands
Distillery: High West Distillery & MGP
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 92
Age: 2 Years (Blend of straight rye whiskeys ranging in age from 2 to 7 years)
Mashbill: Undisclosed ratio of 95% rye, 5% barley malt from MGP and 80% rye, 20% malted rye from High West Distillery
Color: Golden Hay

NOSE
Light hay, pine, a touch of oak, and the slightest of rye spice start things off. Weaving throughout are also prominent scents of fresh dill. The flavors play off one another well, however it’s an odd combination for rye, foregoing the typical spice notes for a more pronounced herbaceous scent profile. It makes you pause to ponder exactly what scents are in the glass. In this case, the odd aroma isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as its uniqueness is what makes it interesting.

PALATE
The palate is on the lighter side of the spectrum. Muted sweet vanilla, oak, light flavors of honey, cinnamon stick, and light botanical notes come into view. Pushing against these flavors is a more prominent rye spice. Unlike the nose, the youth play a more noticeable role as the younger rye’s two years in the barrel comes across as lighter and more muted notes. The end result is an average yet forgettable palate.

FINISH
A flash of sweet rye spice starts the finish, followed by touches of sweet vanilla and oak. A simmering heat is present and is eventually joined by drier oak notes. Medium in length, the finish follows the same path that the palate did in presenting a fine yet forgettable way to end the sip.

Angel’s Envy Finished Rye

Classification: Rye Whiskey Finished in Rum Casks
Company: Angel’s Envy/ Angel’s Share Brands/ Louisville Distilling Co. – Purchased by Bacardi Ltd in March 2015
Distillery: Sourced from LOI now MGP in Indiana
Released: Ongoing Limited Release/ Batch 3: January 2015
Proof: 100
Age: NAS (6-7 years old finished up to 18 months)
Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Color: Warm Rose Gold

Angel’s Envy Rye is a 6-7-year-old 95% rye I 5% malted barley aged for up to 18 months in Caribbean XO Rum Casks that served as Cognac Casks before that. It’s blended twice in batches of 8 to 12 barrels, first blended and put into the rum casks then blended again for bottling after the finish aging to maintain consistency

NOSE
Gingerbread, maple sugar candy, and molasses cookies along with an agreeable amount of alcohol burn on the nostrils. It really smells like something you would eat for dessert. Delicious and inviting.

PALATE
Super sweet. Gingerbread and molasses play off maple sugar candy as the dominant flavor. Sickly-sweet marshmallowy, cotton candy-ish flavors push through towards the end of the sip. The sweetness from the rum casks dominates overall. A trace amount of rye spice is present, but much less so than what would be expected from a 95% rye mashbill. Because of this, it’s easy to sip.

FINISH
Sugary sweetness lingers. Burnt maple sugar candy and molasses cookies play nicely at first, but then turns back to the sickly-sweet elements hinted on the palate. One of the longer finishes in a whiskey I’ve tasted; it starts nicely but over time morphs into a somewhat off-putting aftertaste. It’s not bad enough to ruin it, but enough to point out.

Basil Hayden Dark Rye

Classification: Distilled Spirits Specialties (Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Blended with Canadian Rye Whisky and Port)
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam & Alberta Distillery
Proof: 80
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Currant

Dark Rye is a blend of Kentucky straight rye, Canadian rye from Alberta Distillery, and California port.

NOSE
Robust scents of strawberry jam and dark cherries combine against a base of seasoned oak. A touch of rye spice accents the fruit-forward scents, providing additional structure. The overall aroma is quite wine-forward, though it offers ample intensity despite the low proof. The result is inviting, but slightly less complex than expected given the variety of spirits that go into the blend.

PALATE
Fruit-forward with maraschino cherries, currants, and plums engulfing the senses. Rye spice and light oak tease in the background, along with a touch of caramel, but don’t have enough vigor to really pull through.

Instead, an undertone of dry leather exists throughout, and does well to complement the sweeter fruit notes, especially the maraschino cherry note which seems to prevail almost to a fault. Despite its low proof, the palate is surprisingly full-flavored, making it an enjoyable marriage of whiskey and port.

FINISH
The whiskey’s notable lack of enough rye spice in the palate to provide structure is even more pronounced in the finish. As a result, dark fruits from the palate persist into the finish, with an increasing dryness that draws against the sweeter fruit notes, changing the overall characteristic from sweet to savory. Potentially a bit too dry towards the end.

WhistlePig Whiskey Home Stock

WhistlePig Homestock Whiskey was created by the community, including Flaviar members and industry professionals. The exciting· experim ent had WhistlePig fans working· on blends tog·ether with “Blend Your Own” whiskey kits and instructions sent to enthusiasts worldwide.

The tasting and voting took place via a live stream and a winner was picked by the fans from the comfort of their homes. It’s a blend of 4- year- old rye whiskey and 5- year- old wheat and barley whiskeys that is pleasantly swee t and spicy, as well as wholly unique.

That final blend is what we have here today, and it contains 45% Vermont rye whiskey, 30% Canadian wheat whiskey, and 25% Canadian barley whiskey

NOSE
Light honey sweetness with a touch of fruit. The rye is there, but it’s not working very hard. This is a lot more delicate than I was expecting. It works, but it’s much more along the lines of a mature Irish whiskey than a classic ‘Pig.

PALATE
Velvety on the mouth and brings along a nice wheat berry note. Again, I want to call this “light”, but not in a disparaging way. There is a touch of indistinct spice and then more sweet honey with the wheat note.

FINISH
A bit of vanilla comes through and mixes with the rye spice to bring a little more character to the finish. It coats the palate nicely enough, so it sticks around for a medium finish that’s enjoyable all the way through. You will find yourself wondering where the oak is••·

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

Classification: Tennessee Whiskey
Company: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 80
Mashbill: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
Color: Molasses

Jack Daniel’s was established in 1886 and is the top–selling American whiskey in the world. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee which ironically, is a dry county meaning the product can’t be sold there. While not officially labeled bourbon, most of Jack Daniel’s whiskeys meet the criteria required to be called a bourbon.

NOSE
A pleasant mix of fruity sweetness, vanilla custard, oak, and banana. It’s medium in intensity, yet still has a decent richness to it Apricot and corn provide an additional layer of nuance. These scents culm inat e into an enjoyable and immensely satisfying opening to this whiskey.

PALATE
A rush of corn and banana upfront that’s followed by sugary blend of vanilla and walnut. Minor traces of smoke, cinnamon, and maple creep in and help add some additional nuance. Although its thin mouthfeel is regrettable and 80 proof unappealing, it thankfully drinks ever so slightly hotter. This all adds up to a palate that is distinctly Jack and makes it surprisingly fun to drink.

FINISH
Forgoing much of the sweetness found in its palate, the finish is oaky, slightly bitter, and at times almost briny. It ‘s a strong contrast to the sweet nose and palate and leaves a mildly dry and tongue zapping funkin essthat’s a hard contrast to the other parts of this whiskey. It’ s a detrimental finish to an otherwise solid overall pour.

A lot of fun has been had arguing whether the standard Jack Dani el’s qualifies as bourbon or not. But the discussion always comes back to the Lincoln County Process. Some may say that it hides flaws that would otherwise be more pronounced, but that is larg ely inconsequential as so many other brands use many different means of filtering. Jack Dani el’s has also been making whiskey for 150 years and it’s hard to argue that after perfecting their technique for so long, they make poor products.

WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye

Classification: Rye Whiskey
Company: Moriah Ventures, LLC
Distillery: Undisclosed Canadian Distlllery(ies)
Release Date: April 2019 (Ongoing)
Proof: 96.56
Age: 6 Years
Mashbill: 100% Rye
Color: Golden Hay

NOSE
Fragile scents of spice waft from the glass. These take form as rye spice, cinnamon spice, and baking spice. They mingle with light earthy notes of tobacco leaf, leather, and peppercorn. Very subtle scents of hay, vanilla, and honey swirl beneath. The nose is full of nuanced aromas, however its lighter nature makes you hunt for them. Regardless it’s a nice way to open the sip.

FINISH
A rush of spice envelopes the mouth thanks to bold rye spice mixing with Red Hot candies, cinnamon, and lightly charred oak. Dry leather and light tobacco notes appear and linger in a slow dance with a heated spice note. It’s a medium-long finish that offers a simple yet nice way to round out the sip.

WhistlePig 10 Year Barrel Proof Rye

Classification: Straight Rye
Company: WhistlePig
Distillery: Alberta Distillers
Age: 10 Year (Bottled in the 10 year single barrel bottle, however actual age is over 17 years old – barreled on 2/28/2003 and bottled on 8/19/2020)
Proof: 108.9
Mashbill: 94% Rye, 6% Malted Barlel

NOSE
Big rye spice, Allspice, orange peel, anise, oak-char, and caramel.

PALATE
Big pop of rye spice upfront, anise/licorice, caramel, vanilla undertone

FINISH
Mild cinnamon, butterscotch, and caramel, sweet and less bold than Nose and Palate.

Whistlepig Old World Rye 12 Year

Classification: Straight Rye
Company: WhistlePig
Distillery: Alberta Distillers
Age: 12 Years
Proof: 86
Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

After maturing for 12 years in New American Oak, the spirit is divvied into one of three barrels -Madeira (63%), Sauternes (30%) and Port (7%). Finished to perfection and blended into a symphony of flavor.

NOSE
Carmel, vanilla, and winter fruit. The Madeira casks specifically seem to have imbued a lot of the character here. More ethanol appears than I was expecting with such a low proof, but it’s balanced with a touch of minerality and all those red wine notes so it never feels alcohol heavy

PALATE
Rye spice, apricots, plums, raisins, dates, and honey. The palate bursts onto the scene even livelier than the nose with melons, honeydew, and Starburst candies. As you continue to drink through the pour, more floral notes and wood spice creep in. The lower proof keeps everything a bit lighter and more refreshing than you’d expect from a 95% rye, and this 12-year is much less reliant on the spice and earthiness of their 10-year expression.

FINISH
The strong, bright, fruity character of the palate is maintained in the medium length finish. The rye does appear more strongly here, with more spice and more earthiness coming to the forefront. It’s still very sweet, but a touch more herbaceous. Dark Chocolate, winter fruit, caramel, and vanilla.

Oglebay Bourbon List ~

Eagle Rare 10 Year Single Barrel

Rabbit Hole Heigold Bourbon

W.L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon

Blanton’s

Jim Beam Old Tub Bourbon

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond

Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond Bourbon

Whistlepig Farmstock Bespoke Batch

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon

Old Grand-Dad Bourbon

Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Wild Turkey Bourbon (81 Proof)

Jefferson’s Very Small Batch

Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Bourbon

Yellowstone Select Bourbon

Buffalo Trace

Four Roses Small Batch

Angel’s Envy Bourbon Port Finish

Rabbit Hole Dareringer

Redemption Rye

Knob Creek Straight Rye

Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey

Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Rye

WhistlePig Piggy Back Rye

High West Double Rye

Angel’s Envy Finished Rye

Basil Hayden Dark Rye

WhistlePig Whiskey Home Stock

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye

WhistlePig 10 Year Barrel Proof Rye

Whistlepig Old World Rye 12 Year

Awards