Cask Strength Whiskey – July 22, 2023

Blackened X Wes Henderson

Taken by Craig – 8th

Blackened x Wes Henderson is a collaboration with the recently retired Angel’s Envy Co-Founder, Wes Henderson. Angel’s Envy is known for their port and rum finished whiskeys, so finishing with white port wine casks makes a lot of sense for this release. Being a Blackened product, the whiskey was subjected to Blackened’s Black Noise sonic enhancement process sending Metallica’s music through white port casks while the whiskey was being finished.

Bardstown

Taken by Brian Sabo – 1st

Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series: Foursquare interestingly uses a 7 year old rye as its base whiskey component. In the early days of rum finished whiskey, bourbon was the most common base whiskey being used. But here along with Fortuitous Union, both have utilized rye. Perhaps both companies are looking for a more interesting interplay between their base spirit and their rum influence. The rye spice is apparent throughout, contrasting with the rum notes, throwing balance to the wayside, and ultimately making for a more dynamic sip. By keeping its Foursquare notes in check, this might be an example of taming the beast in order to reap the rewards. The palate manages to nicely delegate its Foursquare flavor notes throughout its sip and with good intensity.

High West

Taken by Jack – 10th

High West deserves credit for being one of the first innovators to capture fans’ hearts with modern bourbon blending. Dave Perkins, the company’s founder, was a chemist by training and applied his skills to bourbon blending. In the early 2010s, High West was a company many admired, taking pause in the fact that pulling together a wide range of whiskeys from distilleries from around the country could yield such interesting results. Back then you might have called it whiskey magic. Today you’d call it commonplace thanks to all of the great blenders that have popped up since that time.

Nulu Experimental Finish Series

Taken by Eric – 13th

Sourced MGP juice aged in maple casks.

Notes of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of smoke.

Larceny

Taken by Roger – 11th

In September 2012, Heaven Hill introduced the standard 92 proof Larceny to the market as “heir to the wheated bourbons that make up the historic Old Fitzgerald franchise.” The name “Larceny” and key pictured on the bottle is derived from the story of John Fitzgerald, who was believed to be a Treasury agent who “used his keys to the warehouses to pilfer bourbon from the finest barrels,” which were referred to as “Fitzgerald barrels.”

Elijah Craig – Private Barrel

Taken by Steve – 5th

A store pick version of the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, this comes straight from the barrel, without chill filtering.

Bernheim Barrel Proof

Taken by Mike – 9th

Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is the first wheat whiskey to use winter wheat as its primary grain, creating a soft, sweet flavor. This extension to the Bernheim brand delivers the same familiar smoothness with even more depth of flavor from seven to nine full years of aging. Pulled straight from the barrel and bottled without chill filtration, Bernheim Barrel Proof wheat whiskey in its purest form. Like the Original, Barrel Proof is produced at the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky and aged in Heaven Hill’s rickhouses. Bernheim Barrel Proof will be a nationally allocated product which will be released in batches, twice a year. Each release will have its own unique batch number and proof which will vary from edition to edition.

Old Elk – Double Wheat

Taken by Brian Smith – 4th

“Old Elk’s Master’s Blend Series is the creation of new tasting experiences for whiskey aficionados nationwide. ‘By marrying traditional favorites, award-winning bourbons and whiskeys, and a bold sense of adventure, we have created two exquisite, unique whiskies that I am personally very excited to share with the world,’ says Greg Metze.” Double Wheat blends straight wheat whiskey with straight (wheated) bourbon, two expressions distilled by Metze specifically for Old Elk at Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly MGP) in Indiana.

Old Scout – Nasa Liquor Store Pick

Taken by Todd – 7th

The Old Scout line is Smooth Ambler’s sourced whiskey, and is distinguished as such. A single barrel version of this is available and appropriately named OSB Single Barrel. It’s also available by private selection and is typically seen with an 8 year handwritten age statement. The Single Barrel is bottled at barrel proof, which typically ranges from 109 to 118 proof. Alternatively, the company also produces a 10 year old bourbon (Old Scout 10), however it’s not just aged longer but also has a different mashbill consisting of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malt. Due to the rapid and unanticipated growth Smooth Ambler experienced in 2015, the company states that Old Scout 7 and 10 Year Old Bourbon will be “indefinitely suspended” from their portfolio.

Still Austin Single Barrel Cask Strength

Taken by Randy – 12th

Still Austin Whiskey Co. is definitely an up-and-coming distillery you immediately want to root for. Located in Austin, Texas, production is led by head distiller John Schrepel, a New Yorker who “adjusted to the Texas heat,” he says. The company credits much of their success to guidance provided by industry experts Nancy Fraley and Mike Delavante. Incidentally, they also affectionately refer to their custom 42-foot column still as “Nancy,” though the reference has nothing to do with Fraley, instead named after the main character in the sci-fi classic “Attack of the 50-Foot Woman.”

Woodford Reserve Batch Proof

Taken by Oscar – 2nd

“The Woodford Reserve Batch Proof expression is a way to celebrate the flavor nuances contributed through a change in finishing presentation and tell the unique Woodford Reserve story of Proprietary Batching. Woodford Reserve Batch Proof is crafted using the same grain bill and process as Woodford Reserve Bourbon.” This ongoing release hits the market in the spring, and complements the fall Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection release which highlights a new innovative expression each time.

Old Forester Single Barrel

Taken by Peyton – 3rd

Brown-Forman announced in early 2019 they would be “enhancing” their retailer single barrel program. Old Forester’s 90 proof single barrel will no longer be available, instead replaced with a 100 proof and barrel strength single barrel versions. Bottles will also sport a redesigned bottle label that more closely resembles the brand’s design since 2015. The barrel strength versions will range in proof between 130-135. Jackie Zykan, Old Forester master taster said in the company’s press release, “…we wanted to be able to share how special some of these barrels are when the product inside is tasted in raw form.”

Bookers – The Lumberyard Batch

Taken by Roy – 6th

This batch is named in honor of the lumberyard that Booker Noe worked at during his pre-distillery years. While his journey to becoming a distiller wasn’t exactly a straight path, it led him to his true passion. After a short stint at the University of Kentucky, Booker hitch-hiked across America in hopes of joining the Air Force. After being accepted, the local police called his mom to verify his information. When Booker’s mom found out where he was, she convinced him to come home and work at the local lumberyard with Jeremiah Beam, also known as Uncle Jere. Booker was strong, over 6 feet tall and never backed away from physical labor of any kind, so he was a natural for the job. Booker gave 110 percent during his time at the lumberyard, which eventually landed him his first role working at the distillery. From then on, the rest was history. Since that first day, Booker held just about every job at the distillery and worked his way up to Master Distiller. Booker’s esteemed distilling career wasn’t given to him, he earned it. His experience at the lumberyard shaped the solid work ethic and curiosity he is known for.