Boondocks American Whiskey

Boondocks American
Whiskey

Along with the port barrel finished version, I got this bottle of Boondocks American Whiskey from my
dad last year for my birthday. To say that a bottle of whiskey was the perfect gift for 2020 is an understatement. That said, I've been nursing these two bottles because they are so good and I don't want to see them gone. I tend to do that with whiskey bottles anyway. I collect about as many as I can sneak in the house and slowly enjoy them until. There are a couple on reserve, but mostly they are for drinking, enjoying, and displaying. Enough about me and my collecting, let's talk about Boondocks American Whiskey.

Compromise is for Politicians

Distillery: Boondocks Distillery

Location: Bardstown, Kentucky, 40004

Mater Distillery: David E Sheurich

Age: 11 Years

Batch: Unnumbered

Type: Straight Whiskey

ABV: 47.5% / 95 Proof

Boondocks American Whiskey is aged in ex-bourbon barrels

Appearance: Light amber, caramel

Nose: Spice, oak, vanilla, caramel

Taste: The fruit, spice, oak, vanilla, and caramel notes carry over from the nose to the palate. Given these, flavor notes, I'd expect a level of sweetness that is not there. 

Finish: Boondocks American Whiskey lingers on the glass, with long fingers. There is a spice bomb at the very end, with the classic and familiar and comforting warmth. 

 

Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey

A few months ago, I was in Dallas for a conference and brought some samples with me to enjoy in the hotel room and Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey was one of them. Some of those samples I've written about previously. For whatever reason, I didn't get around to actually trying out Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey until

Bernheim Original Kentucky
Straight Wheat Whiskey

now! I like wheated whiskies, so maybe I was saving the best for last. In most cases, I'm a huge believer in Hemingway's old adage, "Write drunk, edit sober," so I was inspired to at least jot down my tasting notes!

From the Heaven Hill Website

This Heaven Hill Distillery original is named for the famed Bernheim Distillery here in Louisville. 7-Year-Old Wheat Whiskey, Bernheim Original is the first new style of American Whiskey to be introduced since Prohibition. Aged for 7 years in our traditional open rickhouses, Bernheim’s mellow taste is refreshingly smooth when served straight or in cocktails.

Distillery: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is distilled at Heaven Hill Distillery, Louisville, KY, USA

Proof: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is bottled at 90 Proof

Age: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is aged for minimum 7 years

Appearance: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey has a copper, with long fingers running down the glass

Nose: On the nose, Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey has notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey

Taste: On the tongue Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey has sweet notes of vanilla. It is smooth, with almost no spice notes to it

Finish: On the finish Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is smooth and lingers long,  with mild spice and light oak.

Overall, Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is very good and enjoyable whiskey. I need to get more than just a sample bottle to try out. I drank it neat. This is not a whiskey that you will want to mix with anything. Just sip and enjoy.

Slainte!

 

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

A few weeks ago, I was in Dallas for a conference and brought some samples with me to enjoy in the hotel room. In most cases, I'm a huge believer in Hemingway's old adage, "Write drunk, edit sober," so I was inspired to at least jot down my tasting notes!

I’ve been finishing off the last of the Heaven Hill Distillery gift pack sampler I got a few years ago. I have one left to crack open that I am looking forward to. Interestingly, they all seem to have the same flavor profile, and this Evan Williams Single Barrel was no different.

Evan Williams Single Barrel is copper in color.

On the nose, Evan Williams Single Barrel has floral notes, with oaky and spicy notes.

The Evan Williams is sweet with notes of vanilla and some oaky spice.

On the finish, the Evan Williams Single Barrel is smooth and only lingers for a short time. There sweet notes of vanilla and caramel, with heavy oak notes that hit you at the end.

The Sexton

I picked up The Sexton for St Paddy's day after looking for an Irish Whiskey that wasn't the usual Jameson or Bushmills. Don't get me wrong, I like both of those. They're both great whiskies. But, it's nice to change it up some times. The Sexton was recommended to me in a whiskey group on
Facebook and I went looking.

The Sexton

About the Whiskey:

One of the coolest things about The Sexton is that in the midst of a boys club, master distiller Alex Thomas has managed to create an amazing whiskey in a man's world! That is amazingly cool. The Sexton is triple distilled in copper pot stills and then aged in former Oloroso sherry casks, from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

From the Bottle:

I love the label and the overall design of the bottle. It's unique. The delivery of the product goes beyond what's simply inside the bottle. Turn the bottle and read as you drink:

Up in the cold grey Northern reaches

of County Antrim

The Sextons tend to the spirits

digging the fresh graves of the 

river rush graveyard

and planting stone crosses

in the soft mowed grass.

Show up just before dawn,

when the dew is glistening

on the headstones,

and you'll catch the

cool morning breeze

carrying the fresh scent of

unmistakable oak from a breathing cask.

Follow that scent into the crypt

and you might find a locked door, 

faintly glowing at its edges 

through that door.

Find the rows of beckoning

European Oak,

once the sacramental casks of

fine sherry, now brimming with Aqua Vitae.

You see, the be a Sexton is a spiritual trade,

and whiskey is their favorite spirit,

Tasting Notes

Color:

The Sexton is amber in color

Nose: 

The Sexton has sweet notes of caramel and spice, not spicy, but cloves. 

Taste:

The Sexton carries the notes of caramel and spice over from the nose, but then you are introduced to notes of vanilla and dried fruit and some nutty notes as well.

Finish:

The Sexton is smooth with a creamy mouth feel. The finish is medium, not long or too short. On the finish the notes of vanilla and caramel return, leaving you with the notes of spices giving you a warm feeling as you set the glass down to enjoy what you just had. 

Maker's Mark

Maker's Mark

A few weeks ago, I was in Dallas for a conference and brought some samples with me to enjoy in the hotel room. Before I went up to the room for the evening, I stopped at the hotel bar to enjoy a Maker's Mark. As a Maker's Mark ambassador, it only seemed right to offer up my tasting notes.

From the Label:

Maker's Mark, America's handmade bourbon whisky, all started because my grandfather, Bill Samuels, Sr., a sixth generation Kentucky distiller, didn't care for the whisky his family made. So in 1953 he burned the family recipe - literally - and started over. His taste vision was a soft, rich, creamy, full-bodied yet balanced bourbon. Meanwhile, my grandmother, Margie, was busy designing the bottle you're holding. In fact, it was her idea to hand-dip every bottle in red wax. To this day, making Maker's Mark - in small quantities, a little at a time - is still a family affair. Enjoy

Tasting Notes:

Color:

Maker's Mark has a deep rose gold color

Nose:

On the nose, I get notes of sweet, vanilla, and caramel

Taste:

I didn't get a very complex flavor profile. There were sweet notes of vanilla and caramel

Finish:

Maker's Mark has a short, smooth finish. It doesn't linger in your mouth. Up front, there are some spicy notes that give way to sweet notes on the finish. 

Overall, I like Maker's Mark. It's a nice fireside sipper and goes great in cocktails (I've written about a few of these before). It's interesting to get a little spice out of the bourbon since there is no rye use in the mash bill. Instead, wheat is used giving it a smoother profile.

Whiskey Roundup 02/24/19 to 03/02/19

Every Saturday I go through Twitter with #whiskey and roundup my favorite whiskey articles! These are may favorites for this week!

I'm always excited to see distilleries come out with new whiskey expressions, like this new bourbon from Coopers' Craft

Coopers' Craft launches new bourbon expression: https://t.co/JKkEBsnkDr #bourbon #whisky #whiskey pic.twitter.com/NzI03TTaLV

— The Whisky Business (@TheWhiskyBiz) March 2, 2019

Whenever I see a new whiskey review, I try to make it a point to either read it right then, or bookmark it for later. I've been really in to the Johnnie Walker Wine Cask Blend lately. If this one from Tipp Distillery is anything like it, I just might have to track down a bottle.

Had a blast with my final #dram of the @TippDistillery Red Wine Cask Finish; red liquorice, strong breakfast tea, raspberries, spicy toffee and cherries on a stunning palate, read my full review below of this stunning #Whiskey. https://t.co/XWRDRLq3Fz pic.twitter.com/YGW5LRVI90

— somewhiskybloke (@somewhiskybloke) March 1, 2019

Just like whiskey reviews, interviews with whiskey insiders are very informative. These are always a must read for me.

Our 93rd Whisky Insiders Interview: David DeFazio, Founder of Wyoming Whiskey: https://t.co/OukW32EcG8 @WyoWhiskey #whisky #whiskey #theoriginalwhiskyinsidersinterviews pic.twitter.com/EkpTLzvCzO

— Steve Rush 🥃 (@TheWhiskyWire) March 2, 2019

Well, you already know that I like look at whiskey reviews. This one is for a Scotch Whiskey, a world I haven't explored quite as much as the whiskey and bourbon worlds. Reviews are a great way to learn about new products and expand your knowledge, and then as a result, expand your collection!

Always a good day for a great #whisky https://t.co/PSAS7ZnonA - #whiskey, #luxury

— Boston Luxury (@BostonLuxForYou) March 2, 2019

Johnnie Walker Wine Cask Blend

Johnnie Walker Wine
Cask Blend

A few years ago, we went with some friends to a Johnnie Walker tasting. It was a great evening, complete with a video discussing the history of the Johnnie Walker brand, a lesson in whiskey tasting with the Black Label, and then an opportunity to have 4 drinks, with 4 different blends, Black Label, Red Label, Double Black, and then finally the Blue Label. Since then, I have always kept at least Black Label in my stock, sometimes a few others. I came across the Wine Cask Blend and was instantly intrigued.


About the Whiskey:

Wine Cask Blend is a blend of grain and malt Scotch whiskies, some of which are finished in red wine casks, or barrels. The Johnnie Walker website does not give a lot of information about the grains or malt used or which distilleries the whiskies came from.


Appearance:

Wine Cask Blend has a rose gold appearance.


Nose:

Johnnie Walker Wine
Cask Blend

The grain alcohol is dominant on the nose, but there are some hints of oak and fruit.


Taste:

There are dominant notes of berries and fruits from the wine casks, but also a spice and some pepper


Finish: 

On the finish, Wine Cask blend packs a punch of spice and then mellows out with a lingering fruity finish.

Bulleit, My First Bourbon Crush

Bulleit Bourbon

Like most American boys, my first whiskey experience was with Jack Daniels and Jim Beam. But then weekend in college, visiting my brother in Austin, TX, he introduced me to Bulleit Bourbon. Bulleit was different, Bulleit was good. Back in those days, it was primarily a mixer. Bourbon and ginger ale, a drink we dubbed "The Bonassin." My whiskey tastes have matured since those days, and I like my whiskey neat or on the rocks. The Bulleit family of whiskeys is still one of my favorites, and is always restocked on the shelf. It only seems fitting to feature Bulleit Bourbon as my first whiskey review.

About the Whiskey:

Bulleit Bourbon is bottled at 45% ABV Bourbon. It is distilled at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY for the Diageo Company. The mash bill is noted for its high rye content, at almost 28% of the mash bill. It is barrel aged for at least 6 years.

Appearance: 

Bulleit Bourbon is amber in color.

Nose: 

Bulleit Bourbon has aromas of oak and sweet vanilla

Taste: 

I really like the flavor profile of this bourbon. Bulleit Bourbon has sweet and vanilla flavors and notes of spice.

Overall:

On the finish, Bulleit Bourbon gives a big flavor splash of vanilla and some maple. The spice is elevated just before the finish, giving off a flavor of almost pepper!



Slainte