Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021

An exciting announcement from the folks over at Maker's Mark! I'm always a big fan of experimental finishing, so this is one that I am extremely excited about! Plus it will be bottled at cask strength! 

The press release follows.

As always, we want you to be the first to know about exciting news here on Star Hill Farm. In this case, it’s a new development in celebration of one of the most traditional aspects of how we make your whisky. Our Maker’s Mark® Wood Finishing Series has been successful beyond anything we imagined, thanks to you. As you know, each year we’ve focused on one aspect of my grandfather’s taste vision and amplified that using the proprietary finishing process developed by my dad, Bill Samuels, Jr., when he created Maker’s Mark 46®. This year, we’ve taken our inspiration from the distilling process itself: our 36-inch copper column stills (considered small by modern standards), our use of a small rectifier and our practice of never chill filtering our whisky. It’s all done – or not done – in the service of flavor and texture. Because of our still design and our non-chill filtration, our bourbon retains more of the fatty acid esters (FAEs) that give Maker’s Mark® not only its subtle hints of tobacco and dried fruits but also its signature rich and creamy mouthfeel.  Now, after a year of experimenting, our pursuit of amplifying both flavor and texture in our taste vision has resulted in not one, but two all-new Wood Finishing Series expressions. First up will be our 2021 Limited Release: FAE-01, launching this spring. It will be followed later this year with a fall release, our 2021 Limited Release: FAE-02. To the benefit of our spring release, FAE-01, we ended up with a whisky that, as our Master of Maturation, Jane Bowie, says, “tastes just like a barrel warehouse smells.” If you’ve ever visited our little distillery, I think you and your tastebuds know what I’m talking about. This is a bourbon with rich, figgy notes complemented by tobacco undertones and a woodiness that create a unique depth of big, bold flavor. What’s more, in what is certainly a first for us, we seared our FAE-01 stave on one side, leaving the other side raw. The results surprised even us, and further accentuated this release’s one-of-a-kind flavor profile. Our Spring Limited Release, bottled at cask strength of roughly 110 proof, will begin arriving at select retailers nationwide very soon. None of our Wood Finishing Series releases to date have lasted long on store shelves, so I encourage you to check with your favorite retailers for the latest availability. Learn More I’ll have more details on our Fall Limited Release in a few months. Without giving too much away, I can promise that it’s the other side of the coin – or stave – from the spring release. Thank you once again for your continuing support of Maker’s Mark and the people who continue to work (safely) every day to handmake your favorite bourbon.  Best Regards, Rob Samuels Grandson of the Founders Managing Director, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc.

Jameson St Patrick's Day Time Off Sweepstakes

Who likes to get free money for St. Patrick's Day? And as an added bonus, Jameson will donate $50 for each winner to Restaurant Workers Community Foundation!

ONE MONTH UNTIL ST. PATRICK’S DAY!

Mark your calendars for March 17th Schedule your St. Patrick’s Day Time Off now. It’s like PTO but made for St. Patrick’s Day! Head to our page for cocktail ideas & merch + enter for a chance to win $50 to spend this St. Patrick’s Day. And, for each winner, we will donate an additional $50 in their honor to the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation to complement the $150,000 donation we are making this St. Patrick’s Day. ENTER NOW NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Jameson St. Patrick’s SPTO Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C. (which excludes P.R. and all U.S. territories & possessions), 21 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Begins 12:00:01 a.m. ET 2/17/21; ends 11:59:59 p.m. ET 3/7/21. Visit https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-US/competition/spto-sweeps for Official Rules, which govern. Alcohol is not included with the prize. Sponsor: Pernod Ricard USA, LLC, New York, NY.

The MacAllan - The Whiskey Roundup

The MacAllan 12 - Photo Credit
Alan Walker via Deposit Photos

Sundays are for Scotch. The MacAllan 12 was my gateway Scotch, so today for Day 6 of 25 Days of Whiskey, I am dedicating the Whiskey Roundup to the storied House of MacAllan.

I had never heard of MacAllan Week until today. That's a pretty cool idea if you ask me. When it comes to offerings and variety, The MacAllan has a lot to offer.

Just a little reminder that #macallanweek is coming up soon!

The @the_macallan #rarecask 2018 batch 3 (the highest rated of the series on @whiskybase ) will be one of 8 bottles I am opening and reviewing to see whether modern #macallan stands up to scru… https://t.co/N8udfbEh8s pic.twitter.com/g6aowlCXHs

— PoshScotch (@PoshScotch) December 2, 2020

The MacAllan also offers a variety of rare bottles, some as much as 50 years old. I doubt I'll see any of these in my lifetime, but it's nice to see what's out there.  

MACALLAN SIRIUS - 26-YEAR-OLD

Exceptional bottling of an ultra-rare Speyside Single Malt Scotch

Strictly limited edition of 690 bottles exclusively reserved for the Ultimate Whisky Collectorhttps://t.co/lvb4W1Peao@The_Macallan#macallan #whisky #singlemalt #scotch #whiskey pic.twitter.com/wbHnKZB4DB

— Whisky kingdom (@Whisky_Kingdom) December 3, 2020

When I was first introduced to The MacAllan, it was it at Richard's Liquors in Kingwood, TX. I was looking for a Christmas gift for my newly minted step dad. I worked at the Starbucks next store to Richard's and had become friendly with a few of the people who worked there. I was told that The MacAllan was the barometer by which all other Scotches are compared. That was enough for me.  

Repost : @firewaterxo

Recognized and admired by the entire sophisticated world of connoisseurs, Macallan remains the expression of single malts that can be judged before all; this unparalleled reputation has been built by the masters of wood.
.#macallan #macallanwhisky pic.twitter.com/gfwCQmCaTa

— Elite Spirits (@EliteSpiritsDel) November 27, 2020

This is incredibly cool. Scotch being a traditionally Scottish liquor, enjoyed the world over, I like to see a special variety made just for Londoners. 

INTRODUCING THE MACALLAN LONDON

A unique limited edition single malt whisky providing a sensorial journey through one of the world’s greatest capital cities. ⁠
⁠
Available Nowhttps://t.co/lSyicH4MF8
⁠@The_Macallan

⁠#macallan #singlemalt #whisky #scotch pic.twitter.com/wGZQYyCHke

— Whisky kingdom (@Whisky_Kingdom) December 3, 2020

High West Distillery High Country American Single Malt

I received a press release today from High West Distillery that I wanted to share with you. If you are going to be in the Park City, Utah area this weekend, stop by their distillery or general stores and pick up a bottle of their new distillery only release, High Country American Single Malt!

HIGH COUNTRY AMERICAN SINGLE MALT High Country American Single Malt DISTILLERY ONLY RELEASE SATURDAY,  DEC.5TH This Repeal Day, celebrate the end of prohibition with a bottle of  High Country American Single Malt! An American single malt  whiskey distilled and blended by High West in the Wasatch Mountains  of Utah. Class & Type  Whiskey  Sensory Notes: Nose: Grandma's apple turnover, huckleberry fudge, cardamom pod,  dried lavender, oak rocking chair, smoked lemon rind  Taste: Nutcracker cracked walnuts, dried apricots, dark chocolate  covered cherry truffles, bear claw pastry, smoked honeydew melon  syrup Finish: Honeycomb, sourdough toast with white grape jelly,  burnt caramel  Technical Details Proof: 88° ABV: 44% Price  Price: $79.99 How to Drink Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water while appreciating a  magnificent western vista.  WHERE TO BUY?  Distillery only release, available at High West general stores in  Park City and Wanship.  *High West General Stores are limiting 2 bottles per person*

The Whiskey Journey

Photo by Richard Lawrence on Reshot

I belong to a couple of whiskey groups on Facebook and it is always interesting to see what different people see as good whiskey and what others see as swill. On any given day, any member of these groups can post about a new whiskey they are trying or post about one of their new favorites, only to have somebody comment about their whiskey choice, asking, "How can you drink that?" or saying, "Drain pour!" Everyone has opinions and that's what keeps it interesting. 

This is the biggest thing to think about and remember when it comes to whiskey. It's very much like art and literature and film. Everything is subjective. You either like it or you don't and everyone has an opinion.

But there is a journey to truly enjoying good whiskey. Good whiskey again being subjective. Some people may tell you otherwise, but you don't just start out drinking peated Scotch. I didn't, at least. A milder maybe a wheated whiskey is more your style and a better starting point. 

The typical whiskey drinker is going to start out looking at something that can be mixed with Coke, probably Jack Daniels or Crown Royal. I'll drink Crown Royal on the rocks, but I've also grown passed whiskey and Coke. If whiskey and Coke is your game, then I would think you're looking at flavored whiskey, either honey, vanilla, or cinnamon. There a lot of options out there.

After you get used to drinking whiskey and Coke, whiskey cut with Coke, you're probably ready whiskey on the rocks or whiskey neat to really start enjoying and appreciating the flavors and elements of the whiskey. People typically tell you to start with a lower proof whiskey, maybe around 80 proof. I think that is bad advice. Instead, I look towards what I call the gateway whiskeys or bourbons. These are going to be whiskeys like Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Wild Turkey 101, and Buffalo Trace. These are all very approachable and drinker friendly whiskeys, lending themselves to tastings, on the rocks, neat, and cocktails. 

Once you get comfortable with these approachable whiskeys, you'll want to start looking at small batches, different grains and mash bills, Irish whiskeys, Japanese whiskeys, and experimental whiskeys. I'm here to tell you now that this is where the rabbit hole begins. You'll find yourself just going to the liquor store just to see what they have spending hours in the whiskey aisle, getting to know the people that work there. While fun and exciting, it can be a very expensive hobby once you start looking for some harder to find and more sought after bottles.

Now, is when you get in to an advanced phase of whiskey drinking and enter the world of Scotch. I think that to truly appreciate Scotch, you need to learn to appreciate the other whiskeys. In the world of Scotch you get to taste Scotches from five different areas of Scotland, each with their own discernable qualities. Some are aged in Sherry casks. Some are peated, giving an earthy, almost charcoal flavor. Scotches aged in Sherry casks are my favorites of the Scotch world. Scotches are all good and they are all unique, but I think you need to make it through the whiskey journey to fully appreciate it. 

There are a lot of whiskeys out there and there are a lot of ways to enjoy them. Some are easier to drink and enjoy than others. Some are more complex than others. The only way to know is to embark on your own whiskey journey. Read books. Keep notes. See what flavor notes you can find. It really can be a lot of fun. 

Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Like most, my first whiskey experience was Jack Daniels. It's cheap. It's American. It's classic. And maybe most importantly, it's readily available. Later, I would try Crown Royal, because that's what my dad drank. When I got to college, my roommates and I would buy Evan William's Black Label, because it was the cheapest thing we could get our hands on. Later, at the time having no idea what good whiskey is, I would find out how good it is, and what's more, I would find out about the Bottled-in-Bond white label, just a few dollars more. Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond has become a semi daily drinker for me. That is to say at least, that it always has a place on my shelf. 

From the Bottle

Bottled-in-Bond status is earned only by meeting strict government standards, originally passed in 1897 to ensure quality and consistency. In accordance with these standards, this bourbon is 100 Proof, aged at least 4 years, and produced at a single distillery within a single distillation season.

About the Whiskey

• Distillery: Old Evan Williams Distiller, Louisville Kentucky. It is interesting to note that there are two distilleries, noted on the bottle by KY-1 for Louisville and KY-31 for Bardstown. This bottle is from the Louisville Distillery. 

• Type: Single Distillery

• Charcoal Filtered

• Age: At least four years

• 50% ABV / 100 Proof

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Evan Williams BIB is amber in color. The legs are quick on the glass and don't linger on the glass long at all. 

Nose: On the nose, there are notes of oak, vanilla, and sweet caramel.

Taste: The whiskey is subtly sweet, with notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel, similar the notes on the the nose

Finish: The whiskey has a slow finish, though it is not buttery. It has a light and even mouthfeel. The oak hits you in the back of the mouth and gives way to an oak bomb with sweet vanilla notes. 

Japanese Whisky - The Whiskey Roundup

Japanese Whisky Photo from VinePair

Japanese Whisky is one of those whiskey booms that was almost too good to be true. The Japanese
somehow found a way to make and market whiskey, some using Irish and Scottish Whisky Methods, that is sometimes smoother than the original. It is so sought after that it has become difficult to find in some cases. Though it is coming back around to liquor store shelves.

As much as I enjoy a good whiskey neat or on the rocks, it's nice to see one every once in a while that is distilled and bottled specifically for a cocktail, in this case the Highball. 

Highball lovers, our newest #JapaneseWhiskey was crafted with you in-mind. Bright, citrus-forward and barrel-aged for 3-9 years, the pristine, alkaline water from nearby Koriyama springs creates a round, full-bodied texture that's perfect for mixing. Thank you @vineconnections! pic.twitter.com/zysUFculVw

— Kata Robata (@KataRobata) November 7, 2020

This is disappointing, though not surprising. Of course, every country is going to have different regulations. Even in the US, there is a distillery in Indiana called MGP where a lot of craft distilleries buy distillates and take them home to bottle, label, and distribute. Most of these craft distilleries are honest about the source, but that doesn't appear to be the case in Japanese whisky, which is what concerns me. 

Some Japanese whiskeys aren't Japanese, and some aren't even whiskey. #JapaneseWhiskey #whiskeyhttps://t.co/EdAX3ma2gb

— Global AgInvesting (@globalaginvest) June 30, 2020

Sometimes, you have to treat yourself. From what I have heard, not having been able to try these out myself, these are some outstanding whiskeys. The founder of the Nikka distillery learned from the masters in Scotland. Some of the whiskys at Nikka are made using the coffey column still method. 

Best #xmas gift to myself... 😉#nikka #japanesewhiskey #blended #smooth pic.twitter.com/SiMAWlYUKx

— Stefan Laszlo (@StefLaszlo) December 28, 2019

I have had the opportunity to enjoy the Suntory Whisky Toki and have only dreamt about the others, seeing only a few in the wild. From what I understand, like the MacAllan 12 in the Scotch world the Yamazaki 12 and 18 are both considered the barometer for what is considered a great Japanese whisky.  

Our sister location, Kyatchi Saint Paul is so full of charm and character. Wouldn't you agree? Not to mention, great food, creative cocktails,and good Japanese whisky 🥃 🍣 🍜 🌭 🍻 #whisky #whiskey #japanesewhisky #japanesewhiskey pic.twitter.com/DNdHxNA6Y2

— Kyatchi (@KyatchiMpls) January 23, 2020