Whiskey Tasting, Feb. 1, 2020: Bourbons & Ryes

Breckenridge ‘A Blend’ Bourbon, 86 proof

Breckenridge, Colorado

Regular Price $47.99

Sale price $42.99

“Deep honey-amber hue with warm, pronounced aromas of under-ripe banana and brown sugar, with spicy notes of white pepper and toasted sesame. Light body with warm texture and long sweet oak, vanilla finish with a touch of bitterness to balance. Reminiscent of a slice of toasted rye bread with honey drizzled on it. We mash, ferment and distill a lot of Bourbon in house. Our blend of Bourbon Whiskeys also consists of Barrels selected from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana chosen for their unique qualities, heritage, and ability to marry in our blend, always made from a high-rye mash bill.”

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon, 108.8 proof

Loretto, Kentucky

Regular Price $61.99

Sale price $56.99

“Poured into a glass, the whiskey gives off a dark amber color. To the nose, it gives off a lighter aroma than expected, but is still palpable. What really stands out is the distinct scent of vanilla that pairs with the dominant smell of bourbon, while one also can detect a subtle aroma of cinnamon. Direct and sweeter than most bourbon, the smell is subdued yet pleasant to take into the nose, and a careful study allows one to even notice the aroma of wood that stored and aged the whiskey. The pleasingly smooth finish is accompanied by strongly woody tastes and notes of vanilla, smoke, and spice, resulting in a robust bourbon. The aftertaste is clean and refreshing, with pleasantly lingering wheat flavors on the palate. Compared to the typical Maker’s Mark, the finish is slightly longer, and what’s impressive is that it lacks roughness or scratchiness that other whiskies may give off.”

Wilderness Trail ‘Rye High’ Single Barrel Bourbon, 104 proof

Danville, Kentucky

Regular Price $62.99 

Sale price $57.99

“The goal of the Small Batch is to capture the total essence of more complex notes from multiple barrels from distillate of the same fermenter. We’ve decided to release the Small Batch Bourbon as ‘Bottled in Bond’ so fans of our Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon can do a side-by-side comparison. Our Small Batch release mash bill is 64 percent corn, 24 percent rye and 12 percent malted barley using our yeast strains. We entered the cooper select, toasted and #4 char barrel at 110 proof after coming off the still around 137 proof. Aged in both our Rickhouse A at a mid- to upper-floor and in our Rickhouse B in the center of the warehouse.”

Journeyman “Last Feather’ Rye Whiskey, 90 proof

Three Oaks, Michigan

Regular Price $52.99

Sale price $47.99

“Our flagship product and one of the few wheat heavy rye whiskies on the market; a beautiful balance of the spice of rye and sweetness of wheat. Ripe banana on the note, spice and pepper of rye really well balanced with sweetness of wheat, fruit notes, clean and dry, mint notes – easy drinking.”

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye, 104 proof

Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Regular Price $69.99

Sale price $61.99

“Russell’s Reserve has continuously produced some of the best rye whiskeys, and this non-chill filtered, 104 proof single barrel rye is no exception — delivering a balance of spicy pepper, vanilla and tobacco flavors. Master Distiller Eddie Russell planned this release for years, resulting in a big whiskey that stands up to any cocktail.”

James E. Pepper ‘1776’ PX Sherry Cask Rye

Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Regular Price $51.99

Sale price $46.99

“The nose of the James E. Pepper 1776 Rye Finished in PX Sherry Casks is a tad light. It’s good, layered and pleasant, but comes across on the lighter side of things while staying rye and spice forward with a sweet kicker. The palate, on the other hand, is where this whiskey sings. It’s heavy, dark and deep with a thick layer of dark PX sherry sweetness balancing the oak and dilly rye spice.”