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Today we have a Kentucky-only release: Michter's Barrel Strength Bourbon. You may recognize the above image if you follow the Michter's instagram account. I happened to get lucky being in the right place at the right time the last time I visited the great Commonwealth. As usual, I've triangulated a minimum of 3 experiences total before sitting down and giving this a proper rating and review. Let's not fuss too long on this one, you're probably here to learn if this one is worth tracking down. On to the whiskey! Company on Label: Michter's Distillery Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Proof: 108.2° Age: NAS Further identification: Barrel No 23D1143 is listed on the label wrapped around the front of the neck of the bottle; there is a "bottled by Michter's Distillery" distinction listed on the back label suggesting this is a sourced barrel, though there's apparently no way to tell without being on the Michter's team Nose: Rich leather aromas leap out of the glass as soon as I raise it to my nose. Candied cherry, bright linen and level oak suggest plenty of age is behind this. After a bit of time in the glass I begin to find aromas of an inviting candle one might burn around Christmas time. Touches of nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, and balsam fir create a really interesting medley for a bourbon. This feels very much off-brand for Michter's, but that's part of the ephemeral beauty of whiskey - it doesn't all have to be the same every time. Wow, suddenly everything softens on an exceptionally deep inhale. The remaining smells in the glass have eased into pools of sweet vanilla with the backdrop of a busy woodshop. Overall there's many, many layers of oak to explore here. Fans of classic barrel funk will be quite pleased here. Palate: My first sip is sweet forward, leading with maraschino cherry and aperol. Another sip is more delicate than the first with hints of light & tangy lemongrass, honeysuckle and just a hint of limoncello. Boozy grappa, raisin and plum layer in nicely. The mouthfeel is sticky sweet akin to eating a modjeska. Little change develops over the course of the glass with soft red fruit, punches of booziness, and sticky caramel tones being the highlight of the consistently delicious sip. Chewing on this a bit highlights the hefty oak characteristics alongside graham cracker, cinnamon and black treacle. My last sip is highlighted by sweet cherry, lemon frosting and a long smoldering finish of spiced molasses. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) I dig it. I think I prefer their barrel strength rye release a touch more (thankfully, that one I can find up here in MA), but this is certainly one I'm glad to have on my shelf for sharing with friends and family who visit the whiskey study. Cheers folks!

New England Barrel Company is back at it again with their collaboration with Lord Hobo Brewing. The ir Godmother Imperial Stout took on some great notes of bourbon barrel, while James' bourbon then benefitted from some of the notes of the stout! It's a perfect partnership and one I've been looking forward to since we picked their first ever stouted bourbon with Mass Bourbon Alliance last year. I only know about this release because we were just there picking one of the other barrels, amongst other things. If you are interested in getting one of this particular barrel, they are currently available online. The barrel we are doing with Liquor Junction will be available later this year, probably some time around November 2023. I asked for ours to get aged a little longer to pick up more of the stout influence, of which I am a huge fan. Now let's get into the whiskey you can enjoy today! Company on Label: New England Barrel Company (Sourced from O.Z. Tyler (Green River) in Kentucky) Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, and 9% Malted Barley Proof: 116.28° Age: 3 years (with 4 months of finishing time) Further identification: This is barrel 18-02 which James selected for special release under the Long Sands Finishing Series label; it is the first available from the small run of barrels that will be available in 2023 of the Lord Hobo Godmother Imperial Stout Finished Bourbon Nose: The nose on this glass opens with crème fraîche, milk chocolate and brown sugar which emits a nose-feel that is both oily and tingly. Diving deeper I find aromas of linen, cinnamon coffee cake and hints of browned marshmallow. Deep inhales after a long rest in the glass are where the chocolate tones really begin to shine. Unfrosted, moist chocolate cake builds alongside a touch of charcoal grill smoke. Time for a sip. Coming back from a sip or two reveals a whiskey layered with funfetti, dippin' dots and vanilla bean ice cream. As the glass weathers on I find that things have calmed down in general. This isn't the punchy in-your-face flavor bomb that the 2022 releases were all about. I find subtle nuance of Malbec wine and French mendiant. The empty glass smells of a smoked old fashioned, dried peach and light marshmallow. Palate: From the get go the palate sings with rich chocolate and coffee tones. Tiramisu introduces a creamy mouth coating that is supplanted by a medley of raspberry, açai and fig. The finish swings back in with high cacao dark chocolate and a cappuccino sprinkled with nutmeg. Another sip exudes balance, comfort and joy. Lemon tea and honey add layers of lovely complexity to an already bodacious sip. A longer chew produces notes of caramel, maple and molasses suggesting the base whiskey is still in there under the heavy blanket of dessert treats. The general linger is where subtle baking spice works its way between the sweet tones, never coming across with any sharpness, but giving a general sense of the time and effort that goes into doing things the right way. My last sip is offers delicious layers of raspberry and chocolate - paramount and dominant notes for this pour. This is a solid sipper! Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) This is another hit that is sure to make some waves in the whiskey community. I'd like to thank James Saunders for sending me home with a bottle of this at no cost to me, which allowed me to give it an honest review with no strings attached. For science, I will compare it to the barrel we did last year under the Mass Bourbon Alliance x Liquor Junction collaboration. Sipping on our old barrel 17-41 tells me that we went BOLD with that finish. It smacks you right away with gobs of rich chocolate, toffee and coffee notes. The new round of barrels are significantly more refined without losing the inherent quality of either the whiskey or the finish. I personally still prefer the "Dirty Work" pick we did last year, but I'm hoping we can take the barrel that we have aging for us at New England Barrel Company closer still to my vision of perfection. You won't be sorry picking up barrel 18-02 though. Cheers!

Many folks covet these labels and go to great lengths to score them at retail for personal consumption. But what goes into selecting a good barrel? Today I'll explore some of my personal experiences with my favorite flavor profiles for each of these, as well as the actual tasting notes for an upcoming set of barrels slated to be released at Liquor Junction. If any of these sound up your alley, make sure you go ahead at support their barrel program, as I'm sure these will get put up on their punch list. I'd like to thank Liquor Junction for letting both Derek and myself participate in this selection process as part of the Mass Bourbon Alliance group, but I reserve the right to have my own honest opinions that I share here with you, my dear reader. Let's get into the process, shall we? As an introduction to how I go about tasting through these, I always try to drink low proof to high proof, so we will start with the 90° Eagle Rare selection, then move into the 93° Blanton's pick, and finish up with the Weller Full Proof which clocks in at 114°. If you have the time and patience, I'd wholeheartedly suggest only doing one of the barrel picks each day. When you have multiple options on the table it really helps to be slow, methodical and patient. The big reason for drinking low proof to high is so that your palate doesn't go blind. Going from 114 back down to 90 will seem like a pretty big step down in flavor volume, so if you have to do multiple picks at once - remember: low to high. Now how about the tasting part? Taste thoughtfully. You're not here to get drunk. Dig out the nuances. Challenge yourself to find things you don't like. If there's anything egregious - don't put your name on it. There's also a bit of an X factor that most people forget about... A lot of these releases aren't for the whiskey nerd or tasting connoisseur. You have to pick for them too, but most of the barrel is likely going to go to folks who don't taste regularly and explore nuanced differences barrel to barrel. Their compass only points towards either thumbs up or thumbs down, so make sure you don't lose sight of that. Complex whiskeys might not make sense to someone who is perhaps used to a shelfer version of the same product ... looking at you Blanton's. You really want these to feel familiar, but special enough to justify hunting down that particular single barrel pick. Overall I want something that is going to be approachable and it needs to have its own vibe. I usually get excited about parallels or thought-provocations like "oh my goodness, that tastes just like a Werther's". That's the billboard note that everyone should be able to find. More layers of tiramisu, crème brûlée and cherry skins behind it for those of us who want to sit and explore a pour? Even better. Explore all the samples with enough time for both the nose and the palate to open up and evolve. What didn't seem exciting in the first 30 seconds might have improved. Regardless, have fun with it too. This is a really unique opportunity that most people don't get to have. Now let's get into some tasting notes for those upcoming barrels I teased! At the end of each mini-review here I will put what sort of flavors or experiences I want to find on each of these distinct labels. Eagle Rare Single Barrel Select Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%) Proof: 90° Age: 10 year age stated, though if I interpret the lot information correctly this barrel was aged 11 years Further identification: This Eagle Rare barrel is #235 from rick house location I-2-47, lot 12-E-25 Nose: Bright, bubbly and full bodied for 90 proof. I find leather, spiced plum and cherry on first inhale. There's elegant stone fruit all throughout here alongside touches of cinnamon. Lovely layers that come across much bolder than the alcohol content would normally present ebb out of the glass. Late in the glass things settle down into simple waves of confectioners sugar. Palate: Classic cherry notes present bright and bubbly like a maraschino in a carbonated cocktail. The mouth coating is oily and thorough. Plum and raisin add subtle texture to an easy sipping glass. Blackberry is a fun surprise late. Overall the pour reminds me of cinnamon raisin bread. The finish carries viscous caramel for days. This is a pick that is almost guaranteed to be a cherry bomb. If it's not... There's something wrong. I'm usually looking for depth here, like with most things. Anything more than a few notes and I'll be satisfied. The backbone needs to be a high quality cherry, like a sweet maraschino which this pick nails. Overall I don't find myself reaching for these picks too often, but they really shine as a hot Summer day sip. Enjoy this one however you like; it's an incredible value for such a high age statement. With Eagle Rare barrels I'm looking for crush-factor. Do I want to keep coming back to this? The viscous mouth coating on this lasts just long enough that I do find myself looking forward to the next sip. Good flavors in the linger mean this provides maximal enjoyment without worrying about getting too saucy. Blanton's Single Barrel Select Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 (Higher Rye 12-15%) Proof: 93° Age: NAS, though if I interpret the lot information correctly this barrel was aged 6.5 years Further identification: This Blanton's barrel is #190 from rick house location H-3-15, lot 17-A-10 Nose: Ooh baby - this has some depth to it. Funky, dusty oak jumps out of the glass first for me. A warm apple pie aroma grows slowly in intensity. Okay the warm apple pie is legit and it is here to stay; soft layers of cinnamon and nutmeg complete the profile of the apple pie straight out of the oven. Slowly this wonderful profile fades to black pepper, malt and chocolate late in the glass. Funky caramel notes kind of remind me a bit of the typical Weller profile. The empty glass is easy and soft with cut up slices of Granny Smith apple. Palate: This one is sneaky... Where is the proof?! All flavor with no bite, just how we like our Blanton's, right? Holy smokes, but actually... This comes off with so many apple layers to it. There's subtle traces of booziness, but it's always behind something. I get an appletini kind of profile with hefty oak. The glass slowly evolves towards a pear liqueur as I sip further. I find sweet notes alongside it like those sugar coated watermelon candies. I dig the simplicity here actually because it does a few notes really really well. Appley through and through, I find myself sipping quick due to the shorter finish. This is your ultimate sipping whiskey. It's my favorite sharing whiskey. Whenever I have friends or family over that don't normally drink whiskey - this is what I pour for us. Given that is the expectation - I am going for approachability more often than not on these. Most of the barrel is going to go to folks who enjoy sipping a few of these down without having to think about it too much. So first and foremost, this needs to be an easy sipper. If by chance the barrel also has some deep layers with flavors and aromas that jive with my palate, I'll definitely gravitate towards it. But always remember this one is for approachability. That doesn't have to mean muted - you can be both flavorful and ... dare I say it... smooth. This barrel is definitely one I can see myself sharing with my dad. It's an easy choice to pick up given that Liquor Junction always charges at, near or even sometimes below MSRP when it's available. It may 'cost' punches, but those are quite easy to come by when the picks in general are this good. Weller Full Proof Single Barrel Select Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Wheated Mash Bill Proof: 114° Age: NAS, though if I interpret the lot information correctly this should be aged just shy of 7 years Further identification: This Weller Full Proof barrel is #288 from rick house location M-4-58, lot 16-H-15 Nose: Gobs of cherry proliferate on the early nose immediately after pouring. Creamy aromas part quickly revealing a deep leather note and a vibrant, textured nose-feel. Woof - this thing is bold! Barrel funk jumps up bright, right out of the glass and into the back of my sinuses. Vanilla bean ice cream can just barely be made out behind a wall of leather, black pepper and dusty oak. This has one of the deepest and most memorable nosing experiences that I can remember on a Weller release. A swirl of the glass levels things out; caramel and sugar cookie notes swing in like a classic nod from an old friend. Later in the glass the stone fruit begin to bubble up from below the waves of oak. It begins dark and brooding like blackstrap molasses before opening to plum pudding, luxardo cherry and fig. Creamy vanilla tones ooze out of the cool corners of the glass once some of the heavier notes volatize off. Then suddenly the cycle starts over again as I am back in the land of leather and oak. What a wonderful transformation this glass goes through. Let's have a sip. Coming back from a sip shows off fruit gummy notes that I love. Late in the glass things turn very bright; vanilla, black pepper and heavy oak produce a medley that makes me think this one could be quite highly aged. This one is sneeze-worthy on long inhales. Woah. Maple. Maple syrup and maple wood showed up late in the glass in troves. Maple syrup, bacon and pancakes immediately shoot across my mind. Yum. The empty glass smells of lovely cherry pie and light, fruity tobacco. An unbelievable experience through and through. Palate: From the start my tongue is immediately coated in bright red berry syrup. Maraschino cherry, spiced plum, and cranberry juice are subtle nuances to the sweet profile that is presented. Another sip builds in subtleties of confectioners sugar, Belgian waffle and raspberry tart. A long sip and swish builds in a touch of heat beneath the cherry notes that ultimately boil over into softer levels below. Chocolate and raspberry mix well together before evolving into black forest cake elegance. The linger is solid here, but offers little in the way of a persistent mouth coating. Late in the glass I find vanilla yogurt and a slightly tannic syrah profile. A slow sipper will be rewarded with tumultuous waves of barrel funk. This is a great sipper at MSRP. These picks can be so incredibly hit or miss. I have had a few that have clearly rocked my world and been head and shoulders above some much more expensive releases, and probably dozens that were just 'fine sippers'. They often lack complexity, so that is exactly what I am looking for when I go after a barrel to put my own name (or the Mass Bourbon Alliance logo) on. Notes that I am a fan of on these are things like butterscotch, deep cherry, plum, and leather. Textures I chase are creamy, viscous, oily caramel mouth coatings. On the finish I expect long undulations given the proof without being overbearingly hot. This pick checked most of those boxes with a truly incredible nose that outshines 2021 William Larue Weller by many paces, which I put into the mix to have a frame of reference. The classic cherry note of Weller is here in spades, but nuanced between the nose and palate. The nose screams rich luxardo, but the palate soothes in sweet maraschino. It's a nice dichotomy here that some may not celebrate, but I certainly will. The complexity of the nose is unsurpassed, but the palate does admittedly lack the depth I really crave. I don't think that is going to be a deal breaker for anyone purchasing this - I'm just wicked picky when it comes to Weller. The nose alone is worth the price of admission for me. That's it 'til next time! Thanks for hanging around. Let me know down in the comments if you've ever had the pleasure of picking barrels from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Cheers!

Separated by 7 floors, but only 1.5 proof... This head to head is going to be fun! I recently got one of these as a sample from @bourbondipity_ (who is also practically my neighbor) to see if I wanted to buy the bottle or not. I returned the favor with the most recent batch of Booker's so he could do the same. I wanted to have some frame of reference on if this was a good version of Old Forester barrel strength relative to another offering, so I stacked it up against a floor 1 offering that I actually am not certain about the origin. I purchased it from Lighthouse Wine & Spirits in Beverley, but when I asked who selected it, or where it came from, I couldn't get an answer. I have a feeling they bought it from someone else, or it's a private pick. If you know, please reach out as I'd love to know! Boston Guys Company on Label: Old Forester Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 70% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley Proof: 132.5° Age: NAS Further identification: Warehouse I, Floor 1; purchased from Lighthouse Wine & Spirits in mid 2021 Liquor Junction Company on Label: Old Forester Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 70% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley Proof: 134° Age: NAS Further identification: Warehouse I, Floor 8; 2021 LJ Whiskey Family Pick Boston Guys Nose: Slightly spicy to start. Tart plum and cinnamon hots. Waxed paper and a fuzzy peach skin. Dry oak and dark chocolate powder. Staying very level and brittle, there doesn't feel like a lot of complexity to this one on the nose pre-sip. Only note presenting regularly here is a slightly toasted oak. Post-sip the fruit flavors are finally revealed and match the palate tasting notes well. The oak level is still high regardless of what notes are on top; but there is some new white pepper and butterscotch present. The butterscotch leans a little bit towards more of a marshmallow presentation late. Empty glass is cocoa powder and synthetic leather. Palate: Actually very approachable for 132.5 proof for my first sip, a nice wave of strawberry and peach wash over my slightly warmed up palate. The mouth coating is thick with some cherry wine notes sticking to my gums. Woah, a high rising vanilla has some serious heft & powers right through my airways. This brought forth clouds of creamy sweets that really presented tastefully and not just in an overwhelming flavor-in-your-face way. The aftertaste has a touch of de-shelled salted peanuts. As I return to this glass I am greeted with a similar proof challenge as both of these build in intensity over time. The fruit in this glass feels like it is starting to turn a bit fermented as I get down towards the bottom of this pour. It's rescued a bit by smooth vanilla. Rating: 4/5 Liquor Junction Nose: Hot, but also creamy at first smell. Molasses and cloves. Rich syrupy maraschino cherries. Vanilla once the initial flames have extinguished. Woah, suddenly a strong change of pace... The cherry lightened up and is now replaced with a lightly toasted, golden marshmallow and graham cracker sitting over an oak log. Slightly tannic, but altogether intoxicating sweet aromas dance around the smores buffet. Eventually the liquid fruit scents wash over the other aromas and form a nice blanket of berry smells that coat the glass. An old spice, lightly citrus floral aroma presents very delicately late in the glass for this heavy hitter. Dusty molasses present with a sweet citrus as this glass comes to an end. I'm impressed by how many layers this had. A really deep inhale almost creates a toothpaste level of mint. By the end of the glass, I'm left with bright vanilla layered over oak. Empty glass is a wet lemon wood. Palate: So creamy to start. There is a hard to swallow, intense cherry that floats up in the palate for a long time. It is a burning pool of proof that carries many flavors if you can stand it. Milk chocolate, raisin, fresh cherry and citrus zest. The allspice and cloves can be a bit overwhelming at times. At only 1.5 proof hotter, this one feels quite a bit higher which is a surprising finding. The citrus and spice flavors may contribute to that more than the actual alcohol content does though. Given a little more time, things have once again mellowed out into a slightly creamy sweetness with flashes of vanilla & pepper on the corners of the tongue, and a long hug that reminds you to sip this one slow! The oak, cinnamon, brown sugar and a hint of dry tobacco form the basis for much of this profile. In a word: zing! Rating: 4/5 Final Ranking: Liquor Junction > Boston Guys You have to go into this pour expecting your taste buds to go to war, but the fun flavors picked up in each battle are some reward along the way. The intense proof imbalances at times definitely keep this from entering the 5 rating category. If you're not feeling high test, this probably isn't the pour for you.

Company on Label: Old Forester Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 70% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley Proof: 127.6° Age: NAS Further identification: Warehouse K, Floor 6, Barrel 6618. This is a collaboration pick that Mass Bourbon Alliance was invited to taste alongside the Liquor Junction team. I was joined by Derek Laverriere and Justin Fillip for this pick; it will be releasing at all the LJ stores in the coming months under the name of "LJ/MBA Strawberry Krunch" through the punch program Nose: Bubbly, bright, and fruit forward on first raising the glass to my nose. Definitely some heat as I went in a bit too overconfident. Lovely brown sugar, molasses and walnut. Roasted pecans. A decently large oak note comes through with a floral sweet back end. Wow... The creamy vanilla and toffee is suddenly quite potent and lovely. Really great nose-feel. This reminds me of everything that got me hooked on bourbon in the first place. Deeper inhales show off pepper, baking spice and a darker earthiness that feels so rich. Strands of oily leather are ever present. Time for a sip. Coming back to the nose, the strawberry fruit is very apparent. There's more floral tones and a rich honey note jumps out at me. The leather, oak and bright Spring bloom notes are really hitting the spot for me on this 80 degree New England day. Later in the glass you can be a little more brash with the depth of your nosing as I find lemon peel, shortbread cookie, and Nilla wafers. The empty glass smells of butter cream, pear and light florals. Palate: Whew! First sip of the day and it is a good one! Cherry and cinnamon hots lead the way on my first sip. The sizzle on the palate is not overpowering and it quickly evolves into a silky strawberry sweetness. There's a rice or cornflake cereal background note that ties this together nicely. I am reminded of why we landed on the name 'Strawberry Krunch' on this one almost immediately. Another sip shows off the honey sweetness as well as a supremely crushable, floral-laced caramel cream. The mouth feel is buttery with a touch of tart lemon effervescence that sticks in the gums. Nearing the bottom of the glass I swear this could be finished in a honey barrel; it's so sweet and enjoyable. Touches of grenadine, faint Aperol and fig really take the glass full circle if you are patient. My last sip is a larger sip and swish. It brings a potent lemon frosting forward while producing a slightly drying molasses pop on the center of my tongue. The linger is medium in length and carries lovely creamy vanilla notes all throughout. Rating: Two Thumbs Way Up I really didn't expect to like this as much as I did, as I haven't historically been a big Old Forester fan. It very well may become one of my favorites once the bottles come in, but I have to leave it at today's assessment. Yes, I had a hand in selecting it... but I'm giving this one a fair shake today. This is a re-review of the liquid several days after we selected the barrel already. I truly believe this is a special barrel that not many will get to experience. I am definitely going to want a few of these for myself, but I'm also glad to share it with all of you in the MA whiskey community. Cheers!

You've probably heard of or seen this brand by now. 2XO took the whiskey world by storm first with the Phoenix Blend and now "The Innkeeper's Blend" - an homage to Dixon Dedman's family history in the hospitality industry. I'll admit this one really wasn't on my radar for a while. It wasn't until my good friend Brett told me we were going to be getting on an Instagram Live with Dixon, that I finally pulled the trigger on the $100 bottle. Once I dove in... There was no more doubt in my mind. I've made it through about half my bottle of this now at time of writing. I know I'm pretty late to the party here but wanted to add another data point for you, oh studious whiskey enthusiast. If you're not familiar with Dixon's backstory, let me shine some light under that rock for you. Dixon Dedman is a 41-year-old blender who has quickly established himself as one of the most prolific American whiskey blenders in the industry known for his high-proof, robust Kentucky Owl bourbon and rye blends. He grew up on the whiskey trail infusing the learnings from industry legends with his culinary expertise from running his previously owned James Beard award winning Beaumont Inn. His credentials are unsurpassed among high-end whisky retailers, writers, and collectors. He’s a foodie, a wine connoisseur, runs marathons, and is a sneakerhead who connects with a broad range of drinkers, from millennials to boomers. If you don't think Dixon's reputation precedes him, consider this story from one of my last trips to Louisville: I was sitting down having a few drinks with Mark Carter and as we meandered through stories of time and places... Somehow half the stories either started or ended with Dixon being involved. Both of those fine gentlemen's energies are so contagious and I loved to hear about their friendship through the years. Now let's dive in on the whiskey shall we? I'll try to keep in mind some of my previous experiences as I go to give this a rating, but the tasting notes are all live. Company on Label: Prestige Beverage Group Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed proportions of high rye (35%) and low rye (16-18%) bourbon mash bills (min 51% corn); Proof: 104° Age: NAS Further identification: 2XO is a play on the words "two times oak", which is a description on how this blend is finished in a second barrel Nose: Boom. Funky molasses hits with major heft from first inhale. Heavy caramel, creamed corn and waves of barrel funk bombard the senses. This is a bold, oak bomb on the nose and it is not shy about it. Macerated grape skins, plum and heavy char catapult through me. I'm a little hung up on the oak now, so I'm going to jump into a sip to see if we can't get free from this snag. Returning from a sip I find significantly more barrel funk and a blinding brightness that makes my nose tingle. Black pepper, brown sugar and more of the underlying molasses develop nicely after a rest. Woah, suddenly late in the glass I smell a wonderful parallel to the butterscotch notes that I usually find on the Weller wheated bourbon profile. The empty glass smells of steamed corn and seashells. Palate: Mmm. Mascarpone cream and cherry skins jump out at me first. The mouth coating is sweet like the remnants of a sip of an old fashioned. There's a touch of smoke as if someone were smoking a cigar nearby. Another sip layers in raspberry, red velvet cake, and a slightly tannic linger like a good Cabernet Sauvignon will deliver. As the glass weathers on I find things slowly calming towards a creamy buttercream frosting profile. Slowly the whiskey bounces between taste buds and fully commits to a wonderful array of stone fruit and bakery delights. My last sip is loaded with sugary sour patch kids. Yum! TL;DR: Sweet, creamy oak bomb Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) This just grows and grows with subsequent sips. It does everything that a Kentucky bourbon should without being too plain. While it didn't really deliver any of my fun kind of "flyer" notes, or elicit any specific memories, it is definitely a solid blend.

Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace "Wheated Mash Bill" Proof: 90° Age: 12 years Further identification: 2019 release I can smell the sweet candy scents in the glass from across the table. Cherry. Caramel. Notes of sweet earth and a full fresh garden. Orange zest, dust & pepper. Very occasionally a light summer linen note comes around. Palate is very balanced but predominantly apple & cherry. Super silky, creamy mouth feel. I keep coming back to a lingering vanilla char and a fruit medley cake. Incredibly sweet without overpowering the palate. Long, enjoyable mouth coating; medium length sweet candied finish. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.)

You may remember a few other Exceptional Series barrels that have come across my desk... This release is not the same as those Kentucky Straight Malt barrels. A straight bourbon fit for this label clearly has to have had something special in the barrel for Pete and Pablo to have given it this distinction. The qualification for such "rare character" if you will, comes from the brand's mission: To release the most distinguished and highest quality whiskeys we can possibly source. While our Single Barrel Series is focused on customization and creativity, this new series is focused on curation and exceptional craftsmanship. These spirits are truly unique; they’re even older and more scarcely available than the rest of our offerings. Every bottle released through this series is at least 9 years old, and is of exceptionally Rare Character. There you have it, straight from the horse's mouth. I happen to wholeheartedly agree with that distinction, given every exceptional release that I've tried from them thus far has blown me away. There's just always this incredibly high bar of quality that rarely gets reached in today's market of getting massive volumes out the door to meet the huge demand of today's whiskey enthusiasts. Sometimes it's nice to just have your little slice of heaven - even if that's only one bottle from a single barrel. As for why Joel decided to pick this barrel for Life of Luxe, he offered the simple satisfaction that "this barrel took me back to the days before all the hype and craziness of bourbon". I can definitely appreciate that. I've tried this pick now 3 times prior, so I'm ready to give it an honest review based on that triangulation of experiences. Let's jump in. Company on Label: Rare Character Whiskey Co. Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Mash Proof: 122.26° Age: 9 years Further identification: Barrel E-KB-06 was distilled and aged in Kentucky from October 2013 until being bottled in December 2022 when it was selected by Life of Luxe under the label "Edition 1"; it bears art depicting the Hollywood sign, designed by Roxanna Moix Nose: Caramel nougat bars jump out of the glass first for me. It's immediately incredibly wood-forward for a 9 year; I find myself feeling like I'm in a woodshop on deep inhales. Everything from the start here feels deep, dark and rich. Leather notes & a crispy textured vanilla like a crunchy wafer are quite pronounced. Cherry skins burst forth before pausing for a strong wave of barrel funk to pass by. Something in here reminds me of 1980s upholstery fabric... like that thick, coarse couch material that absorbed absolutely everything from its environment. Ultimately I think this parallel is a good thing here, as it tells me that this pour has deep, enjoyable layers. As I snap out of nostalgia land I find myself back amongst layers of milk chocolate and tiramisu. Let's jump into a sip before we get too lost in this glass. Coming back from a sip unleashes new depths of creamy vanilla. Hints of graham cracker and marshmallow give me that classic aroma akin to some of Michter's earliest sourced releases. Deep inhales near the bottom of the glass remind me of muddy boots after a long day out fishing in the rain. The empty glass smells of a wet, verdant forest and elegant crème brûlée cordials. Palate: Mmm. My first sip goes off like a stick of dynamite. Dark cola notes are pervasive in a bubbly, dark mouthfeel. Milk chocolate, molasses and heavy malt tones all bury in the taste buds in delight. Another sip shows off vanilla bean ice cream, cinnamon, graham cracker and a slight earthiness that is building slowly. Overall the sip is quite creamy with soft undulations of something a bit savory too. At every turn there's something that raises an eyebrow. Clay notes like some dusty whiskeys will produce lead me into a long chew producing barbecue sauce, tangy tomato and a dark tobacco that somehow jives completely. Always the sip returns to its strong roots of vanilla and level oak. A long sip and swish as the glass nears empty produces notes of cherry skins, raspberry tart and a creamy cigar. My last sip is a soft farewell of semi-sweet honey and orange cream soda. The finish is long & soft with notes of vanilla glazed scones, buttery pâte à choux, and elderflower liqueur. TL;DR: Infinitely complex vanilla bean // vintage whiskey Rating: 5/5 (Just wow. One of my favorites.) This is just an absolute classic bourbon supremely fitting for National Bourbon Day. This pour was a wonderful collision between nostalgia and elegance. While it doesn't quite have the same head-turning reaction as the malt barrels, it really rewards the patient whiskey enthusiast with a wonderful evolution of enjoyable aromas and flavors from start to finish. I spent the better part of 3 hours with this singular pour, and I'm thoroughly satisfied with the trip I just went on. It sparked so many visceral thoughts and memories and that is the magic of bourbon that has captivated me for years. Not many pours cut through the veil like that, but I'm sure glad for the experiences in which they do. Cheers my friends!

Calumet Farm releases honor historic racing horses as part of their shtick. This particular release is named after Citation, a horse trained by Ben A. Jones and jockeyed by Eddie Arcaro. This horse rose to fame in 1947. Calumet further describes the history of the horse, saying: After a stunning 2-year-old season in 1947, famed trainer Ben Jones knew that their horse was set to have a breakout 3-year old season. In 1948, Citation furthered his campaign toward becoming a legend. He began the season with a handful of wins. Then Eddie Arcaro was tapped to jockey Citation. The first race pairing the two was a disappointing loss at the Chesapeake Trail Stakes. This would be the last race that Citation would lose for nearly two years. Citation would go on to capture the 1948 Triple Crown and be named Horse of the Year. By the end of his 3-year old season, he had a total record of 27 victories and two 2nd place finishes out of 29 starts. Citation would go on winning and be the first major North American horse to amass a 16 race win streak and to top $1 million in career earnings. To honor the legacy of Calumet Farm and its second Triple Crown winning horse, this exquisite bourbon has been crafted with the same passion and dedication that led Citation to victory. Many consumers jump at age statements. This release carries a pretty massive one considering it has 19 barrels that all either meet or exceed 16 years & it certainly has the color to match. I know for a fact that some of the older Barton stuff is incredibly delicious. I've mainly explored single barrels up in this age range, so I inherently worry a bit that blindly blending a rack may not result in something exceptional. Let's jump in and find out. Company on Label: Bottled by Three Springs Bottling Company for Western Spirits (sourced from Barton 1792) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Barley Proof: 106° Age: 16 years Further identification: This release comes from rack number W4005.09 which consisted of a 19 barrel batch Nose: Immediately the nose jumps out with a really funky savory note like sea salt and vinegar chips. Another dive in parts ways with that oddity to reveal classic Barton aromas of leather, white pepper and laffy taffy. Soft caramel presents cool and thin in the nose-feel. The light vinegar note returns later in the glass alongside soft stone fruit. Returning to the nose from a sip elicits a much improved profile of vanilla frosting, softer, more supple leather, and grape skins. As the glass gets low, a funky balance between earthy root vegetables and bakery sweets forms. The empty glass smells of dry graham cracker, tarragon, stiff vinyl (think boat seats), and dentist's nitrile gloves. Palate: On first sip I'm greeted by bright cherry, leather, tobacco and potent oak. As I swallow, I immediately feel as if I've just run my tongue across a wooden cutting board. Tannic barrel influence is quite drying and powerful. Bringing on another sip I find cherry jolly ranchers and red licorice. The linger carries more proof than the label would have you believe. Overall the profile comes across similarly to an old fashioned that went heavy on the Angostura bitters. The orange peel, however, comes across rather dry and stale. My last sip is heavy on the leather, molasses and barrel funk. Ultimately I think the non-versatile oak is the one trick pony here, which ultimately leaves me yearning for more from this pour. The finish is short and uneventful outside of a level chocolate note. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on it.) I certainly did not expect this to drink so simply. Many of the notes presented here were quite thin and flat. The flavors I did like were tamped down to a level that were nearly imperceptible. I think this would make a fine sipper for a day you or your palate might be a little tired and you just want something easy, but I can think of many other pours in this range that I would reach for first.

Jack Daniel's threw us a 700mL bonded whiskey in May of 2022. The world went crazy for it that year apparently, with Whiskey Advocate calling it their "whiskey of the year". I have my doubts about this being the top of any list, but I'll keep an open mind as I go into evaluating my experience with it. I've had this bottle since it first came out last year and this is probably my 4th taste of it. The 700mL distinction was a change that became available to US producers as of 2020, when the TTB added several available bottle sizes - one of which is already standard in most of the world outside of the US. For a brand with such high volume and reach, it makes perfect sense for them to standardize to a single size. The bonded distinction, made recently quite popular by great folks like Bernie Lubbers and Timothy Van Riper, is also an easy marketing improvement for a brand trying to distance themselves from old Jack Daniel's stigma still lingering today. If you're interested in learning more, feel free to check out the press release. Well my dear reader, you are probably here to see if the whiskey is any good... So let's get into that part now. Company on Label: Jack Daniel Distillery Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% Corn, 8% Rye, 12% Malted Barley Proof: 100° Age: 4 years Further identification: Jack Daniel's Bonded is an ongoing line extension for the Jack Daniel Distillery brand that first came to fruition in 2022; it's relatively accessible in most markets at time of writing Nose: On lifting the glass, seared corn and caramel can be made out without too much trouble. Light vanilla and hints of butterscotch undulate slowly. Candied cherry and slight waves of banana bread come off on deeper inhales. Chocolate, malt and funky molasses come off the surface of the whiskey after returning from a sip. The nose is light and easy with some lovely crème brûlée notes showing up late in the glass. The empty glass smells of wet beach towels by the campfire, black tea, vanilla bean, black licorice, and peach marmalade. Palate: My first sip is grain forward with plenty of classic Jack banana - if I weren't in a review setting, this would probably be my only sip of this before moving on to something else. Venturing back in I find more of that young distillate alongside cherry skins, pressed flower petals and vanilla yogurt. Subsequent sips improve drastically as some of the creamier tones begin to build up on the taste buds. The mouthfeel is on the thinner side, but banana notes do stick around on a medium linger. Raw corn kernels and hints of dry earth persist late in the glass. On my final sip I find more dried fruit coming through with that chalky dry texture similar to how some Dickel releases present, but it doesn't quite show up as bad as some of those Flintstones chewable vitamin flavors. Rating: 2/5 (Not good... Doesn't please my palate.) I feel like this might drink fine on a really hot day over ice, but as a neat pour from the perspective of the nerdy whiskey enthusiast, this just doesn't land for me. The nose was quite enjoyable, but sipping is paramount to the experience. I really hate to downgrade the brand with this one because I really am such a big JD fan. I've done the full tour at Jack's facility, picked my own barrel with Lexie Phillips, and thoroughly love the team they have working there, but honesty is the best policy. I personally don't understand any of the craze or following on this release. I have struggled to revisit this at all with any level of excitement and this tasting thoroughly solidifies my initial perceptions. Let me know down in the comments what your thoughts are on this one!

Blanton's Black Edition is a Japan export version of the traditional single barrel bourbon from Buffalo Trace bottled at 80 proof. It still comes from warehouse H, but is also noted for having a bit more age to it (8 years rather than the typical 6). I get to offer my thoughts thanks to @ra1nmannn being generous enough to share a sample with me. Let's dive in! Company on Label: Blanton Distilling Company Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 (Higher Rye 12-15%) Proof: 80° Age: 8 years Further identification: This single barrel bourbon will vary slightly depending on your dump date; the one reviewed here is a 9-8-21 dump date from barrel 60 stored on rick 41 Nose: An oily, viscous nose-feel jumps out at me. Sugar cookie leads into cherry skins and raisin. Intoxicating sugary aromas are impenetrable. Perfumed floral aromas build well. Goodness gracious that’s like a pixie stick - tingly sweet. Old-school tight oak leads into light lemon frosting. Palate: My first sip perfectly follows the pixie stick comparison of the nose. Sugary strawberry and watermelon produces a profile I’ve never experienced on a whiskey before. Another sip is oily with light vanilla biscotti, sugar cookie and angel food cake. This is soft, but lovely. I can’t help but find parallels to some fantastic Irish whiskeys in this glass. It’s a little too light to deliver true wow factor, but I’m quite impressed with the flavors it does deliver. Mmm. My last sip is again fruity with raspberry, cherry and plum. It fades off slowly into a silky bed of roses. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) I like this a lot - quite a bit more than I was expecting to. It certainly takes a traditional Blanton's profile and manages to ramp it up much more in intensity and depth, despite the low proof. The more oily, malty notes this displays are probably why this gets marketed towards the Japanese market which is in general much closer to the Scotch and Irish whiskey industries.

I've had many experiences with Elijah Craig Toasted barrel since its inception in September of 2020. Historical tastings have usually produced a bit of a coin-flip effect; on any given night with this release, I either love it or it doesn't land at all. What's up with this fickle beast? Are toasted barrel releases more susceptible to oxidation? Are the master blenders for the Elijah Craig brand getting lax in their skills with this one? I may not know the answer to any of these questions, but I do have a decent palate - so I'm going to stick to evaluating the whiskey I've got before me today and I'll try to make an honest assessment of a whiskey that I have stashed in surprising quantities because of how much I liked it from the start in late 2020. This is a fairly recent release as of the time of writing, which I'm hoping will be a little more consistent so you can be a more informed whiskey enthusiast going forward having read this review. Company on Label: Elijah Craig Distillery Co (Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 94° Age: NAS Further identification: This is a standard product offering from Heaven Hill that is beginning to achieve wider availability as of 2023 (at least in my Massachusetts market) Nose: Even from a distance an intoxicating sweetness emanates from the glass. Diving in I find Mexican street corn that goes heavy on the crema, faint smoke and overbearing oak. As the glass slowly warms in my hand I begin to find hints of vanilla and black pepper. There are flashes of espresso that can sometimes be gleaned during a sip. As the glass nears empty I find a weird bubblegum note that pops up at times. The empty glass smells of prevalent oak. Palate: At first sip dry cherry skins, white linen, strawberry runts candy, and sugar coated raisins jump out at me. Another sip builds in creamy layers of vanilla and ladyfingers. The linger is short and thin with graham cracker and a tannic dry profile similar to a syrah wine. My last sip is an interesting sweet tart medley that goes down quite easy without any fuss or evolution. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on it.) Why is that big marshmallow note that I fell in love with on my first bottle gone forever? I am always chasing it on this release, and more often than not it's missing when I go to explore a glass. They say expectations are the thief of joy. My mourning aside, the overall profile on this pour is a little simple to be considered extraordinary. I think it is a solid regular sipper for those that can find it with relative ease.