Search Results

It comes just once per year—the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, or BTAC for short. I've covered quite a few of these releases through the years , usually finding some of the best whiskey of the year happens to arrive right around Thanksgiving. Perhaps it's the sappy, nostalgic feeling that comes with getting together with friends and family this time of year, the cold settling into the bones of the northeast, or perhaps... it's just when Buffalo Trace decides to bottle their best. I've got a bottle of the 2022 release still on my shelf I may use for comparison purposes. I received a media sample this year so we could give you, my dear readers, a sneak peek of what to expect out of the 2024 release of Eagle Rare 17 year. This comes with no strings attached and, in accordance with my editorial policy,  in no way changes how I rate whiskey. Ready to dive in? Let's see if this year's release is worth the hunt. Company on Label:  Buffalo Trace Distillery Whiskey Type:  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 Proof:  101 ° Age:  17 years, 4 months Further identification:  The 2024 release of Eagle Rare 17 Year brings along the following stats: Nose:  Upon first lifting the glass to my nose, I find butterscotch and sweet barrel funk. The underside of the glass carries subtle raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon, and a touch of clove, which is bright and potent in the nostrils. Édesnemes paprika elicits a cough on too deep of an inhale. The age and funk fade away with subsequent inhales, revealing bright white linen and blank printer paper typical of hyper-aged bourbon from Buffalo Trace. Overall the brightness and spice continue to be a bit of a barrier to entry here. Wood spice dominates the senses, holding them in a full nelson, refusing to remit a respite to the onslaught of clove, leather, allspice dram, and black pepper sprinkled over fruit salad. The nose-feel is a touch chalky, like the remnants of a long-forgotten bin of candy that only held on to the rejects. Smarties come to mind on long inhales. Returning from a sip shows off a light vinegar note that starts to develop when you traditionally age bourbon beyond 15 years. The aroma of a field of grass being mowed out in barn country appears late in the glass. Deep inhales are quite pleasant now, with an audible satisfactory sigh following each filling of the lungs. There's a fun plop of raspberry jam on well-toasted bread. The empty glass smells of Christmas spices: nutmeg and cinnamon, before rounding out with milk chocolate, praline, and classic caramel. Palate:  My first sip offers a spice-forward bourbon experience much like the nose. Raisin, black pepper, fig, and vanilla are prominent standouts to the introductory taste. Another sip continues to lead with vanilla cream frosting, and the spice diminishes drastically. What remains is a raspberry tart, tingling long in the strong linger. While I'm glad the spice has faded, there's quite little to take its place other than your classic cherry, caramel, and vanilla you'll hear on every bourbon review in the history of bourbon reviews. My eyebrows remain calm in their resting place; my heart rate is at a paltry 60 beats per minute. This is fine sipping whiskey, but unfortunately a bit disappointing with a lack of dynamic range in the presentation. Sipping late in the glass, I find fruit returning in spades: think plum, raspberry, and dark cherry. There's an undercurrent of ginger and wasabi that somehow undoes the enjoyment of the fruit. My last taste offers much of the same story from this underdeveloped glass; it's a full circle back to the multitude of spices that were led with. It finishes short to medium and a touch hot for 101 proof, likely due to the tingly interactions of the clove, black pepper, and allspice notes. TL;DR: A pleasant and classic sipper which acts its age, but it's surprisingly spicy for a bourbon Rating:  3.5/5 ( Good enough. There's something to enjoy here. ) Unfortunately, this pour really fails to register as exceptional to my palate. I've calibrated against some of the best whiskey of all time, and this notably doesn't reach those upper echelons of whiskey royalty for me. It's still a tremendously delicious dram for your layman taster who can find this at MSRP, so if you've got a bottle, I'd still wholeheartedly endorse opening it, sharing it with friends, and seeing if you come to the same conclusions as me. Sipping this next to the 2022 release gives a solid nod towards 2022 being the better bottling, and you'll see my rating reflects that finding . The 2022 was brighter, more fragrant, more vibrant on the palate, and more exciting; the 2024 release, in comparison, is nice sipping one moment and all spice the next. I'm a bit surprised but excited to continue my exploration of the rest of the Antique Collection  this fall. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

The ImpEx Collection is in its 4th edition , collecting single casks from distilleries around Scotland, hand-selected by Sam Filmus. Ranging into the top end of the age statements from this run, this 14 year Strathmill malt is one Speyside distillery that I have not had the good fortune of exploring as of yet. The original Strathmill distillery site was first founded as a corn mill that was later converted into a distillery in 1891, originally called Glenisla-Glenlivet. The current name is derived from the Gaelic word Strath,  meaning "shadow valley," and mill , you can imagine, from its former purpose. Fast forward to today, Diageo typically uses Strathmill distillate for J&B blended whisky, though you'll certainly find plenty of independent bottlings of this oily-character whisky. The only official release you'll find is from Diageo's Flora & Fauna range. I'm always glad to explore a new non-peated malt, so let's dive into a quick review. Given I am only tasting one ounce of this release, it should be noted that my flash reviews are not as thorough as my full reviews. I'd like to thank ImpEx for both the pictures provided and the media sample for review. Let's get to it! Company on Label:   The ImpEx Collection  (Distilled at Strathmill Distillery) Whisky Type:  Single malt Scotch whisky Mash Bill Percentages:  100% malted barley Proof:  115 ° Age:  14 years Further identification:  This single malt was selected by Sam Filmus for the ImpEx Collection, bottled at cask strength after aging for 14 years in a hogshead; cask number 802952 was distilled and filled April 21, 2009, bottled March 5, 2024, and it yielded 272 bottles, available now at an MSRP of $149.99 Nose:  Upon lifting the well-rested glass to my nose, I find a light fruitiness that whispers balance and grace . Aromas of strawberry shortcake, fruity pebbles, and light, fizzy grape soda all dance wonderfully in the airways before my brain. My mind reacts viscerally; I like that. It's light and fun, though I almost get the undertones of some cedar influence, even though I know Strathmill uses a shell and tube condenser. Raspberry compote, pink peppercorn, grapefruit, and tajin ebb and flow in balanced potency. Returning from a sip shows an array of aromas that have suddenly developed some age. Your typical wood spice aromas of allspice and black pepper are subtle, leathery, and woven together with a soft creaminess. The dram is quickly losing steam with time in the glass and deep inhales now, and what comes with it is the sad realization that there can't be light and beauty without darkness and decay. Subtle creaminess continues late into the 7th inning. The empty glass smells of sweet tarts, juicy Granny Smith apple, and light honey. Palate:  My goodness, that fruity character is just wonderful on the tongue, just as it was in the nose. Ruby red grapefruit, fig, guava, and boysenberry all come together perfectly here. Another sip and swish elevates sugar cookie tones as well as strawberries served over ladyfingers with whipped cream and granulated sugar on top. This is absolutely lovely, but not overly impassioned as some truly wow-worthy whiskies can be. Sipping late in the glass offers the same shimmering sugar cookie tone from earlier in a consistent and robust delivery. Though some of the magical moments of the glass have moved on, what remains is a solid sip of oily whisky that comes across like a mouthful of buttered croissant. Gone is the fruit. Gone is the spice. I'm still quite content, but my excitement is on ice. As my glass runs dry, I find a whisky fit for many occasions, with an oily linger that fans of Irish whiskey will surely appreciate. The finish goes long—though it lacks a true flavor—the mouthfeel more than makes up for a lack of character. Sugar cookies loaded with buttercream frosting twinkle perpetually on the taste buds like the stars do in the sky. TL;DR: Give your full attention to the start of this fruity dram before settling into a cream finish Rating:  4.5/5 ( Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour.) That was a wild ride—the kind of experience I adore in all things whisk(e)y. The fall off at the end makes me a bit worried about what might happen with long term oxidation of a patiently-enjoyed full bottle, but I might just take that risk with how delicious this presented early on. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

The ImpEx bottlings coming out of their 4th edition feature many different producers. Today's sample brings Benrinnes to the stage. This Speyside distillery, built in 1826, is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the region, producing very little in the way of single malts. Typically this distillate is destined for blends like Johnny Walker and J&B blended whisky. To further add to the mystique, the release under exploration today comes just a few years after a pretty drastic simplification of their distillation process that occurred in 2007. Diageo has put out one Flora and Fauna series using Benrinnes, but few people have been able to assign a distinct character to the malt whisky producer to this day. Perhaps I'll be the first! Let's jump into a quick review of a small sample the brand shared with me. I'd like to thank ImpEx for both the pictures provided as well as the media sample for review with no strings attached . Company on Label:   The ImpEx Collection  (Distilled at Benrinnes Distillery) Whisky Type:  Single malt Scotch whisky Mash Bill Percentages:  100% malted barley Proof:  117.8 ° Age:  12 years Further identification:  This single malt was selected by Sam Filmus for the ImpEx Collection, bottled at cask strength after aging for 12 years in a hogshead; cask number 306532 was distilled and filled June 9th, 2011, bottled March 5th, 2023, and it yielded 273 bottles, available now at an MSRP of $125 Nose:  On first whiff, I find a very subtle character that presents slightly savory, like a bit of barbecue rub left spilled on the counter. Deeper inhales show off a bit of medicinal cherry and sulfur cream, which is a bit odd for me, but I'm sure many malt heads will nod along with relevant experiences in mind. After a few sips, the nose brings forth earthy, well-seasoned oak, a welcome change of pace from the rest of the glass. It's like an armload of firewood in the dead of winter—cold now, but you know it will bring you warmth soon. The empty glass smells of old paint and rosemary-rubbed pork. Palate:  As liquid hits lips, I find the palate to be just as vague as the nose. Deviled eggs, light buttercream frosting, and apple skins land strangely on the tongue. The linger carries a dull cinnamon applesauce. Another sip and swish shakes out fresh linens and cotton swabs. Each sip is noticeably boozy. My last taste produces sour lemon tang, basil, and sorghum. The glass finishes slightly bitter and flat with a linger that I'd prefer to pass. TL;DR: Flat whisky full of odd flavors and aromas Rating:  3/5 ( Middle of the road whiskey. An average showing.) Despite setting out to try to discover the underlying character of Benrinnes, I've only become befuddled. While it's not a bad whisky by any stretch of the imagination, it lacks the definition required to be an exciting sip for me. Perhaps Benrinnes is destined to always be a blending component. I'd love to know if you've had a compelling single cask bottling of Benrinnes, something that has really impressed you. Drop me a comment; I'd love to hear about it. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

ImpEx Beverages is dropping their 4th collection , a collection of 6 bottlings hand selected by Sam Filmus. Up for review today is a single malt from Royal Brackla. This Highland distillery was built in 1812 by Captain William Fraser of Brackla House on the estate of Cawdor Castle. It is the first distillery to earn the distinguished "Royal" in its name. This distillery is best known for being a blending component of Dewars. While single cask official bottlings of this distillery are rare, they can be found rather frequently from independent bottlers seeking to find a flavor profile they adore. The ImpEx collection is one such independent bottler who will be featured here today. I'd like to thank ImpEx for both the pictures provided and the media sample for review. Company on Label: The ImpEx Collection (Distilled at Royal Brackla Distillery) Whisky Type:  Single malt Scotch whisky Mash Bill Percentages:  100% malted barley Proof:  116 ° Age:  12 years Further identification:  This single malt was selected by Sam Filmus for the ImpEx Collection, bottled at cask strength after aging for 12 years in a hogshead; cask number 110000245 was distilled and filled May 17, 2011, bottled May 30, 2023, and it yielded 282 bottles, available now at an MSRP of $125 Nose:  Upon lifting the glass I find a delicate sprig of mint, almond toffee, and a leafy greenness that is quite welcome in the nose. It's earthy in that spring-has-sprung kind of way, full of light. Deep inhales produce a kiss of ginger. This is delicate and ephemeral right off the bat. After a sip, the nose presents more subtle with vague floral tones wafting in on the cooler air brought through the door into a bustling cake shop. Late in the glass a wonderful and light array of harebell, heather, and primrose aromas present beautifully to a deeply dove nose. The empty glass smells of apple cider doughnuts and fried dough caked in confectioners sugar. Palate:  My first taste is a beautiful shimmer of orange zest before creamier tones prevail. That's a powerhouse of flavor—this will surely wake you up in a pinch. Juicy pear, walnut, and light pancake batter add to the immediate complexity. Though there's almost no further development necessary, an undercurrent of sweet lemon cake can be found on the impressive linger. Further sips are effervescent and thoroughly sweet, presenting like a lemon drop martini alongside a slice of rich cheesecake. Late in the glass a touch of saltiness presents slightly off in contrast to the rest of the pour. My final taste is noticeably less sweet with notes reminiscent of red brick, blackened cornmeal, and black pepper. TL;DR: Fans of sweeter whisky will find a lot to love here, but be ready for the peppery finale! Rating:  4/5 ( Really good. I want one of these on my shelf.) This whisky shines on its own. I enjoyed it quite a bit on a fresh palate and would urge inquisitive tasters to give it the same courtesy. Comparing a taste against a single malt of different origins will only wash out the unique experience that Royal Brackla can provide, which is a wonderful one to sit with during a rare calm moment in today's bustling pace of living. Tasting malts of this caliber requires a different level of patience compared to American whiskey. The slow sipper will be rewarded with this impeccably delicious dram. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

The rise of rye is here, and we want you to keep an eye on Iowa. As the number one selling bourbon in their state and a rising star in the expanding category of American single malt, Cedar Ridge Distillery is quietly rounding out its robust portfolio with rye. During a two-day visit at the distillery located in Swisher, Iowa, the Amongst the Whiskey team met with the team at Cedar Ridge. During a fun, hands-on tour, master distiller and blender Murphy Quint was generous enough to thieve samples straight from the barrels in several of their on-site warehouses. The rye, in particular, was a big hit and a flavor profile Quint hopes will soon find its place and time to shine at the distillery. With bottled-in-bond and straight rye whiskey already in solid rotation at the distillery, Cedar Ridge has taken a fan favorite and ventured down a new road seeking nuance: the double barrel. Double-barreled expressions, in general, have a broad reach and are often received well. But what exactly does double-barreled or double cask mean in the whiskey world? The quick and dirty is pretty simple: it's aging whiskey in two different types of barrels, typically to enhance the flavor profile. The most common example is when whiskey is aged in one type of barrel, like oak, and then transferred into another barrel used for a different kind of liquid, like sherry or wine. Cedar Ridge has a wide range of finished whiskey, from bourbon to rye to American single malt; they do not hold back on experimenting with barrel finishes. In the case of Cedar Ridge's double-barreled bourbon and now rye, the liquid was first aged in new American oak barrels and then transferred into another new American oak barrel for additional aging. Some whiskey enthusiasts hold strong opinions about the method and process of double-barreling whiskey. I hope we can provide a deeper insight into this process in a future blog post. I've found that many just beginning their journey into whiskey tend to start with double-barreled expressions before branching out into bottled-in-bond expressions or even cask-strength offerings. We all have to start somewhere, right? Thank you to the folks at Cedar Ridge for the opportunity to spend two days learning and experiencing the distillery. This bottle was given as a parting gift and, in accordance with  editorial policy , will in no way affect the final rating of the whiskey under review. Company on Label:  Cedar Ridge Whiskey Type:  Straight rye whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 85% rye, 12% corn, 3% malted barley Proof:  105 ° Age:  NAS ~2 years Further identification: This double barreling of Cedar Ridge's flagship straight rye whiskey was finished in new American oak barrels and is available for purchase at an MSRP of $49.99 Nose: Christmas spices lead the way, a welcome aroma given the time of year. A distinct craft funk quickly follows, something I know well about Cedar Ridge expressions: think sticky fruit jam on a warm sourdough roll. Sweet vanilla cakes and thick homemade buttercream frosting swing in next, muting some of the wood spice that seems eager to be front and center. Sweet Tarts and earthy barrel funk have me eager to taste what this smell is all about. Returning to the nose after a few sips has amplified the cinnamon and clove notes with a side of thin mint cookies. Dark chocolate is definitely more prominent now, too, reminding me of a rich chocolate ganache covering a jelly-filled donut. As the liquid grows lower in the glass, I find more barrel funk in the way of ginger tea leaves and the sun-warmed oak after a week of soaking rain. The empty glass smells like hot chocolate, damp earth, and wet brown leaves. Palate:  Cinnamon and clove sing on the tongue, a pretty harmonic duet followed by a chorus of complimentary flavors: semi-sweet chocolate chips, brown sugar, ginger, and molasses. Is this Thanksgiving in a glass? It might as well be, and dessert is abundant. Cooling plum pie, gooey brownies, and gingersnap cookies are the favored treats. The mix of sweet and spicy is quite enticing, and as an admittedly stand-offish double barrel sipper, I find this pour to be rather enjoyable. The linger is warm and shimmering, leaving a gentle aftertaste of oak tannins. Additional sips continue to take me to a long table filled with stuffing, sweet potatoes, and corn casserole. The click of utensils against white plates rings out as a glass dish of canned cranberry is passed around. This is a pour meant for the holidays. The final sip is a cinnamon and clove pinecone I'd find at my local grocery store. TL;DR: a robust melody of cinnamon and spice makes this a perfect holiday pour Rating:  3.5/5 ( Good enough. There's something to enjoy here. ) This bottle will be a hit for those who have a soft spot for double-barreled whiskey and are curious about rye expressions. I've personally trended away from double-barreled whiskey as my palate has matured in a way that picks up on younger oak tannins. With that said, I found this pour to be well-balanced and not overly oaked; the double barreling amplified the flavor profile in a way that highlighted what rye and Iowa have to offer. That's a win in my book! WRITTEN BY: JES SMYTH W ith what started as a genuine curiosity for the “water of life,” fiction writer and published author Jes Smyth has nurtured her enthusiasm for whiskey ever since. From learning the vast history of whiskey making to celebrating the passion of the industry, she tastes each sip with intention and purpose while expressing the intricacies of whiskey in a relatable and heartfelt way. She is thrilled to be a contributing writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com  and hopes her words will resonate with those ready to explore the beautiful world of whiskey.

Georgia called; they want you to know they make whiskey too. Founded in 2009, 13th Colony is the oldest operating distillery since Prohibition in the state. Their master distiller, Graham Arthur, is the final say in all things liquid quality. 13th Colony  offers a brief background on Graham, saying: Trained as a classical chef, Graham Arthur is truly an artist of flavor. While liquor has been his passion for over 13 years, he started in the culinary world, graduating from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, Graham worked in notable southern restaurants in Atlanta, and Charleston. He has devoted his talents to creating unique flavors in the 13th Colony spirits. Graham personally tastes EVERY barrel to ensure our unique flavors meet the standards 13th Colony has become known for. This is why our Southern Bourbon & Rye Whiskey's do not have age statements. After the minimum of 4 years, Graham selects the barrel at the time it is taste-test ready. So each batch has barrels 4, 5 & 6 years old. Graham is a veteran of our great country having served in the the US Coast Guard. These years formed the foundation that have led to how we, 13th Colony, create flavor in our spirits. We take the approach of a highly trained chef who’s consistently looking for harmony in the taste of our products. When you sip a Thirteenth Colony product, you can trust that every ingredient has been specifically chosen for its flavor and quality to create a unique experience. What they claim makes them unique is South Georgia's climate, providing natural heat cycles with 20+ degree swings year-round. They also run quite humid, something that anyone who has visited in the summer can attest to. In a unique twist, this release features French oak spirals, a tight-grain wood that is known for aging whiskey a little differently than the looser-grain American oak. French oak is often celebrated for its subtlety, as well as its ability to impart more color in distilled spirits like Scotch. Wondering if this could be your next favorite shelfer? Let's jump in and find out. It should be noted that 13th Colony sent along their flagship bourbon and rye for the purposes of a review with no strings attached. In accordance with our editorial policy , this in no way affects the final rating of the whiskey under review. Company on Label:  Thirteenth Colony Distilleries, LLC Americus, GA Whiskey Type:  Rye whiskey distilled in IN Mash Bill Percentages:  95% rye, and 5% malted barley Proof:  95 ° Age:  A blend of 4-6 year barrels Further Identification:  Southern rye whiskey is aged in new charred oak barrels with custom toasted French oak wood spirals; it features a distinct bottle shape reminiscent of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, yet it boasts an affordable MSRP of $45 Nose:  The aromas that lead the way upon lifting the glass are subtle but fruity and citrus-forward for sure, a pretty typical hallmark of this Indiana mash bill. I find lemon curd, fried dough, and the metallic screaming carnival ride we know and love as the Zipper. The general profile has a slight mustiness to it that vaguely reminds me of a horse barn. The nose doesn't really wow me with anything special here, so I'll move into a sip before continuing my patient exploration. Soft vanilla permeates the well-rested and warmed glass. The distant scent of pool water can be made out on long inhales. Overall, it is light beyond light in all aspects. Deep inhales of my glass resemble the inhalation that follows a long sigh ringing out in the air that fills the room. The empty glass smells of fir boughs and dry clay. Palate:  On first taste, this whiskey leads with a pretty vague character. Some light lemon notes crop up before lingonberry and Bavarian cream doughnuts take over an incredibly easy sip. Vanilla bean, coffee bean, and cardboard notes slide out almost accidentally from the delicate linger. There's absolutely nothing to dislike, but I'm struggling to discern a novel characteristic that sets it apart from most other shelf whiskey. I was hoping to find some distinct Georgia terroir, but I'm left a bit let down in my exploration here overall. Late in the glass some fresh briar wood comes up, a nod to an era where I had an affinity towards pipe tobacco early on in adulthood. Palate calibration comes in many forms. My last sip offers a hint of anise, a flash of Douglas Fir tea, and an underlying Choco Taco vibe. The finish is nonexistent. TL;DR: A lack of profound character makes for an impeccably easy sip Rating:  3/5 ( Middle of the road whiskey. An average showing. ) This is a pour built for the warmth of the south. The lack of heat, bold flavor, and distinct character here is clearly designed to be approachable for the warm weather enthusiasts the distillery keeps near and dear. As a reviewer in the throes of a New England cold front, this pour clearly lacks the gusto I'm looking for in a whiskey ready for winter. The bold character of MGP distillate has been blended to oblivion here. What is a complaint for me will likely be a benefactor to most other more casual whiskey sippers. It's an easy one to sit with and sip without too much thought, which is not how I enjoy drinking whiskey personally. As someone who tastes hundreds of whiskeys per year, this pour struggles to stand out from the crowd. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

Whiskey drinkers everywhere: rejoice. Rare Character has added a pull tab under the thick wax of their latest project—the batch 01 limited release of Chad Watson's rye blend. This inaugural batch combines 7-8 year barrels from both Indiana and Kentucky, slant-dunked in blue-green wax with a sticky strip that will keep your fingers safe this fall. The hot knife can take a break for a bit as we get to peel strips off of limited releases and tear foil off of Brook Hill bottlings—at least until the Rare Character team cooks up something new. Innovation seems to be constant with this brand. I happened to bump into Pablo Moix in Louisville last weekend, where he handed me a bottle of this release to take to a tasting I was doing in Bardstown later on. Despite having a table full of dusties , this bottle definitely got a lot of attention. Anyone doing modern whiskey right is worth celebrating, and I've got more than a few favorites from this era. It's because of this serendipitous meeting of the minds that I've got a review waiting for you today. As with all my full whiskey reviews, I've tasted this three times —a bit of a testament to what's really worth sipping these days, if you ask me. You ready for a review? Let's get into it. Company on Label:  Rare Character Whiskey Co., Lexington, Kentucky Whiskey Type:  A blend of straight rye whiskeys Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed rye mash bill distilled in KY & IN Proof:  117.9 ° Age:  A blend of 7-8 year barrels Further identification:  The bottle under review is bottle 83/1300 from batch 01, which is the first rye release first available in 2024 at an MSRP of $129.99 Nose:  Old-school barrel funk leads the way, something that classic bourbon drinkers will immediately appreciate. I find a wonderfully aromatic medley with little effort; sage, saffron, leather, allspice, black pepper, and linen present beautifully in the nose. Deep inhales produce notes of gardenia, rose, and jasmine as this well-integrated blend blooms in the glass. It's tender in the nose and a touch icy—like stepping out into frigid winter air after a long swim in a steamy heated pool. Aromas of crunchy fall leaves, seasoned firewood, and a kiss of cinnamon give this pour exquisite depth. Despite the slow and continuous evolution, I find myself ready for a taste. Coming back from a sip, I find my nose transfixed. Oily cedar, fluffy vanilla, and Walkers Nonsuch English creamy toffee candy come zipping into the forefront of my mind as an exceptional nose continues to develop in the glass. There continues to be some of the leather, allspice, and linen tones from early on, though they have taken on a new creaminess that I think most whiskey drinkers can appreciate. Late in the glass, things turn a touch simpler as the cold night air shudders windows, but it opens the mind to a clarity that is rarely achieved in comfort. Tomorrow's bread is set to bake, a rose is left unappreciated, and the pavement is being swept of the refuse of a hurried world. Great whiskey has the power to transport you, and this pour does just that. The empty glass smells like a root beer float in a styrofoam cup. Palate:  Right away this shimmers across the tongue. It's lively like a cartoon character; it's got the swagger of Popeye and the suave elegance of Pink Panther rolled into one. Ginger ale, prune, and apricot lead the way in the mouth before a wave of raspberry, white pepper, and pecan swing through on the linger. It's got a bit of effervescent crème soda at the start before it transitions into a silky spoonful of vanilla custard. The mouthfeel is on the thicker side, reminding me a bit of the squish of an untoasted marshmallow. Pinenut, currant, and blood orange culminate in a wonderful array of flavors with each passing sip. As the glass nears empty, I find a profile that continues to be incredibly crushable yet fully captivating, with orange marmalade and buckwheat pancake tones just singing their wonderful whiskey lullaby. My last sip is like a fond farewell to a friend, carrying lemon lollipop, a kiss of pine nut, and citron green tea. The finish is medium, but noticeably sweet and balanced, as honey, grenadine, and saffron round out a rye whiskey well worth exploring. TL;DR: Balanced yet flavorful rye whiskey that is sure to satisfy even the most looney enthusiast Rating:  4.5/5 ( Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. ) This is Johnny Bravo in a glass—you can bet your booty he's going to make a move on you. While it's no Brook Hill rye , this bottle is sure to make you a few new friends at your next bottle share. Kudos to Chad for continuing to raise the bar on quality and continuing to flex his blending ability. I'm certainly glad to see the brand doing more than single barrels and finding utmost success in every endeavor they seem to take on. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

Pioneering Scotch whisky distillery Nc’nean   pushes boundaries of spirit making in new limited-release: Scotland’s leading organic whisky distillery, Nc’nean, continues to build its reputation as an industry innovator with the launch of its latest limited-edition whisky, Huntress Orchard Cobbler, into the USA. The Huntress series is inspired by Nc’nean’s namesake – the Gaelic goddess Neachneohain, who was known as a huntress and for walking her own path. This series is centred around that ethos of discovery, and Nc’nean’s passion for hunting for unique flavours in whisky making. This year’s release is named Orchard Cobbler, for its deliciously warming and homely flavours of Cherry Bakewell, apricot marmalade and vanilla custard. This particular Huntress release is incredibly unique, in that the spirit used is only produced once a year when the distillers cross over from one distillation recipe to another. Nc’nean is widely recognised for pushing the boundaries of conventional Scotch. Unlike most distilleries, it runs two different spirit recipes each year, one for whisky set to be released at a younger age and one set to be released after ten or more years. The spirit matured for Huntress Orchard Cobbler comes from the distillation in the week after the spirit recipe is switched – a time where cut points are changed and unusually high fruity compounds flood into the spirit. So fruity, that the whisky is named after one of the team’s favourite fruit desserts. Nc’nean founder and CEO, Annabel Thomas comments: “This dram perfectly encapsulates our creativity, innovation, and unique approach to whisky. Its origins trace back to our master distiller, Jim Swan, who played a pivotal role in developing what would become the Nc’nean spirit and maturation process. Throughout the year, we run two different spirit recipes at the distillery, a practice that Jim and I discussed. Huntress Orchard Cobbler is crafted from the transitional weeks between these recipes, resulting in this wonderfully fruity spirit. This unplanned outcome highlights the magic of experimentation and the beauty of doing things differently.” About Nc’nean: Nc’nean is an award winning independent, organic whisky distillery on the west coast of Scotland. Nc’nean began distilling in March 2017 and from inception has strived to do things differently. In pursuit of new flavours in whisky, Nc’nean uses longer mashing times, slower fermentation and experiments with unusual yeasts not commonly used within whisky distilling. Nc’nean matures its whisky on site in ex-bourbon, sherry and scraped, toasted, and re-charred ex-red wine casks, along with many other smaller and more unique cask experiments.  The high, narrow cut on the still helps to produce a purer spirit; the unusual lamp-glass-shaped stills encourage a gentle distillation and significant amounts of reflux, creating a lighter spirit that retains its fruity notes.  The Nc’nean ethos of sustainable production is embedded in everything it does. In July 2021 Nc’nean achieved verified net zero status for carbon emissions from its own operations (scope 1 and 2). It is the UK’s first whisky distillery to be classified as net zero for scopes 1 & 2 and reached its goal 20 years ahead of the industry target. In addition, all Nc’nean’s products are certified organic, its bottle is 100% recycled glass and it recycles or reuses 99.9% of its waste. Commentary from the author: This is a really gorgeous bottle, and a refreshing bit of innovation coming out of a newer Scottish distillery. I'm thrilled to see the notes on their gentle distillation with high reflux, the nod to the low and slow processes of old, and I'm always excited to hear about new experiments with yeast strains. Nc'nean provided me with samples of their products for the purposes of a review with no strings attached. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to try something new to me and will be patiently exploring a dram in accordance with the Amongst the Whiskey editorial policy . Let's jump into that pocket-sized review I promised you. Whisky Details Company on Label:   Nc'nean Whisky Type:  Single malt Scotch whisky Mash Bill Percentages:  100% organic Scottish barley Proof:  97 ° Age:  No age statement (NAS) Further identification:  This is a new release from a young Highland distillery, producing 6,153 bottles (630 for the US market), first available in September of 2024 at an MSRP of $120; the maturation casks used are 66% scraped, toasted, and recharred ex-red wine, 31% ex-American whiskey, and 3% oloroso sherry casks Pocket-Sized Flash Review Nose:  Upon lifting the glass to my nose, I'm immediately met with some classic malt tones such as sugar cookie and raspberry tart; it instantly reminds me of some of my old favorite Irish whiskeys. Further fervent inhales produce aromas of burlap sacks, potato skins, apricot, and I find my mind wandering towards a dusty museum filled with vintage clothes. It's a distinctly light spirit in the nose, dancing playfully in a comfortable wave, like a gossamer thin curtain blowing on the breeze through an open window. Time for a sip! Returning from a sip I find a warm cast iron wood stove lit to stave off winter's cold pouring in. There's certainly plenty of tart crust and crumbly cobbler aromas interwoven throughout this glass. Deeper inhales transport me to a cozy pub with wood tones abound, instilling a quiet mind, a widening smile, and a comfortable state of nostalgia. It's a light and ephemeral whisky, one that's not readily picked apart, that dances along the edges of memories not fully remembered, but distinctly felt. Later in the experience some darker tones prevail, like the damp air of an old town lined in cobblestone. The empty glass smells of light lavender, mountain moss, and dried apricot. Palate:  My first taste reveals a surprisingly cacophonous flavor explosion: peach, pear, and currant zip across the tongue in a tantalizingly quick flash of emotion. Another sip is less bashing and more cohesive as milk chocolate, coffee bean, raisin, and cherry cobbler slowly ooze over the taste buds. Sipping later in the glass shows off a well put together whisky, one that doesn't boast nearly as much fruit as I might have expected given the introduction, but shines in its oiliness and creaminess in the mouth. The finish is low, slow, and undulating with notes of vanilla bean custard and Spanish flan. TL;DR: Soft sipping whisky that perfectly nails the cobbler crust notes, but isn't quite fruity Rating:  3.5/5 ( Good enough. There's something to enjoy here.) This is a wonderful sipping whisky. My only qualm might be the price tag, when similarly oily and flavorful 14 year expressions simultaneously exist at around the $80 price point. I can certainly understand the inputs that Nc'nean are using are more costly than most other distillery counterparts, but I'm not sure the full potential of those design decisions have been realized in their aged spirit as of yet. I look forward to watching this distillery with bated breath as Annabel Thomas and team continue to innovate marvelously in the whisky world!

I've got an interesting new distillery to put on your whiskey radar. Middle West Spirits out of Columbus, Ohio is serving up well-aged craft whiskey with few frills and full transparency these days. The bottle is adorned with all the marketing accoutrements you would expect, such as "small batch craft", "smooth full bodied four grain", and "handcrafted in the heart of the Ohio River Valley". They lean heavily on their local grain to glass techniques, and all of these blurbs are surprisingly resonant if you dig deeper on the brand. I get the sense that this is a pretty legit operation. This "Michelone Reserve bottling" pays homage to the grandfather who inspired it all. They use Speyside bourbon cooperage in Jackson, Ohio and distill on a 68 inch diameter column still that runs 68 feet tall. They're a surprisingly large operation that seems to be just hitting stride this year. I'd like to thank Middle West for providing Amongst the Whiskey writer Jes Smyth with this bottle, which she passed along to me for review with no strings attached. I'd like to say I'm just exploring this for my third tasting, the norm for AmongstTheWhiskey.com reviews according to our editorial policy, but I'm actually three quarters of the way through this bottle. It was put out on the table at my last Texas Hold'em table and few could withstand its powerful allure as I continued to rake chips into my pile. My best friend Zach, who is more of a whiskey novice, was waxing poetic about how good it was. I readily agreed. So now we're here, with a bottle nearing empty and no review to show for it... but an empty bottle is kind of a review in and of itself, isn't it? I usually only bring and share my best, so if you're in my company and a bottle is getting low, you know it's going to be good. Such is the case for Middle West's cask strength wheated bourbon. Let's get to the real notes, shall we? Company on Label:  Middle West Spirits Whiskey Type:  Straight wheated bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 68% non-GMO yellow corn, 16% Ohio soft red winter wheat, 11% dark pumpernickel rye, and 5% malted 2-row barley Proof:  122.2 ° Age:  4 years Further identification:   This is batch 001 of the cask strength wheated bourbon (four grain) series, one of three new flagship offerings from Middle West, now available at an MSRP of $69.99 Nose:  Lovely barrel funk escapes the glass en masse upon first lifting it to my nose. Sweet caramel, molasses, and waffle breading jump out at me before more subtle graham cracker and cinnamon layer in behind. If you're not a proof hound, this one's probably going to make you cough a little on deep inhales. Nosing this reminds me a bit of a slightly younger Stagg Jr and I'm totally here for that. There's subtle allspice, black pepper, and dank woodshop aromas galore. It's bold, but not out of line in any way. Time for a taste. Returning the nose after a few sips brings forth sweet Whoppers, funky toffee, praline, and the dense, ephemeral beauty that inherently comes with well-aged whiskey. I'm liking whatever the Speyside cooperage is doing for these guys quite a bit. As my glass runs dry, I find subtle hints of grilled pineapple, honey, and Cherry Garcia ice cream. Palate:  My first sip presents like your first bite of cinnamon coffee cake. It's soft, flaky, and doughy in the mouth before the perfect balance of sweet and spice trickles from front to back across the tongue. The lingering mouthfeel is a touch of wild mint on the tip of tongue and Werther's everywhere else. Another sip shows off caramel popcorn, crunch chocolate bar, and peanut butter granola—I really dig everything about this whole profile. Overall everything is surprisingly subtle for the proof point. Cherry syrup and grenadine linger long after a taste. At the end of a long savored glass, I taste beignet, ganache, and raspberry tart. It lingers long into the 4th quarter, and I swoon with every sip. TL;DR: This might just replace your favorite allocated bourbon Rating:  4.5/5 ( Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. ) This feels like the perfect fall whiskey, bottled at just the right proof. No water necessary . I'd say this falls somewhere between my enjoyment of Weller Antique and your average Stagg Jr batch. While the nose and finish matches the vibe of Junior pretty well, something in the middle presents just a little bit lacking, but still very clearly crushable. It's certainly a whiskey worth visiting—and then revisiting—as cooler weather comes knockin' in the Northeast. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

Some would consider a single barrel to be the ultimate definition of limited. Single barrels have been known to yield just a small number of bottles, ranging from a pretty standard range of 180–220 bottles from well-aged whiskey, as high as 267 if little to no evaporation occurred, or all the way down to something as crazy as just a handful of bottles on exceptionally 'short barrels'. Single barrels have been incredibly trendy in recent years, with enthusiasts across the country beating their chests claiming to have found one of the best of the best for themselves. Four Roses Limited Edition bucks that trend with a small batch, barrel strength bourbon that is a blend of many well-aged barrels. It's an opportunity for master distiller Brent Elliott to sign his name to what he considers his yearly masterpiece. This blend, consisting of bourbons from the OBSV, OESK, and OESF recipes, aims to balance the unique characteristics of each of these recipes  and how they matured in their own barrels into something that nearly everyone in the bourbon world can appreciate. This is quite the tall task as Brent picks through the delicate fruit, rye, baking spice, light grain, and minty tones these mash bills and yeast strains impart on the final product. The 2024 release yielded 16,680 bottles. While that number seems high, consider some of the market alternatives, like Pappy Van Winkle 15 year, boasting a similar age statement—that release might produce less than 5,000 bottles. It wouldn't be surprising given the age statements on the barrels for this project that Brent would have had to have blended something north of 200 barrels in order to produce this kind of yield with over 3300 gallons needed to be mixed. Mixing that kind of quantity into something of spectacular quality is no short order, so it's no surprise Brent decides to only undertake this kind of project once per year. Still, with 34 million regular whiskey drinkers in the US, it's not like there's a bottle waiting on the shelf for everyone, so with 16,680 bottles—an increase from 2023 which produced 15,600, the 'Limited Edition' distinction still clearly finds its mark here. I am blessed to have tried many of these bottlings through the years, including the original 2008 Mariage , the 2013 125th Anniversary , 2021 , 2022 , and 2023  limited edition releases. I've also enjoyed countless single barrel offerings  and even gone to the distillery to select my own  a handful of times. What has built in my mind since is a complete trust that the barrels aging in the Four Roses warehouses are capable of bourbon greatness. While the label bearing that name is not a guarantee of quality, it's certainly a good starting place. Let's see where the 2024 bottling of the Four Roses limited edition small batch barrel strength bourbon lands on my quality scale . Company on Label:  Four Roses Distillery Whiskey Type: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  31% OBSV, 23% OESK, 39% OESF, and 7% OBSV, resulting in a derived average mash bill of 69.3% corn, 25.7% rye, and 5% malted barley Proof:  108.2° Age:  31% 12 year, 23% 15 year, 39% 16 year, and 7% 20 year, resulting in an average age of 14.81 years Further identification:  The 2024 release yielded 16,680 bottles, first available in the fall at an MSRP of $220 Nose:  Right up front is the classic barrel funk that comes with teenage age statements, alongside a distinct mintiness that the largest portion of the OESF recipe is known for can be found with little trouble. Oh yeah, that's well aged whiskey with zero flaws and zero tannic tones, which I'm quite glad for. Deep inhales produce vanilla biscotti tones and a light frothiness, as if you dunked the biscotti into a warm cappuccino. Warming the well-rested glass in my hands produces notes of leather, a light earthiness like slippery clay, and a bouquet of sweet floral tones like heliotrope and cherry blossom. Deep inhales offer hints of caramel and butterscotch before the prevalent woodshop aromas swing back in en masse. I reckon it's time for a sip here. Coming back from a few sips puts on a nose that continues to lean in on the wood tones while getting keen compliments from graham cracker and biscoff aromas. Honey-jasmine perfume makes the mind long and swoon for what is just out of reach. Late in the glass, I find a richness that is most welcome as the caramel and butterscotch tones from earlier take on a new potency. This is the kind of deep inhale nosing experience that results in deep, satisfying sighs and a wide smile. The empty glass smells of warm baked cinnamon coffee cake, graham cracker, leather, and white pepper. Palate:  My first sip reveals balanced cherry and mint—an odd combo to read in close proximity, but somehow it works just perfectly on this pour. The mouthfeel is silky but not too coating, leaving the impression of elderflower and a long-departed vanilla creaminess. Another sip raises the bar with distinct wood spice, soft crème fraîche, and honey-laden graham cracker. Overall, it's decadent, balanced, classy, relaxing, and sweet—everything you could ask for out of an easy-sipping, complex bourbon. Tasting later in the glencairn continues to impress as honeysuckle, light lavender tea, and thin slices of pear slowly shimmer across the taste buds. The mouthfeel continues to be very easy and approachable, as if a gossamer layer of silk were waving on a cool breeze across the tongue. Sipping near the bottom of the glass offers a well-rounded finish of cherry juice, grenadine, and red delicious apples. While this isn't the type of bourbon that leaves you with a profound, thought-provoking experience, it's an absolute masterclass in balance and flavor blending skill. My last taste is much like the sips that came before: perfectly integrated cinnamon baking spice, juicy pear, a quick pop of cherry, and a long linger of subtle mint and a general earthiness. Yum! TL;DR: Impeccably balanced bourbon that drinks classy, easy, and lovely Rating:  4.5/5 ( Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. ) What an incredible masterclass in blending for drinkability this pour is. The 2024 release shines as an incredibly relaxing bourbon to sit with and sip slowly, to which I can certainly attest, as I spent the better part of 2 hours with this glass during this write-up. With the 2024 offering, Brent Elliott has proven once again why he has earned the title of master distiller at Four Roses, expertly blending huge quantities of the distillery's oldest stocks into something well-worth sipping. Savor this on its own, and you're in for an absolute treat of a bourbon with this pour. I'm certainly going to enjoy my bottle, but I likely won't have the itch to hunt for a backup at this price tag. If you're interested in how it stacks up against some of the other Four Roses Limited Edition releases, check out the blind flight I tasted through comparing the 2021, 2022, and 2023 releases below. You might be surprised where it landed! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

I've been a big fan of Cathead Distillery for a while now. Their 7 year Tintype Series # 1 really blew me away, and I've enjoyed many wonderful single barrel selections that Kappy's in Massachusetts has brought to the state in years past. When this new release dropped in the fall of 2023, I rushed out to buy one despite the higher cost this time around. I chalked it up to the 9 year age statement. Yet after a few tastes, this bottle has languished for an entire year on my to-do shelf. If that isn't telling enough, I'll honor my self-prescribed review obligation by finally getting around to a full write-up a full 365 days after I bought this bottle. You might be surprised by the rating below. The shelf will be glad to be rid of its tired companion. Why the long face with an expensive bottle, you might ask? Let's consult some of the internet's opinions before we get into things here. /u/mudsock_Indiana on Reddit  warns of the variation in the Tintype (TT) series, saying: Just be cautious when finding a TT Series 1 on the shelf. Series 1 first came out in 2021 with less than 1,100 cases. The second release of Series 1 came out in 2022 with a different proof, and MUCH better than the first batch in 2021. You could find the second batches on store shelves until about the Spring or early Summer of 2023. Then, in Fall of 2023, Cathead released a third batch of Series 1 with a different proof, and it’s still not as good or near the same as that second batch. Of course, the TT Series 2 was also released in Fall of 2023 and although it’s a 9 year, it doesn’t even hold up near as well as that second batch of TT Series 1. I’m quite the whack job for the TT series, so I do consider myself a bit of an enthusiast for that TT product only. I hadn't really known about the subtle label obfuscation with reality being three bottlings under the guise of Tintype 1 nomenclature. At the minimum, that's pretty deceitful and definitely not a practice I'd recommend modern whiskey bottlers attempt with a very well-educated whiskey drinking base championing the market. I dug in a little further and was able to find the three proofs, which was actually not that simple of a task, since the proof is tucked away on the back label on these, which nearly nobody ever takes a picture of unfortunately. Except for Brad Drell and myself, apparently. The first release of Tintype Series 1 was in 2021, bottled at 119.2 proof, according to the photo on Whiskey Jar Blog . I tried a sample of this bottling and remember enjoying it quite a bit, but not as much as the second bottling from 2022. Mark Pringle seems to have enjoyed it as well. The second release, and this is the one you'll want to hunt for if my review sounds up your alley , was bottled in 2022 at 122.3 proof. This was Cathead's claim to fame. It should celebrated, revered, and cherished—not used as a marketing crutch for future releases. Cathead currently lists a Tintype Series 1 on their website , which I have to assume is that third batch, released in 2023 at 119.5 proof. This is the one we saw show up at a higher cost than the 2022 bottling. I have not reviewed this bottle. Now that we've done our research, let's taste some new whiskey, shall we? Will Tintype Series 2 live up to the legend of the 2022 bottling of old? In accordance with my editorial policy , this whiskey was torturously tasted three times before I offered my well-triangulated opinion. On to the notes! Company on Label: Bottled by Cathead Distillery (distilled in Indiana) Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley Proof: 122.2 ° Age: 9 years Further identification: Tintype Series # 2 features blues artist Hermon Hitson with a tintype done by Timothy Duffy, it is still readily available at an MSRP of $159.99 (below the cost Cathead has it listed for ) Nose:  On first lifting the glass to my nose, I find a flat, muted profile that offers just hints of dry paper, corn husks, and musty cardboard boxes. Deep inhales produce little pleasure as dry vanilla and crushed-up alka-seltzer slowly drift into focus. Try as I might, there's just not much to find here. Time for a sip. Returning from a sip makes the nose even less enjoyable as things have turned towards a synthetic perfume aroma. Late in the glass, I struggle to pull meaningful enjoyment from the glass as my attention shifts immediately to thousands of other pours I'd rather have than this. The saving grace at the bottom of the glass are some marshmallow characteristics that can't be argued with. The empty glass smells of root beer barrel candy. Palate:  A touch of creamed corn leads the way on first taste before dry toffee, and just a flash of molasses registers on the linger. Subsequent sips are medicinal in character, with cherry cough syrup coming across as tannic and sharp. Late in the glass, more flavors do develop, such as oversteeped tea, ginger molasses cookies, and dry breadcrumbs. Overall the pour comes across a bit stale, like a baker trying to make one last pastry out of all the scraps from the previous projects. My last sip offers a profile akin to skim milk and almond butter; it does not sip like any whiskey I would expect to pour again. The finish is medium in duration at the end of the glass, offering hints of graham cracker and bland paper characteristics that remind me of accidentally eating part of your candy packaging. TL;DR: This is an upset stomach in a bottle; gas station sushi at Michelin pricing Rating:  2/5 ( Poor showing. Doesn't please my palate. ) I'm not the least bit surprised that this has been sitting on shelves everywhere I look, alongside the newly overpriced re-release of Tintype Series #1 . In a pretty egregious turn of events that likely transpired due to a glowing review of their second bottling of the 7 year Tintype bourbon , we saw Cathead re-release more Tintype series 1 at a different proof—pretty clearly a different blend, which is made clear with a release year on the back label as well. Myself, like many other enthusiasts took notice when this came back around. I rushed to pick up the new Series 2 because of the strong belief I had in the brand following that pinnacle whiskey I tasted before. Did they think we weren't going to notice? Does Cathead assume the average person won't be able to tell the difference? Are the palates on their team not able to differentiate what is high quality whiskey versus swill? Do you think they just get lucky with series 1? I think these are all fair questions, ones that should clearly shake any confidence one has for this brand. I'm certainly going to be looking at Cathead with pretty severe skepticism from here on out. NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (OCT. 28, 2024) – The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection has returned for the fall 2024 season, representing some of the finest whiskeys produced by America’s Oldest Continuously Operating Distillery. This year’s portfolio includes all five Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) staples: Eagle Rare17-Year-Old Bourbon, George T. Stagg Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, and William Larue Weller Bourbon. "William Larue Weller Bourbon shines among the Collection this year with its caramel notes and long, creamy finish. It's fitting that this year also marks the 25th anniversary of Sazerac Company's acquisition of the Weller brand,” stated Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. "For more than two decades, we've worked hard to craft the signature flavors that whiskey enthusiasts love, both within the Weller brand and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Our commitment to this tradition is stronger than ever, and we look forward to carrying it well into the future." Each expression in the Antique Collection is housed in a clear glass bottle, displaying its rich color. The back label on each bottle offers a detailed history and description of the whiskey. The limited-edition Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bottles are sold individually and available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $149.99 (local taxes and fees will vary). William Larue Weller Bourbon The 2024 William Larue Weller barrels aged over twelve years on the lower floor of a rick warehouse at Buffalo Trace Distillery at a barrel entry proof of 114. The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered wheated recipe bourbon is hand-bottled at 125.8 proof and honors W.L. Weller, who pioneered the wheated bourbon recipe, substituting wheat for the traditional rye grain. On the nose of the 2024 William Larue Weller, a blend of new leather, light pipe tobacco, and caramel, enveloped by the warm sweetness of marshmallow and hints of ripe fruit. Rich caramel and toffee notes coat the palate with a long finish and oak, caramel, and fruit notes. The 2024 Global Whisky Challenge awarded last year’s William Larue Weller Bourbon “Best of Class” North America during the 2024 Global Whisky Challenge. Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon Bottled at its initial strength of 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975, this year’s Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon was distilled in the spring of 2007. On the nose, Eagle Rare 17 delivers complex notes of oak and caramel intertwined with subtle undertones of vanilla and pepper spice with a caramel sweetness evened by the spiciness of rye, toasted oak, and tobacco on the palate. A combination of caramel, pepper, leather, and oak, paired with roasted tobacco and dried fruit finishes this 17-year and 4-month-old whiskey. Last year’s Eagle Rare-17-Year-Old Bourbon marked the oldest release of the spirit since its inclusion in the Antique Collection. Several well-respected spirits competitions recognized the expression, including the 2024 Whiskies of the World Competition, where the 19-year-old whiskey won a Double Gold, Best in Class medal. George T. Stagg Bourbon Buffalo Trace Distillery first released George T. Stagg bourbon in 2002 in response to a consumer request for a well-aged, barrel-strength whiskey. The Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is known for its bold character reminiscent of its namesake, the original purchaser of O.F.C. Distillery, now famously recognized as Buffalo Trace Distillery. This year’s George T. Stagg sits at 136.1 proof and is comprised of barrels aged more than 15 years and two months. The whiskey presents a powerful aroma of deep aged wood, rich oak, and dark cherry. A layered profile of spice, oak, caramel, and a soft touch of cinnamon hit the palate. Its long and drying finish leaves a lasting impression of complexity and warmth. The 2024 International Whisky Competition awarded last year’s George T. Stagg First Place for the Best Bourbon, American, and Kentucky Whiskey. Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye Whiskey Bottled at 18 years and five months and named after the official cocktail of New Orleans, the 2024 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey has scents of oak and leather with subtle hints of ripe plum, rye grain, and earthy undertones. Rye spice, smoke, dark cherry, and a touch of licorice jump on the palate. The finish on this year’s Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye lingers gracefully, imparting subtle hints of tobacco and charred oak. The 2023 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye was honored with the Gold “Outstanding” Medal in the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition. Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey The team at Buffalo Trace Distillery filled the barrels for this year’s Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey at 125 proof over six years ago. This uncut, unfiltered whisky is now 127.2 proof, bumping up in alcohol percentage from last year’s nearly 125 offering. Inspired by the bartender who first used rye whiskey in the original Sazerac cocktail, Thomas H. Handy is bottled directly from the barrel, honoring its traditional method from over a century ago. The 2024 Thomas H. Handy is bold and invigorating with scents of freshly cracked black pepper and cinnamon. Spice and oak flavors are prominent, with a long-lasting finish of cinnamon, pepper, and clove. The 2023 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2024 Singapore World Spirits Competition. Note from the authors: We are certainly looking forward to exploring the 2024 releases of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. This highly esteemed array of bottles has long been on the Amongst the Whiskey review cycle, and quality seems to be paramount in every one of these limited bottlings. As a self-proclaimed Stagg man , Nick Anderson is most looking forward to trying George T. Stagg , while ace author and resident rye hound Jes Smyth is most excited for the Sazerac 18 year. We know these are going to be only available in limited numbers and quite hard to find, so we hope to be able to guide your hunt this release season! WRITTEN BY: THE AMONGST THE WHISKEY TEAM Nick Anderson and Jes Smyth combine to bring decades of whiskey sipping experience to Amongst the Whiskey . Both regarded as patient, trustworthy, and thorough tasters, they have earned the respect of whiskey enthusiasts near and far.