Whiskey Archives - Page 7 of 8 - First Pour Cocktails

Four Roses Small Batch

Posted on May 28, 2021May 16, 2021 by Nick

Four Roses Small Batch is a blend of 4 different blends of bourbons. Four Roses has two different mash bills (E and B), and 5 different yeast strains that allow them to make 10 different bourbon recipes. The mash bills are as follows:

B – 60% Corn | 35% Rye | 5% Malted Barley
E – 75% Corn | 20% Rye | 5% Malted Barley

For this blend, they utilize the slight spice yeast and rich fruit blends from both mash bills to create Four Roses Small Batch.

Four Roses Small Batch

Sight: A moderate gold, somewhere between deep copper and burnished.

Smell: The nose starts a little warm before resting, but opens up into a creamy caramel and spice. Oak begins to show itself prominently, and touches of dried apricot and cherries come through. The nose is inviting, if not complex.

Sip: The mouthfeel is lighter and more delicate than expected, but there’s plenty of caramelized sugars, oak, and spices. Fruits emerge gently, bringing forward touches of summer berries and stone fruits. It’s almost deliberately delicate.

Savor: The finish actually amps up slightly, delivering a punch of spice and browned sugar notes before relaxing back into a mix of ripe fruit, toasted oak, and almost cocoa nib like notes.

Four Roses Small Batch is really an interesting bourbon. Not only is it somewhat delicate on both the nose and palate, but it doesn’t fade on the savor. Instead, that amp up makes it even more satisfying since the flavors linger warmly. On its own it’s enjoyable, even if it’s a little straight foward.

In Cocktails

In a Manhattan, it unsurprisingly creates a softer drink. The emphasis here ends up on some of the fruitier notes in the whiskey, combining with the vermouth to emphasize a very caramel like outcome. The oaked notes become more subtle, and the spice subsides, linger around the edges. The overall character is softer, allowing more of the wine’s sweetness to play the lead.

Four Roses Small Batch In Review

Four Roses Small Batch is delicate, yet inviting. It allows other elements to play in synchronicity, instead of trying to take over. The result is a bourbon that’s both at home neat and in cocktails. While it is good, and the value is fair in the low to mid $30 price point, it also isn’t quite as versatile as other bourbons. From that stand point, we suggest you try Four Roses Small Batch if you’re a fan of more delicate, subtle bourbons, but don’t necessarily stock it as your primary go to bourbon.

Four Roses Website

Crown Royal Peach

Posted on May 14, 2021May 4, 2021 by Nick

While we’re not particularly inclined to grab the flavor stuff off the shelfs, we know that Crown Royal does some well balanced flavored whiskeys. If you haven’t tried them, you especially owe it to yourself to try the Salted Caramel and Vanilla, both of which are rather delightful, if clearly flavored. This penchant for quality lead us to take a change on Crown Royal Peach. After all, summer is almost here, and there aren’t a lot of readily available peach liqueurs out there.

Crown Royal Peach

Sight: A beautiful mix of tawny and auburn.

Smell: There’s an amazing mix of fresh cut peaches and subtle more spicy, tea like notes. The peaches have only a hint of candied nature to them, and line up more with the smell right next to the pit of a fresh peach. The tea like elements are both herbal and slightly brown sugar like.

Sip: The sip is instantly sweet, but with a good amount of brightness and a tempered oak. The flavor of fresh peaches predominates, but brings in more of a candied element. Notes of sweet tea and woody elements creep in, giving a beautiful character.

Savor: The finish continues it’s balanced sweetness and leans into a black tea and peach character. It lingers longingly without being cloying.

Crown Royal Peach is decidedly peach forward, yet also extraordinarily well balanced. The brightness to the peach is natural and inviting. The whiskey elements lend some spice and herbal notes that decidedly compliment the whiskey. These elements make it a great option on ice, but also for mixing. It also should have better availability than some other liqueurs due to Crown’s distribution network.

In Cocktails

There are no obvious cocktails for a peach flavored whiskey, but in crafting originals, it’s well balanced and not overwhelming. It plays particularly well with lemon and honey syrups, leaning on it’s tea like elements. The subtle sweetness also helps it blend in. It’s worth noting that it’s not so sweet as to imbalance a drink. For these reasons, it may work as a stand in for Giffard Peche de Vigne, but keep in mind the underlying whiskey notes will make a difference.

Crown Royal Peach Overall

Crown Royal has most likely hit a solid triple with their Crown Royal Peach. The whiskey is very good and well balanced. The flavors are also natural and inviting. There’s a solid balance as well, but there’s something that leaves it rather one note. The success will depend on people finding easy obvious uses. With that said, we certainly hope Crown Royal Peach can stick around.

Wild Turkey 101

Posted on April 19, 2021April 18, 2021 by Nick

Finding good bourbon can be such a chore. If you’re seeking a rare bottle, you could be doing anything from paying 5-10x market price or chasing trucks to deliveries. While many of these bourbons are incredible, you don’t need a 10 year old bottle of Pappy to make a great drink. In fact, one of the best cocktail / sipping bourbons is probably sitting on you liquor store shelf waiting for you to take it home – since even before the taters went nuts. The one, the only, Wild Turkey 101.

Wild Turkey 101

Sight: Primarily russet in color, but leaning into tawny.

Smell: Notes of brown sugar, toasted oak, and spice waft out of the glass. Touches of vanilla and toffee mixed with nuts join in. They’re followed by touches of polished leather, a hint of heat, and a touch of cereal. The nose is well layered and rotates the notes adding complexity.

Sip: There’s a prickle of heat that builds as you go, but the start is very smooth and full bodied. Elements of spice begin to build, adding in toasted oak and caramelized sugar. Hints of char and light caramel join in with a touch of tobacco. The full experience is spicy, woody, and layered.

Savor: The finish carries through notes of caramelized malt and cereal layered with peppery spices. The finish lingers well, giving a hint of oak and vanilla as it extends.

Wild Turkey 101 is well balanced, full flavored, and layered in it’s complexity. The start is smooth, toasted and caramelized without being sweet. The elements of spice, nuts, and subtle cigar box notes build as it opens up. The finish carries this though, keeping it’s smooth character and building in a toffee-oaked combination that makes it inviting.

In Cocktails

One of the tricks you can use to help bring up the flavor of a cocktail is to use a higher proof spirit. If you use too much, and you risk overwhelming the drink. Wild Turkey 101 sits in the perfect spot where you can use the full amount of Wild Turkey and not worry about the drink becoming to spiritous or losing any of the elements. In a Manhattan, it is a rock star, giving spicy and toffee like notes that compliment the fruitiness and sweet notes of the vermouth. It works just as well for crafting or in simple drinks like an Old Fashioned – lending flavor without overwhelming the other elements.

Wild Turkey 101 Overall

Wild Turkey 101 is absolutely stellar. The additional proof gives it the body to stand up beautifully in cocktails. The juice itself is well balanced, not overwhelming, smooth, and loaded with flavor. When you throw in the price point and availability, Wild Turkey is an absolute steal. For all these reasons, we’ve add Wild Turkey 101 to our list of Recommended Bottles for Starting a Home Bar.

Looking for a drink to make with Wild Turkey 101? Check out our Cocktail List for Originals and Classics.

The Glenlivet 12

Posted on April 9, 2021April 20, 2021 by Nick

While there are a healthy number of cocktails that call for Scotch, there aren’t quite enough of them to earn Scotch a place in our best bottles for beginning a home bar list. That doesn’t mean that Scotch might not be one of the first bottles you add to that list though. Used in Rob Roys, Blood and Sands, Whisk(e)y Highballs, Pencillins, and the Bobby Burns, Scotch is very much a great next step if you find your self in love with Manhattans, bourbon, or Anejo tequilas or Mezcal. And perhaps few are known better than The Glenlivet 12.

The Glenlivet 12

The Glenlivet distillery has been operating since 1824 (only closing for World War II), and produces almost 6 million annual liters of whiskey. The distillery is owned by Pernod-Ricard. While the majority of the production become The Glenlivet, the distillery also produces the blended Chivas Regal.

Sight: A bright gold with a consistent edge.

Smell: There’s a beautiful start of gentle vanilla that is slowly joined by various fruity elements. The fruits are diverse, with notes of apple, kumquat, pineapple, dried mango, and more. A subtle flaky pastry or cookie like note hangs around as well.

Sip: The body is smooth and rich, and maintains its character without bringing in significant heat. The palate opens up into notes of vanilla, stone fruit, pineapple, with touches of heather, toasted hazelnuts, and toasted oak.

Savor: The ending has just the slightest hint of heat, but brings a nice rich nutty character on the finish with hints of minerality.

The Glenlivet 12 has a nice, rich, round offering that demonstrates the initial complexity single malt scotch can offer without breaking the bank. The blend is by no means the deepest or most pensive, but it is easy going, welcoming, and quite tasty for the price. The flavors of tropical fruits and vanilla are well balanced, and the nuttiness on the end offers a compelling reason to sip it. Overall, there’s nothing wrong with a simple dram of this on it’s own.

In Cocktails

The Glenlivet 12 adds a smooth character and richness to cocktails. In a Bobby Burns, it wonderfully compliments both the Drambuie and sweet vermouth while adding in hints of nuttiness and floral touches. Within a highball, the nuttiness comes through, but the richness cut from the club soda tempers some of the tropical notes, giving way to more touches of oak and heather. The whiskey is the star here, but is remains subtle in its character.

Looking for a cocktail? Try it in a Bobby Burns or Bobby Burns No. 2

Bobby Burns Cocktail - Image — Bobby Burns

The Glenlivet 12 Overall

The Glenlivet 12 is a a nice, easy going, enjoyable single malt scotch that plays nice in cocktails without breaking the banking. To a certain extent, it’s very much a gateway scotch, something to open the door to what scotch can be, but not becoming the star itself. Furthermore, it’s widely known and widely available These characteristics add up to make it a great choice to use in a home bar for a cocktail, and earn it a recommendation from us.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Posted on March 19, 2021March 4, 2021 by Nick

As mentioned last fall, finding some whiskeys can be a real challenge. Depending on your state, you may not be able to Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, E.H. Taylor, Weller, or a whole host of other well respected bourbons. Among bottles you’re likely to find is Maker’s Mark, and sitting up range from their base offer and their refined offer is Maker’s Mark Cask Strength. So it is worth taking a flyer on it?

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Sight: A delightful tawny.

Smell: Vanilla and fruity caramel waft out of the glass. A spicier note than normally comes across in Maker’s Mark comes up as well. Touches of wheat, tobacco, spice, and dried apricot are jumping out. Like all high proofs, there’s a hint of burn if you pull in too much. The nose is nicely complicated.

Sip: The body starts out silky smooth, and then moves ever so slightly toward prickly over time. Spices begin to come the the vanilla and caramel notes. Touches of preserved fruit float in, and are complimented with touches of black tea and toasted oak. There are hints of almost sauternes like orange and honeyed sugars.

Savor: The end is more notes of spice and various brown sugar and caramel mixed with toasty wood notes. The finish lingers pleasantly, almost invitingly.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is undeniably a high powered bourbon. While it doesn’t reach the echelons of some other barrel strength offerings, it delivers massively on flavor. As a result, it feels wonderful, inviting, and balanced. Yes, there can be harsh moments, but in general it’s very friendly and fits in a huge amount of flavor.

In Cocktails

Higher proof bourbon can be useful in making cocktails by providing the ability to put more concentrated flavor in a smaller volume of liquor. The trade off is more actual alcohol notes that have to be balanced to prevent over asserting themselves. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength sitting at around 110 proof sits in a nice sweet spot, where there’s a great amount of flavor, but not quite as much booze as something heading toward 150 proof. That lower proof helps keep Maker’s Mark Cask Strength wonderful in cocktails. In a Manhattan, it fills in the gaps that normal Maker’s Mark leaves (which rye can slot wonderfully to fill). In an Old Fashioned, it’s smooth character is accentuated, as the ice help open up the complexity of the spice notes and sugars.

Final Thoughts on Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Overall, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is a beautiful, powerful whiskey that’s extremely reasonable for the step it provides in quality. While it doesn’t remove Maker’s Mark as a great option for your bar, it does add a great step up that could serve as a high proof wheater in your crafting line up. Overall, at $40, it’s a great choice that’s widely available and not subject to bourbon hunters.

The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth Irish Whiskey

Posted on March 7, 2021March 7, 2021 by Nick

The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth has an incredibly long name for an entry level bottle. The first Irish Whiskey brought in from Royal Oaks Distillery in Ireland, this blend features grain whiskey finished in Bourbon, Sherry, and Marsala casks. Disaronno is helping to bring it over stateside. So should it earn a place on your bar?

The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth

Sight: A beautiful gold leaning into shades of copper.

Smell: It takes a bit of time to open up, but the forefront of the nose perfumes outward with caramel, nuttiness, and touches floral and fruity elements. The caramel and nuttiness almost leans into coconut with a hint of almost tropical banana. There’s also a grainy dust note hanging out as well giving it a distinctly malty nature.

Sip: The mouthfeel is surprisingly round and rich. There’s a subtle unripe pear that starts things off, it moves into an interesting caramelized poaching liquid with hints of caramel and spices. There’s a bit of a honeyed character there as well. Touches of toasted wood oak and nuts round out the edges. There is also a bit of heat.

Savor: The ending is again laced with pome fruit, nuttiness, and hints of caramelized sugars. It lingers dryly on the tongue, lounging and coating the palate.

While The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth isn’t the most mature or complex product, it also doesn’t feel as small as it’s ABV would lead you to believe. The round, rich texture makes it feel as though it’s bigger than it is. The gentle, yet firm character of the grain and fruit notes against the woodiness and caramelized flavors creates a nice well balanced whiskey. For those looking for another Irish option, it’s certainly a welcome contender at the price point.

In Cocktails

In an Irish Blackthorn, The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth manages to add a softer character to the background – giving hints of grain and caramel. The main thing it adds though is a beautiful mouthfeel. While it still works harmoniously, it’s still doesn’t end up particularly forward thanks to the absinthe and the bitters. That said, it does add, and it doesn’t loose it’s character. Given the small number of Irish Cocktails, this is an encouraging sign – especially given it’s neat character.

The Busker Triple Cask Overall

The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth offers a compelling value proposition thanks to it’s relatively large mouthfeel and straightforward flavors. The whiskey is by no means perfect, or wow worthy, but it is very good value in the mid to high $20 price point. As an every day Irish whiskey, it’s certainly worth picking up to explore if you’re a fan of the style.

Want to consider some other options? Check out our other Irish Whiskey Reviews!

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey

Posted on March 5, 2021March 1, 2021 by Nick

St. Patrick’s Day is almost upon us again, and to celebrate a bottle of Irish Whiskey seemed in order. As I mentioned in last years discussion of Jameson, Irish Whiskey doesn’t receive a lot of love on our shelf. In fact, other than this time of year, we don’t reach for it, and have a nary a (completed) cocktail that calls for it. A search of the cocktail books at home, there are only a handful Irish Cocktails. Perhaps though, Dubliner Irish Whiskey can change my mind.

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey

Sight: A light, bright, pale gold with hints of yellow.

Smell: The nose is softer, leaning into pome fruits (apples, pears, etc), floral touches, and honey, before picking up a vanilla, rye spice, and hints of ethanol.

Sip: The beginning is like a strange cross between a honey liqueur scotch and a mellow bourbon. There’s a light body here that leans toward some floral notes before shifting full into a semi transparent bourbon / rye flavor.

Savor: The ending is lightly spiced with touches of honey, a hint of vanilla, and a bit of an anesthetizing tendency.

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey is a lighter alternative compared to some other Irish whiskey on the market. The softer notes of honey and spice with touches of vanilla make it inviting, and less brash than Jameson. Some of the spice elements lean into a lighter interpretation of scotch or a faded bourbon. It doesn’t scream anything particular, but it is gentle, soft spoken, and inviting.

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey Overall

Normally I would explain how well The Dubliner works in cocktails, but outside of a Black Thorn (Irish) and Irish Coffee, there’s not a whole lot of immediately notable testing cocktails to go on. That aside, between this and Jameson, I highly recommend trying The Dubliner Irish Whiskey. It’s new, gentler, refined approach might just surprise you.

P.S. Again, I appeal to those Irish Whiskey loving readers – please leave us a recommendation for your favorite Irish Whiskey in the comments.

Jim Beam White Label

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Nick

Every year my family plays white elephant. You may also know this game as Yankee Swap, or in my family, Grab Bag. As we’ve gotten older – it’s become increasingly alcoholic, and has resulted in many bottles I would never have willingly purchased. One year I received a bottle of Cabin Fever Maple Whiskey, one of, amazingly, 3 that had ended up in a White Elephant game of 12 people. It was terrible – like buttered popcorn fell into a vat of maple candy flavoring that was aged in oak. It took me years to use that bottle – baking apples with it, using it in barbecue sauce, or anywhere else I could hide it. Jim Beam White Label isn’t anywhere near as offensive as Cabin Fever Maple Whiskey – it’s definitely not – but it’s also another bottle I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to buy.

Jim Beam

Jim Beam is a whiskey that’s basically synonymous with bourbon. They produce a phenomenal amount of the stuff. It accordingly shows up everywhere from casinos to ballparks to weddings to neighborhood bars. It’s a workhorse and a utilitarian whiskey that can be had for under $20. Now there’s nothing wrong with that – it can still make a serviceable drink.

Sight: An old gold that’s somewhat toward the richer / sherried side.

Smell: Maraschino cherries, sawdust, and peanuts come out at first. Touches of mellowed corn and powder sugar come round with a touch of char. Possibly a little vanilla or caramel or hint of pome fruit.

Sip: The body is thin, and starts relatively smooth. It gradually gets a bit more unrefined throwing more sharp alcoholic edges across the palate. Heavy notes of charred oak, corn, and hints of red cherries come through. The palate actually gives of a little bit of a raw alcohol flavor and touches of spice.

Savor: The ending is slightly astringent and a little sour. The finish has notes of spice and char.

Jim Beam White Label is a budget bourbon, set your expectations accordingly. The palate is neither refined nor complex. The nose is not offensive, but might inspired a notation that it appears to be bourbon in the glass. The finish is, for lack of a better word, present. At under $20 for a 750ml the entire experience is acceptable.

In Cocktails

Does it taste like bourbon? Yes! Jim is by no means bad, but it doesn’t necessarily shave off all it’s edges. In a Manhattan it feels a little aggressive, while in an old-fashioned it leaves a little desire for more complexity. Again, nothing wrong with it, but it could be contributing more.

Jim Beam White Label Overall

Jim Beam White Label is everywhere. You’re unlikely to walk into any average bar and not find it. It’s dependable, theoretically what many people thing bourbon tastes like, and won’t move a drink outside of someone’s perception of reality. It’s also very affordable. For all these reasons, it’s not my recommended bourbon for your shelf, but it’s perfectly acceptable bourbon for fixing a drink.

If you’re looking for something else from Jim to setup to, check out their Bonded offer.

Jim Beam Bonded

Posted on June 18, 2020June 21, 2020 by Nick

Among the most popular brands of bourbon is Jim Beam. Part of the Beam Suntory family of brands – Jim Beam is a standard bearer for the conglomerate. As a result, Jim Beam White is ubiquitous. You’ll see it on planes, in stadiums, weddings; it’s practically everywhere. Most people will at one point or another have an opportunity to have Jim Beam White Label or have unknowingly had it served to them. Beyond Jim Beam White Label, Beam Suntory actually produces a number of premium products including Booker’s, Baker’s, and Knob Creek. Just a step up the ladder from White Label is Jim Beam Bonded.

Bottled in Bond of course means that Jim Beam Bonded is subject to more stringent requirements than ordinary bourbon. Jim Beam White Label is aged 4 years – while Jim Beam Bonded provides no age statement, but must be aged a minimum for a bonded bourbon as well. While there are other differences, the biggest is going to be the proof. Jim Beam Bonded is bottled at 100 proof compared to the standard White Label 80 proof. The higher proof is going to be the result of less cutting of the final product and should result in more richness. Priced in the low $20 range, is it worth paying the upgrade over their ubiquitous white label.

If you need a quick refreshed on how Bottled-In-Bond is different – than check out or review of Rittenhouse Bottled-In-Bond for an overview.

Jim Beam Bonded

Sight: A gorgeous amber brown, bordering into sherry.

Smell: The nose is a little warm at the start thanks to the bonded nature bringing up the proof. Peanuts and brittle come forward, mixing with notes of grain and spice. Subtle caramel and malted milk duds hang out behind the peanuts.

Sip: The start is warm and bright within seconds, and the mouth feel is solid. The primary flavors are roasted peanuts, hints of nougat, and touches of preserved cherry, charred oak, and graham cracker waiting for smores.

Savor: The ending is tannic with a heavy astringency The finish is laced with peanut, charred oak, and graham crackers.

Reddit’s r/bourbon frequently talks about how Beam Suntory products evoke peanuts – something I’ve never tasted in whiskey. Jim Beam Bonded is like a whiskey mashing the peanut button on the whiskey flavor wheel. There are other interesting notes, but it’s clearly not designed for sipping with it’s relative warmth. That said, the strong backbone and reasonable price tag makes this a potential versatile whiskey for crafting cocktails with.

In Cocktails

The flavor of peanuts is truly remarkable here. It’s such a predominate flavor that even when paired with sweet vermouth in a Manhattan, it sticks out like someone added Skrewball. That said, dilution here is bringing in some of the nicer baked cookie notes and a nice toasted brown sugar element.

Jim Beam Bonded Overall

Jim Beam Bonded is thicker and richer thank it’s normal white label counterpart. There’s a price premium here of about $5-10, and there are some nice flavors that are worth buying up to from the normal white label. That said – in the same mid $20 price range there’s some strong competition from others like Bulleit and Elijah Craig. So if you’re a fan of regular Jim, then Jim Beam Bonded is certainly worth it. For those that are fans of other brands should consider if the flavor profile described fits what you’re looking for – and make a decision from there.

Want to read more:

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Nick

Back when I lived in Kentucky, I had fond memories of Jameson during Saint Patrick’s day celebrations. It was smooth, caramel like, and viscous – almost oily. Jameson played some interesting roles in my life at that point, being shots for both celebrating getting a date with a girl I fancied, and also as book ends when I relocated my shoulder myself. So as we looked to stock our home bar, I couldn’t help wondering, is Jameson Irish Whiskey as good as I remember?

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Jameson Irish Whiskey is triple distilled of malt and grain using a pot still. It’s then aged in oak for a minimum of 4 years.

Sight: A moderate deep orange like gold.

Smell: A hint of ethanol laces with a touch of salinity and lightly caramelized sugar. Green apple skin and grain notes run through the background.

Sip: The palate is light to medium, but gets somewhat oily. There’s more burn that might be expected. There are notes of wood and salted caramel, mixing with touches of baked apple, vanilla, and acetate. There’s a touch of astringency to it.

Savor: The ending maintains a bit of astringency and light salinity. There are again bitter alcohol, caramelized sugar, and woodsy notes on the finish.

Jameson is merely acceptable, and I don’t think it’s worth going out of the way to look for. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia of the flavor of victory, but time and an evolving palate have led me to question the endearing love of Jameson shared by so many. Is it bad? No, certainly not, the flavor is a touch unrefined, but thankfully cheap.

Next year, I’ll buy a different Irish whiskey. Until then, please my Irish whiskey drinking friends, chime in with your favorite Irish whiskey.

For more ideas on Jameson:

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Nick

When it comes to bourbon over the past year – there’s been no substitute on our bar for Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon. This no age statement bourbon delivers solid bourbon for a good price. In the mid-$20 price point, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon comes from Heaven Hill Distillery. This same group also makes the wonderful Rittenhouse Rye we covered not to long ago.

Elijah Craig Small Batch has a nose of caramel, dried apricots, pecan, and oak. The palate is woodsy, but reveals baking spices, toffee nut, and more vanilla like oak. Just a hint of burn, a mild finish that layers out with oak, caramel, and spice. While it’s not unbelievably special, it also not unbelievably expensive – and delivers a solid bourbon to make a cocktail with.

So How Does Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Play In Cocktails?

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon shows up – bringing a nice healthy dose of toasted oak and spice box. The rye notes and hints of dried fruits emphasis well with other liqueurs. In a Manhattan, the rye notes and the spice notes in the sweet vermouth work well together, and give a nice bit of spice to the underlying vanilla and caramel flavors. Ultimately, it has a stronger presence than a softer whiskies – like the wheated Weller Special Reserve. This dominance can make it a bit more unruly when crafting new flavors – so balance of sweetness and acidity are more crucial, but the base canvas is pliable.

Final Thoughts

There are fewer and fewer bourbons sitting in the $20-$30 price point, and among them Elijah Craig is quite solid. If you’re looking for a bourbon that’s stereo typically bourbon-esque, then Elijah Craig will easily fit your home bar and serve as a work horse, even in a Glencairns glass or on a giant ice sphere.

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Raw Tasting Notes

Nose of caramel, dried apricots, pecan, oak, and minerality. Woodsy palate, oak, hints of cigar box, and baking spices. With water – it opens up revealing toffeenut, cinnamon, spice, and honey.

Distillery: Elijah Craig Distillery Co. – Kentucky

Website: Elijah Craig on Heaven Hill

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-In-Bond

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Nick

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-In-Bond was one of the first, and most affordable, liquors I was able to purchase after I got seriously into cocktails. This standby staple is a go to in our collection, and from a value for money perspective – it’s not particularly hard to see why. Rittenhouse sparkles with a nutty nose, laced with baked vanilla, warm brown sugar, and hints of esthery banana, baking spices, and cedar box. The palate is a lovely mix of cocoa, black tea, almond extract, pepper, and hints of wood. At 100 proof – it gets a touch hot on the palate, but delivers full flavor in spades.

What Does Bottled-In-Bond mean?

Bottled-In-Bond is connected to the 1897 Bottled-In-Bond Act which was designed to help with the widespread adulteration of liquors. The idea was that the government would be the guarantor of quality – and participants would be a tax advantage. To participate (and be labeled Bonded or Bottled-In-Bond) the following conditions must be met:

Produced in one distilling season (Jan-Jun, Jul-Dec) by one distiller at one distillery.
Aged in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. Government Supervision for at least 4 years.
Bottled at 100 proof (50% A.B.V.)
The label must contain the distillery and where it was bottled.
Must be produced in the United States.

Do Bonded Whiskies Really Taste Better?

It’s a complicated question, and the answer is it depends. Governments have long sought to ensure quality, and the results are decidedly mixed. If you look at the wine world, you’ll see D.O.C., D.O.C.G., I.G.T., A.O.C., V.Q.A., A.V.A, and the list goes on and on. Does it mean the wine is better? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes a region with no standing produces something amazing. What it does do, is provide customers an assurance that spirits and wines produced in these regions meet certain quality requirements.

So How Does Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-In-Bond Play In Cocktails?

Going to the base choice of an Old Fashioned, we compared Rittenhouse to a competitor. The spicy notes came to the forefront and mingled well with the warm sugar and woodsy notes. The body holds up well thanks to the higher proof. When compared head to head, we agreed the Rittenhouse has more depth, and was more inviting thanks to the warm spice notes.

Final Thoughts

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-In-Bond is a sturdy work horse of a rye that delivers a great amount of spice and warmth. At a value proposition typically around $25-30 a bottle, it’s hard to not argue that Rittenhouse deserves a spot in your home bar. This is a must buy.

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-In-Bond Raw Tasting Notes:

A nutty nose – with baked vanilla and warm brown sugar – an esthery banana. There’s a spiciness present as well – hints of more baking spice – cedar box / wood. On the palate it gets warm, black tea – bitter almond / extract – pepper – and cedar come to the forefront. The flesh close to the pit of a peach’s nuttiness.

Distillery: Heaven Hill Distilleries – KY

Website: Heaven Hill – Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-In-Bond