Orphan barrel Collection: Lost Prophet 22 Year

Whiskey Review #28: Orphan barrel Collection: Lost Prophet 22 Year

Category: Boutique 

Price: $125

Availability- Limited Edition, One-off release 

Proof: 90.1- 45.5% ABV

Age: 22 Years

Mashbill: Old George T. Stagg/B.T. #2 high Rye (78% Corn/15% Rye/7% Malted Barley)

Distillery: George T. Stagg Distillery- Frankfort, KY. Aged at Stitzel Weller- Shively, KY





Lost Prophet from Graham Sparkman on Vimeo.

2015 Holiday Episode

2015 Holiday Episode from Graham Sparkman on Vimeo.

Maker's Mark Cask Strength

Whiskey Review #27: Maker's Mark Cask Strength 

Category: Boutique (based on price)

Price: $80

Availability- Year Round/full distribution   

Proof: 111.6- 55.8% ABV

Age: No age statement 

Mashbill: Wheated

Distillery: Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky

Overall: Put simply, this is just a hotter version of the standard product. Because it's uncut, you get slightly more flavor, when compared to the original. As far as I know, it's still charcoal filtered (as all Maker's bourbons are), so, you're getting a very similar mouth-feel, to the original. 

     Flavor notes included: Sweet french toast, maple, brown sugar, vanilla, caramel, mid palate burst of alcohol. The finish tappers off gradually and  evenly, leaving you with traces of the opening notes. I would categorize this one as a sweet/hot bourbon with a moderate mouth feel and finish.

     I would say that Maker's C.S. is actually very similar to the Old Fitz BIB for the following reasons. 1. Both are wheated bourbons. 2. The proof is in the same ballpark range. 3. Both are young (I would estimate in the 3-6 year range). Maker's C.S. offers better overall quality compared to Old Fitz BIB, but the price difference will be a deal breaker for most folks, myself included!! Maker's C.S. hovers around $80 (750mm), while Old Fitz BIB is $19 (one liter). Here lies in the question; Is the slight bump in quality of Makers C.S. worth the extra $60 bucks? I would say absolutely not! But that's just my opinion. 

  Personally, I would much rather see an older version of Maker's, rather than a hotter version. Give me a 12-15 year old Maker's any day over this expression. Now I know that "age aint nothin' but a number", but I think it's safe to say, that in most cases, wheated bourbons age very nicely (If quality parameters are maintained).  The Colonels score is a 6 out of 10.



Maker's Mark Cask Strength from Graham Sparkman on Vimeo.

     If you would like to read about my first encounter with bourbon, click on the following link:

http://straightfromkentucky.blogspot.com/2013/01/we-boys.html

Ezra B. (Brooks) Single Barrel 12 Year

Whiskey Review #26: Ezra Brooks Single Barrel 12 Year

Category: Go-To 

Price: $35

Availability- Year Round  

Proof: 99- 49.5% ABV

Age: 12 Years

Distillery: Haven Hill Bardstown, Kentucky

     When I first started Exquisite Libations, the written portions were quiet long, and the video (episodes) were short, and straight to the point. As E.L. evolved, these two components flipped. Now the videos have become long, and the written portions are often only a few paragraphs. This happened for a few different reasons. 

     Once I covered the historical aspects of the major distilleries/brands/companies, there was no need to repeat this info in future reviews. Also, the purchase of a larger memory card afforded me the ability to shoot longer episodes. More people seemed to be interested in the video sections, therefore it has become the dominate portion of these reviews. It would be redundant to write about things that I end up speaking about on the show. Therefore, I have decided to only include the category information and the overall section for future reviews. If anything, this will help to expedite the reviews.



Ezra B. 12 Year Single Barrel from Graham Sparkman on Vimeo.

     

     Overall: The nose is rye forward with a strong dose of alcohol burn in the nostrils. Sweeter notes are under the pepper. Early in the sip, this bourbon hits you with a ton of flavor. The notes present themselves differently than the nose. These notes included: Sweet corn, English toffee, sweet yams, vanilla and gram crackers. Mid-palate, the viscosity thins out, and the notes simultaneously fall off sharply. The alcohol serves to swallow up everything through evaporation. The further you get away from the initial sip, the further you get away from flavor and balance. As one might imagine, the finish is barley noticeable. The Colonel's score 6.5 out of 10.     

                 

2014 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

Whiskey Review #25: 2014 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

Category: Boutique  

Price: $55

Availability: Annual- Late Summer/Early Fall release 

Proof: 97- 48.5% ABV

Age: 12 Years

Distillery: Brown Forman- Louisville, Kentucky


     Brown Forman is a large, global company. Although it's branches and facillitlies are spread throughout the world, It's headquarters is located in Louisville, Kentucky. They own the following whiskey brands: Jack Daniel's, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Early Times, Collingwood and Canadian Mist. They also have their hand in vodka, tequila and wine. The Old Foresters Distillery is located in Louisville, Kentucky 

    

          Old Foresters bourbon can be fond on most any liquor store shelf. Like many bourbon companies, Old Foresters has a premium line called "Birthday Bourbon". This line pays homage to founder George Garvin Brown. It's released each year on September, 2nd, to commemorate his birthday...thus the name "Birthday Bourbon".

     2014 marks the 13th limited edition release. Many of the 13 releases have received mixed reviews. For example in resent years, 2010 and 2013 were highly praised, while 2011 and 2012 did not even come close in comparison. Personally, I can't speak about any of the former releases, because the 2014 release is the first O.F. Birthday Bourbon that I have tried.

     Joining me for this episode is my good friend Dr. Joel Kilty! Joel has tried the highly praised 2013 release, so he will be able to provide some thoughts regarding comparison.

   

     Overall: This is a very balanced bourbon with notes of baked yeast rolls, vanilla, caramel and oak. The finish leaves you with a mixture of sweet-wood, and a wet-mossy, old-earth minerality. I love bourbons in this age and proof category! Dr. Kilty and the Colonel's score: 8.5 out of 10.

            

     
   

Elijah Craig 12 Year Small Batch

Whiskey Review #24: Elijah Craig 12 Year Small Batch


Category: Go-to


Price: $25


Availability: Year round, everywhere 


Proof: 94 - 47% ABV


Age: 12 Years


Distillery:Heaven Hill, Bardstown, Kentucky



     It's common for at least one of my children to be up in the middle of the night. The six-year old has a nightmare, the two-year old has a head-cold, the newborn is up every two hours breastfeeding...you get the picture. On average, my sleep is thin, at best.

     This thin state of sleep often produces a strange world that lies somewhere between consciousnesses and unconsciousness. It's during these moments that I have experienced lucid dreams. In most circumstances, whatever I go to sleep thinking about, ends up in my dream world. On several occasions, I have dreamed about a forthcoming episode of the show.

     What you're about to see is a close representation of one of these dreams. Sometimes I wonder if this episode materialized straight from my subconscious mind.

     

     Overall: The Elijah Craig 12 year is on my top five favorite "go-to" list. That's saying a lot, because there are many go-to bourbons that I like, that never make the list. If I could pick one word to describe this bourbon, it would be rustic. The undeniable dominate note throughout the sip is oak. This is a big, bold, oak driven bourbon, and I like it for what it is! The classic, common bourbon notes of sweet maple, vanilla and cinnamon are beneath the wood. Search the shelves and let me know when you find a bourbon that's this old, at this price. The Elijah 12 has gained the benefit of having spent extra time in the wood, without the negative effect of becoming over oaked.  It's also great in cocktails! The Colonel's score: 7 out of 10.  

          

     



    

2014 William Larue Weller: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

Whiskey Review #23: 2014 William Larue Weller: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection


Category: Boutique 


Price: $90


Availability: Anual Fall Release 


Proof: 140.2- 70.1% ABV


Age: 12 Years and 3 months


Mashbill: Wheated Bourbon


Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky




     In 2012, when my son Kazmir was born, I celebrated by opening a bottle of Van Winkle's "Pappy" 20 Year Old, Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Latter I would go on to review that product, giving it a score of 10 out of 10. In the history of the show, I have only given that score to one other bourbon, that being the 2013, Four Roses, Limited Edition, Small Batch.


     We at Sparkman Manor are celebrating another addition to the Colonel's Clan. My son Ambrose was born on March 27th, 2015. I wanted to open something extra special to celebrate our new arrival. After scanning the pantry and creating a short list, I eventually narrowed it down to the 2014, William Larue Weller, KY Straight Bourbon. This bourbon is truly in the top tier of bourbons, period! 


    Each year in the fall, Buffalo Trace Distillery releases their "Antique Collection". This collection contains five whiskeys: 1. George T. Stagg, 2. William Larue Weller, 3. Sazarac Rye Whiskey, 4. Thomas Handy Rye Whiskey, 5. Eagle Rare 17 Year Old. This collection is considered to be among the creme dela creme of limited release whiskies. If you would like to read more on the history of William Larue Weller, or the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, you can read my reviews on George T. Stagg, and W.L. Weller 12 year. To eliminate redundancy, I will not restate that information in this review.


     Just for clarification, the William Larue Weller Antique is not to be confused with the other Weller products, produced by Buffalo Trace (ex. Weller 107 Antique and W.L. Weller 12 year).


     The only other Antique Collection that I have reviewed was the 2013 George T. Stagg. I gave it a 9 out of 10! I have long anticipated this review, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how the William Larue Weller stacks up against other premium whiskeys. But first, lets have a look at its specifications.


     The 2014 W.L.W. went into Distillation in the Spring of 2002. It was bottled in the Fall of 2014at 140.2 proof, making it the highest proof release in W.L.W's history! Its recipe contains Kentucky Corn, North Dakota wheat, and North Dakota malted barley. The water used in this product is Kentucky limestone water, treated with reverse osmosis. It was aged on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th floors of warehouses D,K and L on the Buffalo Trace property. The angels took 62.3% (lost to evaporation) of the original bourbon . Only 39 barrels were hand picked for the 2014 release.



     In a nutshell, this is a 12-year-old wheated bourbon at a "knock your socks off" 140.2 barrel proof- uncut/unfiltered!! The big question here is will the heat overshadow the delicate flavor notes of the wheated mashbill? There's only one way to find out...lets tear into this thing!!




William L. Weller 2014 Antique Collection from Graham Sparkman on Vimeo.



     Overall: This is truly a special bourbon! I would put it right up there with some of the greatest bourbons that I've tasted! Search the world of whiskeys....You would be hard pressed to find a more intense, flavorful bourbon!



     First of all, I assure you that the proof is not a novelty/gimmick. Despite being very hot, it is extremely well integrated with the larger body of flavors. The 2014 Weller is perhaps the most cinnamon/clove-spice forward bourbon that I've tasted. Other notes include, smokey leather, cinnamon rolls, dark chocolate and sticky sweet sorghum. The mouth-feel is much like the 2013 George T. Stagg, in that it is lush and oily. A little water helps to suppress the beastly proof, while bringing out those softer, sweeter wheated notes of caramel, vanilla and maple. In summary, this is a big, bold, spicy wheated bourbon that is sure to leave you with a smile on your face! Colonel's score: 9 out of 10!