Bargain Bourbon

Today I am reviewing Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, one of the original wheated bourbons.  When most people think of an easy-drinking (smooth) bourbon, Rebel Yell comes to mind.  Like many wheated bourbons, Rebel Yell can trace its roots to the old Stitzel-Weller distillery.  Nowadays, Rebel Yell is distilled and aged at Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky (even though the bottle claims it is distilled and aged by the fictitious “Rebel Yell Distillery”).  The whiskey is then bottled by Luxco, a beverage supplier that provides Ezra Brooks and Rebel Reserve.  Rebel Yell is bottled at 80 proof (40% abv) with no age statement.

In the glass, Rebel Yell is a beautiful pale gold color.  The nose is very light and sweet, offering baked apples, honey, and vanilla.  The palate is light, with ripe gala apples, honey, some caramel, and vanilla.  The sweetness is delicious.  The finish is rather short, with only some apples and honey hanging on.

Overall, Rebel Yell is a peculiar whiskey for me.  It is not complex at all, but it is downright delicious.  I love the way it tastes and smells, but it does not last for that long, and there is not much complexity to it.  It is sweet all the way through, so if you like that flavor profile, you might enjoy Rebel Yell.  Honestly, there are times when I am drinking Rebel Yell that I think I am drinking an Irish whiskey; it borders on that type of light, ripe fruitiness.  As such, this might be an easy bourbon to get a non-whiskey drinker interested in whiskey.  My grade: C.  Price: $15-20/750ml.  At the price point, I think Rebel Yell is hard to beat for an everyday pour, but it is far from the best that the world of wheated bourbons has to offer.

Sorry for my hiatus folks, but I was busy becoming a Master of Theological Studies.  This, of course, means that I was drinking more and reviewing less, which I am hoping to remedy over the next few weeks (the reviewing, I mean).  Today’s review is of The Balvenie 12 year DoubleWood, a single malt Scotch from the Speyside valley.  The DoubleWood label refers to the fact that all the whisky has been aged primarily in American oak, and then transferred to first-fill Sherry casks before bottling.  The Balvenie has an extensive range of whiskies, many of them finished in various other barrels (the 21 year Portwood is my favorite of the editions I have tried), and The Balvenie has recently won a lot of accolades for their Tun 1401 collection.  However, like most distilleries, The Balvenie still makes their money off their flagship whisky, the 12 year old DoubleWood.  It is bottled at 86 proof (43% abv).

On the nose, this whisky is mostly sweet.  There are notes of honey, sweet malt, rum raisins, spiced pecans, and toasted wood.  The palate is medium-bodied, smooth, and sweet.  There is a nice balance of malt, oak, and a wee bit of peat.  The finish leaves a bit of oaked spiciness, but it is a rather short finish.

Overall, I wish the finish would last longer, but this is a fine whisky.  It is a great example of what a little bit of sherry influence can do with a light Speyside malt.  It is a short, sweet, well-put together Scotch whisky.  My grade: B-.  Price: $50-60/750ml.  This is a good, solid single malt, but I do think there are better whiskies at lower prices, especially if you are looking for a simple, light Speysider.

Today, I am reviewing Old Overholt Rye, one of the oldest whiskey brands in the U.S.  According to the bottle, the company began in 1810 outside of Pittsburgh.  Nowadays, Old Overholt is owned by and distilled at Jim Beam in Kentucky.  Old Overholt is a straight rye whiskey, bottled at 80 proof (40% abv).  There is no age statement on the bottle, but my guess is that Old Overholt is around 3-4 years old.  I’ve had a number of requests for a review of Old Overholt, and a gentleman at the bar last week was telling me how it was his favorite American whiskey, inspiring me to grab a bottle of Old Overholt.

Old Overholt is a medium gold color.  The nose reminds me a lot of other Jim Beam rye whiskeys I have tried (Jim Beam Yellow, Knob Creek Rye).  There are notes of honey, eucalyptus, tea leaves, and some nutmeg.  The nose is light and soft, but still nice and complex.  The palate is light and herbal.  That eucalyptus note is still there with some nice black tea.  There is a light spiciness to the palate as well, like wood shavings or spiced nuts.  The finish is medium-short, with a hearty dose of rye and nutmeg.  There is a little bit of oak mixed in as well.

Overall, I am a fan of Old Overholt.  It is a great, easy-drinking rye whiskey with enough complexity to make it a fun drink.  It tastes good, and it stands well in most cocktails.  Most importantly, Old Overholt is very reasonably priced.  Even in Boston, Old Overholt is rarely over $20 a bottle.  The value in this bottle is fantastic.  My grade: C/C+.  Price: $15-20/750ml.  Old Overholt is a fine example of rye whiskey, a great introduction to the style at a great price.

p.s. This review is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.  An attack like the bombing at the Boston Marathon is carried out in order to sever relationships.  Whiskey (when enjoyed properly and responsibly) is about building relationships and enjoying life and the people who bring joy.  Please join me in fighting injustice with love, relationships, and good whiskey.  Let it ride!

So, before I start getting angry emails, I realize that some folks might think I am an “expert,” so I am saying you should not trust me.  Well, I am not a whiskey expert, only an avid drinker and blogger.  Also, you should not trust me just because I have a blog, similar to the way you should not trust Jim Murray just because he writes a Whisky Bible.  Take all us whiskey yappers with a grain of salt, and trust your own palate.

In Jim Murray’s 2013 edition of his Whisky Bible, he said he thought the 2012 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was the best whiskey in the world for the previous year.  His runner-up vote went to William Larue Weller, a barrel-strength wheated bourbon also from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.  This is the first year that I have actually gotten a bottle of Jim Murray’s Whisky of the Year, so I was pretty excited.  I got to try three different whiskeys from Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection, which was also exciting for me.  For me, out of the 2012 editions of the Sazerac 18, the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac, and the William Larue Weller, my favorite was the Saz 18.  Both the Weller and the Handy were both very good, but I thought the Sazerac 18 was the deepest and most complete whiskey.  It leapt out of the glass, and different layers to its spices and sweetness.  In addition, there are Scotches that I can think of that I thought could have won out over the Sazerac 18.  I have not tried all the whiskeys that Jim Murray has, but I do think there were finer whiskeys released in 2012 than the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac.

My point in writing this article is not to call out Jim Murray for being wrong about the best whiskey in the world.  Jim Murray has his own palate, just as I have mine, and you have yours.  Therefore, if Mr. Murray thought the best whiskey in 2012 was the Thomas. H. Handy, then he is well right in his own mind with his own senses.  I disagree with him on this point, just I some of y’all have disagreed with me about my favorite whiskeys.  Be careful not to take blogs and whiskey reviews as the all-knowing authority on whiskey.  My point is that we shouldn’t all go out and buy a bottle of something just because you hear one person (even an “expert”) tell you it’s the best whiskey in the world (if ten experts say so, it might be worth the investment).  Taste the whiskey for yourself, and see what you like.  There are no right or wrong answers in tasting whiskey, just how much we love the various whiskeys we have the privilege to encounter.  Few things permit the indulgence of subjectivity like whiskey, so appease your own palate and let it ride!

http://www.bullyboydistillers.com/

Today, I am reviewing Bully Boy’s White Whiskey (Batch 44).  A few weeks ago, I reviewed Bully Boy American Straight Whiskey, and I rather enjoyed it.  Today, I am reviewing Bully Boy’s juice right off the still.  However, unlike many distilleries, Bully Boy does not use the same mash bill for their white whiskey as they do in their aged product.  The American Straight Whiskey is 45% corn, 45% rye, and 10% malted barley, whereas the White Whiskey is 100% wheat.  In addition, the American Straight Whiskey is bottle at 84 proof (42% abv), and the White Whiskey is bottled at the standard 80 proof (40% abv).

According to Will and Dave from Bully Boy, they chose wheat as their grain of choice for their white whiskey because of the softness of wheat on the palate.  As a fresh spirit, wheat has more drinkability than corn and more sweetness than rye or barley.  Down at Bully Boy, they have experimented with aging some of their 100% wheat whiskey, but thus far the results have not been as good as their clear spirit or their American Straight Whiskey.  So, for the time being, Bully Boy will probably be sticking with their wheat recipe for their white whiskey and their corn/rye/barley recipe for their aged product.  It is refreshing to see a micro-distillery trying new things and not bottling those experiments if they don’t come out well.  Too many distilleries nowadays are just bottling all the whiskey they can make, and it is insulting to the product, the process, and the consumer.  Bully Boy is doing it right.  Special thanks to Will and Dave for the bottle!

On the nose, this whiskey reminds me of a tequila nose.  There is a big, sweet agave note, with some hints of wildflowers, grass, brazil nuts, and walnuts.  The palate is very clean.  That agave notes keeps hanging around with some nice honey, sour apple, grapefruit, and banana cream.  There is also some black licorice, cranberry, and bubble gum.  The finish is short (common in white whiskeys), but sweet (agave and bananas).  With water, those sour fruits work their way to the fore a little more.

Overall, this is a very good white whiskey.  Generally, white whiskeys are not my favorite because they tend to be harsh and not very drinkable.  However, this one is a fine example of what a little innovation can do.  The 100% wheat mash bill is a brilliant idea, and it leads to a nice, sweet, soft whiskey.  For a white whiskey, this one is a very enjoyable whiskey straight up, but it is a wonderful mixer.  I had some folks over to my place a few weeks ago, and the cocktail ideas were flowing well.  The drinkability of this whiskey makes it a brilliant base for any mixed drink.  My Grade: C.  Price: $30-35/750ml.  This is the highest grade I have ever given a white whiskey in my whiskey journal at home, so Bully Boy has a good thing going on here.  Don’t be afraid of the white stuff, and let it ride!

Here are the bottles in the Bargain Bourbon cabinet as of April Fool’s Day (this is not a trick).

American:

Bully Boy White Whiskey – This is a 100% wheat whiskey that is bottled prior to being aged in a barrel.  This is a very different whiskey experience, and a whiskey that is phenomenal as a cocktail pour.

Bourbon:

1792 Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Select – This is a fine bourbon.  There isn’t a lot that leaps out for me, but there is nothing especially off-putting, either.

Angel’s Envy (unopened) – It is starting to warm up, so it might be time to crack this one soon.

Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch (unopened) – My good buddy, William, over at A Dram Good Time hooked me up with a bottle of this juice, and I am stoked to try it.

Rebel Yell (unopened) – I know I promised to review this one soon, so I’ll get on that.

William Larue Weller – I should have a post on my thoughts about this year’s Antique Collection in the next few weeks or so.

Rye:

Old Overholt (unopened) – Not sure when I’ll get to this one, but hopefully it won’t be too long.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac – I finally opened this one up, and I am definitely a fan.

Scotch:

Bowmore Legend – A fine, young Islay whisky.  Not my favorite Islay, but a wonderful dram to have around at the price point.

As always, let me know if there are other whiskeys y’all want to see reviewed on the site.

Today, I am reviewing 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Select bourbon.  This is a rye-forward bourbon from the Old Barton Distillery, bottled by Sazerac/Buffalo Trace.  The bourbon is ripened in the barrel 8 years and bottled at 93.7 proof (46.85% abv).  I have had a number of folks ask me about this one, so I am glad that I finally got my hands on a bottle (which is a good looking bottle, too).  Unfortunately, this stuff isn’t so easy to find in Boston, but I was able to find a bottle at a price I liked, so here we are.  Also, if you are wondering, 1792 pays homage to the year that Kentucky gained its statehood.  As such, 1792 Ridgemont Reserve is considered the official toasting bourbon at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

On the nose, 1792 reminds me of fresh sawdust.  There is some cinnamon spice, but it is overlayed with a wonderful woodiness to the nose.  However, I have found that a medicinal cherry note (literally cherry-flavored Tylenol) has become pronounced as I’ve worked through the bottle.  The palate is pure Kentucky.  There is vanilla, oak, some tannins, a bit of cinnamon spice, and some more of that cherry stuff.  The finish is medium-length, but well done.  There are notes of coconut milk, maraschino cherries, spiced black tea, and vanilla.  Despite its moderate proof point, 1792 Ridgemont Reserve does its best with a few drops of water.  The nose becomes softer and fruitier, with notes of red licorice, absinthe, raisins, and some soft rye.  The palate gets a bit thinner, and the finish is shorter, but the water does ramp up some of the rye notes that make for an ever-changing experience.  However, that tannic bite does not really ever go away, nor does that damn cherry syrup note (which some folks love in bourbon, but I am not a big fan of when it becomes too predominant).

Overall, Ridgemont Reserve is a solid bourbon.  It is a little loose around the edges, but it presents a lot of flavors I like in bourbon.  This is a well-built everyday pour, but for me, it does not extend much beyond that.  My grade: C+.  Price: $20-25/750ml.  At its price point, 1792 Ridgemont Reserve does very well, and it is a fine deal for an 8 year old bourbon.  Try some for yourself and let it ride!