WhistlePig Boss Hog: The Independent

The third edition of WhistlePig Boss Hog: The Independent, hit shelves summer of 2016. As with all Boss Hog releases, it's extremely limited, and the price reflects its scarcity. The Independent is the first rye whiskey ever finished in Hogshead barrels. These things are huge, 250 liter scotch casks refitted with American oak heads; guaranteed to lend characteristics of Scotch not found with previous releases. 

Details:

-Proof: 120.1

-100% rye 

-Age: 14 years

-Price: $299

-From Barrel #8 of 30

Nose: Warm and enticing with initial waves of deep spice, pine trees, and tobacco. It's well balanced with a slight sweetness, a mixture of vanilla and caramel. 

Taste: Upfront is this delicious mint with a refreshing blast of tea leaves. It's incredibly spicy, with rye, black pepper, cinnamon, and oak. The mouth-feel is thick, with a unique and pungent smoke.

 

Finish: Warm and mouthwatering. The spice and smoky notes fade slowly into tobacco and oak.

Conclusion: This is a fantastic whiskey! The finish with the Hogshead barrel adds a subtle Scotch smoke which provide  additional layers of flavor. I don't enjoy spending an exorbitant amount on a single bottle, but for Boss Hog: The Independent, I suggest you treat yourself.

Rating: A (Great!)

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Lagavulin 16 Single Malt Scotch

I’m usually behind the curve as it relates to pop culture. I recently finished watching Parks and Recreation, an American political comedy which aired from 2009-2015 on NBC. It’s a great show with a variety of captivating personalities.  One of my favorites, Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), embodies a burly man in local government- he loves breakfast, privacy, and whisky. Lagavulin 16 is his drink of choice, so much so that he keeps a bottle under his office desk. He is a frequent drinker and is often sharing a dram among coworkers. I don’t have much experience with Scotch, but after Nick did an AMA (ask me anything) on Reddit a while back, citing he drinks Lavagulin in his personal life, I wanted to give it a try.  

Details

-Port Ellen, Isle of Islay

-86 proof

-Aged 16 years
-Price: $79

Nose: A heavy wood smoke embraces you immediately. Caramel candies and dried fruits float from the glass, and are followed by lighter notes of leather and tobacco.

Taste: Pungent and smoky. The mouthful is thick with flavors of peat, caramel, orange glaze, and crisp sea salt.

Finish: Medium in length with a crisp, bonfire smokiness.

Conclusion: The Lavagulin Distillery is located on the coast of the small Scottish island Islay [eye-la].  Aging the barrels there provides the whisky with intense flavors of crisp salt and a peaty smoke. While this is incredibly different from bourbon, it’s always nice to step outside ones comfort zone. As the great Ron Swanson once said, "put some alcohol in your mouth, to block the words from coming out".

My Rating:  B+ (Very Good)

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Evan Williams 12 Year Bourbon

If you have never experienced the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,  start planning and be prepared to treat yourself. From Maker's Mark in Loretto, Woodford Reserve in Versailles, Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, to Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, it's a beautiful and historical trip that all whiskey fans should experience at least once. With a bit of luck, you may find a few limited, special, or gift shop only bourbons for the taking along the way. Today we are drinking one of those bourbons. 

Evan Williams is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, KY. During my first trip to Heaven Hill, our tour guide had us spend about 35 minutes inside a rickhouse, sharing stories and soaking up all the 'angels share'- it was fantastic. This particular bottle is only available at the Evan Williams Experience in Louisville (though it is also released abroad in Japan).

Details

-101 proof

-Aged 12 years
-Price: $129

Nose: Sweet corn with a predominately nutty bouquet. Peanut brittle, caramel, and chocolate, reminiscent of a 100 Grand candy bar. Slight spice notes and toasted oak shape a warm, rich aroma.

Taste: Very chewy mouthfeel with a peanut brittle dominate profile. Caramel popcorn, fudge, and spice are present, however more subtle. There is slight spice and subtle oak.

Finish: Medium in length with peanuts, spice, and toasted oak.

Conclusion: It's safe to say this is the most flavorful favorite Evan Williams expression. The higher proof and additional age add to the overall complexity and flavor not found in Evan Williams single barrels. At $129 and limited availability, your paying for exclusivity- it is indubitably a souvenir bourbon. 

My Rating:  B (Good)

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Full Proof 1792 Bourbon

Full Proof is one of five, limited expressions distilled by the Barton 1792 Distillery. Aptly named, Full Proof boasts a rich, full flavored profile. In addition to being bottled at its original entry proof, it was produced using a distinct filtering process- the chill filtration was bypassed so the bourbon passed only through a plate and frame filter.

The other limited expressions from Barton 1792 Distillery include: Sweet Wheat, Port Finish, High Rye, and Single Barrel- all unique in their own right. A few years ago, 1792 only produced small batch bourbon. It’s been a treat getting to taste these experimental, unique whiskeys, and I look forward to future expressions.

Details

125 proof (entry proof)

No age statement

Price: $45

Nose: Caramel and vanilla sweetness hide under a layer of alcohol. Dark roasted coffee, dill, rye spice, and smoke combine to revitalize a seemingly rich bouquet.

Taste: Robust and hot. A sweet entry with sugar and chocolate candies weaken the sharpness of the initial heat. Coffee beans, rye spice, and a deep smoky flavor assist in the balance of the profile.  

Finish: Bold with a hot and warming rye spice.

Conclusion: I love high proof bourbon, but Full Proof contains a powerful heat that leaves me feeling conquered. The flavors are bold, the profile is balanced, but its sharp instead of smooth. I never thought I’d say it, but I’m going to add a few drops of water going forward. It comes with a reasonable price tag, so I recommend you give it a try for yourself!

My Rating:  B (Good)

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Wild Turkey Master's Keep: Decades

In 2015 Wild Turkey created Master’s Keep, a high end and limited edition bourbon. These barrels were hand-picked by Master Distiller Eddie Russell after aging for 17 years. Master's Keep is the oldest whiskey Wild Turkey has released to date. As expensive as it was intriguing, I decided not to buy a bottle as it was only 86 proof; I happily turned my head and focused on something else. 

Fast forward to Spring 2017, Master’s Keep Decades is the second premium bourbon released from Wild Turkey. The 10- 20 year-old barrels selected for Decades (also hand-picked by Eddie Russell), represent “the very best of two decades of bourbon making”. Bottled at 104 proof, this was bourbon I was excited to get my hands on! 

Details

-Blend of bourbons aged between 10 and 20 years

-104 proof
-Price: $149

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, oak, and smoke- very vibrant and inviting.

Taste: Layers of sweetness, with milk chocolate, butterscotch, and caramel candies. Dried fruits, such as raisins and apricot add depth to the mid-palate; this is well-balanced bourbon.  The mouth feel is thick. The legs of the bourbon run slow on my glass and are noticeably wide. A backbone of smoke and toasted oak keeps the sweetness in check.  

Finish: Long with a bright sweetness that dims into a dry, mouthwatering oak.

Conclusion: The mingling of these younger and older barrels was executed very well. It’s vibrant bourbon with deep character. Master’s Keep Decades has exceeded expectations in regards to flavor profile, but I’m not happy with the price tag. Overall, this is a very good, one time purchase for any bourbon enthusiast, but if the phrase “limited edition” doesn’t create jubilant fireworks in your head, I can’t justify spending $150 on this one.

My Rating:  B+ (Very Good)

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