The Mile High Bourbon Club - Review of the Breckenridge Bourbon

With the overly growing demand and popularity of bourbon today, many new distilleries (micro distilleries) are popping up throughout the United States.  As we see these new producers of fine American whiskey, we also see new recipes, and methods of making bourbon. One particular distillery, which is located 9,600 ft above sea level, is the Breckenridge Distillery Company, Breckenridge, CO.  

At first look, the bottle itself is very attractive.  From a marketing standpoint, this is very important because with so many whiskeys on the market today, consumers will sometimes try a new bourbon solely on the looks alone.  There bottle labels the age even though it's below 8 years unlike most companies which do not.   Breckenridge is not afraid of letting their buyers know this.  In fact they stand behind it, knowing that such a young bourbon brings a solid punch. Next, there is a beautiful etching of the Colorado Mountains on the backside of the bottle.  Granted, looks are not everything but it can sway the consumer's decision sometimes on whether or not to buy. 

Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey uses a high-rye mash bill, (56% Yellow Corn, 38% Green Rye, 6% un-malted barley) mixed with Rocky Mountain snowmelt in a traditional open-top Scottish fermenter and then distilled using a Vendome copper pot still.  It’s then aged in new American Oak barrels for 2 to 3 years.  For such a young bourbon you would think it would have a high scent of alcohol and little to no flavor.  In this case, you would be wrong.  The bourbon reveals a unique flavor and finish. 

So what makes this bourbon so unique and worth spending upwards to $50 dollars a bottle on a 3 to 4 year old bourbon?  I believe it to be the snowmelt water used to cut the proof.  For me, before there was bourbon there was coffee.  My pallet was refined by good coffee and what made a good coffee.  One of the biggest issues is the use of purified water or exotic water.  Water is the source of life, and the Rocky Mountains have given this bourbon a life of its own.  I fully believe the snowmelt water is what gives it an incredible smooth taste and not the bite that those would think young bourbon would give.   

There are types of bourbon for many bourbons for many occasions and the Breckenridge Bourbon is a not too overly complex or too heavy, but simply a great smooth sipping whiskey.

Awards so far:

Received one of only three gold medals awarded at the 2011 International Wine and Spirits Competition in the United Kingdom.

First Sip:	Very smooth with Oak of course, Caramel and Vanilla.  The rye helps give it strength with it being cut so thin.
Suggested way to Drink:	I highly recommend drinking this neat.  The key ingredient in this bourbon is the mountain top snowmelt water.  Adding any additional water will completely change the taste and with the ABV only being 45% it does not need to be cut any more.
Price:	Average retail price in retail stores, $40 - $50
Website:	Breckenridge Distillery Company

The Four Barrels Final Rating: 4 out of 5 barrels

You have to be young to be in the mile high club and aged at 2-3 years, Breck bourbon does it right.

Experience the NEAT - Review of the the Ultimate Spirits Glass

What makes a glass an ultimate glass?  Is it the design?  It's purity and omission of lead and other elements removed during it's creation? Or simple a combination of everything. The Neat glass has all these features and takes it a sip further.

To call oneself, "The Ultimate Spirits Glass", you better be able to back it up.  After reviewing the neat glass and learning all about the science behind it from their website, I believe they just might have the right to call themselves the Ultimate Spirits Glass.

The Neat glass sets its self from the rest through design and purpose.  Unlike other glasses, the Neat glass was made with functionality in mind so that one can fully experience the aromas and flavors their choice of drink has to offer.

The two bourbons that were chosen for our review was Angles Envy Rye and the Four Roses OBSV.  Both spirits contain a great deal of flavor and amazing fruity notes from simply just removing the cork.  Once we started using the neat glass, per their instructions, it was like using a magical key that unlocked a door of hidden aromas we had never experienced before in the whiskey.  While sipping, we noticed that the bourbons aromas were more inviting and distinct.  Each ingredient was distinguished from one another.  I would like to make note here that before we used the Neat glass, we read their instructions on how to properly use it.  This is a big deal.  They want the user to understand and learn how to fully utilize the glass and get the most fulfillment from their spirit.  On that note, their information and scientific process would make most peoples head spin, but without it I don't think they would arrive to where they are now.  If you have time and want to learn a great deal of the science behind the neat glass, see their Nosing Science page on their webpage.

The glass it's self is very elegant and appealing.  It fits nicely in ones hand and does not take up a great deal of space.  This is a true sipping glass, made to fully review and enjoy what each type of bourbon has to offer.  Personally, I would not use this as my everyday glass, but one specifically to taste new bourbons and compare among others.

Any bourbon whiskey reviewer, aficionado, or simply one who loves good bourbon, needs to have the Neat glass on their shelve.    

    





Their Web Site:  The Neat Glass

Price per glass:  $19.95 price break as you purchase more

  - Good things come at a price -  Enjoy your bourbon the way it was made to be -