Whiskey Review of Baker's Bourbon - A Jim Beam Small Batch Collection

The Jim Beam Small Batch collection.  We all know it.  We all love it.  I was introduced to this Kentucky fixture as soon as I arrived to Lexington in the late 90s.  There is nothing better for a rookie in the whiskey drinking business than a sample pack of 4 bourbons from a world famous distiller in beautiful packaging!  

There is no need to say this but I am no longer a rookie.  Not only do I drink the brown water with friends, discuss tasting notes with my mom and dad but I also thoroughly enjoy writing about it.  All this “tasting” can sometimes take you away from the standards which enjoy a consistent flavor and a true following of bourbon lovers.  I like to take a step back from the newest-bottles-to-market on occasion and re-visit the classics and marvel at the consistency and beauty of how these whiskies are crafted.  

Today we discuss 25% of the Small Batch Collection – Baker’s.  Named after Baker Beam, the cousin of Booker – the brand’s Master Distiller.  Baker’s remains a standby in the industry while still sporting an age stamp of 7 years and rolling in at a perfect 107 proof.  The mashbill of Baker’s is 73% corn and 13% rye.  

Noted for it’s consistency, smooth & silky texture and full-bodied flavors, Baker’s tastes today as it always has.  On the nose you get strong notes of citrus accented by orange marmalade and lemon.  The aromas quickly lead to hearty flavors of ripe banana and warm buttered bread.  Drinking this bourbon is reminiscent of cracking into a crusty loaf of fresh baked bread straight from the oven. 

The palate develops herbal notes of cardamom and allspice.  As we tasted, we noted flavors of metal (we all taste something different) and a few comments on the smoothness but lacking of the rich flavor of a typical 7 year bourbon. 

Finally, the subtle sweetness of rye, blackberry and black cherry form on the back of the palate leading to a soft, almost mouth numbing finish thanks to the higher proof.  

As you can tell from this article, there are multitudes of flavors at every level of this whiskey- a true mark of a well-crafted spirit.  Each of us found different notes to consider.  This is certainly an easy daily drinker and worth a re-visit if you haven’t had the chance in some time.    

Average Price - $40 - 49.99

http://www.bakersbourbon.com/ 

https://www.beamsuntory.com/brands/bakers 

 

One on One with Kentucky Artisan Distillery and Whiskey Row Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky Artisan Distillers is a small but growing distillery East of Louisville in Crestwood, Kentucky.  Many bourbon heads may know them as the home of Jefferson's Reserve but they also boast a quite tasty offering under the Whiskey Row label.  I had the opportunity to sit down with Jeremy Dever, the Facility Director at Kentucky Artisan to discuss the background, philosophy and future of the spirit.

Four Barrels: First tell us about the bottle.

JD: The label presents a picture of Main Street Louisville around the year 1864.  We are shooting for a nostalgic feel around the times when bourbon started flowing down the Ohio River.

FB: and the story?
JD: Keeping in line with others who are looking back at the heritage of the Kentucky native spirit, the thinking around this bourbon is to show its origins and how it used to be made.  Ships used to travel down the Ohio River and at each stop, additional distillate would be combined with the previous stop.  Eventually, the trip down to Louisiana would allow these whiskeys time to mingle and create a unique product.

FB: Talk about how this bourbon is produced.

JD: The most recent edition of batch 4 is purposely different from each of the previous 3.  This edition is a blend of 3-5 whiskeys sourced from Kentucky distilleries.  Each of those within the blend are 4-7 years old.  This is a 4 grain whiskey - predominantly wheat.

We blend, chill filter and bottle on site in Crestwood.  Each batch is different and is based on a flavor profile sought by owner and Master Blender Steve Thompson (former Brown Foreman Executive).  Each batch is limited to approximately 12-15 barrels and will be differentiated by the color of the bottle neck.  Batch 4 is red.

FB reaction:
The nose is brief but the initial flavor makes up for it.  I found lots of oak, accented by flavors of banana and white chocolate.

This is certainly sipping bourbon.  There is a significant amount of spice on the palate - even though the dominant grain is wheat.  You can taste the age and feel the impact of the wood.
The finish seems about right.  Not at all brief and certainly does not linger on the tongue.
I am certainly glad to see distilleries such as Kentucky Artisan in the Bluegrass.  On a recent trip to the distillery, I was given a tour along with hints about the future of the brand.  They offer multiple samples at the end including a few Jefferson's products.  Definitely worth checking out yourself.

Website:  Kentucky Artisan Distillery

Jeffersons Bourbon 

FOUR SPIRITS FROM BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY AWARDED “BEST OF CATEGORY”

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (June 28, 2016) Four spirits from Buffalo Trace Distillery were awarded “Best of Category” at the 2016 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, including Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey. An additional 12 medals were awarded to spirits from Buffalo Trace Distillery, seven of which were Gold Medals.

These spirits were ranked among 401 spirits that were submitted from a total of 29 countries.

Spirits earning medals include:

Gold Medal

·         Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

·         Eagle Rare Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

·         Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

·         Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

·         Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

·         E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

·         Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream

            Silver Medal

·         Benchmark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

·         Wheatley Vodka

·         Platinum 7X Vodka

·         Rain Cucumber Vodka

            Bronze Medal

·         E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

            The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition was formed in 2007, with an esteemed panel of judges using a blind-tasting method to award medals to the best distilled spirits from around the world.  The award-winning entries will be displayed during the Los Angeles County Fair, Sept. 2 – 25, in “The Wine, Beer & Spirits Marketplace.” 

            Complete results of the 2016 LAIWSC are available at www.laspiritscomp.com

Review of the Highspire Whiskey - Made with Pure Rye

If you are like me, you love a good rye and recent additions to the market have not failed to impress.  From the 110 proof Pikesville from Heaven Hill to the various offerings from Smooth Ambler, there are numerous products on the market to satisfy your taste and price point.  In order to fulfill demand for rye, we are now seeing a multitude of “young” whiskeys on the market.  Initially, I was scared to drop good money on the Willet 2 year product but I am sure glad I did.  I have to say the mellowness and flavor coming out of that bottle is truly impressive.  The Willet 3 year rye has not disappointed either.  In the spirit of appreciation for these under-aged products, we submit this review of Highspire 6 month Rye.  

Coming out of Kentucky Artisan Distilleries in Crestwood, KY, Highspire comes in at 80 proof after being finished in wine barrels from Austin Hope Winery in California for 4 months.  The attractive bottle comes sealed with blue wax.  I must say that once I poured myself a shot, I certainly did not expect as must color to have been extracted from the barrel in the brief time it spent while at-rest.  It had a nice brown hue.  Not nearly as red hued as your typical sipper but still appealing.  Similar to its more-aged brethren, this 100% rye whiskey was extremely floral but with a sharper nose often refined by 4+ years of aging.    

The flavor was immediate.  Reminiscent of a flavor-forward reposado tequila, this whiskey covered the palate with floral and red berry notes.  Due to its youth, the sharp flavor did not evolve or develop throughout the tasting.  It is not overly complex but it definitely suggests that this juice will soon develop into something more refined and flavorful down the line. 

I rarely mix my whiskey but I wanted to see how this rye would interact in a cocktail.  I muddled my first peach of the season, some mint, lime and a bit of sorghum in a mug, poured some Highspire and let it mingle for a few minutes.  I shook the mix with ice and strained into a new iced highball and topped with a splash of soda.  It turned out to be a pretty good cocktail.  The complexity of the sorghum countered the youth of the rye.  The juicy peach complemented the fruit forward notes and the herbal flavor of the mint softened the sharpness of the spirit.

At this level of aging, Highspire is better served within a cocktail to complement its flavor profile.  There certainly are some things to be excited about if this label continues to provide ryes with a bit more age.  Coming in at a price point of approximately $45, they are churning out a decent product now but should soon develop into something special. 

Check out their website - http://www.highspirewhiskey.com/ 

Other sites to visit for additional info -  http://whiskeyrow.com/

Jefferson Reserve Groth Reserve Cask Finish Review

Jefferson's newest submission to the world of bourbon comes from a wine barrel.  This bottling is presented in the traditional Jefferson's Reserve mold with a distinguishing red label sporting all the critical specs.  Groth, a 4-6 year old chill filtered bourbon is mellowed in former cabernet wine casks sourced form California's Groth Family Winery.  The roughly 9 month finishing process in these French oak barrels lends a number of unique characteristics to the spirit.  The color of this sipper has just a hint of the red hued cousin that formerly occupied the barrel. 

The nose is reminiscent of a classic 6 year whiskey with prominent vanilla notes and a nutty aroma. 

On the palate, Groth presents familiar notes of caramel and vanilla.  Coming in at 90.2 proof, the best way to enjoy this tasty beverage is over a few ice cubes which releases a sweet nose and red wine notes.   I have tried Groth a number of different times.  Each round, I find different notes to call out.  Almonds, nectarine, honey, peaches, berries and even toffee. 

Towards the end of the tasting, you really discover the flavors of the wine barrel aging.  There is a dry finish similar to that of a quality cabernet. 

I really enjoyed this unique entry into the bourbon world.  It comes with a price tag around $80 so it is a special occasion drink.   Try it today with a few other bourbon enthusiasts - you will be glad you did.  

http://jeffersonsbourbon.com/