News Release - Angel's Envy Opens Doors to Their Full Production Distillery

ANGEL'S ENVY™ PUBLICLY UNVEILS FIRST

FULL-PRODUCTION DISTILLERY AND VISITOR CENTER

IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Reservations for Guided Tours Now Being Accepted Online

 

Louisville, Kentucky (November 16, 2016) - Angel's Envy™, the super-premium Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey of uncompromising character and quality, will officially open its new distillery and visitor center to the public for guided tours beginning Saturday, November 19. Online reservations, which are required, are now being accepted at www.angelsenvy.com. Admission is $15 per person and includes a tasting.

 

Located at 500 E. Main Street at Jackson, (the former Vermont American and Baer Fabrics Warehouse), the new state-of-the-art facility is the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville. Having completed a $27 million renovation since breaking ground in 2013, the brand home center houses the Angel’s Envy distillery operations (including everything from milling of grains to blending and bottling on site), as well as a visitor center and gift shop. From the exterior walls to the vaulted ceilings and arched windows, their architects worked diligently to preserve every possible feature of the original building. Their breathtaking, one-of-a-kind 35-foot-tall column still, pot still and doubler were sourced locally from Vendome Copper & Brass Works—just four blocks away. 

 

The small batch artisan bourbon is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson's storied career. Each of the brand’s three current expressions (flagship Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Port Wine Barrels, Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks), exhibit his passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms by producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

 

“Opening the Angel’s Envy distillery and visitor’s center in downtown Louisville was a dream Dad (Lincoln Henderson) and I had,” said Wes Henderson, Co-founder/Chief Innovation Officer, Louisville Distilling Company. “He would be so proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. My sons and I proudly carry on his legacy. The distillery is a must-see experience.”

“We are delighted that Angel’s Envy chose downtown Louisville for its new distillery and visitor center,” said Louisville Mayor, Greg Fischer. “It is evident that Angel’s Envy is not only committed to quality craftsmanship, but also the greater Louisville community.”

The Angel’s Envy distillery and visitor center will be open for tours every Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm, and every Sunday, from 1:00 – 5:00pm. Tours will not be available on Tuesdays.

 

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy).

 

The ANGEL’S ENVY™ brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

 

Angel’s Envy™ is a proud member of the Kentucky Distiller’s Association (KDA)

 

Angel’s Envy™ 2016. Heaven Can Wait. Please Drink Responsibly.

Never Tamed - Review of the Wild Turkey 101 Rye

Wild Turkey Rye 101

Years ago this whiskey could easily be found on many store shelves. Originally released in small quantities to retailers in 2012, it was easily obtainable to the rye lovers.   The following year it returned to the market but to limited on premise accounts in 21 markets across the country, mainly bars and restaurants.  During that time, the sudden boom in popularity in bourbon and whiskey, it made it harder to find a bottle. Like the label states, 101 Proof, this whiskey has come back strong. This delicious rye has now been re-released to the general public and become a bit more plentiful to meet the demand of the whiskey enthusiasts.  The first time I had the privilege to sample this smooth rye was at a nearby Lexington bourbon bar that I often visit.  After tasting this high proof rye, I quickly started my search to found my own.  It took some time but my hunt was over and I quickly snatched up the first bottle I could find.

The nose of this spirit is quite deceptive.  Not as fruity and fragrant as many ryes as one would expect.  I anticipated to get floral notes but instead got a nose of lightly sweet caramel.   

The front of the palate was incredibly smooth.  Quite surprising for a rye at this proof.  Tropical fruits reminiscent of coconut and banana extend to a buttery smooth mid-palate.

The finish sneaks up very quickly with characteristic rye spice.  The finish is pleasant with only a slight burn.  

The whiskey lingers on the palate for some time with a long peppery sense with only a hint of the oak in which it was aged. 

Although it has no age stamp, based on the flavor profiles, I estimate that this is roughly a 6-8 year product.  Coming in 1 liter bottles for roughly $40 – this is a great example of a delicious rye whiskey.   

Wild Turkey Bourbon 

Wild Turkey Facebook 

Review of Kentucky Owl Bourbon - The Wise Mans Bourbon

 An old Distillery that once flourished back in 1879 located in heart of Kentucky, has recently resurrected.  Kentucky Owl Bourbon Whiskey has made itself known once again.

The history of Kentucky Owl dates back to 1879 in North Mercer County, in a community called Oregon, just off the banks of the Kentucky River.  The bourbon was originally called Kentucky Owl Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey, "The Wise Man's Whiskey."  Created by the late Charles Mortimer Dedman and his son, Thomas Curry Dedman, Sr, they aged and distilled Kentucky bourbon.  The Distillery was in production up to 1916, until the government enacted prohibition and ordered them to cease production of their whiskey.  The remaining barrels were taken then transported to Frankfort and put away in "Government Warehouse".  Soon after the government seized the barrels, and did not allow Dedman to purchase any type of insurance, the government warehouses mysteriously burned to the ground.  

Only until a few years ago when the fifth generation family member, Samuel Dixon Dedman, who currently serves as the Innkeeper of the family business of the Beaumont Inn, ran into a fellow Innkeeper by the name of Mark Carter during a convention being held in Austin, Texas.  As they started sharing stories, they started having discussions of the booming bourbon industry in recent years.  Once they realized they both had a passion for bourbon and Dixon having deep heritage in the whiskey business, they decided to work together and bring his family brand back to life. 
  

After working together to come up with the right blend, batch 1 was chosen.  Batch 1 comes from five barrels that were hand-picked from a pool of  20 to 25 that Kentucky Owl currently has in its inventory.  These barrels are all short of 8 years old.  The process of making the first batch included choosing five which were dumped at 4 years and then re-barreled in new charred American white oak barrels of differing char levels.  It's then bottled non-chilled filtered at barrel proof of 118.4

S. Dixon told us that they plan to release several more small batches of barrels from the same collection in the future.  The family is also putting away more barrels in hopes to operate their own still in the future.

With such a limited release of around 1,400 bottles, the first batch was only distributed in Kentucky.

Dedman's Tasting note:

“It coats the entire palate with an initial sweetness of caramelized sugar and dark fruit. The mid-palate sensation is of oak with a sweet cedar spice and slight citrus, while the finish is long, peppery and with a sweet dark cherry sensation."

The Four Barrels Notes:

Nose: The nose releases tropical flavors with coconut and an aroma of ripe banana along with creme brulee.

Palate: At first sip, it delivered a dense and viscous mouth feel that had a strong presence of rye and spice at the front.  Surprisingly it followed immediately with a rich soft mouth feel at the finish.  As if it misses the middle of your palate completely.  The finish is long and clearly spent  eight years in oak.  It carries a great thick flavor with intense berry fruits.

Overall Thoughts:

We thought this was a great start to a help revive a once forgotten bourbon.  The whiskey has good character and carried a solid flavor throughout the tasting experience.  We look forward to seeing what else comes from the Owls Nest and hope that more will be produced and the price will be more affordable for a larger group of people to experience what the Kentucky Owl has to offer.     

Batch 1
ABV: 59% 118.4 Proof
Price: $179 - $199

Beaumont Inn

Kentucky Owl Bourbon

* Information above was gathered from the Kentucky Owl website and personal emails from The Four Barrels and Kentucky Owl.

Review of Belle Meade Sour Mash Whiskey Bourbon

The Four Barrels are always looking for new products to try and spirits to review.  Recently, we stumbled across a unique bourbon that – surprisingly - we had not heard of before.  Unlike many of these micro-distilleries popping up around the U.S., this bourbon has a story a 100 years in the making.

Nelson's Greenbrier Distillery was established on Rocky Fork Creek in 1867 and was acquired in 1870 by Charles Nelson of Nashville.  Nelson's first whiskey held the title “Nelson's Best”.  The distillery produced whiskey until 1909.  At that time, Tennessee enacted prohibition causing the distillery to shut down.  

In 2011, Nelson’s great-great-great grandchildren, Charles & Andy Nelson, decided to resurrect the family business.  As of now, Belle Meade is the only product they are selling.  Belle Meade Bourbon is sourced from stock bourbon produced in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, but they are currently in the process of outfitting their own distillery and rickhouse in Nashville, TN and plan to revive Charles Nelson’s recipe for Tennessee Whiskey in the coming years.
 


-High rye content (30% rye)
-90.4 proof
-Small batch – 4 hand-selected barrels per batch

Age: Unknown.  We believe from the color and taste that this bourbon is at least a four year whiskey.  Also, we know that most bourbons coming out of lawrenceburg are around 4 years old.

Distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana


Four Barrels Tasting Notes: (Neat)

-Nose: Maple syrup with a hint of tobacco and smoke
-Palate: strong sweet front with vanilla.  Surprisingly sweet given the nose
-Middle: Smooth and sweet
-Finish: slight spice.  With a 30% rye mash bill, it's not that distinctive

 We would suggest you serve this bourbon neat or use for cocktails.

Final Notes:

We look forward to what the future holds for Greenbrier Distillery.  We know this is a cut-throat market but there are many bourbon sippers out there that want something other than the large corporate labels.

Good bourbon can not be cheated.  If Charles & Andy Nelson keep to their vision, they very well could rise the Greenbrier name to the very top, where it once stood.

Price Point:  $39.99  - 750ml

Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
Chas & W.A. Nelson, Proprietors
Nashville, TN

www.greenbrierdistillery.com

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Smooth Ambler Cask Strength Old Scout Single Barrel Boubon Review

Whenever I'm traveling I'm always on the lookout for hole in the wall places that I can stop find new or hard to find bourbons. Recently, I took a trip to one of my favorite eastern ski resorts, Snowshoe Mountain.  Snowshoe is located north of Lewisburg W.V.  Just north of Lewisburg is a small town called Maxwellton W.V.    Tucked away in this small town is this amazing distillery called Smooth Ambler Spirits.

The Smooth Ambler Spirits company is a micro-distillery that produces bourbon whiskey and gin.  They are a small operation, but they are starting to pack one heck of a punch.  I have seen their product now in multiple states, ranging from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Indiana.  Recently, I've have had local owners of stores ask about their products and what I think.   

The bourbon that I picked up in their home town was their Old Scout Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  At first sip, you are welcomed by strong charred oak and and hints of citrus fruit throughout.  It carries a spicy note, with a mix of vanilla and rye.  The finish is peppery which tends to hit the back sides of your tongue, creates a final touch. 

When drinking this bourbon, I couldn't help think of John Denver's, Take Me Home, Country Road song.  Why you may ask?  Because I believe that mood sets the scene and until you are able to visit the Smooth Ambler Spirits Distillery, this will help you get there.   

Though I do not live in West Virgina, I was born there and both side of my family the state.  As a bourbon lover, I have a sense of pride that such a great place can produce a good bourbon like my now adopted home Kentucky.

The Four Barrels Final Review:    4 out of 5 barrels

Old Scout Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey
55.2% AlC. / Vol.  8 years aged.  
750 ML  

Retail Price: $45-$65

Barrel No. 540
Bottle Date: 11-25-13
Bottled By Angie  "nice touch"
 


Smooth Ambler Website

MAXWELLTON, W.V.

MAXWELLTON, W.V.

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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.

A Unique Tasting Experience - Review of the Sagaform Rocking Whiskey Glass

The Sagaform Rocking Whiskey Glass is the first of a few upcoming whiskey/bourbon glasses that I will be reviewing in the weeks to come.

In order to fully enjoy the characteristics of bourbon, a good glass must first be chosen.  Sure, any glass will do but glasses specifically made and designed  for bourbon tasting will help make one's experience more memorable.

Starting off with my personal belief of what one should do before reviewing anything is one must learn and understand its creator to fully grasp the product or creation and why it was made.

The company's philosophy and meaning behind Sagaform is as followed per their website:

 Joyful, innovative gifts for the kitchen and the set table.  Indoors and outdoors.  Joyful gifts for friends or family, or to spoil yourself with.  Sagaform wants its brand and product range to be the obvious gift choice for Saturday nights' dinner hosts, or the new neighbor you want to welcome to the neighborhood, or yourself when you want to brighten your own day.

When reviewing the rocking whiskey glass, I kept all of this in mind.

The bourbon that was chosen to review the rocking glass was Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength OESQ, 54.7% ALC/VOL: 20% rye mashbill / floral essence.  This bourbon has one of the highest complexities any bourbon could offer.  
      
The method of swirling allows oxygen to get into the liquid and evaporation to begin.  This is important as the bourbon has been trapped in a cask or a bottle for a lot of its life until this point.  This will reveal the characteristics of the drink.  Swirling your bourbon, placing your nose just above the rim of the glass and savor the aromas.  Some say you should open your mouth slightly and breathe gently through your mouth and nose at the same time.  Many distillery tours will teach you this method.  I agree, but also suggest trying a number of different methods to get a full experience.  Experience the aroma more than once.

Adding water or ice will effect the complexity of the bourbon.  You should try it multiple ways.  Neat, or natural state then add a drop of purified water, which will help release the locked flavors and complexity within the bourbon.  This is also very true to higher alcohol level or "cask" strength bourbons. 

                                      My take on the Science Behind the Rocking Glass Design
 
When one twirls or swirls a glass, the sugar in the bourbon helps stick the liquor to the walls coating the sides (legs), which then allows for more oxygen to enter the surface of the bourbon.  By doing so, this releases the aroma of the embedded spices, flavors, and unique characteristics the bourbon has to offer.  The Sagaform's design allows this principle to occur.  Instead of the glass being in a state of zero movement until one picks it up, it is free to move on the table when laid to rest or by a simple touch.  I truly feel this design is more then just a "gimmick" or a novelty design.  By simply using this glass, you feel it was made for a purpose.  Going back to Sagaform's philosophy statement, this glass gives one a joyful feeling through innovative design.  With everyone who I shared the rocking glass with, the design and movement put a smile on each face.  If your're sharing a special bourbon with someone, why not  complement it with a unique glass?

Sagaform set out to place themselves apart from the normal design and they did so with the rocking whiskey glass.  If you're looking for something out of the norm to either amplify your enjoyment of a good bourbon, I highly suggest picking up a set of the Sagaform rocking whiskey glasses.

Company Website:
Sagaform

Bar Whiskey Glasses, rounded base, 6 - pack
Glass
Art. No: 5015280
Size: 20 cl or 3/4-Ounces
Type of pack: Gift-box
Retail Cost 24.99 - $57.11

Can be purchased through Amazon or other authorized dealers

Jefferson's Reserve Chef Collaboration Review: A Boubron Created with Food and Friends in Mind

Pairing drinks with different types of food has become very popular in today's dinning experiences and private parities.  Wine pairing has best been known to be the leading example of this trend.  But for those who enjoy bourbon, where do you start.  What food, chocolate, or cheese do you decide to share in an evening of sipping and nibbling?  Thanks to the most recent addition and creation from Jefferson's Reserve, we now have a bourbon that was specifically made for that reason.  Please welcome, Jefferson's Chef Collaboration.

Trey Zoeller, the founder and Master Blender of Jefferson's Bourbon started asking this question of pairing with his good friend Chef Edward Lee.  Chef Edward Lee is the main chef of 610 Magnolia, located in Louisville, KY.  To truly understand the complexity of this bourbon, you must get to know one of it's creators.  Chef Edward is a Korean-American who grew up in Brooklyn, trained in NYC kitchens and now resides in Kentucky.  Lee's culinary style and refined palate draws from his Asian background, New York training, and his love for American Southern cuisine.  Lee's statement from his website states, "I never met a bourbon I didn't like".  For the most part, that's a pretty good statement. 

The collaboration of these two good friends that share a passion for bourbon and food took around nine plus months to perfect.  Like the food that Chef Lee creates at 610 and noted in his cook book, both Tray and Lee wanted their bourbon to complement spicier foods and heat-heavy dishes.  What they came up with was a combination of a 5 year old, an 8 year old an a 14 year old rye bourbon at 92 proof.  The rye addition was key or "epiphany" of what made the bourbon pair so well and their goal to complement those Southern, Asian, dishes.

The final product was a smoother rye mix with an array of flavors.    

My review on the first sip:

The Collaboration is a very smooth and enriched flavored bourbon that releases many different flavors throughout your taste buds.  The sweetness starts from the oak and cherry and then the sour mash gently awakes the middle of your taste buds.  The finish is a smooth, not too spiced, ending before you you complete your sip.

I prefer drinking this bourbon "neat", so that one can enjoy the work behind the combination of flavors and smoothness that I believe was intended during it's creation.    

I give this four and half out of five barrels.

Product Description from the horses mouth:

 Ridiculously small batch limited offering is a marriage of very rare barrels of bourbon and rye. We wanted a blend with harmonious flavors, with smoke and spice. It is just as pretty alone in a glass as it is alongside the supper table. This is a singular, custom blend, the result of our collaboration and friendship. Here now, but gone soon. Drink up. - Jefferson's
 

Price point Nation Wide:  $39.99 to $49.99
Size 750ML
46% ABV  92 Proof


Links:

610 Magnolia

Chef Edward Lee

 Jefferson's Bourbon

Gone But Lives On

One of my top bourbons that I have always kept in my cabinet is a good single barrel of Elmer T. Lee.  For those who are not familiar with this brand, Elmer T. Lee was the Master Distiller of  Buffalo Trace.  He was a WWII vet, an engineer and an amazing man.  I had the prvillege to meet him myself once and recently spoke with an individual from the Blanton's line of how great a man he was. 
In the early 80's he was honored by the company and given his own single-barrel namesake.  In 2001 he was inducted in the Kentucky Hall of Fame, his receipt of the "Lifetime Achievement Aware" from both Whiskey Advocate in 2002 and Whiskey Magazine in 2012.  Recently this past year, Elmer T. Lee passed away, just weeks before his 94th birthday.  Up till his passing, he was known to still be at the distillery a few times a week, checking in on his batch and the Blanton's batch.  He also greeted those who came to visit.   Many people in the bourbon community has wondered what Buffalo Trace will do to honor this man, and just like like rumors that go with the bourbon industry, I've heard everything from multiple companies putting a batch together, to special bottles, and even not making the batch anymore. But with my recent find, they will be producing a new label and this batch will be at 93 proof.  So, bourbon lovers keep an eye out and have a glass for Elmer T. Lee when it arrives on the shelves.