Updated Review of Black Dirt Single Barrel Bourbon Batch #5 - Black Dirt Distilling

So why Black Dirt? The Black Dirt Distillery takes its name from the dark, fertile soil left by an ancient glacial lake that once covered thousands of acres of upstate New York known as the Drowned Lands. Because of these natural occurrence, the perfect condition was developed for growing the main ingredient that all American whiskeys needs, corn. 

The history of Black Dirt Distilling, LLC’s origin is not as short as some may think.  The original distillery goes back to 2002 when the first micro-distillery was formed in New York called Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery.  Founded by Jeremy Kidde and Jason Grizzanti, these two men had a plan to do more then what just one distillery could do.  Jump a few years ahead, in March, 2012 Jason and Jeremy formed the Black Dirt Distilling, LLC.  This addition was birthed out of the recent bourbon boom and the high demand for fine bourbon and whiskey outside the bourbon trail.  In order to meet this demand, the Black Dirt Distillery commissioned a 4,000 square foot distillery along with a 60 foot distillation column which was completed in Pine Island, NY in 2013.  Currently they are producing bourbon, gin, and brandy from these two distilleries.  The current batches of bourbon that can be purchased and what was reviewed was aged and bottled at the Valley Winery & Distillery.

Having the title as the first mirco-distillery in New York State, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery / Black Dirt Distilling is growing by name and volume through their years of experience in both distillation and marketing.  They are making a name for themselves by making and bottling their own product from the beginning unlike many mirco-distilleries who purchase whiskey to help generate revenue.

 Mash Bill of Batch 005:

Aged a minimum of 3 years in new charred American Oak at 45% Alc / vol - 90 proof
Char level 3
Distilled from:
80% Black Dirt grown corn,
12% Malted Barley
8% Rye

Nose: Aroma of sweet caramel, vanilla and honey

Taste: Smooth up front.  Has a oily layer through out your tongue

Finish: Bitter in the back and lingers for a moment.

Final Thoughts:



For such a young bourbon, both in age and in production, I give a lot of credit to a company that is not buying their product from the larger distilleries throughout the United States.  With the sudden boom in the whiskey business in the past couple of years and many mirco distillers opening up, its hard not to buy barrels of whiskey to get cash flowing in.




Featuring a single barrel expression this quickly in one’s business plan is a risky move in the bourbon business. However, being able to say that it's your own gives a distillery more credit than most would think.




Overall, the bourbon is too young to develop much depth of flavor and characteristics you would come across in older whiskeys.  However, that's not the story here.  The heart of this tale is the depth of history which surrounds it.  From their founder, Jason Grizzanti who holds a fruit science degree, to the location of their sweet corn in the unique fertile ground where once stood an ancient glacial lake.  These are the blocks that build a great foundation for what could be an impactful distillery in the North East.  In order to build something that will sustain the sands of time, a good foundation must be laid.  Black Dirt has laid that foundation and we look forward to what the years ahead have to offer. 



Retail Price 750 ml size:

$40 - $47.99

Where to Buy:

Buy online at Astor Wines or Drink Up NY

Website: Black Dirt Distillery

Facebook: Black Dirt

Review of the Smooth Ambler - Old Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 7 Years

With our second review from West Virginia based Smooth Ambler Spirits Co., we highlight the 7 year bourbon.  This expression showcases an excellent example of what this company can do and leaves us curious about other spirits yet to come. 

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Straight bourbon whiskey might not originate from the hollers of West Virginia, but the men and women who chose the juice certainly do.  This 7 year bourbon comes in at 99 proof and is produced by MGP in Lawrenceburg, IN.  Bottled in Maxwelton, West Virginia, this whiskey contains a high rye content of 36% and like the label says, carries a truly smooth taste throughout the whole drinking experience. 
Smooth Ambler does not shy away from their current business plan and it's no secret that some of their whiskey is coming out of Indiana.  Like any young distillery, it takes time to distil, age and produce, but what they do have from the beginning is their raw natural talent and the ability to determine what a good whiskey is and what is not. 
According to recent rumors, we will soon be treated to Smooth Ambler’s newest release and their first distillation – a bourbon that will be aged 3 years at 92 proof and will have a high corn mash bill.

Old Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Compared to the 8 year, single barrel, 110.4 proof we last reviewed, the 7 year 99 proof was a much smoother expression and provided a more pleasant finish than the higher proof whiskey.  Believing that single barrel would carry a more distinctive taste with more flavor, we again found that the 7 year bourbon had a more complex taste that filled your mouth with sweet caramel and toffee flavors.  I wouldn't turn down either whiskey, but I feel the mood would determine which bourbon I would choose.  
  
The Four Barrels Tasting Notes:

 Nose - A youthful bourbon, smooth aromas of rye and cinnamon. Reminds me of an afternoon walk in the fields of Kentucky.  Hints of maple and caramel along with toffee.

Taste - Very smooth up front and carries the same through the middle.

Finish - A pleasant spice that does not linger to long.  Little to no burn.   

Final Thoughts:



The 99 proof and age of 7 years is a good combination that brings this high rye content to a desirable level.  Unlike most young bourbons, this 7 year is at the beginning of the "honey years" of maturity for this mashbill. 


49.5% ALC. / Vol.
99 Proof
750 ML

Retail Price $38.99 - $45.99

Aged 7 years
Barrel No. 58
Bottle Date 2-5-14

Mash bill:

60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malt 

Distillation Process;

Continuous Column distillation
General information per Smooth Ambler:

Awards:

Gold Medal, Best of Show & Best of Class, 2012
American Distilling Institute, 95 points, 2012 Wine Enthusiast
Silver Medal, 2013 San Fransisco World Spirits Competition

Smooth Amblers Tasting Notes:

Bold, sweet and spicy flavors with subtle apple, leather and cherry pipe tobacco.  Exceptionally drinkable for 99 proof.  Serve neat or use to make a helluva' cocktail.

Website: Smooth Ambler
Facebook: FB Page

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.

Wigle Rye Whiskey Review Batch # 1 - A Organic Approach to American Whiskey

Wigle Whiskey is distilled and bottled in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania at the Pittsburgh Distilling Company.  They are the first distillery to open in Pittsburgh since the 1920's, when the Joseph S. Finch's Distillery closed their doors.  Just opening in 2012, they have been able to put out a number of different whiskeys, including this young 12 month rye whiskey, which was chosen for this review. 

The company and whiskey is named after a pioneer of whiskey, Phip Wigle, a man who was also considered a Whiskey Rebellion in the 1700's.  According to the history books, Wigle was sentenced to hang for treason for his leadership in the Whiskey Rebellion, but was pardoned by George Washington.  This is also why the "g" in Wigle is being hung by a noose. 

Wigle is one of a few craft distilleries in the United States that produces every product they make from scratch and from local organic grain.  They refer themselves as a "grain-to-bottle" Distillery, which they mill the grains on-site the same day they start batching and distilling their whiskey in a traditional copper pot.

Taste Notes According to Wigle:

 This is one of America's few pot-distilled Rye Whiskeys. We believe it to be the spiciest, most robust rye on the market  in keeping with the traditional of Monongahela Rye.
 
In this batch, we have combined ten 15 gallon barrels of rye whiskey.  In aggregate, this whiskey has a high rye mash percentage (over 70% by weight!).  The rye fermented for approximately four days.  The rye beer was double distilled.  After the first distillation, the alcohol content of what is called the low wines was between 26% and 29% ABV.  To be Rye Whiskey, it must be distilled below 160 proof and stored in new charred oak barrels (Vodka, by comparison, must be distilled at or above 190 proof or 95% ABV).   Four of the 10 new charred oak barrels contained whiskey that had been distilled at a lower proof (i.e., below 150 proof).  These barrels provide a more full bodied mouth feel to the whiskey as they contained more higher alcohols.  After distillation, we diluted the whiskey to cask strength.  By law, most American whiskey must be barreled below 125 proof or 62.5% alcohol. The whiskey had for the most part been barreled at or around 120 proof or 60% ABV.  After approximately 13-14 months, we emptied the barrels through a coarse coffee filter to remove any large pieces of sediment that may have come from the barrel.  However, we did not otherwise filter this whiskey in any other way so as to preserve the greatest amount of its flavor -- we do not chill filter or run the whiskey through charcoal.  As a result, sediment or flocculation may occur if the whiskey sits for an extended period of time.  This appearance is harmless and will disappear with a good shake to the bottle (With the cork on!).   

Tastes Notes According to The Four Barrels:

Nose -  At first scent, you immediately smell the "raw"ness and youth of this rye, which according to the distillers notes, is doubled distilled.  With the brief age on this rye, the scent has not been developed through barrel mellowing.  We considered the nose to have a young ripe banana sent with sweet spices.  With a few more years, the nose will develop to characteristic fruit notes.

Taste - If you measured this rye solely by its smell, you would miss what the flavor has in store.  The taste of this young rye was very surprising and was smoother then we had excepted.  The whiskey is very smooth, carrying more flavor than one would think in a 12 month whiskey.  There are hints of maple and vanilla in each sip.  We noticed that most, if not all of the flavor hits towards the back of the pallet.  Very little to no burn was present through the tasting experience.

Finish - Smooth and clean with very list length sitting on the palate.

We would suggest to drink this neat.  


The Four Barrels Rating - 4 out of 5 barrels



Batch # 1

April 28th, 2014

789 Bottles

750 ml

42% ABV (84 Proof)

Grain & Mash

Grain Type	Origin	% of Mash
Organic Rye	West Salem, OH	72%
Organic Wheat	Newfield, NY	18%
Organic 2 Row Malted Barley	Chilton, WI	10%

Price - $49.99 - $54.99
Proof - 42% ABV, 84 Proof
Color - Light Amber
Age - 12 months

WIGLE WHISKEY
2401 SMALLMAN STREET
PITTSBURGH, PA 15222
412-224-2827

https://www.wiglewhiskey.com/

You can also follow them on your favorite social media outlet as well:

@wigleWhiskey
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