Distillers Gin Guide: Styles to Know and Brands to Try. That hasnt stopped the collectors, however. Old Forester is richer, so it's less prevalent in this comparison, but it's definitely still there on its own without Jack Daniel's to cover it up. A slice of citrus arrives to lighten everything up on the short end. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. In my early review days, I wanted to compare anything and everything that seemed similar. This is strikingly similar to Woodford on the nose with the same vanilla, tobacco, mint, and floral fruit. Theres a light, floral fruitiness upfront with a wisp of tobacco, flourishes of mint, and plenty of vanilla. The Old Forester is one of the bourbons that's helped make Kentucky the capital of bourbon. Neither is particularly better than the other. Ill have to revisit this sometime soon and update the list. Some expressions have a characteristic leather aroma, although this is not true of all of the bottlings. Larceny Barrel Proof A122 Bourbon . Old Forester Signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 50% ABV, is the oldest bourbon brand in the US and the first bourbon to be sold in bottle. With tasting notes that include butterscotch, toffee, caramel and honey, this is one for the sweet tooths. // < ! Subscribe to his YouTube Channel to watch his Best American Whiskey taste off December 20. Unfortunately, both also have that unpleasant metallic vodka-y alcohol taste, which I don't find in other bourbons. Now, bourbon fans grow angry over their inability to find precious gold they once regularly consumed. That extra time is why the Single Barrel costs three times more than a regular old bottle of Wild Turkey. That works out to 1.75 barrels of bourbon per resident or over 500 bottles of whiskey per capita. The mash bill used contains: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley. The original nomination was Weller Antique, which is widely available in some markets and sparse in others. But its so much cheaper that who cares? Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bourbon that is stored in charred new oak for at least two years. There are plenty of expressions of excellent bourbon priced under $50 from the national brands. The mash bill consists of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley. Had a shot in Kentucky a few years back when it was introduced. I have always found a peanut butter note in this bourbon, and that can be incredibly enticing during a blind tasting. Charles is a 50-year veteran of the Kentucky distilling industry and his familys history is closely intertwined with Kentucky bourbon. Been there, done that, feel silly never again. It can claim to be extremely full flavored thanks to its 115 proof, and its taste profile is like a synthesis of. Rye based bourbons aged longer than 12 years, in most cases, become far too woody, and they begin to become overpowered by the barrel flavors. Don't take Woodford Reserve's Double Oaked's ubiquity for mediocrity. 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, ten percent malted barley. Its mash bill consists of corn, rye, and malted barley. Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Louisville, KY Today we tasted Larceny and Old Forester, watch and see which one we liked best In my past blind tastings, Old Grand-Dad did not fare well. Each release represents a historical year for the distillery. Relative to Kentucky, theyve been around for a few days. And its a bartenders dream for its mixability. The first Black blender at a major distillery, Major previously made waves as the Whiskey Blender at Bulleit. It is an heir to the Old Fitzgerald franchise; one of the first wheated bourbons. After a reasonable period, however, that flips for me. Old Grand-Dad was a contender for Best Everyday Bourbon. Over time, the Yellow Label bottle has changed with the label losing the yellow color. If you're looking for the best value in bourbon, just get this. Its based on a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye and 12% malted barley. Corn on the nose and lots of classic notes of vanilla, toffee, and caramel up top. ABV: 40% Ive always found a bright nutmeg note, which can really stand out in blind tastings. No, this isnt as complex as Old Fitzgerald. Wheat adds a creaminess to the mouth feel of the bourbon, and has sort of a prickly sweet flavor that is slightly lighter than the sweetness typically derived from the majority corn recipe. ABV: 50% Despite the increasing demand (and price) for much-hyped bottles, bourbon is an every-person drink. Id certainly make a few changes here and there. Nice to see it make your list. Id keep my eye out for the upcoming single barrel Rebel Yell as well as any private barrel selections you can find from Weller, or Makers Mark in particular. The 1920 is a crowd favorite on r/bourbon and for a good reason. His son, Eddie Russell, took over as Wild Turkeys Master Distiller in 2015, after 35 years with the company. Thats only three fewer years than the Old Fitz above, and its a tenth the price. This is similar to the various Pappy expressions. Of course, its pretty good, too. Have tried, and enjoyed, the Makers Cask Strength. Pick up *several* bottles of 46 Cask Strength! Similar to the straight version, it is smoother, with a little more citrus on the nose and palate and a little dried peach on the finish. ABV: 46% The sip edges into orange zest territory with dark spices accentuated by nice toffee sweetness and a dusting of dark cacao powder when water is added. Theres no way around it, Wild Turkey 101 is great for the money. Maybe even one day I will get to try some Pappy!! This one is more of a sipper. The first is as a collectors item. This spirit seems to drink higher than 104 proof due to overwhelming spice. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond On the palate, you have caramel, brown sugar, candied nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cooked corn sweetness, some mint and a lingering pepperiness. Ninety-five percent of all of the bourbon distilled in the US is made in Kentucky. Production is limited to 8,600 bottles nationwide, and it sells for $250.Pappy Van Winkle 2022 Lineup: No list of the best bourbons is complete without a mention of Pappy Van Winkle. Its got so much caramel, and a beautiful nutmeg note, Minnick says. Average Price: $20. But it was not in the cards. It didnt make the cut for the finals. But nowhere is the impact of the Pappy Van Winkle lineup more prevalent than in the trickle down effect it has had on other bourbons made with wheat as the secondary or flavoring grain. Flavor Profile: Rich & Spicy After 20 years, they, too, begin to deteriorate- and they do it quickly. Its mellow balance helped by the prominent caramel notes of its wheated mash bill doesnt overpower meaty flavors. Its so fucking amazing., Have Apple's AirPods Max? But this blind tasting was not its day. Now, thanks to rising whiskey prices and a consistently strong product, the brand shortened to OGD by fans has a cult following. Each of its releases makes clear what went into it distillery location, whiskey age, proof, etc. Wheaters are my favorites, but I like ryes too. Take heed, though, since it somewhat controversially took home Best in Show, Whiskey at San Francisco World Spirits Competition a few years ago its been harder to come by, and more expensive than it used to be. . Single Barrel: A bourbon made using single barrels, providing a higher range of variation in flavor and the chance at specific, unique characteristics. This is the exact same juice thats just aged a little less. I almost included Bernheim Wheat Whiskey in this list, since even though its a wheat whiskey, it taste a LOT like a wheated bourbon due to its high corn content. Distiller Score: 86. Im going through a bottle a month. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. It is aged at least 4 years in a bonded warehouse and is bottled at 100 proof in a trademark square, white label bottle. This is a smooth, almost delicate whiskey, and makes an excellent sipper. Buffalo Trace vs Old Forester 86 Comparison . Weve highlighted that time and again. Its just that one of them was in the right spot in the rickhouse and deemed tasty enough not to be blended with other barrels. Really young wheat whiskey(4-5 years and younger)can be harsh and almost astringent, while rye-based bourbons tend to have a spicy characteristic that offsets that at a younger age. ModernThirst's Comparison Reviews of Wheated Bourbons: 2020 ModernThirst. Tasting notes include Heath Bar and leather on the nose, with cinnamon candies, roasted vanilla and rye coming through in the palate. Last I heard it was going for about three thousand a bottle if you could find it. Flavor is smooth and a bit musty, with hints of vanilla, banana, cinnamon and a dash of charred oak spice providing a bitter note. The 6 year age statement is now gone and replaced with just the number 6 on the handle, but they bourbon is indeed at least 4 years old. While there's no age statement on the bottle, it's believed that Double Oaked is aged for at least six years. Larceny, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS. Larceny is a small batch bourbon (100 barrels or less) of barrels from the middle three floors of the aging warehouse. The 1910 was release in 2018, and though it shares the . The whiskey is based on a mash bill of 62% corn, 28% rye and 10% malted barley. Maker's Mark Cask . Larceny Bourbon is a decent sipping bourbon. Average Price: $12. Whether it's the softer flavor imparted by the sweet mash (the vast majority of modern bourbon is sour mashed) or the distiller's proprietary "infusion mashing" process or something else entirely, the result is a wicked, wicked pour. For something around $30, you get an expertly blended whiskey aged a minimum of 8 years with notes of cherry, orange, almond toffee and oak and bottled at a casual 90 proof. This bespoke (and admittedly cool-looking) bottle became extremely famous and then extremely expensive in retail. The result is bottled at 93 proof. There is some alcohol burn, especially on the 114-proof version, along with sweet honey notes, candied citrus zest, brown sugar and that cooked tropical fruits. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, Whisky Review: 50 Year Old Glenfarclas, Bowmore, Cardrona, And More, Hendricks Gin Debuts Flora Adora As New Limited Release, Thinking About Black Wine Business Beyond Black History Month, Whisky Review: Compass Box, Benriach, Tobermory, And More, Vibrant Whites, Distinctive RedsAppreciating The Wines Of Friuli, Appreciating Some Of Italys Lesser Known Varietals And Grapes, Wine Cocktails That Take The Chill Off Winter, Bacardis Latest Cask Finished Rum Expressions Are Exceptional. For instance, in New York, property valued at over $1,000 is considered grand larceny. Mouth: Caramel, black tea, vanilla, clove and cinnamon. Regular Four Roses (formerly called Yellow Label), Old Forester 100 Proof (formerly called Signature), Wild Turkey 101, Jim Beam Black Label, Larceny Bourbon, Maker's Mark, and Buffalo Trace. Whats really frustrating is that living in KY just an hour or so from all these distillers you can hardly find some of these choices, and theyre ridiculously expensive if you do. Bourbon with an age statement and available at barrel strength for a good price? The palate carries that spice into peppery territory with hints of oak, vanilla, tart apples, and honey. Its not. The original Stitzel-Weller mash bill was 75% corn, 20% wheat and 5% malted barley. The latter is a blend of a 16-year-old bourbon and a 15-year-old high-rye bourbon that pays tribute to the familys first distiller, Jacob Beam, and its said to be some of the best bourbon being produced at the busy distillery. Last year, I tasted a dozen bourbons that were widely available and selected Ezra Brooks 7-year-old Cask Strength. With no effort and normal market prices, I can have Makers, Larceny, and OWA. On the palate, there is caramel and brown sugar, along with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and charred oak. The mash bill here, made entirely of non-GMO grains, is 65 percent corn, 30 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley. The whiskey sells for around $25. The 15 YO version is similar but far richer and complex. Thats really a loaded question because there are two ways of looking at it. 46% ABV, is a small batch bourbon assembled from 200 barrels or less, handpicked by Heaven Hills master distiller. Distiller Score: 84. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at [emailprotected]. A rich leather note, along with some pepper, emerges at the end and lingers. There are, after all, aging variables in play from the length in the barrel to where in the rickhouse the barrel rested to how the master blender married different barrels to create the final product. Old Forester 1870's name refers to the year that Brown-Forman founder George Garvin Brown began batching whiskey from three different distilleries (Atherton in Bardstown, Mattingly in Marion and Mellwood in Louisville) to ensure a consistent product. Redwood Empire Bottled in Bond Rye . No one cared about Early Times until Sazerac (Buffalo Trace Distillery) bought it from Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel's, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve). This was so complex, with a 20-second finish and layered in vanilla that it was easily the winner. To learn more about responsible consumption, please visit, Sign up for the Distiller Newsletter for new bottle & feature updates, Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon 90 Proof, Very Old Barton 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Evan Williams White Label Bottled in Bond Bourbon. Little did I know, this substitute would play a big role in my blind tasting. In this blind tasting, I picked up a cornbread note and thought it to be too young to make my Top 5. Medley Brothers bourbon is made by the father and son team of Charles and Sam Medley. After being somewhat underwhelmed by Blantons and Basil Hayden, Ibe come to the conclusion that my tastes lean towards the Wheated bourbons. Proof: 100. Four Roses has two separate mash bills it uses for its bourbons.