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Pinhook's second release of it's nine year bourbon experiment hits the ground running. The Story Pinhook is a non-distiller producer (they don't distill their own whiskey) with offices in New York and Kentucky. They blend sourced barrels of bourbon to create unique one-off releases of bourbon and rye whiskeys. It's a similar approach to Barrell Craft Spirits, where the focus is on creating unique and standout whiskeys, versus producing a consistent and predictable taste profile. Some folks in the bourbon community love this approach, while some traditionalist look down upon it. Personally speaking as long as the barrels are sourced from a reputable distiller, an age statement is provided, and the bourbon in your glass is good... I don't see what there is to complain about. What I really appreciate about Pinhook is they actually provide information about their releases and they aren't afraid to put themselves out there. You can tell they stand behind and believe in their craft. The Vertical Series Explained Pinhook's vertical series is a great example of how non-distiller producers can and are pushing the bourbon industry forward. Instead of shying away from the fact that Pinhook sources their barrels, they're leaning into it... hard. The vertical series is an experiment in which Pinhook will release bottles from the same 1350 MGP sourced bourbon barrels over a 9 year period. Each year Pinhook selects 150 barrels that best represents the age of the allotment and blends them together. Vertical Series 5 "Bourbon War" is the second bottle from from the vertical series and was released in 2020. Undoubtedly, as with any annual limited release, some years will be better than others. Regardless you have to appreciate the confidence behind Pinhook's 9 year commitment to the vertical series. Tasting Notes This bottle was reviewed over 3 week period. Always neat in a Glencairn for consistency. Nose: Robust notes of vanilla and sweet butter pour out of the glass. Followed by rye and cinnamon spice. A fair amount of heat is present, but it compliments the experience. As a whole the nose reminds me of warm vanilla bread pudding sprinkled with cinnamon. Palate: Caramel and sweet dark fruit notes hit up front, followed by brown sugar and light notes of chocolate in the mid palate. The back palate full of rye and cinnamon spices. Overall it's a complex but balanced experience. Finish: This is a bourbon with great texture that leaves you blushing. It has a sweet and soothing Kentucky hug that you want to hold you a bit longer then it does. You have to appreciate the confidence behind Pinhook's 9 year commitment to the vertical series. Closing Thoughts Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 retails for under $60. At that price point it's an outstanding bourbon experience. For a relatively young bourbon its robust, complex, and balanced from nose to finish. Tasting notes are pronounced and flow nicely together. The only criticism I have is that the rye and cinnamon spice are a little over powering in the finish, but that's if I'm being picky. Nine years is a long time to commit to anything, but after experiencing this 2nd release from Pinhook's vertical series, I'm going to try and commit for the long haul. In fact I'm going to start by trying to hunt down a bottle of Vertical Series 4 from 2019 and maybe one more Series 5 for safe keeping. Final Score: 248 out of 379 Kentucky Miles ( a great bourbon experience ) Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Photo Gallery

Jim Beam's Knob Creek is quietly building an arsenal of top shelf bourbon expressions. The Back Story Allocations from other big name distillers might dominate the secondary markets and social media, but Knob Creek is setting new benchmarks where it matters... on store shelves. In 2020 Buffalo Trace continued to struggle with meeting demand for literally all of their mid-to-top shelf bourbons, while Heaven Hill seemed to solely focus on its quarterly releases of Elijah Craig and Larceny full/barrel proof to stay relevant. I'm not knocking either distiller for inadequate business practices or questioning the quality of their bourbon portfolios. They literally produce some of the best bourbons on the planet year-after-year. But when you compare the 2020 they had to what Jim Beam was able to accomplish in 2020 with Knob Creek, it's like comparing apples to watermelons, not oranges. Before we can go any farther, we need to talk about the Wild Turkey in the room. In my experience when it comes to Wild Turkey, it seems like you're either a huge fan of their whiskeys or you're simply just not. There seems to be almost no middle ground. I'm not sure if it's the brand, wild turkeys (also know as Meleagris gallaopavo) aren't exactly the most glamorous animal on the planet. Or if it's the Russell family's more aggressive taste profile that makes the brand so polarizing. Either way Wild Turkey is a brand that's close to my heart, but it doesn't get the kind of love it deserves to include in this article for comparison. For what it's worth, I really hope that changes sometime soon. The Case for Knob Creek in 2021 To understand why Knob Creek is poised to have an outstanding year, you have to look at their bourbon line-up from 2020 and what's been easily accessible on the market. What follows is review of Knob Creek's standard and slimited releases that were available to purchase at liquor stores over the past 6 months. Please note that not all bottles were released in 2020. Knob Creek 9 Year: In 2020 Knob Creek returned an age statement to the label. This is a big deal. Most major distillers have been removing age statements from their bottles due to their inability to keep up with demand or safeguarding anticipated future growth issues. When you include it's 100 proof statement, consistent taste profile, and overall quality Knob Creek 9 year is an outstanding value at $34.99. Brbnry Score: 205 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (very good bourbon experience) Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: With any single barrel purchases you make, you are always gambling on whether or not you get a good bottle or a dud. In my experience this has not been an issue with Knob Creek's Single Barrel Reserve. Maybe I've been lucky, but something tells me Jim Beam is just sitting on some fantastic barrels. When you add its 9 year age statement, 120 proof statement, and robust tasting notes, Knob Creek Single Barrel is a steal at $49.99. This is a bourbon that sips well below its proof statement and provides a top notch experience. Brbnry Score: 250 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (great bourbon experience) Knob Creek Quarter Oak: While most distillers are jumping on the "toasted barrel" train, Jim Beam was moving in an entirely different direction. For this limited release Knob Creek ages it's Kentucky Straight Bourbon in quarter oak casks for a minimum of four years and then blends it with standard Knob Creek. This best way to describe Quarter Oak is its a slightly more robust and well rounded expression of the standard Knob Creek taste profile. For any Spinal Tap fans out there, if you were to turn the volume up on the standard Knob Creek 9 year from 10 to 11, that's where Quarter Oak sits. Brbnry Score: 235 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (great bourbon experience) Knob Creek 12 Year: In 2020 Knob Creek announced that this 12 year expression would be added as a regular bottle to its portfolio. If that doesn't blow your hair back, I don't know what would. At a time when most major distillers are unable to add a double digit age statement to their portfolio, Knob Creek dropped a big one. So just how good is Knob Creek 12 year? So glad you asked. Breaking Bourbon named it their Whiskey of the year and it came in at number 2 on Whiskey Advocate's 2020 whiskeys of the year list. I don't think I need to say much more than that. Knob Creek 12 Year retails for $59.99 and is an absolute must try at that price point. Brbnry Score: 345 out of 379 Kentucky Miles ( Outstanding bourbon experience ) Knob Creek 15 Years: This is a 2020 limited release that can still be found on store shelves and at online retailer websites. As you would expect this an oak forward bourbon, but in a desirable way. What's not desirable is it's $99 MSRP when you compare it to some of tKnob's private barrel selects. Which can boost similar age statements and higher proof statements, at almost half the price. With that being said, this 15 year expression adds sweet oak notes to the standard Knob Creek profile at a proof statement of 100. If you are a Knob fan, this is absolutely a bottle to seek out. Brbnry Score: 238 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (great bourbon experience, but pricy) Knob Creek 25th Anniversary: Although this was a 2017 release, I'm including it in this list because it can still be found in stores and at online retailers. It didn't receive a lot of fan fair during its initial release, but four years later folks are slowly starting to catch on. I was able to purchase this bottle in January of 2021 at its suggested MSRP of $129.99. Knob 25th Anniversary comes in two flavors. Either a 12 or 13 year single barrel pick that carry a proof statement between 120-125. But that's not what set's this bottle apart from its kin. What makes this expression special is it marks the first time that Jim Beam has captured the styles of both Booker and Fred Noe into a single bottle. Of all of the bourbons in this list, the 25th Anniversary exemplifies the best that Knob Creek has to offer. It pushes the Knob Creek taste profile to the edges of greatness without falling off the cliff. This is a bottle and I can't believe I stumbled upon it at a local liquor store just 15 minutes from my house. Brbnry Score: 362 out of 379 Kentucky Miles ( a truly great and outstanding bourbon ) Final Thoughts In 2020 Knob Creek was able to reintroduce a 9 year age statement to it's Kentucky Straight Bourbon, add an award winning 12 year expression to its regular line-up, and continue to offer quality limited releases at various price points. That is just remarkable. When you consider that each and every bottle in this article was purchased off the shelf without waiting in a long line, or sweet talking a cashier, you almost want to pinch yourself. While most of us were out chasing the same allocated bottles and annual releases, great bottles from Knob Creek have been readily available. If you haven't revisited Knob Creek recently or haven't experienced their bourbons before, pick-up any bottle off this list and see what you think. It took me a while to come around, but Knob Creek has my full attention now and is my early pick for bourbon brand of the 2021. Let us know what you think of this article on our Facebook page. Article Photo Gallery

A twelve year age statement on any bottle is desirable, but is 1792's oldest expression worth the hunt? Tasting Notes Nose: Vanilla and fruit forward rounded out by rye spice. Slight notes of charred oak sneak through as well. Out of the glass it reminds me of cinnamon banana nut bread. Palate: Sweet fruit and vanilla cream notes hit in the front palate. 1792's heavy rye mash bill makes its presence felt in the mid and back palate, along with a little oak. Overall it's a straight forward and rather simple experience. Finish: Surprisingly smooth for a 96.6 proof bourbon. It comes across a little thin on the finish, but notes of buttery rye spice and sweet oak linger just long enough to remind you that this is a well aged bourbon. Final Thoughts 1792 Aged Twelve Years is a bottle that I've been eager to get my hands on. I'm a big fan of 1792's Small Batch, Bottled-in-Bond, and Full Proof expressions. When I was finally able to hunt a bottle down, my eagerness led be to pay double it's MSRP of $49.99 from reputable online retailer. With shipping and tax my bottle of 1972 Aged 12 Years came in at just over $105. I won't be doing that again. Let me explain why. This limited edition 12 year expression from 1792 is a good quality bourbon, but unfortunately it's not a $100 good. No matter how many times I went back to this bottle, it just didn't live up to hype I had built up around it. It's a little thinner than I'd prefer and I would have liked a little more complexity and robustness based on it's 96.6 proof statement. When I was finally able to hunt a bottle down, my eagerness led be to pay double it's MSRP of $49.99 from reputable online retailer. I won't be doing that again. That doesn't mean that 1792 Aged 12 Years is a bad bourbon, it's a solid and well sorted whiskey experience. If you're someone who prefers smooth bourbons with sweet fruity taste profiles and prominent rye spice, this a great value at $49.99. But at that price point, 1792's Full Proof offers a significantly better experience in my opinion. I think there are a lot of folks who will truly appreciate this 12 year limited edition expression from 1792, but it's not a bottle I'd go to great lengths to hunt down. Personally speaking, if I ever stumble upon a bottle for $50, I'd pick it up as gift for someone who will appreciate it more than me. Final Score: 190 out of 271 Kentucky Miles ( good quality bourbon whiskey ) 1972 Aged 12 Years Photo Gallery

4-Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey The Story Don’t think about a white rabbit... Do think about a gold medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2019). Don’t think about the giant Rabbit Hole we’ve all fallen down (2020). Do think about the Rabbit Hole Bourbon motto, “There’s no going back” and don’t look back, keep on truckin’. Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon reminded me of 1792 at first taste, but it’s really its own animal. It’s smooth enough but has a lot of complexity in the after taste. Cavehill is a great bourbon, and given the price point and availability, a very strong daily drinker option. This 4 grain, small-batch, 70% corn, 10% malted wheat, 10% honey malted barley bourbon has replaced my old daily drinker and now sits in the Heart Shaped Daily Drinker Throne. The artisans note the following on the bottle, “NEVER chill-filtered, as it should be” which makes me think they know what they are doing over in Louisville. Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon reminded me of 1792 at first taste, but it’s really its own animal. We should also note what a treat it is to visit the distillery in downtown Louisville. It’s temporarily closed at the moment, but when it re-opens, it’s a great location to check out. There are a few other distillers nearby too. If this review doesn’t touch on enough real life rabbit holes to fall into, consider reviewing the double-slit experiment, delayed choice experiment, and the quantum eraser and learn how our understanding of time is factually inaccurate. Or just enjoy bourbon time observed by others or alone (fundamentally different states) with Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon. Score: 192 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (Good stuff) Rabbit Hole Photo Gallery

A limited release from New Riff that reaches new heights. Tasting Notes Nose: Caramel, honey, oak, and nutmeg spice are noticeable out of the glass. A subtle dark chocolate note also comes through. Very impressed by the entire experience. Palate: A buttery cinnamon note hits up front along with nutmeg and honey. The mid palate has a slightly dry chocolate and nuttiness to it. The back palate is full of sweet oak and a nutmeg like spice. Everything works together to provide a unique and warming experience. Finish: Great mouthfeel and texture. Unique and distinct spice notes linger nicely after each sip. Overall a nice long and warm finish. This is a bourbon that will warm you up and put you to bed on a cold night. Final Thoughts It's easy to see why New Riff picked this bourbon to be a winter release. It warms you up like a cup of hot coco with nutmeg and cinnamon sprinkled on top. Technically speaking a good bourbon should do the same thing. New Riff found a way to blend the two experiences together, they've created a "specialty" bourbon with unexpected notes that actually tastes like a bourbon. One of the most surprising aspects of this bottle is its mash bill (pictured below). New Riff says they were inspired by chocolate oatmeal stouts when they came up with the idea for this bourbon. For me the chocolate notes aren't overly dominate, they're layered nicely in the mid and back palate. It's the unique spice notes that shine through the most during my experience with this bottle. This is a bourbon that will warm you up and put you to bed nicely. At its suggested retail price of $50, Winter Whiskey is an absolute must try in my opinion. If you're someone who wants to experience the new heights that craft distillers are pushing traditional bourbon profiles, this is the bottle for you. Unfortunately word is already out about New Riff's Winter Whiskey and prices are creeping up. In my opinion, any bottle under $80 is worth considering picking up. With that being said, I'm already looking for a second bottle. Wish me luck. Final Score: 285 out of 379 Kentucky Miles ( an outstanding and unique experience ) New Riff Winter Whiskey Bourbon Photo Gallery

Finding the right Valentine's Day gift is never easy. Especially if you have a bourbon enthusiast in your life. Below are five Valentine's Day gift ideas to help make your search a little easier this year. A couple of things to know before you start reading. The gift ideas are listed 1-5 below but aren't meant to be recommended or ranked in that order. For your convenience links are included to the retailer we purchased each item from. 1. Bourbon Aroma Training Kit This is exactly what it sounds like. A training kit to help you identify tasting notes in bourbon. It's the perfect gift for someone who appreciates the nuances of bourbon and wants to expand their palate. One of our favorite kits comes from Aroma Academy. Each kit comes with 24 aromas, a few dozen "scent swabs", and a booklet that provides in-depth information about each aroma. It's the perfect way to start developing a baseline for tasing notes and building up your sensory memory. I personally use the kit pictured above for every bourbon review I write for BRBRNY. With that being said, not every aroma is perfect but a strong majority of them are spot on. Nutmeg and cinnamon are missing from this kit, but you can easily pick those up at your local grocery store in the spice aisle. You can find Aroma Academy kits on Amazon for under $130 by clicking here. 2. Stainless Steel Bullet Flasks Small. Rugged. Stylish. Smart. That's how I describe Stainless Steel Bullet Flasks to my friends. They come with a set of two 1.28oz stainless steel flasks and a leather carrying case. Not only does it look and feel fantastic, but it fits in the back pocket of your jeans easily. What makes Bullet Flasks smart is they limit the amount of bourbon you can travel with to just over 2.5oz, while also allowing you to carry two different expressions of bourbon with you. This flask is all about quality over quantity. If that's not smart, I don't know what is. Coming in at around the $50 mark, Bullet Flasks are the perfect modern day flask for enjoyment, sophistication, and moderation. You can find Steel Bullet Flasks by clicking here. 3. Wixology Cocktail Inspired Candles I'm not a candle person. I'm really not. But my fiancee is and she bought me a couple of candles from Wixology last year and there's really a lot to like. They smell fantastic, they come with a cocktail recipe based on the candles name, and when the wax runs out you're left with a whiskey glass for your bourbon. My apologies for the lack of a photo of the actual candle. Unfortunately I dropped it while trying to take a "cool" picture for this article. Not one of my proudest moments as a "photographer". But hey, no one's perfect. Wixology candles come in various scents and sizes. Their 3oz candles start at $10 and their 7oz candles start at $25. I'd recommend the 7oz candles since you also get a cocktail glass when the wax runs out. You can explore their full product line-up by clicking here. 4. Angels Share Whiskey Water Dropper This is a gift for the bourbon lover who likes a little "pomp and circumstance" with their whiskey. This water dropper from Angels Share is hand made in Scotland and is honestly a piece of art. It also does exactly what it says it does. It allows you to add various amounts of water to your bourbon and do so with a little sophistication. You can find Angel Share's Whiskey Water Dropper on Amazon for around $40 by clicking here. 5. Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glasses Glencairn whiskey glasses are used around the world for nosing and tasting whiskeys. They're designed specifically to enhance the tasting experience of whiskey and have a rich history behind them. If the bourbon lover in your life doesn't have a set of their own Glencairns yet, I'd highly recommend picking up pair to enjoy together. You can find this set of Glencairns at Amazon for under $40 by clicking here. That's our five Valentine's Day gift ideas. Hopefully you found 1 or 2 of them helpful. Stay healthy and be safe.

Barrell's last bourbon batch of 2020 is the perfect bottle to start 2021 with. Tasting Notes Nose: Sweet red fruits come through in full force. Strong notes of cherry with a little raspberry tartness hit first. Followed by caramel and sweet oak. Rye spice rounds things out. Overall the nose is full and robust, just a great experience all the way around. Palate: Upfront sweet oak leads into notes of dark cherries and salted almonds. A little brown sugar and rye make their presence known in the mid palate. The back palate is full of mild baking spices. The mouthfeel is absolutely wonderful, creamy and full. Finish: Batch 27 leaves your mouth coated with notes of sweet oak and almonds before rye and baking spices settle in. Finishes well below its proof statement of 115.7, but still leaves you with a warm and soothing Kentucky hug. Final Thoughts Batch 27 is the third bourbon expression from Barrell that we've reviewed in the last three months at Brbnry. Back in November we reviewed Barrell Bourbon Batch 22, which won a gold at the 2020 San Fransisco World Spirits Competition. In December we reviewed Barrell Craft Spirits 15 Year Bourbon, which Breaking Bourbon recently named one of its best bottles of 2020. And I have to say that Batch 27 is my favorite of the bunch. With that being said, the hardest pill to swallow with any whiskey from Barrell Craft Spirts is their price point. Being a premium brand their whiskeys typically start around $80 (depending on where you live). It helps to remind yourself that each bourbon Barrell produces, is a one time limited release and typically bottled at (or near) barrel proof. When you look at it that way, Barrell's price points are competitive with annual limited release offerings from Bookers, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace. Barrell's price points are competitive compared to annual limited releases offerings from Bookers, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace... Does that mean Barrell's bourbon batch releases are on par with the William Larue Wellers of the world? Depending on the batch and year, I would argue they absolutely can be. Barrell Bourbon Batch 27 is a prime example. It's nose is intoxicating and robust. The palate's tasting notes are full, nuanced, and balanced. The 115.7 proof statement brings all of the flavor with the perfect amount of heat. And you can have all of this in one bottle for under $100 (depending on where you live). It's a special bourbon blended to near perfection and it's Barrell's last batch of 2020. And in my opinion at least, they saved the very best for last. Score: 295 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (Outstanding bourbon experience) Barrell Bourbon Batch 27 Photo Gallery

A Wild Turkey in its Natural Habitat The Story In the Kentucky forest, at the dawn's early light, the sun filters through a canopy of trees. Maple, Oak, and Sycamore paint kaleidoscope patterns on the ground. You walk the path and flush a wild turkey. The air booms and pops around you as the big bird weaves through trees like a drunken sailor; powerful, staggering, confident. It flies untouched through forest and disappears into the tree line. Maple, Oak, and Sycamore paint kaleidoscope patterns on the ground A moment like that is what Kentucky Spirit means to me. It’s certainly something different for each of us. In a bottle of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, you’ll find a classic Wild Turkey taste profile. A distinct touchpoint of Kentucky Bourbon. Just like the wild turkey-- this bourbon is robust, powerful, but refined enough to fly true through the forest. If you see this bottle, pick it up. Especially if you’re in the mood for a modern classic. Maybe you’ve been reading a lot of Mark Twain and need something to help you get through Huckleberry Fin. Retail in Kentucky is about 70, which I thought was slightly high, but I REGRET NOTHING!!!!! Score: 295 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (This is why the good lord made bourbon) Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Photo Gallery

One of the oldest annually released bourbons from any major distiller, EC 18yr makes its mark in 2020. Tasting Notes Nose: Apple, salted caramel, and oak are dominate. Notes are distinct and robust. Very surprised by the nose of this bottle. A fantastic overall experience. Palate: Up front there's sweet oak, a little leather, and tobacco. The mid palate is full of caramel, dark cherries, and candied sour apple. A true show stopper all the way around. Finish: This bourbon coats your mouth with a warm dark fruit sweetness. The mouth feel is smooth and creamy as it goes down. A little dry oak and black pepper rounds things out. Final Thoughts It's important to remember that any single barrel bottle of whiskey is essentially a role of the dice. Sometimes you get a single barrel that's truly amazing and sometimes you get a real dud. Well, I hit the lottery my friends. Bottled in December of 2019 from barrel 4873, this particular bottle of Elijah Craig 18 year is one of the best bourbon's I've had in recent memory. I've read multiple reviews over the years from reviewers I trust that have not had much luck with this 18-year-old expression from Heaven Hill. But that makes sense considering it's a single barrel, you never know what you're gonna get until you open the bottle. My experience with this bottle of Elijah Craig 18 Year has been amazing. It stands out as one of the best overall bourbon experiences I've had. If you are lucky enough to find bottle from barrel 4873, grab it and run. It's well worth the $130 to bring it home and be reminded of what truly great bourbon is all about. Final Score: 370 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (Exceptional bourbon) "Sometimes you get a single barrel that's truly amazing and sometimes you get a real dud. Well, I hit the lottery my friends." Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18 Year Photo Gallery

The 9th edition of Angel Envy Cask Strength is a stunner in and out of the box. The Story Over the years Angel Envy Cask Strength has had its fair share of awards and accolades. Including being named the “best spirit in the world” by F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal in 2013 and then receiving its highest rating of "five stars" in 2015. This is something Angel Envy proudly states on their website and includes in every press release I've ever seen for their annual cask strength releases . However, over the past several years Angel Envy's Cask Strength has been hit-or-miss depending on who you ask. That hasn't stopped it from being one of the most sought after bourbons/whiskeys on the market every year, even with its super premium $199 price tag. Personally speaking, it's a unicorn bottle that I've been in search of going back to 2015. This year's Cask Strength release is Angel Envy's ninth edition and marks the first time it's been allocated across all 50 states in the US. I was shocked when I saw it listed for $230 on a trusted online retailer's website. That's by no means inexpensive, but I was happy to have my five year hunt for a bottle come to an end. This year's Cask Strength release is Angel Envy's ninth edition and marks the first time it's been allocated across all 50 states in the US. The first thing I noticed about Angel Envy Cask Strength is the quality of its specialty box. It feels like real hardwood and the engraving is beautifully done from front to back. But as nice as the specialty box is, if it lowered the price by say $50 to forgo the box, I'd happily just take the bottle. Tasting Notes Nose: The nose is absolutely out of this world. You can almost feel it coming out of the glass. It's full of rich fruit notes with an abundance of vanilla and caramel. The experience is 100% intoxicating. Palate and Finish: I'm going to go ahead and tell you now that the palate does not deliver the same experience as the nose. This expression of Angel Envy Cask Strength is a big and bold bourbon. You can feel every bit of its 120.4 proof statement and that means it's not going to be for everyone. By comparison a standard bottle of Angel Envy is only 86.6 proof. That's a pretty big jump up the alcohol-by-volume ladder for just about anyone. The intensity of Angel Envy Cask Strength's palate reminds me of experiences I've had with recent releases of Stagg Jr. and Elijah Craig Full Proof. It has big bold tasting notes that hit aggressively and can leave you shaking your head in disbelief. If that doesn't sound like your idea of a good time, then sadly this isn't the bottle for you my friend. If you're someone who thoroughly enjoys higher proof bourbons, then the 2020 edition of Angel Envy Cask Strength is absolutely for you. Upfront the palate is dominated by strong notes of dark fruits and tart cherry, followed by orange caramel notes in the mid palate. The finish is where things get interesting. It has a citrusy note that turns into a robust Red Hots candy experience that coats your tongue. It's honestly delicious, but it takes a couple of pours to get acclimated to the intensity of the heat. The intensity of Angel Envy Cask Strength's palate reminds me of experiences I've had with recent releases of Stagg Jr. and Elijah Craig Full Proof. As a whole, the 2020 release of Angel Envy's Cask Strength is an amazing bourbon. If you like big, bold, and intense whiskey experiences this bottle delivers in every way. In fact this 2020 edition of Angel Envy Cask Strength is without a doubt one of my favorite bottles from an absolute hellish year. Final Score: 350 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (stunning bourbon experience, but expensive) 2020 Angel Envy Cask Strength Photo Gallery

Barrell Bourbon's third release of its premium 15 year expression has high hopes and a steep price tag. Before I get started with this review, I want to warn you that I am a big Barrell Bourbon fan. In my opinion they produce some of the best bottles of not just bourbon, but whiskey on the market today. When it comes to their bourbon releases each batch is unique and offers a one of a kind tasting experience. Which honestly is a little crazy considering that most distillers and non-distiller producers go to extreme lengths to maintain consistent taste profiles. The fact that Barrell has successfully built a premium whiskey brand without using consistent taste profiles, is a testament to just how damn good they are at what they do. 2020 marks the third year in a row that Barrell has released a 15-year-old cask strength bourbon as part of it's Barrel Craft Spirits (BCS) line-up . It's suggested retail price of $199 is definitely off putting, but Barrell's regular bourbon releases cost somewhere in the $80 and $100 range, so a super premium price tag for a 15 year limited release isn't that surprising. The problem is... if you're going to charge $200 for any bottle of bourbon, it better be out of this world good. The fact that Barrell has successfully built a premium whiskey brand without using consistent taste profiles, is a testament to just how damn good they are at what they do. This year's Barrell Craft Spirits 15 Year clocks in at 104.9 proof, which is exceptional for a 15 year bourbon. Barrell says it sourced juice from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee for this year's BCS offering. The bottle comes in a beautifully designed matte black specialty box and has a unique ceramic stopper that I've never seen before. The packaging at least makes you feel like you have a special bottle on your hands, but it's no where near as premium feeling as Angel Envy's Cask Strength boxes (which are made of hardwood). But it feels more special than say Booker's specialty box, which looks nice but feels cheap. Tasting Notes The nose is pleasant. There's noticeable charred oak, tobacco, apple, cherry, and cocoa powder. A little bit of heat can be felt, but it's not off putting. When all of the notes come together they remind me of cherry Pepsi, which I typically associate with bourbon's from Knob Creek. That's a good thing (if you're a Knob fan). The palate is full of rich oak notes, dark fruits, sweet honey, and subtle rye notes. The mouthfeel is a little thin, but the tasting notes are robust enough to make-up for it's thinness. As a whole the palate is oak forward but balanced out nicely with dark fruit notes that soften the experience. The finish is very impressive for a 15 year 104.9 proof bourbon. It's full of flavor and warmth that sticks around just long enough to miss it once it's gone. The only hang-up for me is the oak turns peppery in the finish. It takes a few pours to get use to the pepperiness of the finish. Not a deal breaker by any means, just a different kind of note to finish on. The problem is... if you're going to charge $200 for any bottle of bourbon, it better be out of this world good. Closing Thoughts $200 is a lot of money to pay for any bottle of bourbon, or whiskey for that matter. Even though I am a huge fan of Barrell's whiskeys, I cannot say that this bottle is worth the two Benjamins (plus tax) for the average or new-ish bourbon enthusiasts. There are just too many other bourbons at better price points that offer just as good of an experience as this 15 year bottle of Barrell Bourbon Craft Spirits. If you're a Barrell Bourbon diehard and have a burning desire to try one of their special releases, then this is the bottle for you. It's a great 15 year expression of bourbon. It's not overly "oaked" or dry, which is the norm for 12+ year old bourbons. And it's 104.9 proof point is almost unheard of for a bourbon this old. The problem for me is that it doesn't standout enough from Barrell's regular bourbon batch releases. Barrell's 2020 Craft Spirits 15 year bourbon is a bottle that I feel fortunate enough to have experienced, but I won't be rushing out the door to find another bottle due to its lofty price tag. Final Score: 275 out of 379 Kentucky Miles ( very good, but expensive ) Barrell Bourbon Craft Spirits 15 Year Photo Gallery

Rossville Union Hero Series Lt. Phil Bender (2020) The Story Bourbon/Rye/Whiskey is a working drink. It’s been that way in American for a while. The first European settlers were hard-drinking folks. Even the Puritans had a place for it. Thomas Jefferson made time to manufacture Rye Whiskey from his own land. This Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey, is a hero series. On the back of the bottle, you can see the man is doing work. I received this bottle from a friend because I live in the southern edge of the Florence Fire protection district. For our community, a bourbon or rye in remembrance of our local hero is fully deserved, makes us feel proud, and at the same time, sad that our community is continuing on without him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. And we thank him for all the work making our city a safe community. Rossville Union Rye Whiskeys produce what is known as a “high rye” whiskey, routinely adding more than the 51% rye mash bill required by law to be classified as a rye whiskey. This particular bottle was a single barrel select by the Liquor Express “Heroes Reserve” 2020 series and is likely 4 to 5 years old. Those of us who aren't savages hold rye close to our hearts, as it's essential to the perfect mixed drink. Tasting Notes It’s an excellent example of a classic Rye Whiskey. It's fruit-forward with lots of cherry, rye, and charred American Oak in the initial taste and then finishes with a warm after burn. It’s an excellent rye. Adding an ice cube allows some additional notes to come out. It would be amazing in a mixed drink, but it's such a good rye I've been drinking it straight. It's really sweet at the front and complex in the after taste. Those of us who aren't savages hold Rye close to our hearts, as it's essential to the perfect mixed drink. I researched a few other reviews on this product and I really think people have missed the mark on this rye. It's scored as average, but it's a MOUTHWATERING expression that is on par with the very best. Granted my bottle is a single barrel, but I was so impressed with this rye that I started to wonder if some other bourbon reviews even taste what they are reviewing. I found myself planning my day around when I get to sit down with the good Lieutenant again. Hell, I salute the damn bottle every time I pour a drink. This is a far cry from what others have said about Rossville Union Single Barrel. Is anyone willing to take a stand against prevailing bourbon blog opinions? Yes, one man will make a stand, I'm scoring this as the best rye I've ever had. That score is not in step with others; I've made myself an outlier on this one. Maybe my palate isn't up to the task, but I gotta call them like I taste it, and I taste greatness. I would walk 300 Kentucky Miles to find this Rye Whiskey (Fantastic, high quality rye)