The Liquor Store Podcast

Master Distiller Owen Martin's first big project at Angel's Envy combines three distinct barrels blended at 92 proof. Hungarian, Chinkapin, and French oak, each contributing a layer of flavor, but none overpowering the whiskey. Starts out with soft baking spice, then cinnamon and oak spice on the mid-palate then finish with dried fruits and toffee. Overall this is a rich dessert-like whiskey that performs best when sipped neat. Win the right to buy special bottles. Bottles rotate monthly. Visit a Bourbon World store #bourbonworld for details: https://bit.ly/3BtaqB9 I hope you find this review helpful. If so, please like/follow/subscribe, cheers!

If you're looking for something different in the Irish whiskey category, make sure to check out Jameson Triple Triple. It's triple distilled like all Midleton whiskey, but then finished in three different casks, bourbon, sherry, and chestnut casks. The usual Jameson fruit, sweetness and drinkability takes on a mellow, nutty complexity with the addition of the chestnut casks, there's even a bit of toffee pudding, Chistmas cake spice on the finish that really adds to the depth. This would be an easy innovation or line extension to overlook or ignore because it's not at a luxury price point, but you shouldn't because it's really tasty.

  I've never quite bought into the "ocean" aged concept that Jefferson's has touted for many years, mainly because I could never really tell the difference between ocean aged and regular, but I will say over time I have tasted a few gems, especially their single barrels. This is a wheated single barrel, ocean aged at 90 proof bottled for Bourbon World. The MGP wheated recipe has also been hit or miss over the years. I've tasted ones that I thought were maybe the best wheated bourbon I've ever had, including Weller, and I've tasted others that were lost, flabby, just so-so. Which brings us to this particular barrel. Over priced at the $90 SRP, so we've lowered it to $69.99, which I can say with a straight face is a HUGE DEAL! Pillow soft cinnamon spice with layers of caramel throughout. The fruit is subdued, the oak is subdued but the barrel sugars are amazing. Maybe you're like me and getting older and need a little something less than barrel strength sometimes. Don't sleep on 90 proof. Elmer T Lee, Eagle Rare, Weller Special Reserve, all 90 proof. Grab a bottle at any Bourbon World store. You won't regret it.  

  Always a monster whiskey, this latest release features a 15yr and 2 month old vatting bottled at 136.1 proof. Baking spices, cola, and a touch of mint on the nose lead to intense warming spice, barrel notes, more cola, fig, maraschino cherries and caramel. The finish is lengthy with a flood of sweet spice. This is the stalwart, and it never seems to disappoint.

  Minty/herbal yeast strain combined with the sweet and spicy high rye recipe bottled at 100 proof may be the most "old school" bourbon I've tasted in a long time. Lots of soft, chewy caramels combined with the "top notes" of mint and herbs. The spice is subdued in this recipe and the sweetness and balance of fruit really shine through. RUN to the store to get these red labels before they sell out. The 100 proof makes these a pure delight to drink straight.

Four Roses latest innovation is a welcome change. Instead of releasing finished product at twice the price, they are releasing 100 proof versions of their recipes at a LOWER price than their retailer selected single barrels. The new red label looks fantastic and the juice is great as usual. Today we're looking at the OESK recipe. This is the LOW rye mashbill with the spicy yeast. Always a favorite at our barrel picks, the spicy yeast pairs perfectly with the sweeter than industry standard Four Roses. Early Grey tea, sweet oak, cinnamon, and toffee are all at play. The 100 proof may just be the secret to Four Roses as well. Grab these before they're gone!

This is our FIRST EVER SINGLE BARREL of Sazerac Rye. While we normally LOVE this everyday rye for its versatility in cocktails or just sipping neat, what we found at Buffalo Trace has a rye that exceeded all of our expecations. Exceptionally sweet, with a sugar floss and tropical fruit entry which only gets lighter, more etherteal, and flavorful on the finish. Thank candied apple, but instead of an acidic bite to go with the caramelly goodness it's replaced with a deeply sweet spice note that just lingers.

This is our FIRST EVER SINGLE BARREL of Sazerac Rye. While we normally LOVE this everyday rye for its versatility in cocktails or just sipping neat, what we found at Buffalo Trace has a rye that exceeded all of our expecations. Exceptionally sweet, with a sugar floss and tropical fruit entry which only gets lighter, more etherteal, and flavorful on the finish. Thank candied apple, but instead of an acidic bite to go with the caramelly goodness it's replaced with a deeply sweet spice note that just lingers.

  Combining bourbon and rye isn't necessarily a new thing, as Wild Turkey's Unforgiven took marketing advantage of a blending "accident" years ago, but with Beam's release of Little Book Infinite, and now their Bourbon x Rye they've taken the concept to a new level. Who knew HOW GOOD Beam's rye recipe is, especially when salted with a little 9 year Knob Creek. Nose is spicy with tropical notes and sweet almonds. On the palate, the 113 proof blend exhibits sweet rye smoothness, combined with a backbone of spicy bourbon. Again, this might be an easy release to overlook, but you shouldn't. It's delicious and will be the sneaky hit in any bottle tasting. And don't even get me started on how good of an Old Fashioned this makes. It's legit!

  Beam checked every box with this new release! It's their high rye recipe (Old Grand Dad) released as a single barrel at 7 years old at 107 proof. I don't I think we could have scripted it any better. And the results are incredible. Best NOSE on a Beam item I've smelled in years, maybe ever! Lot's of candied almonds and tropical fruit, very fragrant. On the palate, tons of Beam yeast flavor with orange rind, caramel, and soft spices to finish. The price is high, but it's an innovative release that doesn't rely on finishing, gimmicks or anything, just darn good bourbon released at the right age and the right proof. Worthy of any drinker's Collection.