The Big Red Dram

So after a 13 week Hiatus, thanks Yellowstone binge watching and Baseball, I am back to give a brief recap of my Barrel picking trip to Kentucky in APRIL!  Then I discuss one of the picks for the WWC and Malloy's, the Wilderness Trail High Rye Bourbon.  So good! Cheers

Every now and then you get a chance to sit down with some really cool people. The first time was with Charlie Rodman from Signatory and that was such a treat. Today was even more so as I got to sit down with not one but 2 people that have been working tirelessly in the industry for quite some time and this past year I have been fortunate enough to meet them and now I call them friends. Steve Malloy of @malloysfinestwine and Jeff Peterson of @stellumspirits sat down with me today to discuss all things Stellum and my delicious Vega H7 Single Barrel Pick. All I have to say is Stellum has something here ladies and gentlemen, and if you don’t have a bottle of the Rye Black label. You will regret it! Cheers!

I was able to get my hands on a collaborative vatting done by the Whisk(e)y Soaked Souls and I have to say I had my doubts that there would be a noticeable difference from the standard Machir Bay.  I really should know better. It is just enough that it makes the Machir Bay more approachable, dare I say softer?  The additional Sherry just brings the right amount of fruit up into the peat that now it feels balanced.  It literally made my mouth water, and I am not sure I have ever said that about an Islay Whisky before.  A wonderful dram! Cheers!

These two picks from Malloy's finest are a shining example of up and coming Starlight Distillery.  They are going to be doing great things in the future I can tell.  While the Straight Bourbon is good, the Port Finish knocks it out of the park.  Delicious whiskies, on their own, these would also do really well in an Old Fashioned cocktail.   Cheers!

These two expressions from Kentucky Peerless distillery are truly some fine examples of what this craft distillery is capable of.  The Double Oak was hard to find when it hit shelves, and for good reason.  It is delicious bourbon, hitting all the right notes, especially after warming up the palate a bit.  The Distillery exclusive Rye single barrel The Highlander, was also a treat when I bought it at the distillery last fall, a light, floral and highly approachable Rye, this one is an easy sipper!  Cheers!

This absolutely delicious PX finished whisky is the stuff dreams are made of.  From the delightful sherried nose to its impeccably balanced palate, the warm finish just wraps this one up perfectly.  Kilchoman has earned its place among the greats on Islay, and they are all great.  I am astonished that my single bottle of Machir Bay has 8 brothers and sisters next to it now.  That didn't take too long.  

I had been looking for one of these for over a Year and happily landed one late this past year and it is something.  A blend of Straight Rye Whiskies finished in French Oak Port Barrels, this one definitely has an influence of Port.  A delicious dram that warms you up on a midwinter nights eve.   Cheers!

Well well well.  Look who came crawling back!  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you!  It has been 10 weeks or so since my last and apparently season ending episode and I am sorry for that.  It has been a wild 2 and a half months of sports, Holidays, trips and illnesses, but I'm Baaaaack and excited about 2022.  Excited about the whiskey end of it anyway.  So I was fortunate enough to be a part of selecting this delightful bottle of Sagamore that is anything but a typical rye whiskey.  This one is special and I am excited to talk about it tonight. Just a delicious blend of traditional whiskey notes with some Coca Cola Slushy goodness mixed in! Cheers!

***FIXED AUDIO***   Running through two opposite ends of the spectrum, the Charleston Vesey's Bourbon and the Very Olde St. Nick Summer Rye.  Two delicious craft whiskies that hold their own within their price points.  The Charleston reminds me a bit of a classic Kentucky style bourbon with a hint of oak.  The VOSN rye is a delectable rye full of explosive flavors that subdue into a dark cherry cobbler that is smooth and approachable.  

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one of these unique picks and I was grateful for Nirav keeping one for me. This bottle had a wonderful nose, but was an intense blend of OF BiB and 1910 I think.  It had a lot going on and gave way to an oaky slightly tannic sour note way in the back that perplexed me a bit.  Great long finish.  These are new, and this one tasted as such. It didn't have the refined quality the previous 90 proof versions had, but I think that is part of the growing pains.  This one isn't for the faint of heart and at it's core, was every bit Old Forester.  A good pick to say the least. Well done.