King of Kentucky Barrel No. 8 15 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, deep, cherry wood color. The nose is amazingly harmonious, sweet, and complex even before a water addition. (It's better after a splash of water.) The nose is filled with scents of charred oak, baked apples and pears, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and roasted nuts. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dense baked fruit and vanilla cream focused core with generous waves of brown baking spices, toasted coconut, black pepper, and honey. Full-bodied with a complex and dense palate that greatly evolves with water and aeration. Sip slowly as it's not cheap and there are just over 2,000 bottles available. $250 – 4.5 Stars
Bib & Tucker American White Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are reminiscent of stepping into a large feed warehouse (I love that smell) with waves of raw grains filling the nose supported by accents of grass, wild herbs, and bread dough. The palate confirms the nose delivering a dense, grain-focused core with waves of spice, dried herbs, and sweet sap accents. Medium-bodied with lush grains and vibrant edges thanks to a dose of bright acidity. $40 – 3 Stars
Heaven's Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep bronze color. The nose is vibrant with generous notes of sweet grains, banana bread, butterscotch, and honey with hints of toffee, beeswax, nutmeg, and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet, honeyed grain-driven core with spicy rye accents with hints of earth and toasted oak. Full-bodied with a lush, sweet core while balanced with a bright dose of acidity. Aged in new American oak for a minimum of seven years. $49.99 – 4 Stars
Boone Co. Jail Distillery Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wildly expressive with fresh juniper in the lead followed by vibrant and earthy botanicals that are lifted with accents of citrus and ginger. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush but vibrant core with galangal (similar to ginger) and citrus with earthy angelica root and delicate brown spice and pepper accents rising on the finish. Full-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright dose of acidity and lively botanicals. An undisputed Best Buy. 4.5 Stars
Boone Co. Jail Distillery Conjugal Visit American White Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are reminiscent of stepping into a large feed warehouse with waves of raw grains filling the nose supported by accents sour mash. The palate echoes the nose with raw and rustic grain core with hints of sour bread dough and black pepper. Full-bodied with an assertive, full grain explosion that has quite a punch on the overproof palate. Made with 100% corn in Lebanon, Indiana. 3 Stars
Coopers' Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant bronze color. The nose is wonderfully delicate while generous with scents of sweet oak, baked orchard fruits, and caramel, with hints of citrus zest, vanilla cream, and brown sugar. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but sprite fruit driven core redolent of a richly spiced apple pie with toasted oak and sweet cinnamon rising on the finish. Medium-bodied with good length and ideal balance thanks a bright dose of acidity. After aging this Bourbon runs through a special beech and birch charcoal filter finishing process that contributes to its soft and silky texture. $21.99 – 4 Stars
Coopers' Craft Barrel Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep bronze color. The nose is filled with bold scents of charred oak, baked apples, and brown baking spices with accents of saddle leather, vanilla cream, and dark honey. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and assertive brown sugar, fruit, and oak forward core with flanking notes of brown spice, black pepper, and vanilla. Full-bodied with bold fruit, caramel, and oak flavors the keep fresh due to bright acidity and ideal balance. Aged in house-crafted barrels that feature textured, hewn interior staves that when charred create a tremendous amount of surface space that infuse this bold Bourbon with a deeply charred oak character. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars
Roaming Man Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper with hints of burgundy. The nose is incredibly intense offering a dense core of rich caramel with waves of vanilla cream, butterscotch, and brown baking spices with accents of black pepper, cigar box, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush caramel and brown butter core with loads of spice, oak, and dried red fruits. Full-bodied with decadent flavors that linger on the palate for minutes finishing with pepper and bright acidity. It's an unforgettable Rye. $45 – 4.5 Stars
Old Forester 100 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper color. The nose is explosive with waves of rich caramel and sassafras with accents of wild flowers, citrus zest, allspice, and subtle hints of dried red berries. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush yet spicy brown sugar and brown spice core with flanking notes of black pepper, nutmeg, baked orchard fruits, and vibrant citrus notes. Full-bodied with intense raw sugar notes foiled by loads of spice, oak, and generous acidity. A steal in the Rye Whiskey category. Add a generous drop or two of water to get the full aromatic and flavor experience. $22.99 – 4.5 Stars
Clyde May's Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant amber color. The nose is vibrant offering scents of honeycomb, dried fruits, and vanilla bean with accents of star anise, dried flowers, leather, and black pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, dried fruit core with waves of dried orange peel, loads of brown baking spices, and butter biscuits. Full-bodied with generous fruit and spice notes kept in balance by a bright dose of acidity that creates a dry, peppery finish. Aged for three-plus years, the Clyde May's Rye is great addition to the lineup. $44.99 – 4.5 Stars
