Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of toasted and steeped cereal grains supported by honey, nutmeg, and French Cognac casks. The palate is in agreement with the nose delivering perhaps a richer, and sweeter malt and grain-driven core with waves of caramel, Brandy, and charred oak. Full-bodied with ideal balance and respectable length on the palate as spicy and peppery accents rise on the finish. Made with a mashbill of 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye, finished in Cognac casks for 10 months. $109.99 – 4 Stars
Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey
Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The aromatics are very engaging with scents of sweet grains, honey, caramel, and vanilla bean with accents of dried fruits and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, baked fruit-driven core with waves of baking spices, toffee, and vanilla with hints of oak and black pepper. Full-bodied with ideal balance and great length on the palate — its carries its strength with style and grace. $65 – 4.5 Stars
Kentucky Owl Confiscated Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of toasted oak, caramel, brown baking spices, and saddle leather with hints of spring flowers and dried herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering an orchard fruit and toffee-driven core with supporting notes of brown baking spice, graham crackers, cigar box, toasted oak, and toffee. Full-bodied and nicely balanced offering a rich core with very vibrant flavors, which is admirable considering the strength. The Whiskey's source(s) and mashbill are unknown. $124.99 – 4 Stars
Kentucky Owl Wiseman Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant. deep amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of spicy rye enveloped in caramel fudge, cinnamon, oak, and toasted walnuts with a hint of citrus. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a silky and spicy, rye-driven core with sweet honey and caramel notes foiled by drier oak and black pepper flavors. Full-bodied and ideally balanced as this overproof Rye Whiskey wears it's strength with finesse. Made with a mashbill of 95% rye. $60 – 4.5 Stars
Mr. Pickles Pacific Northwest Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully aromatic with the fresh scents of juniper in the lead with supporting accents of green tea, peppercorns, and hints of pine forest floor. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and lush core of semisweet spirit with waves of juniper, citrus, and pickling spices with fresh herbs. Full-bodied and ideally balanced with the silky spirit being supported by a generous dose of acidity making it a pleasure to sip. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Eight Settlers Ragtown American Whiskey
Brilliant, deep golden/copper color. The nose is spicy and assertive offering scents of caramel with loads of brown baking spices with charred oak, and brown sugar. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a rich caramel and fruit core with a lot of astringent tannins, spice, and black pepper. Full-bodied with loads of wood tannin, pepper, and spikes of alcohol heat. $60 – 3 Stars
Eight Settlers Devil's Gate Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, amber/copper color. The nose is filled with scents of vanilla cream, sweet corn Whiskey, and brown butter with brown spices, pepper, and oak. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich, sweet, corn Whiskey core with generous spice and vanilla accents finishing with a cold, black tea-like tannin. Full-bodied with great length and ideal balance and bright acidity. $50.89 – 3.5 Stars
Eight Settlers Butler Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is subtle and delicate with notes of vanilla, mineral, and talc with subtle floral accents. The palate confirms the nose delivering a vibrant, sweet vanilla-driven core with soft mineral and sweet citrus notes on the finish. Medium-bodied with subtle flavors and enough citrus notes to offer balance. $28.99 – 3.5 Stars
Eight Settlers Green Ditch Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose reveals a robust, classic Gin with waves of juniper in the lead supported by scents of citrus zest, sweet anise, and dried seeds. The palate echoes the nose delivering a pleasingly juniper forward core with waves of lemon and lime zest with licorice, and hints of coriander and pepper. Full-bodied with a silky spirit and generous botanicals balanced ideally with citrus and spice. $42 – 4 Stars
Santo Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, pale, golden color. The nose is bold, offering scents of brown baking spices, oak, citrus zest, and tropical fruits with hints of cigar box, vanilla bean, and cremé brulee. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a rich fruit-driven core with waves of vanilla cream, toffee, desert brush, black pepper, and hints of clove and nutmeg. Ideally balanced with superb length and the proper complexity for after dinner sipping. $75 – 4 Stars
