6/2008 OLD FORESTER KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKY (86 proof)
Booze trivia du jour: Why is Old Forester spelt "whisky" instead of whiskey"? Answer: Well, it might have something to with the fact that George Garvin Brown, the creator of OLD FORESTER, was descended from a Scotsman, and we know how the Scotch distillers prefer "whisky" to "whiskey."

Anyhoo, OLD FORESTER has been around in one form or another since 1870. You can get some sense of its rollicking history from here. One of it's big claims to fame is that OLD FORESTER was the first bourbon to be made available in sealed bottles. (Before the 20th-century, whiskey was sold directly from the barrel, and in an a range of vessels. Selling it in a sealed, labeled bottle sent consumers of the day a message, "This product is good and safe. It isn't snake oil.")

So many Bourbons are very sweet and, well, rather simple. OLD FORESTER is an interesting spirit. Scotch tipplers might find it worth a try. OLD FORESTER reportedly uses a higher percentage of rye than most other bourbons, and we believe it. The flavor is distinct; it hits the nose and palate with a rush of flavors: menthol, maple syrup, butter scotch, and orange peel, to cite a few. This whiskey is not particularly sweet, and it closes dryly. OLD FORESTER is a very nuanced Bourbon, and one that tastes like no others. Indeed, this happy encounter makes us want to try to the much ballyhooed 94 ("birthday") and 100 proof ("signature") versions of OLD FORESTER. (Rating ****1/4)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle of OLD FORESTER, click here. Otherwise, surf to http://www.oldforester.com/.

Labels: Bourbon, Kentucky, Old Forester, Whisky

 

5/2008 W.L. WELLER SPECIAL RESERVE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
Wow- we really love this 90 proof bourbon. It has a great mouthfeel, and it offers up some luscious notes: butterscotch, spearmint, orange peel, and more. Serve it straight or add just a few drops of water. Delicious. (Rating ****1/2)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle of W.L. WELLER, click here. Otherwise, check with the company that produces it, Buffalo Trace of Franklin County, Kentucky.

Labels: Bourbon, Kentucky, W.L. Weller, Whiskey

 

5/2008 MAKER'S MARK KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKY
A few weeks back, we got a grumpy e-mail from a reader about a review we wrote about eight years ago. He groused that our 3.75 star rating was too high, that MAKER'S MARK tasted like "kerosene" and so forth. The complaints were made so obstreperously that they were hard to take seriously. None the less, we acquired a sample of MAKER'S MARK and decided to give it a sip. The result? This time around we noticed less vanilla and more menthol. For 90 proof, yes, this whisky is a little gassy. That's not necessarily a damnable trait, provided one can add a little water and make it softer. One can; three ounces of MAKER'S MARK plus one ounce of water yields a pleasant whisky. As a judge might put it, "Petitioner's claims lack merit; the appeal is dismissed." (Rating ***1/2)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle of MAKER'S MARK, click here. Otherwise, check with the folks at http://www.MakersMark.com.

Labels: Bourbon, Kentucky, Maker's Mark, Whisky

 

5/2008 JEFFERSON'S VERY SMALL BATCH STRAIGHT KENTUCKY BOURBON WHISKY
We enjoyed this 82.3 proof bourbon with a little water added to it, which seemed to release both corn and butterscotch notes. A good bourbon, and you can use the pretty bottle to store beans or what have you. (Rating ***1/4)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle, click here. Otherwise, check with the folks at http://www.CastleBrandsInc.com.

Labels: Bourbon, Jefferson's, Kentucky, McLain and Kyne, Whisky

 

5/2008 EVAN WILLIAMS KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
Often, we have deemed one wine or another a "great house wine," meaning that the product so deemed offers great quality for a great price, so much so that one can stock up and serve said item regularly. Well, after much consideration, we must declare EVAN WILLIAMS a "great house bourbon." We've enjoyed this whiskey for more than a few years, and it really is impressive, especially for the price. Recently, we bought a 1.75 liter bottle of EVAN WILLIAMS for about $22. That's a very low price for an 80 proof Bourbon that is non-gassy (i.e., easy sippin') and that offers nice corn and light vanilla and orange peel notes. (Rating ****)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle, click here. Otherwise, check with the folks at http://www.EvanWilliams.com/.

Labels: Bourbon, Evan WIlliams, Kentucky

 

4/2008 SAM HOUSTON KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKY
Well, the word is out-- AlcoholReviews.com's head honcho, Kevin R. Kosar, is writing a book on whiskey. So, surprise, surprise, waves of samples have been hitting our front door. Happy news, for certain, as so many of these products are quite good.

Take SAM HOUSTON BOURBON (85.6 proof), for example. A bottle can be had for $40 or less, and it provides great flavor for the buck. This full-bodied whisky (yes, this brand does spell it "whisky") has nice cereal and corn notes, and it finishes slightly dry. Add a little water and SAM HOUSTON BOURBON shows herbal and floral notes. Well done. (Rating ****)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle, click here. Otherwise, check with the folks at http://www.CastleBrandsInc.com.

Labels: and Kyne, Bourbon, Kentucky, McLain and Kyne, Sam Houston, Whisky

 

8/2007 OLD CROW BOURBON WHISKEY
This venerable brand fell from late 19th century heights to near obscurity today. One doesn't see if very often, and when one finds it, it's tucked on a bottom shelf and covered with dust. We found a 1.75 liter jug for $17 at a neighborhood liquor store in Washington, DC. What can we say- you pour this on a heap of ice, add some water, and swill it quick. Once chilled, the gassiness disappears and one can enjoy the faint minty and vanilla notes. (Rating **3/4)

To see if our retailer can get you a bottle by clicking SHOP, typing "OLD CROW" in the search engine, and clicking the magnifying glass. Otherwise, for more information, surf to this whiskey fiends' website http://www.ellenjaye.com/ghosts.htm or check out these reviews.

Labels: Bourbon, Kentucky, Old Crow

 

5/2007 LABROT & GRAHAM WOODFORD RESERVE DISTILLER'S SELECT
Happy Kentucky Derby Day! This Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a solid 90.4 proof. The flat, old-fashin-lookin' bottle is awf'ly perty too. We like the woodgrain top with the cork, um-hm. This whiskey is a bit sharp straight up; best to add a touch of water or a cube of ice, yessir, that's right, mmm-hmm.. Then, you'll enjoy the flavors of corn, carmel, and vanilla, yes'm.... (Rating ****)

To see if our retailer can get you a bottle by clicking SHOP, typing "WOODFORD" in the search engine, and clicking the magnifying glass. Otherwise, for more information, surf to http://www.WoodfordReserve.com/. For another whiskey fiend's opinion, see http://www.kentuckystraightbourbon.com/bourbons/woodfordreserve.html.

Labels: Bourbon, Kentucky, Labrot and Graham Woodford