Brian Haara
Bourbon. Law. Author.
Sipp’n Corn Tasting Notes: Yellowstone 2019 Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Every year I look forward to what Steve and Paul Beam put together for their Yellowstone Limited Edition. I think that others must be catching on, because I used to be able to buy it, and now all I have is this sample bottle. I’m eager to see what I almost missed out on.
Yellowstone 2019 Limited Edition Tasting Notes
Bourbon: Yellowstone 2019 Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distillery: Undisclosed
Age: 9 years
ABV: 50.5% (101 proof)
Cost: $99.99
Appearance:
The brown side of amber.
Nose:
Classic caramel, dark red fruit and candy store sugar, white chocolate, and oak.
Taste:
Caramel, cherry, and milk chocolate balanced by oak and cinnamon.
Finish:
Long with building warmth and satisfying nuttiness. After the swell it leaves you with a lingering warm, sweet fade. This is an outstanding finish.
Bottom Line
Another year and another homerun for Yellowstone. In fact, this Yellowstone might be the best yet. The balance is remarkable but it’s really the finish where this bourbon shines; with each sip I contemplated the swells and fades. Overall, its sweetness and proof give it approachability for new bourbon drinkers and its elegance and finish will impress the most experienced enthusiasts.
Wherever you are on your personal bourbon journey, I highly recommend the 2019 Yellowstone Limited Edition.
Disclaimer: The brand managers kindly sent me a sample
for this review, without any strings attached.
Thank you.
Sipp’n Corn Tasting Notes: Heaven Hill Trifecta of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C919; Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A120; and Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 15-year.
Here’s the last batch of 2019 for one of my favorite bourbons—Elijah Craig 12-year Barrel Proof. And the first batch ever for what is bound to be another of my favorite bourbons—Larceny Barrel Proof. Plus, the oldest Old Fitzgerald in the decanter series, the fall release of a 15-year old Bottled in Bond beauty.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C919 Tasting Notes
Bourbon: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Age: 12 years
ABV: 68.4% (136.8 proof)
Cost: $60.00
Appearance:
Nice glint of red under the brown and amber.
Nose:
Whoa that’s hot and peppery, but give it a minute and you’ll find caramel and vanilla sweetness and lingering oak. The aromas give every indication that this will be a robust bourbon.
Taste:
As predicted by the aromas, yes this is a hot one—extremely hot. Try it neat but then add a splash of water so that you can experience sweet flavors of caramel and vanilla. There’s a great shift to cinnamon both with and without water, but this overall this is definitely a bourbon to drink with water.
Finish:
Medium length with lingering oak and lingering heat.
Larceny Barrel Proof A120 Tasting Notes
Bourbon: Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Age: NAS, but 6-8 years
ABV: 61.62% (123.2 proof)
Cost: $49.99
Appearance:
Darker than I would have expected, even for being uncut.
Nose:
Brown sugar, nougat, and the sweet aromas that I expect from Larceny hit right away with baking spice emerging.
Taste:
Flavors of vanilla and caramel, as should be expected from a wheated bourbon, along with honey and more nougat for additional sweetness, balanced with oak and tobacco. The flavor are very rich, which sometimes I find lacking in wheated bourbons. Slow-melting ice amps up the creaminess. (I didn’t try it with water because I didn’t want to create regular Larceny.)
Finish:
The medium-length finish has a nice oak and cinnamon element. Faint warmth extended beyond what I really considered to be the finish for a fantastic way of easing into the next sip.
Old Fitzgerald 15-year Bottled in Bond Tasting Notes
Bourbon: Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond decanter series, fall 2019
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Age: 15 years
ABV: 50.0% (100 proof)
Cost: $150.00
Appearance:
Golden brown consistent with its age.
Nose:
Dark caramel and oak but pretty subdued.
Taste:
I immediately knew that this was special. It’s full of caramel, dried dark fruit, cinnamon apples and great oak. Elegant. Creamy. It reminds me bourbon from decades ago.
Finish:
Long with lingering oak and swells of warmth.
Bottom Line
The final batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof for 2019—which is the highest proof since batch A116—is more one-dimensional than other ECBP batches and just too hot for my taste. But in a way it’s two-dimensional: heat plus sweet, which is actually a difficult combination to pull off. Definitely try this one with a splash of water and experience how it opens up.
The inaugural release of the Larceny Barrel Proof fired on all cylinders for me. Barrel proof does wonders for Larceny. Barrel-proof wheated bourbon can be phenomenal and with a couple more years (can Heaven Hill build its stock so that it can be 8-10+ years instead of 6-8?) Larceny could easily be the market leader. Be sure to find it in January 2020.
And then there’s the Old Fitzgerald. It’s phenomenal. I can’t hardly say anything more than that. You need to try this bourbon.
Disclaimer: The brand managers kindly sent me samples
for this review, without any strings attached.
Thank you.
Sipp’n Corn Photo Journal: T.W. Samuels Distillery
There’s something about Deatsville. Some of my favorite Heaven Hill single barrels have matured in Deatsville; it’s home of the historic, long-ago-shuttered T.W. Samuels Distillery; it has great bourbon lawsuit stories like the battle between Samuels and the railroad (check it out here: Bourbon Takes on the L&N Railroad–Two Titans of the Late 1800’s…); and roadside pictures that I’ve taken over the years give a glimpse of grandeur springing up in the middle of farmland.
But I have never been inside the T.W. Samuels Distillery. Fortunately, my friend Chasta McIntyre at Mint Julep Experiences found her way inside and shared these pictures. Like other abandoned distilleries, it’s remarkable that equipment, machinery, and supplies seem to have been just left behind. Although it’s unlikely that the T.W. Samuels Distillery will ever produce bourbon again, I hope that its history is preserved. In the meantime, the property continues to be used for aging and finding Deatsville-aged bourbon ought to be on everyone’s to-do list for 2020.
And a special thanks again to Chasta!
Sipp’n Corn Book Review – The American Whiskey Tasting Notebook by Susan Reigler and Mike Veach.
I previously reviewed The Bourbon Tasting Notebook by Susan Reigler and Mike Veach, which gave us honest reviews of nearly 350 bourbons. Now, following on the success of those tasting notes, Reigler and Veach have joined forces again for The American Whiskey Tasting Notebook, covering American Whiskey except bourbon. And, like their earlier collaboration, these American Whiskey tasting notes are provided without the drama of rankings, stars, or other scoring; that’s up to the reader.
Rye whiskey and other spirits (especially rum, gin, and brandy) have all made a run at being “the next bourbon,” and generally-speaking, those efforts get a little traction and then fizzle. But American Whiskey is where distillers can innovate. It’s almost a test kitchen for spirits. Whereas bourbon is strictly defined and must follow specific rules (which only gets stricter for “Straight Bourbon Whiskey” and “Bottled in Bond”), distillers have room to experiment with blends, unique grains, flavored grains, and more. (However, as Reigler and Veach note, “Rye Whiskey,” “Wheat Whiskey,” and “Corn Whiskey” all have their own specific rules and regulations. The real freedom comes with the basic “American Whiskey” designation.)
The breadth of this book is astounding. I never would have been able to tell you that there were over 230 non-bourbon American Whiskeys, and most of my experience there is limited to American Rye Whiskey. The book’s only notable absence is Charbay, the California distillery with popular rum, brandy, and flavored vodka, but known especially for revolutionizing whiskey by distilling bottle-ready craft beer. Hopefully Charbay’s full hop-flavored whiskey lineup is included in a future Volume II.
It was interesting to see Reigler and Veach’s distinct palates and preferences shine through in their respective tasting notes. Only three of the whiskeys had a genuine “don’t buy this” vibe—notes like “rotten fruit” and “scented dishwashing soap” make the warning pretty clear. But that’s a good thing because the disciplined point of The Tasting Notebook isn’t to persuade, it’s to educate and to let the reader decide; each page has space for the reader’s own thoughts and impressions.
Because I’m a big proponent of knowing which brands are sourced and cutting through baloney when brands imply or leave an impression that they distilled what they’re selling, I appreciated that The Tasting Notebook pointed out numerous brands that source their whiskey (Old Carter, Old Henry Clay, and Kentucky Owl, for instance), but I paused at all of the Michter’s entries. Sourcing wasn’t mentioned for Michter’s, so hopefully that gets updated too.
Reading The Tasting Notebook inspired me to rummage through my shelves and to try many of these non-bourbon whiskey beauties, which helped me understand that the lesson is to not get bogged down in bourbon. Experience the creativity of other American Whiskeys. And let The American Whiskey Tasting Notebook be your guide.
The American Whiskey Tasting Notebook is timed perfectly for the holiday season and would make a great stocking stuffer for the whiskey fan in your life.
Acclaim Press (2019)
$19.95 on Amazon
2019 BRIAN’S BOOK AND A BOTTLE ™
With the holidays upon us, avoid the awkwardness of lame host gifts and never knowing what to get for bosses, co-workers, and other hard-to-shop-for friends and family. Brian’s Book and a Bottle™ has the right suggestion for everyone on your list:
For your business partner: Bourbon Justice and Four Roses Small Batch Select. Look for “Select” and 104 proof because Four Roses also has a standard Small Batch. Small Batch Select is hands-down the best new release of 2019. You’re clearly the brains of the business (especially if you can find this with limited distribution).
For your impossible family member: Bourbon Justice and Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon. No other bourbon matches the consistency and value of Elijah Craig Small Batch. Plus, you’ll be able to find it at any store even at the last minute on your way to the family get-together. Grab a Christmas wine bag from last year and voilà, you’ll have the best gift at the party.
For a host/hostess: Bourbon Justice and Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon. The sheer heft of this bottle makes it memorable, the 115 proof shows that you appreciate the host, and those in the know understand that this is a connoisseur’s bourbon. Plus, these holiday parties always need conversation starters, and the combination of Prohibition and Bourbon Justice will provide a welcome diversion from talking about the weather and a new acquaintance’s kid’s art projects. You’ll be the hit of the party.
For your boss or other authority figure: Bourbon Justice and Wilderness Trail. You need something exclusive but not gaudy and something modern but still founded in tradition—and that’s a tall order. You’ll earn props if you can pull this off. Fortunately, Wilderness Trail is hitting full stride. A bottle of Wilderness Trail sweet mash bourbon or rye whiskey will show that you are a crucial part of the team, and you’ll get bonus points if you find a version in the classy wooden box set.
Please enjoy the Holidays responsibly!
Brian Haara 