Whisky
Monday, March 29th, 2010
BOURBON
The name “Bourbon” comes from a county in eastern Kentucky, which in turn was named for the Bourbon kings of France who had aided the American rebels in the Revolutionary War. Bourbon County was in the early 19th century a center of whiskey production and transshipping (ironically, at the present time, it is a “dry” county). The local whiskey, made primarily from corn, soon gained a reputation for being particularly smooth because the local distillers aged their products in charred oak casks. The adoption of the “sour mash” grain conversion technique served to further distinguish Bourbon from other whiskey styles
The Taste: Flavor descriptors such as toffee, pralines, vanilla, and dried fruit to describe the initial rush of flavors in a good, well-aged Bourbon. The charred oak barrels give Bourbon a distinctive spicy oak firmness that is unique to American whiskeys.
A.H. HIRSCH RESERVE 16yr -(distilled in 1974 and no longer produced a splendid whiskey luxurious complex & perfectly balanced but unfortunately very scarce
A.H. HIRSCH SELECTION SMALL BATCH RESERVE -92proof
BAKERS 7yr- 107proof small batch (2007 whisky of the year)
BASIL HAYDENS 8 yr -80proof small batch (double the rye of regular bourbons)
BLANTONS-93proof (with this brand a new era in the history of bourbon began in 1984 Blantons is the first and still most successful of all single barrel bourbons)
BOOKERS 7yr- 120-127proof cask strength (uncut, straight out of the barrel)
BUFFALO TRACE- 90proof
BULLEIT 6yr- 90proof (high rye content & originally bottled for an attorney in Lexington Kentucky)
EAGLE RARE SINGLE BARREL 10yr -90proof
ELIJAH CRAIG 12yr -94proof (original small batch bourbon)
ELMER T. LEE 14yr- 90proof (single barrel bourbon
EVAN WILLIAMS SINGLE BARREL -9yr 86.6proof
FIGHTING COCK 6yr- 103proof
FOUR ROSES- 80proof
FOUR ROSES SMALL BATCH- 90proof
FOUR ROSES SINGLE BARREL- 100proof (best bourbon 2008)
JEFFERSONS RESERVE – 90.2proof
JEFFERSONS PRESIDENTIAL SELECT 17yr – 94proof (ultra-rare ultra-premium bottled from the last year in operation of Louisville’s renowned Stitzel-Weller Distillery)
JIM BEAM 4yr- 80proof (Worlds best selling bourbon and one of the top selling 20 spirits world-wide)
JIM BEAM DISTILLERS SERIES 7yr -80proof
JIM BEAM BLACK 8yr- 86proof
JIM BEAM CHOICE 5yr- 80proof (charcoal filtered)
JIM BEAM RED STAG- 80proof (black cherry infused bourbon makes a great cherry lime-ade)
KENTUCKY VINTAGE- 90proof (small batch)
KNOB CREEK 9yr- 100proof (small batch bourbon named after a stream near Abraham Lincolns birth place in Hodgenville, Kentucky the distillery in which Abes father worked once stood there)
MAKERS MARK- 90proof (Wheated Small Batch Bourbon)
MARK TWAIN 3yr- 80proof
MICHTERS SINGLE BARREL 10yr- 94.4proof
NOAHS MILL 15yr -114.3proof (small batch, hand bottled)
OLD CROW 3yr- 80proof (drank by Ulysses S Grant & Mark Twain)
OLD GRANDAD- 100proof (bottled in bond named for master distiller basil Hayden)
OLD POGUE MASTERS SELECT 9yr- 91proof (small batch)
OLD RIP VAN WINKLE 10yr- 90proof (small batch handmade)
OLD RIP VAN WINKLE 10yr- 107proof
OLD RIP VAN WINKLE SPECIAL RESERVE 12yr- 90.4proof
PAPPY VAN WINKLES FAMILY RESERVE 15yr- 107proof
PAPPY VAN WINKLES FAMILY RESERVE 20yr -90.4proof (In a blind taste test of whiskey labels from around the world, The Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago gave our 20-year old Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve a 99 out of 100 rating… the highest mark ever awarded)
PAPPY VAN WINKLES FAMILY RESERVE 23yr- 95.6proof (only a very few bourbons can survive such long aging but this one does brilliantly)
PARKERS HERITAGE CASK STRENGTH 10yr- 129.4proof (limited bottling)
PARKERS HERITAGE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 3rd EDITION- 100proof (this bottling celebrates master distiller parker beam’s 50 years of service by containing whiskey from each of the past five decades)
PARKERS HERITAGE 27yr- 96proof (one of the oldest bourbons ever bottled)
PRICHARDS
PURE KENTUCKY XO- 107proof (small batch hand bottled)
ROWANS CREEK 10yr- 100.1proof (hand bottled, small batch)
SAM HOUSTON- 85.6proof
WILD TURKEY- 101PROOF (in all of its versions wild turkey is a sumptuous whiskey for which the term “classic” is almost unavoidable)
WILD TURKEY RARE BREED- 108.6proof (barrel proof bourbon)
WILD TURKEY RUSSELLS RESERVE 10yr- 101proof
W.L. WELLER 12 yr- 90 proof
W.L. WELLER SPECIAL RESERVE 7yr- 90proof (original wheated bourbon)
W.L. WELLER ORIGINAL 107 7yr- 107 proof
WOODFORD RESERVE- 90.4proof (pot still small batch bourbon)
WOODFORD RESERVE MASTERS COLLECTION- 100.4proof
TENNESSEE WHISKEY
Tennessee Whisky must contain a minimum of 51% corn, be produced in Tennessee, be distilled at less than 80% ABV (160 proof), filtered through a bed of sugar maple charcoal, and be aged for a minimum of two years in new charred barrels.
The Taste: The taste descriptors for Tennessee whisky tend to parallel those of its Kentucky cousin. The distinction and the difference comes on the finish which is long, clean, and very, very smooth—a result of the final sugar maple charcoal filtration. Legally, Tennessee whiskeys could be sold as Bourbon; but the two Volunteer State distillers are proud enough of their “sipping whisky” to insist that the difference be known to all.
GEORGE DICKEL SUPERIOR NO. 12- 90proof (well kept secret)
GEORGE DICKEL BARREL SELECT- 86proof
JACK DANIELS – 80proof (Frank Sinatra’s favorite whiskey)
JACK DANIELS GREEN- 80proof
GENTLEMAN JACK- 80proof (charcoal filtered twice)
JACK DANIELS SINGLE BARREL – 94proof
RYE WHISKEY
Rye Whisky must contain a minimum of 51% rye grain, be distilled at less than 80% ABV (160 proof) and be aged for a minimum of two years in new charred barrels. A small amount of straight Rye whiskey is bottled and marketed, but most of the industry production is blended into other whiskies to give them additional character and structure. Canadians frequently refer to their whisky as “Rye,” though it is in fact made primarily from corn or wheat.
The Taste: While the best Bourbon is known for a creamy, caramel-like palate, the best Rye whiskey makes its presence known with a spicy, grainy, hard-edged firmness that is distinctive and unique. Usually very dry, with notes of walnut, toasted grain, and black pepper, straight rye has a bold assertive character that has earned it a small but dedicated following among discerning whiskey fans.
A.H. HIRSCH RYE 22yr- 93proof (distilled in 1983 no longer produced)
JIM BEAM RYE 4yr- 80proof
OLD OVERHOLT 4yr- 80proof
OLD POTRERO- 124.6proof (18th century style whiskey, a true rarity 100% rye)
R1- 92proof
WILD TURKEY 6yr- 101proof (probably the most mature whiskey of its type)
AMERICAN & OTHER WHISKIES
Blended American Whiskey is required to contain at least 20% straight whiskey; with the balance being unaged neutral spirit or, in a few cases, high-proof light whiskey. It has a general whiskey flavor profile (most closely resembling Bourbon), but lacks any defining taste characteristic
A.H. HIRSCH SELECTION STRAIGHT CORN WHISKEY SPECIAL RESERVE- 90proof
BERNHEIMS WHEAT- 90proof (North Americas only all wheat whiskey)
CLYDE MAYS CONECUH RIDGE- 90proof (Alabama Whiskey)
SEAGRAMS 7- 80proof (blended, in the 1960s the world’s best selling spirit)
CANADIAN WHISKY
Canadian Whisky is made primarily from corn or wheat, with a supplement of rye, barley, or barley malt. There are no Canadian government requirements when it comes to the percentages of grains used in the mash bill. Unlike Bourbons, they are aged, primarily in used oak barrels. The minimum age for Canadian Whisky is three years, with most brands being aged four to six years. Virtually all Canadian whiskys (except the pot-distilled malt whiskies of Glenora in Nova Scotia) are blended from different grain whiskies of different ages. Bulk Canadian Whiskys are usually shipped in barrels to their destination country where they are bottled. These bulk whiskies are usually bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and are usually no more than four years old. “Bottled in Canada” whiskies generally have older components in their blends and are bottled at 43.4% ABV (86.8 proof).
CANADIAN CLUB 6yr -80proof (blended before ageing)
CANADIAN CLUB 150TH ANNIVERSARY- 80proof (oldest blended whisky available)
CROWN ROYAL- 80proof (distinct blend of 50 whiskies)
CROWN ROYAL SPECIAL RESERVE- 80proof
CROWN ROYAL CASK NO 16- 80proof (finished in rare cognac casks)
CROWN ROYAL XR- 80proof
PENDLETON- 80proof (caramel overtones are abundant)
SEAGRAMS VO- 80proof (a blend of over 50 different whiskies)
IRISH WHISKEY
Irish whiskeys, blended and malt are usually triple distilled through both column and pot stills, although there are a few exclusively pot-distilled brands. Irish Pure Pot Still Whiskey is generally labeled as such. Otherwise, Irish whiskeys are a mix of pot and column-distilled whiskeys. Irish Malt Whiskey is likewise so designated. Standard Irish Whiskey is a blend of malt and grain whiskies
BUSHMILLS- 80proof (The Old Bushmills distillery is considered to be the oldest whiskey distillery in the world)
BUSHMILLS MALT 10yr- 80proof (triple distilled 100% malted barley)
BUSHMILLS BLACK BUSH- 80proof (high proportion of malt whiskey)
BUSHMILLS MALT 16yr- 80proof (aged in sherry, bourbon & finished in port wine pipes)
BUSHMILLS 1608 RESERVE- 80proof (400 year anniversary bottling)
BUSHMILLS MALT 21yr- 80proof (aged in sherry, bourbon & Madeira casks)
CONNEMARA -80proof (peated single malt Irish whiskey)
CONNEMARA 12yr- 80proof (peated single malt Irish whiskey)
CLONTARF- 80proof
FECKIN- 80proof (aged up to 7 years in bourbon casks)
FECKIN SPICED- 70proof (if the captain would have been Irish)
JAMESON- 80proof (the most popular Irish whiskey brand worldwide)
JAMESON 12 yr- 80proof
JAMESON GOLD RESERVE- 80proof
JAMESON LIMITED RESERVE 18yr- 80proof
JAMESON RAREST VINTAGE RESERVE- 92proof
KILBEGGAN- 80proof
KNAPPOGUE CASTLE 1995 VERY SPECIAL RESERVE SINGLE MALT- 80proof
MERRYS- 80proof
MICHAEL COLLINS- 80proof (aged 4 to 12 years in bourbon casks)
MICHAEL COLLINS SINGLE MALT- 80proof (aged 8 to 12 years in oak casks)
MIDLETON VERY RARE- 80proof (only fifty barrels produced yearly)
POWERS- 80proof (best-selling Irish whiskey in Ireland)
REDBREAST 12YR- 80proof (pure pot still whiskey)
TULLAMORE DEW- 80proof (dew stands for Daniel e Williams the firms owner)
TULLAMORE DEW 12yr- 80proof
TYRCONNELL- 80proof (Irish single malt whiskey named for a legendary Irish race horse)
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
Single Malt Scotch is a type of single malt whisky, distilled by a single distillery in a pot still, using malted barley as the only grain ingredient, in Scotland. As with any Scotch whisky, a Single Malt Scotch must be distilled in Scotland and matured in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years (most single malts are matured for longer).
BALVENIE DOUBLEWOOD 12yr- 86proof (matured first in bourbon casks then in sherry casks its water comes the spring Robbie dhow)
BENRIACH 12yr- 92poof (one of a few operations still using their own malting floors its water is from “local springs”)
DUNCAN & TAYLOR NC2 IMPERIAL 13yr- 92proof (non chill filtered + non coloured + nc2 founded in 1938 this company has ownership of one of the largest privately-held collections of rare Scotch whisky casks in the world)
GLENFIDDICH 15yr- 80proof (matured in sherry, bourbon, & new oak casks first single malt on the world market in 1963 its water comes from the spring Robbie Dhu)
GLENLIVET 12yr- 80proof (elegant malty whisky that develops an astonishing fullness with age the water comes from Josies well.)
GLENLIVET FRENCH OAK 15yr- 80proof
GLENLIVET 18yr- 86proof
GLENLIVET NADURRA 16yr- 112.4proof (non chill filtered)
GLENLIVET ARCHIVE 21yr- 86proof
GLENMORANGIE ORIGINAL 10yr- 86proof (this company owns its own oak forest in Missouri and ships its new barrels to select bourbon makers like makers mark for conditioning its water is hard mineral rich water from the tarlogie hills)
GLENMORANGIE QUINTA RUBAN -92proof (non chill filtered matured in port cask)
GLENMORANGIE NECTAR D’ OR- 92proof (non chill filtered)
GLENMORANGIE ASTAR- 114.2proof (non chill filtered)
GLENMORANGIE LASANTA- 92proof (non chill filtered sherry cask)
GLENMORANGIE SIGNET- 92proof
GLENROTHES SELECT RESERVE- 80proof (this whisky is used in the blends famous grouse and cutty sark its water coming from “local springs”)
LAPHROAIG SIGNATORY VINTAGE 17yr- 104.2proof (non chill filtered the founder died a distillers death he drowned in a barrel of half finished whisky the water comes from Kilbride Dam)
SAINT GEORGE 8yr- 86proof (single malt whisky from California)
BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY
Blended Scotch whisky constitutes over 90% of the whisky produced in Scotland. Blended Scotch whiskies contain both malt whisky and grain whisky. They were initially created as an alternative to single malt whiskies which were considered by some to be too harsh. Master blenders combine the various malts and grain whiskies to produce a consistent “brand style”.
CHIVAS REGAL 12yr- 80proof
CHIVAS 18yr- 80proof (includes over 20 of the rarest single malts
CUTTY SARK – 80proof (cutty sark was the name of a witch in a poem by Scotland’s national poet Robert burns & also was once the name of the fastest sailing ship in the world
DEWARS- 80proof (Tommy Dewar was the third man in Great Britain to own an automobile)
HOGSHEAD- 86proof (vatted malt Scotch whisky)
J & B- 80proof (number 17 on the list of best selling spirits)
JOHNNIE WALKER RED- 80proof (Winston Churchill’s favorite scotch)
JOHNNIE WALDER BLACK- 80proof (blend of 40 whiskies aged 12yr or more)
JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD- 80proof (blend of over 15 single malts)
JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE- 80proof
JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN 15yr- 86proof (vatted malt of about 15 single malts)