BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY EXPERIMENTS

WITH ENTRY PROOF IN LATEST RELEASE

 Four Different Rye Recipe Bourbons are the Latest

Experimental Collection Release

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Feb. 12, 2014) Barrel entry proof continues to be a topic of debate amongst whiskey makers and avid whiskey fans, with some believing different proofs lead to different results.

Buffalo Trace Distillery was curious as well, and began an experiment on four different entry proofs with its rye recipe bourbon more than 12 years ago. Now these bourbons have come of age and are being released along with Buffalo Trace’s findings.

            All of the experiments came off the still at a consistent 140 proof, but were put into the barrel for aging using four different entry proofs.  All of the barrels were then aged together for 11 years, 9 months and bottled at 90 proof.  Here are the details:

Rye 125 – At 125 proof, this was the highest entry proof used, which is also Buffalo Trace’s standard entry proof for its rye recipe bourbons. The result was typical of Buffalo Trace’s mash #1 findings, a well-balanced bourbon with spicy cloves mingled with sweet vanilla, caramel and toffee to create a well-rounded and complex flavor.

Rye 115 – This rye recipe bourbon was put into the barrel at 115 proof and has light oaky flavors mingled with leather and palm sugar.

Rye 105 – At an entry proof of 105, the angels were particularity generous with their share, taking the highest amount of their share in all four experiments with an evaporation rate of 26%.  The 105 entry proof produced a bourbon which had a good overall flavor with some earthy tones, followed by a buttery, light finish.

            Rye 90 – At an entry point of 90, this bourbon had a 25% evaporation rate as it aged alongside the other four experimental rye barrels in Warehouse K. The result was a bourbon with a light fruity flavor followed by some hints of dried nuts and spice, with a drier finish.

            This rye entry proof experiment follows on the heels of Buffalo Trace’s wheat entry proof experiment.  Both the wheat and the rye experimental groups of barrels were distilled around the same time, aged in the same warehouse, on the same floor, rick, and row and bottled around the same time.

A key learning for both experiments was that entry proof does affect bourbon flavor, and it does affect evaporation rates.  Also, different barrel entry proofs will produce varying flavor elements.

“Although it should not be a surprise to us, we found in blind tastings the rye recipe with the 125 entry proof, which is our standard barrel entry proof for our rye recipe bourbons, tasted the best to us,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller.  “The flavor profile was the most balanced, while still offering the most pleasant mixture of tastes. It’s gratifying to know that even in blind taste tests, we still favored our ‘standard’ method as the best of the four in the experiment.”

These rye recipe barrels are part of the more than 2,000 experimental barrels of whiskey aging in the warehouses of Buffalo Trace Distillery. Each of these barrels has unique characteristics that differentiate it from all others. Some examples of these experiments include unique mash bills, type of wood and barrel toasts. In order to further increase the scope, flexibility and range of the experimental program, an entire micro distillery, named The Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. “OFC” Micro Distillery, complete with cookers, fermenting tanks, and a state-of-the-art micro still has been constructed within Buffalo Trace Distillery.

The Experimental Collection is packaged in 375ml bottles and packed 12 to a case, with three bottles of each entry proof in a case. Each label includes all the pertinent information unique to that barrel of whiskey. These whiskeys retail for approximately $46.35 each. These particular rare experimental bottles should be available in late February.  For more information on the Experimental Collection or the other products of Buffalo Trace Distillery, please contact Elizabeth Hurst at ehurst@buffalotrace.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Ireland – Irish Whiskey

• The Irishman 12 Year Old Pure Pot Still Whiskey 750ml – 11 available ($69.99)

• The Irishman Cask Strength Pure Pot Still Whiskey 750ml – 1 available ($149.99)
  Coming from the Midleton Distillery, this pure pot still whisky is hand selected and bottled in tiny batches. On average only 2000 bottles will be produced each year. Having received 94.5 points from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most anticipated new Irish Whiskey on the market. It takes a lot of a clout to get Midleton to release pure pot still for a new brand and thank god they did as this stuff is more proof that pure pot still whiskey deserves to be considered on par with single malt in terms of complexity and quality.

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Macallan 62 Year Lalique Decanter Single Malt 750ml – 1 available ($31,999.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

www.ralfy.com discovers a happy place with  Whisky Review #430 – Caol Ila 12yo 2000 61.4% (Gordon & Macphail)

Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2014 – Tickets on Sale!

CASK ISLAY – A New Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A D Rattray are delighted to announce a new addition to their award-winning whisky portfolio – CASK ISLAY, a Small Batch, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Specially selected by their experts to embody classic Islay characteristics, this exciting new product will delight lovers of Islay whiskies and tempt many to try their first whisky from Islay.

When poured, the golden glow of the spirit is a promise of the warmth to come and the palate offers a journey from dry to sweet, with toffee, juicy barley and rich peat smoke.

Lively, peaty and full of flavour, CASK ISLAY is unforgettable.

Tasting Note
Colour: Golden Islay sunset.
Nose: Warm & fiery, roasting peat kiln, some citrus notes after the smoke.
Palate: Oily, burnt toffee, juicy barley and rich peat smoke.
Conclusion: Lively, peaty and full of flavour.

Notes

1. Cask Islay is available to buy from the A D Rattray Whisky Shop, Kirkoswald, Ayrshire KA19 8HY, Tel: 01655 760 308 and from selected UK and International retailers.
2. AD Rattray was founded in 1868 and has a reputation for their extensive knowledge and expertise in the whisky industry. They are best known for their Stronachie brand and a range of top quality single cask bottlings,  the A D Rattray Cask Collection.

1995 Glendronach 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single PX Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($149.99)

Good grief, Glendronach keeps bringing the hits. We’ve been obsessed with Glendronach since our first visit to the distillery in 2011. They’ve revamped this distillery, investing in the highest quality wood, using meticulous warehouse management to get the very most out of old stock and continuing to pump out some of the finest juice in Scotland. This year’s offering was aged in Pedro Ximenez casks and shows a totally different type of sherry influence from last year’s powerfully masculine dry oloroso cask. What we have here is the perfect sweet sherry nose, filled with dense dried plums, spiced pears, subtle flintiness, and a rich creamy core. On the palate, the baking spices really explode fresh clove, nutmeg, and freshly dried stone fruits. This balance between spices, dark exotic oak tones, and powerfully rich fruit is the hallmark of Glendronach. I think this cask will be the best received Glendronach yet.

Steve Greer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 24, 2014

Well this is one damn good whiskey. Power and sweetness with lovely sherry flavors, baking spices, vanilla, dried fruits and rich malt. The PX barrels are a nice complement to the Glendronach malt and a great price for an 18 year old.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 06, 2013

This is a crowd pleaser. It is big, soft and round, with the used sherry barrels adding richness and sweetness to the picture. It is not sticky or cloying, but balanced and delicious. There is no smoke to get in the way of this easy-to-drink single malt.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 26, 2013

This is what we call the Macallan 18 killer. It’s softer, more supple, more complex, and surprisingly less sweet than what you’d get from the renowned Highland giant. Our barrel is incredibly cakey — as in full of Christmas spice cake. Lovely stuff that just about any one can enjoy, especially at a lower-than-normal 52% alcohol. This one glides right over the tongue and into the belly — quickly and easily. A no-brainer.

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Excellent whiskies, excellent value Batch 9 & UK exclusive Glendronachs. In short supply, available only while stocks last.

GLENDRONACH 1989 Cask 5470 £113.95

GLENDRONACH 1990 Cask 1240 PX £111.95

GLENDRONACH 1995 Cask 3302 £81.95

It is no longer much of a secret that Glendronach consistently produce some of the most outstanding sherry cask matured single malts. High standards abound, from distilling a top notch spirit to ensuring excellent cask management. The quality always shines through. These Batch releases don’t last very long and there is not much stock remaining so if you haven’t sampled a sublime, high quality, traditional style Speyside for a while, make sure you snap up one of these great single malts.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #77

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, enjoys a special bottling for the Belgian whisky club The Finest Notes. For their 10th Anniversary, they selected a Glen Keith 1995 single cask, that matured for no less than 18 years. Truly a great cask selection.

http://youtu.be/IR88cD3CGDQ

MACALLAN 55 YEAR OLD LEADS BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE  

A bottle of The Macallan-55 year old in a Lalique Crystal Decanter leads Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 26 February.  It is estimated at between £12,000-15,000. 

The Macallan 55 year old is regularly included in the world’s top 10 most desirable whiskies.  Aged in Spanish Oak, it is said to have mace, ground ginger and nutty notes and was bottled in a Lalique decanted modelled on perfume bottle design dating from 1910. The bottle for sale is numbered 220 out of 420.  

Another highly desirable from the sale distillery, The Macallan 1951, is one of 632 bottles and is estimated at £9,000-11,000. 

Three exceptional bottles of Bowmore are presented in one lot estimated at £12,000-15,000.  They are Black Bowmore-42 year old-1964, number 557 out of an edition of 827 bottles; White Bowmore-43 year, number 183 of 732 and Gold Bowmore, number 83 from an edition of 701.

Bonhams whisky specialist, Martin Green, said, “The Macallan 55 year old is one of the great whiskies and fully deserves its iconic status.  The link with Lalique adds further lustre and we are very pleased to be able to offer it as the leading bottle in a strong and varied sale.”  

NOTES

Bonhams

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further two in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com.