Heaven Hill Brands Launches Super-Premium Pikesville Rye

6-Year-Old, 110-Proof Spirit Salutes Traditional American Straight Rye Whiskey

Bardstown, Ky., July 8, 2015—Heaven Hill Brands, now in its third generation of family ownership and celebrating 80 years of crafting whiskey and curating all-American spirits brands, today announces the launch of a super-premium spirit, Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey. At 6 years old and 110 proof, this new expression of Pikesville Rye is produced at Heaven Hill’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and aged in its premier rickhouses in Bardstown, Ky. With a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 750ml bottle, it will roll out in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles in Summer 2015, with allocated national distribution to follow in the Fall.

During previews, Pikesville Rye earned spirits industry acclaim, including a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 95 Points at F. Paul Pacult’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Distilled from at least 51 percent rye, with corn and malted barley as the “small” grains, Pikeville Rye has an appealing pale copper color, reflecting its extra aging. Its aroma evokes earthy cocoa notes with oaky smoke underneath. On the palate, Pikesville Rye is dry and spicy, with hints of honeyed rye and cloves. Soft vanilla and baking spices round out the finish.

“Heaven Hill has a tradition of keeping storied brands alive,” says Max L. Shapira, President, Heaven Hill Brands, and second-generation family member. “We purchased the Pikesville brand as the Maryland Rye industry was disappearing and have distilled it for decades for the local market. As consumers have fallen in love with Straight Bourbon Whiskey, they have naturally expanded their passion to Rye. We wanted to update this authentic artifact of Americana for contemporary palates and offer this super-premium expression nationally.”

This marks the first major new product launch since Denny Potter was named Heaven Hill Brand’s Co-Master Distiller. Potter carefully selected each extra-aged barrel and determined the spirit’s ideal proof level.

“Pikesville Rye is the text book example of the traditional three-grain American Straight Rye Whiskey that laid the foundation for Rye’s current renaissance,” says Potter. “To set it apart from other Ryes, I selected barrels at a minimum of 6 years old from high storage and bottled it at a proof that allows the most character from the barrel to come through without overpowering the spicy grain notes. It will appeal to American Whiskey connoisseurs seeking a robust and flavorful sip and to today’s bartending community, as it mixes well in classic cocktails.”

With its Maryland roots dating back to 1895, Pikesville Rye returned after Prohibition, surviving ownership changes and the decline of the Maryland Rye whiskey industry. With Maryland production coming to a close in the 1980s, Pikesville Rye was kept alive by Heaven Hill Brands, which has produced the spirit in Kentucky ever since. It is a prominent brand in Maryland and is served throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. The traditional 80-proof, 3-year-old Pikesville Rye will remain in production and will continue to be distributed in Maryland.

About Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey: Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey is a 6-year-old, 110-proof super-premium spirit that salutes a historic Maryland mark dating back to 1895. It is distilled by Heaven Hill Brands at the company’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and aged in its premier rickhouses in Bardstown, Ky. Co-Master Distiller Denny Potter carefully selected each extra-aged barrel and determined the spirit’s ideal proof level. With its mashbill of at least 51 percent rye, with corn and malted barley as the “small” grains, Pikesville Rye embraces the tradition of American Straight Rye Whiskey that set the stage for Rye’s current renaissance. For more information, please visit www.pikesvillerye.com.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, Ky.-based Heaven Hill Brands is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey. For more information, please visit www.heavenhill.com.

Tomatin 36 Year Old Batch 1

Batch 1 of this 36 year old Highland whisky has been created using a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. 800 bottles have been produced, each bottle is individually numbered and comes with it’s own certificate…

Read More…

New Signatory TWE exclusive whiskies – a sherried trio

Over the past few years we’ve been working closely with some of the world’s best independent bottlers to release whiskies exclusive to The Whisky Exchange. We’ve produced a range of great bottlings, but we’ve returned to one producer more than the rest – Signatory Vintage.

Casks and casks and casks and casks and…

Andrew Symington and his team have an incredible range of casks in their warehouses at Edradour, and despite having seen inside a few years ago, I’m still impressed by the whiskies that they’ve given us the opportunity to have as exclusives.

This time we have three exclusive single casks: Clynelish 1996, Laphroaig 1998 and Glenlivet 1981.

GLENLIVET 1981, 33 YEARS OLD. REFILL SHERRY HOGSHEAD #9464. 175 BOTTLES. 51% ABV

It was the Glenlivet that started it all. Last year, we chose an excellent 1981 vintage from the distillery and decided that we wanted another. Fortunately they had a sister cask – #9464 compared to last year’s #9460 – and with a bit of cajoling they let us have it as an exclusive release.

Nose: Barley sugar, light fruit cake, salted caramel, poached apples and pears, Demerara sugar, flapjacks and hints of honeysuckle.

Palate: Lots of cream and grain to start, with orchard fruit bursting through the middle after a few moments. Darker notes develop and sit around the sides of the palate – sweet liquorice and stewed fruit – with cinnamon spice and crunchy apples building down the centre.

Finish: Apple and spice to start, fading to creamy apple sauce and a lingering hint of anise.

Comment: A sweet and fruity dram which has a well-balanced spiciness. Perfectly aged, with the cask allowing the orchard-fruit character of Glenlivet to shine through.

Clynelish 1996, 18 years old. Refill sherry butt #6509. 606 bottles. 55.5% ABV

At the same time as asking about the Glenlivet, we decided not to waste the opportunity and requested a few more samples. First on our list, as it often is, was Clynelish. Last time we bottled a Clynelish with Signatory, a 1995 vintage, we were blown away by the quality of the whiskies they had to choose from. Asking for a similar cask was not a difficult decision.

While they were both matured in refill-sherry casks, the first was a classic Clynelish with sherry notes that grew the longer you left it in the glass, whereas this new one is quite the opposite:

Nose: It starts dark and rich, with layers of polished leather, warm raisins, rich earth, bark, damp wax jackets and spiced baked apples. However, behind that are softer, sweeter notes, with honeysuckle, apple blossom and sweet fruit.

Palate: After the heaviness of the nose, the palate starts surprisingly soft and rounded, with sponge-cake batter and sweet raisins accompanying spicy ground cinnamon. Apples and aniseed balls come in behind that, with fruity dark chocolate and vanilla cream icing softening the spicy heat. As the fruity core fades, rich earthy notes develop with soft nutmeg and stewed fruit.

Finish: Long and lingering, starting with caraway-spiced shortbread and apple crisps, before fading to rose water and dried fruit.

Comment: An intense, rich and mouth-watering dram, which opens up to reveal the traditional Clynelish fruitiness after a little time in the glass. One to savour as it develops.

LAPHROAIG 1998, 16 YEARS OLD. REFILL SHERRY BUTT #700389. 585 BOTTLES. 59.9%

For our final choice we wanted something smoky, and remembering the range of casks in the warehouses from Laphroaig, we asked for one.

They sent over a selection of samples, and while there were stunningly fruity ex-bourbon casks, it was a refill sherry butt that we liked the best. Similar to the last cask of Laphroaig that Signatory bottled for us – a whisky that went on to win Whisky Advocate magazine’s Islay Single Malt of the Year 2014 award – it was just what we were looking for.

Nose: Rich and earthy to start, with damp soil, mulchy leaves and Laphroaig’s classic coastal notes – rock pools and sea spray. Leather jackets and raisins sit behind that, with medicinal notes bringing up the rear – TCP and menthol – along with bacon-tinged smoke. With time in the glass, sweet fruity notes step out from behind the smoke – candied lime, apple and star fruit.

Palate: Mineral-led, with slates and damp limestone joined by spiced apples and pears at the front of the palate. The flavours grow more intense, with Fisherman’s Friends, liquorice, dark chocolate and leather spreading across the palate. Despite the dark flavours and weightiness of the dram, it is still remarkably fresh, with the darker notes balanced by sweet fruit and a touch of salty caramel.

Finish: Sweet and spicy, with chocolate raisins, burnt fruit cake and cinnamon fireballs. The finish fades though fruit cake to fresh apple and lingering peat smoke.

Comment: A densely flavoured whisky which successfully balances pungently peaty Laphroaig with sherry cask spice and sweet fruity notes. A dram that rewards a long examination – give it some time in the glass to reveal its secrets and you won’t be disappointed.

All three whiskies are available online and in our shop now.

DANCE TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

With July bottlings running low, we’ve added a hot selection of toe-tapping, Summertime whiskies. Enjoy a dram Straight, No Chaser, find A Love Supreme or Take Five – but whatever you do, clasp your bottle for a twirl before they dance right out the room…

Young & spritely

39.106 Deliciously sweet but feisty £44.00

Spicy & sweet

55.26 Outdoor, masculine dram £48.10

39.104 Getting steamy in the sauna £48.10

Old & dignified

30.84 To sit by the samovar £171.00

Light & delicate

84.17 Fluffernutter  £42.40

Juicy, oak & vanilla

112.9 Cooper’s apron; perfumed mink £53.00

Peated

53.222 The Three Little Pigs £51.80

Jazz & Whisky Playlist > #whiskyjazz

Browse New Outturn >

Browse All Bottlings >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d Family Reserve

On the 8th June 1865, John Grant, 1st generation of the Grant family, bought the Glenfarclas distillery for £511.19s0d. His grandsons, John and George, later formed the company J. & G. Grant; and to this day it remains a family run business.

Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d Family Reserve, released to celebrate the 150th anniversary of family ownership of the Glenfarclas distillery. The whisky is a vatting of predominantly first fill sherry butts, bottled at 43% vol. Each bottle includes a copy of the original bill of sale.

£84.00

Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1

Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1, the seventh annual release of Octomore, created from Scottish barley then matured in American oak casks for 5 years. Bottled at 59.5% vol with a 208PPM rating!

£108.00

They say time flies when you’re having fun and the last few months have certainly flown by so clearly I’m having a great time. It’s been a busy year thus far and the last three months have been especially so since purchasing the store. For starters we launched a new website and I spent two and a half weeks crisscrossing Scotland looking for new whiskies. A few weeks after returning from Scotland Hunter and I hit the Bourbon Trail looking for new Bourbons. You be happy to know we have a couple coming!

I am in the process of putting the final touches on a full edition Malt Messenger, scheduled for next week. It is full of exciting news, tasting notes and new tastings. But it’s been a while since you last heard from the Malt Messenger, and I do have news which just can’t wait.

Our most exciting news is that we have started taking orders for the 2015 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar. This is our 3rd year in the calendar game and our 2nd producing our own in-house edition. Last year’s calendar was a huge success and sold out before it even hit the shelves. We feel this year’s calendar is even better and we expect it won’t last long either.

We are also just two weeks away from our Whiskies of Summer Mini Festival. This Mini Festival will feature over 90 whiskies focusing primarily on lighter style Single Malts, Blends, Bourbons and other whiskies. But, there will be some heavier malt too, to keep some of you anoraks keen! The festival is already half sold out and will take place Thursday July 30th at KWM. The price is $50.

The next Malt Messenger will fill you in on a lot of the new whiskies we’ve seen over the last few months with details and tasting notes. For those who can’t wait a week, you will find a summary of highlights below. I also want to  remind you that the Ardbeg Perpetuum is here.

I hope this wee Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well and I look forward to welcoming you at the shop sometime soon.

Sláinte!

Andrew Ferguson

In This Edition

1. TAKING PRE-ORDERS: 2015 KWM WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR
2. WHISKIES OF SUMMER FESTIVAL – JULY 30th
3. ARDBEG PERPETUUM IS HERE!
4. SUMMARY OF NEW WHISKIES

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter: scotch_guy, Facebook: scotch.guy.1 and Instagram: kensingtonwm.

www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

TAKING PRE-ORDERS FOR THE 2015 KENSINGTON WINE MARKET WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR! 

25 More Days of Dram Fine Whisky...   

Kensington Wine Market’s Whisky Advent Calendar is back! Last year’s calendar, our second and the first one we produced entirely in house, was a huge hit. It sold out  before it hit the shelves. This year’s is even better.  It still includes 24 x 50ml whiskies and a custom Glencarin whisky glass. But, that is not all! We are offering an even wider range of whiskies and we are also including an extra 25th bottle. As a special treat for Christmas morning, there will be a 100ml Scotch Malt Whisky Society single cask bottling. This is a rare treat indeed, and usually only available to Society members. All of this year’s whiskies are different from 2014 and we are really excited about the range. There are 23 single malts from Scotland, Ireland, India and Taiwan, as well as a boutique blend and a boutique blended malt. Whether it is for yourself or to give as a gift, we know it won’t disappoint. Don’t hesitate! This one is sure to sell out fast, and the price goes up September 15! 

You can pre-order the 2015 Kensington Wine Market Advent Calendar online, by phone 403-283-8000 or in store. A $150 deposit will be taken for each calendar requested at the beginning of August. The calendars will be available at the “early bird price” of $375+GST. until September 15th. After September 15th the Calendar’s price will go up to $400+GST. The calendars should be ready for pickup before the end of October. 

The image shown is a sample of what the final product may look like! 

Pre-Order Your 2015 Whisky Advent Calendar Here! Please note some customer have been experiencing error messages ordering on line. If this is the case for you please send me an email. In all cases so far we have received the order. We are in the process of trying to work out the bug on our new site.

WHISKIES OF SUMMER FESTIVAL – JULY 30th

There is more than one way to stay cool this summer…

Our first summer whisky festival with touch on the lighter side of whisky. We’ve rounded up some lighter style single malts, Bourbons, Blends and Japanese whiskies for a mini-Festival style tasting. 80+ Whiskies will be on offer with a lot of new releases, one offs and rarities. So gather the friends and kick off your August Long Weekend in style…

Thursday July 30th – 7-9PM – $50

Register on line, by phone 403-283-8000 or in store!

THE ARDBEG PERPETUUM IS HERE!

Celebrating Ardbeg Day 2015 & 200 Years in the Life of the Distillery…

Ardbeg’s 2015 Ardbeg Day Bottling has been created by Dr. Bill Lumsden from a mix of stock. In celebrating the distillery’s 200th year they have decided to dip into a wide range of stock. Some have compared this whisky to the Roller Coaster, in terms of its creation. It has been 47.4%. The whisky has flown off our shelves with just a little over a dozen bottles left in store and only a small top up order still to come. This one will be sold out by the end of July!

Ardbeg Perpetuum – 47.4% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: decadent and creamy, floral peat, slightly burnt bacon and saline solution with creme brule and tangerines; a curious balance of vanilla, licorice and smoldering cedar shavings; Palate: very honeyed and creamy, some gentle oily-earthy peat, bacon dipped in maple syrup, barley sugars and more creme brule; the licorice note is still there with some darker fruits and spices; I still find the tangerine but with Five Alive fruit punch and a building salty maritime tarryness; Finish: long, coating and very soft for such a peaty maritime dram; the final flourish is oily and sweet with heathery floral overtones.” – $130

Pre-Order the Perpetuum for $129.99 +GST

SUMMARY OF NEW WHISKIES AT KWM!

More details to come…

There are a lot of new and exciting whiskies that have come into KWM over the last three months. Over the next couple of Malt Messengers I’ll fill you in with more details on them. For the time being, here’s a partial list to drool over:

1. anCnoc Peat Cutter – $82+GST
2. anCnoc 2000 Vintage – A great value malt! – $98+GST
3. anCnoc 1975 – Only 2 left! – $690+GST
4. Ardbeg Perpetuum – $130+GST
5. Arran 18 Year – The oldest Arran bottled to date and a limited release! – $120+GST
6. Arran Cask Stregth 12 Year – 53.2% – $80+GST
7. Auchentoshan American Oak – $57+GST
8. BenRiach 15 Year Sauternes – $88+GST
9. BenRiach Albariza 18 Year – $135+GST
10. Blackadder Glen Esk 1983 30 Year – Extremely rare, only 4 bottles for Canada from this obscure closed distillery! – $1920+GST
11. Blackadder Black Snake Vat 6 First Venom – $135+GST
12. Blackadder Raw Cask Auchentoshan 21 Year – $255+GST
13. Blackadder Raw Cask Auchentoshan 23 Year – $290+GST
14. Blackadder Raw Cask Lochranza 18 Year – Yes this is an 18 year old Arran! – $222+GST
15. Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley – $150+GST
16. Bruichladdich Organic Scottish Barley 1L – $74+GST
17. Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus – The only thin more beautiful than the bottle is the whisky! – $201+GST
18. Compass Box Peat Monster 15th Annv Magnum – $166+GST
19. Edradour Fairy Flag 15 Year – $180+GST
20. Glendronach 12 Year Sauternes Finish – $90+GST
21. Glendronach 18 Year Marsala Finish – 135+GST
22. Glendronach 18 Year Tawny Port Finish – $140+GST
23. Glenfarclas 1996 Fino Cask – I have one signed bottle left! – $1650+GST
24. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1976 – $1000+GST
25. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1977 – $770+GST
26. Glenrothes Sherry Reserve – Our top whisky pick for summer sipping whisky whether at the lake, on the patio or in the woods… it is very refreshing! – $75+GST
27. Laphroaig 25 Year 2013 Cask Strength – $640+GST
28. Laphroaig 25 Year 2014 Cask Strength – $640+GST
29. Mars 2011 The Revival – $195+GST
30. Nikka Taketsuru 25 Year – $1160+GST
31. Nikka Taketsuru 40 Year – SOLD OUT, BUT WE MAY GET ANOTHER – $6000+GST
32. Nikka Yoichi 12 Year – $130+GST
33. Signatory Bunnahabhain 1988 26 Year – $290+GST
34. Signatory Dufftown 1997 16 Year – $180+GST
35. Signatory Glen Keith 1995 19 Year – $120+GST
36. Signatory Glenlivet 1981 32 Year – $380+GST
37. Signatory Glenlivet 1981 33 Year – $385+GST
38. Signatory Imperial 1995 19 Year – $175+GST
39. Sovereign Invergordon 1964 50 Year – Best priced 50 Year Old around! – $590+GST
40. Tomatin Cask Strength – Incredible value! – $70
41. Tomatin CuBocan Virgin Oak – $82
Descriptions and tasting notes for some of these whiskies can be found on our website. The others will be updated over the week’s ahead.

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger!

Contact & Disclaimers

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change, don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Owner & Opperator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com
scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

DREAMING OF CANTALOUPE ISLAND

As warm evenings turn to sultry nights and jazz chords escape from basement clubs, our mouths water for the sensory journey of great whisky. Will 39.107 Coconut Oil and Candy Floss evoke summers past or could Herbie Hancock’s piano make you dream of Cantaloupe Island? Richard Havers (Universal Music/The Jazz Labels) has put together a compelling playlist, exploring the relationship by matching jazz tracks to drams. Enjoy a selection of our whisky and jazz matches at our Members’ Rooms or listen at home HERE >

Let us know what you think #whiskyjazz

NEWLY RELEASED DRAM BEATS

Spicy & sweet

39.107 Coconut oil and candy floss. Jazz match: Cantaloupe Island – Herbie Hancock

10 years old. Refill ex-bourbon barrel. £44.00

Juicy, oak & vanilla

 4.64 You can fly. Jazz match: Straighten Up and Fly Right – Nat King Cole.

24 years old. Refill ex-bourbon hogshead. £89.60

Heavily peated

53.223 Angels and Demons. Jazz match: Cherish the Day – Robert Glasper

23 years old. Refill ex-bourbon hogshead. £94.00

Browse New Outturn >

​Browse All Bottlings >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

New from Càrn Mòr’s Celebration of the Cask range.

Bunnahabhain 20 Year Old  1995 Single Cask 2536

Beautiful bold colour on this 20 year old Bunnahabhain, bottled as part of Càrn Mòr’s Celebration of the Cask Black Gold series. Distilled in 1995 and left to mature in single sherry hogshead #2536, before being bottled in 2015 at cask strength, 51.1% vol with only 246 bottles filled.

£185.90

Strathmill 23 Year Old  1992 Single Cask 10924

A 23 year old Strathmill, bottled for Càrn Mòr’s Celebration of the Cask range. Distilled in 1992 and aged in single bourbon barrel #10924 before being bottled in 2015 at 51.8% vol. One of only 179 bottles filled.

 £93.00

If you’re down to your last drop of 20 year old Bourbon, never fear! We’ve just received our latest shipment of 21 year old Kentucky Bourbon from the Orphan Barrel series. While most stores are selling it around the $150 mark, we’re going to get crazy and give it away for $99.99. Grab a bottle (or three) while they last!

Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 21 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 750ml (Elsewhere $150) ($99.99)

(ships like 1.5L due to bottle shape)

The sequel to one of the most-coveted and fastest-selling Bourbons in K&L history is now back for round two (albeit one year older this time around). The Rhetoric 21 year from Diageo’s Orphan Barrel series is bringing serious bang-for-the-buck, showcasing mature stocks of beautiful American whiskey (in a seller’s market, no less) in this rock release. Sweet vanilla on the entry rounds quickly into herbaceous notes of tobacco and cedar, before finishing in a flurry of pepper and spice. It’s completely in balance from front to back; never too woody, never tasting dried out or past its prime. The whiskey is in a fantastic place right now and, again, for the age alone they could have charged double. Grab your bottle while we still have inventory. A deal this good is never around for long.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 09, 2015It’s crazy to me that there can be a 21 year old American whiskey in 2015 that sells for the same price Pappy 20 did back in 2008. Buying extra mature Bourbon in this market is like buying an apartment in San Francisco–you’re in no position to squabble over price due to the incredible demand and incredibly-low supply. Yet, not only is the Rhetoric 21 a reasonable $99.99, it’s also delicious. The fear is that these older releases are just over-oaked leftovers from Bernheim distillery, but in fact this is bursting with sweetness and spice. Grab two and save one for later. You’ll be thankful you did.

Kyle Kurani | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 08, 2015Another seriously good offering in the Orphan Barrel series that is everything you could ask for to feed that old Bourbon. Incredibly balanced, this bring me back to the days when I tasted older expressions regularly- days long gone- when Bourbon had a beautiful mix of rich and savory characteristics. The Rhetoric strikes that beautiful balance. The nose leaps out with beautifully rich notes of baked apple and vanilla spice, quite inviting. The palate carries the apples but introduces the savory aspects that 21 years in a barrel gives you. Leather, sandalwood intertwined with baking spices galore. Simply the best and oldest hooch we can get our hands on. Enjoy while it lasts!

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