The fourth release in Diageo's Orphan Barrel line of premium bourbons is ready to hit store shelves, and might be the best of the bunch. Lost Prophet is a 22-year-old bourbon that was distilled in 1991 and bottled at 90 proof. This one-time release is an easy drinker and unlike other extra-aged releases, is not over-oaked. The beautiful packaging matches the contents of the bottle, making this one difficult to resist.
It might sound harsh, but cask strength bourbon is actually some of the most flavorful stuff you can get your hands on. Few Spirits know that, and have recently released a Cask Strength expression of their high-rye mashbill bourbon, clocking in at 117 proof. It's a complex dram with loads of taste and is surprisingly smooth considering the weight. Packaged in another beautiful Few bottle, it should rise to the top of your whiskey shopping list.
What was typically reserved for a taste here and there on a distillery tour is now available in bottles for the first time. Maker's Mark Cask Strength is Maker's Mark, but uncut, unfiltered, and straight from the barrel. It weighs in at a proof between 108-114, quite an uptick from the 90 proof standard bottling. It's Maker's Mark cranked up to eleven, with loads of flavor and character.
Old Forester is the only bourbon brand still in existence that was produced before, during and after Prohibition. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon pays homage to the brand's founder, George Garvin Brown, and in the past dozen years has been a special, annual release every fall. This year's expression was bottled at 97 proof, with plenty of sweet vanilla and maple syrup flavors, making it another great tribute to a pioneer in the bourbon industry.
If there's one thing bourbon connoisseurs love, it's bourbon with an age statement. While many distillers move away from letting you know how old the juice in their bottles are, Heaven Hill continues to annually release "extra-aged" limited edition goods like Elijah Craig 23. This single barrel expression should satisfy both collectors of rare releases and those who work their way through a bottle quickly as well, as the extra-age adds nicely to the overall flavor and experience of a dram. It's a bourbon old enough to drink itself that won't be around very long.
If you're trying to track down the most sought after spirits of 2014, chances are you're out of luck — unless of course, you know about Caskers. A one-stop shop for liquor connoisseurs, Caskers tracked down the bottles that you and other boozehounds searched for the most in 2014 — based on millions of searches — and has them available right now, while they last. So instead of driving all over town with no guarantee of finding that small batch bourbon or premium single malt, look no further than Caskers for the best of the best, easy on the wallet and delivered right to your door.
The products you use every day, like shampoo or shave cream, should always be the best. But drugstore pickings are slim, and online shopping is risky when you don't know what you're paying for. That's why Birchbox Man lets you try before you buy. Subscribers receive a monthly box of grooming and style essentials, all tailored to match their personal profiles. Think woodsy beard oil for the urban lumberjack, or a wool knit tie for the sartorially inclined. If you like what you get, you can buy full-size versions in the Birchbox Shop, with perks like free shipping to sweeten the pot. No more letdowns, duds, or compromises: Just a sink ledge stocked with greatness.
The entire bourbon industry owes a debt to the distillers who laid the groundwork for the boom the industry is currently in the midst of, and Wild Turkey's Jimmy Russell is at the top of that list. Diamond Anniversary is a new bourbon honoring Russell and his 60 years of service to Wild Turkey, selected by his son, Master Distiller Eddie Russell. It's a blend of 13-16 year-old barrels that comes in at 91 proof and does an excellent job paying tribute to Russell and Wild Turkey. A must-have for Wild Turkey fans and anyone who appreciates great bourbon.
There is an old southern term called Pinhooking, used to describe a keen purchase of a young thoroughbred. Bourbon and thoroughbreds are already friendly neighbors and Pinhook Bourbon helps join the two Kentucky staples together with their brand new spirit. The premier batch of 5,000 bottles features a hand-written, letter-pressed label profiling the horse Bourbon Courage — and their next batch will feature another promising colt. But it's what lies inside the bottle that is the real prize — a bright, balanced, high-rye bourbon curated by folks that know good whiskey when they taste it. Picking up a bottle could help you find a new favorite horse to root for and a new favorite bourbon to boot.
The good folks at Heaven Hill Distilleries have been releasing consistently good bourbon forever, and their Elijah Craig line is among their best. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is the beast of the bunch, with the latest batch tipping the scales at over 134 proof, aged for 12 years, straight from the barrel, non-chill filtered, and uncut. It sounds intimidating, and it is, but is also one of the best barrel proof bourbons on the market today.
Even with bourbon in high demand across the US, it's not typical outside of Pappy Van Winkle releases to see the kind of frenzy that Orphan Barrel have stirred up in their short time on the market. After two successful releases earlier this year, Rhetoric Bourbon is the third Orphan Barrel bottle to hit shelves, and it's sure to cause a stir as well. Rhetoric is a 20 year old bourbon that was distilled in both the new and old Bernheim distilleries in Kentucky. It's 90 proof with lots of character and flavor — with oak being the dominant taste. So if rare, old, and oaky are up your alley, Rhetoric certainly fits the bill.
As far as Kentucky Bourbon distiller's are concerned, it's hard to go wrong with the juice that the good folks at Wild Turkey churn out. That's why Russell's Reserve Single Barrel should be high on your radar, even before you take a sip. Of course, once you do have a taste you'll be treated to a bold, spicy, non-chill filtered dram of bourbon that Master Distiller Jimmy Russell is proud to lend his name to. It makes no apologies at 110 proof — but still manages to maintain an impressive balance between the sugar and barrel notes.
Buffalo Trace continues to innovate with their Experimental Collection and the most recent release, Extended Stave Drying Time. The wood planks that make up a bourbon barrel are dried out in the open air for about six months before being turned into barrel planks. Stave drying plays an important role in the taste of the bourbon, so Buffalo Trace decided to experiment by allowing the staves for this spirit to dry out for about twice as long. The extended drying time bourbon is significantly aided by the extra time too, balancing the oak flavors that can sometimes dominate in an older bourbon. Snag both bottles and try them side by side with a friend for the full experience.
Already one of the best readily available bourbon's on the market, there isn't much that Booker's can do to improve on a high quality product. But it appears they have done just that with Booker's 25th Anniversary. This limited edition release ranges between 9-11 years old with an unfiltered proof strength ranging between 121-130, depending on the bottle you wind up with. Available in early March, the juice pays homage to its namesake, 6th Generation Beam Master Distiller, Booker Noe and is taken from the center-cut of Booker's favorite rack house.
With the bourbon whiskey market booming, there isn't a shortage of new labels hitting shelves looking to grab a slice of the growing pie. Some are easy to overlook, but there is no overlooking Old Blowhard from Orphan Barrel Whiskey. This brand new offering is 26-years-old and was found in old warehouses at the Stitzel-Weller facility in Louisville, a distillery best known as the original home of Pappy Van Winkle bourbons. It might not have the same demand as a bottle of Pappy, but Old Blowhard is already one of the best new releases of 2014.
One of the first bourbon releases of 2014 also happens to be one we look forward to the most every year, Evan Williams Single Barrel. This is the 19th annual release of the world-renowned spirit, spending 10 years aging in barrels. It's also become a tradition to find that each bottle is marked with the exact date the liquid was placed into the barrel and then bottled. Inside each hand numbered bottle is a sweet, smooth bourbon with flavors like maple syrup, toffee and mint. A bottle this great usually costs you an arm and a leg, but at under 30 bucks, you might want to buy more than one.
With the influx of new bourbon labels and brands on the market in the past few years, it's easy to look past the tried and true Jim Beam logo. Jim Beam Single Barrel ($35) however, is worthy of consideration. It's the first ever single barrel offering from Beam, representing the seven generations of history that the brand is built on. And since less than 1% of Beam barrels qualified for this new bourbon, you know you're getting a hand selected gem, not a mass produced mystery. So keep your eyes peeled this spring for this individually bottled, hand-numbered expression.
Frequently overshadowed by bourbon renowned neighbors like Kentucky, our home state of Ohio is beginning to grab some of the spotlight for their distinctive spirits. One that stands out in particular is OYO Michelone Reserve Bourbon Whiskey ($50) from Middle West Spirits in Columbus. The first Master's Blend from the Columbus distillery is also the first 100% wheat whiskey produced in Ohio in nearly a century. The outcome is a smooth, sweet, wheated bourbon deserving of the family name and tradition it was inspired by.
The fall season marks the return of one of the most anticipated bourbon collections, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection ($70 each). Again this year, there are five limited-release whiskeys of various ages, recipes and proofs to drool over and covet. Eagle Rare 17, George T. Stagg, Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, and William Larue Weller are all unique, delicious, and very limited. It's a group of spirits that collectors and connoisseurs are thirsting for.
The fall season is a big one for new bourbon releases, but it's not too often that one of those releases tastes like fall as well. Abraham Bowman Gingerbread Beer Finished Bourbon ($70) tastes like it was made for the fall season, with hints of gingerbread spice, cinnamon and clove. They used Bowman Bourbon barrels that held booze for a solid 8 years before emptying and passing them along to Hardywood Brewery, who then aged their award-winning Gingerbread Stout for 12 weeks. Finally, early in 2013 the barrels came back to Bowman and were filled with the bourbon that you will enjoy, like a crisp fall day, if you're lucky enough to score a limited edition bottle.
If you've ever wondered what maple syrup would taste like with some bourbon in it, Knob Creek Smoked Maple ($35) might be right up your alley. The flavored bourbon brings just a hint of smoke but has plenty of sweet maple goodness to go along with some of the Knob Creek quality you are already accustomed to. It's a flavorful sipper that might go as well with dessert as it does with some cured meats at the breakfast table.
