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| Hello, that is one in all our (virtually) each day tastings. Santé! |
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December 18, 2024
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American Whiskies, Half Two
Wow, that Previous Potrero we loved final time was one thing particular! We’re delighted to be having extra right this moment. In actual fact, it turns on the market’s way more American whisky within the library than we realised, together with a wide selection of ryes.
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It isn’t that it is significantly essential, however there’s
certainly, a small village known as Rye in France’s Jura,
situated between Dole and Lons-le-Saunier.
Maybe is it an indication, Rye is just not that removed from WF HQ. |
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Minor Case (45%, OB, Limestone Department Distillery Co. Straight Rye Whiskey, +/-2023) 
Very surprisingly, this rye was completed in cream sherry for six months after 2 years of normal ageing. It’s speculated to “replicate the pre-prohibition model” of the Beam household, however did they actually use to complete their bourbons and ryes in cream sherry earlier than prohibition? I’ll add that that is sourced whiskey, little doubt from MGP in Indiana. So, it’s one other non-distilling distillery we’re coping with right here. Let’s transfer on… Color: gold. Nostril: orange cake, maple syrup, caramel, fairly contemporary and curiously gentle. The sherry hurries up the sensation of ageing. Mouth: this can be a gentle rye, most likely not 100% or 95% rye. Cinnamon, sawdust, slightly inexperienced pepper, a contact of bitter orange, and a few very ripe grape juice, which you wouldn’t usually discover in sherry, however I believe it’s good, simply fairly easy. End: the sawdust and cinnamon stand out extra, with additionally a really slight sweet-salty be aware. Aftertaste slightly drying. Feedback: good, however the sherry doesn’t make an excessive amount of of a mark and consequently, it feels very younger. Not a lot ryeness both.
SGP:551 – 80 factors. |
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We had been speaking about MGP and Indiana…
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Indiana Rye 6 yo 2017/2024 (46%, The Liquid Crew by W.D.C., mashbill 95% rye, cask #32, 294 bottles) 
A single barrel of that very well-known MGP ‘95% rye’ that’s been feeding so many manufacturers (as a result of it’s good!) Color: gold. Nostril: one other world, a lot brisker and drier, whereas being spicier and breadier. And extra to our liking, no must say. Bits of metallic, banana skins, rye bread, violet sweets, loads of thyme and rosemary, pine needles, and a drop of tequila… Mouth: sweeter but additionally spicier, so really greater, with numerous pink pepper upfront, then inexperienced oranges, lavender sweets, that tiny shot of tequila, fir buds, and citron liqueur. All of that works in sync, whereas the bready half additionally joins in. End: good size, primarily on oranges and slightly ginger cream. The rye bread comes again within the aftertaste (one thing Swedish, no?) together with a little bit of juniper. Feedback: it’s wonderful whereas the energy is simply excellent.
SGP:661 – 87 factors. |
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Rossville ‘Grasp Crafted Union Rye’ (47%, OB, Straight Rye, +/-2023) 
A vatting of 159 barrels mixing each MGP’s ‘95% rye’ mashbill and their ‘51% rye’ one. Color: gold. Nostril: it feels slightly younger however very good, on bananas, dried flowers, and some books (paper and cardboard). A little bit of peppermint however not a lot rye, not even bread. It’s slightly odd in that sense, but it surely’s fairly. Orange peel. Mouth: it’s superb, very direct, fairly easy. Orange juice and honey with some pepper and juniper. Nonetheless that barely cardboard-like be aware within the background. End: pretty lengthy, fruitier, dominated by oranges and prickly pears. The aftertaste is once more extra peppery and a bit cardboardy (or on sawdust). Liquorice. Feedback: really, it’s superb, but it surely suffers slightly after the ‘Liquid Crew’, which had way more to inform us.
SGP:651 – 83 factors. |
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Whistlepig ‘The Boss Hog VIII’ (52.4%, OB, LapuLapu’s Pacific, straight rye whiskey, cask #95, 2023)
€550 and a ending in a Philippine rum barrel – not very coherent, is it? If it’s Don Papa, it’s like changing a Ferrari’s engine with a small Hyundai (nothing in opposition to Hyundai, in fact). If it’s Luisita, that’s significantly better, however sadly, we don’t have that information! In any case, what an thought… Now we simply must know if the rye right here is American or Canadian. Color: full gold. Nostril: very delicate, inoffensive, pretty elegant, with out apparent ‘Don Papa’ notes, extra on honey and a tiny roasted Brussels sprout drizzled with honey. Then increasingly more candied cherries, heaps of candied cherries. With water: the rye aspect stays very discreet, don’t look forward to finding even a touch of rye bread. Mouth (neat): the candied cherries hit immediately, adopted by banana cream and orange liqueur combined with Timut pepper and liquid caramel. If it’s Don Papa, that is the very best use for Don Papa (home makes use of are inconceivable as a result of it might clog up the whole lot). With water: fruitier with a sure steadiness. The rye now seems, lavender, poppy seeds, juniper, pumpernickel, lavender… End: not very lengthy however beautiful, maybe its greatest part, regardless of the marginally stifling sweetness. Cinnamon liqueur. Feedback: significantly better than I feared, however you need to like sweetness.
SGP:751 – 85 factors. |
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Whereas we’re on the subject of the weird…
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Westward ‘Stout Cask’ (46%, OB, single malt, +/-2023)
Empty casks are handed over to pleasant Oregon brewers, then full of Westward malt. A variation that may work – we’ve tasted enjoyable issues of this sort in Switzerland with Säntis, however many distilleries have jumped on the bandwagon as everybody tries to develop their ranges. Color: deep gold. Nostril: a LOL-malt, one thing I actually take pleasure in as a result of ‘it offers you a break’ if you’re tasting lots. Enormous notes of darkish chocolate, then aubergines and artichokes, baker’s yeast, roasted malt, and really darkish honey. I actually like this little monster on the nostril, I need to admit. Mouth: this works very effectively, I’m afraid. Nonetheless that darkish honey (chestnut and manuka, 50/50) and chocolate, together with a really yeasty aspect I actually take pleasure in and every kind of roasted nuts – pecans, peanuts, Brazil nuts, almonds… End: lengthy, on comparable notes with oranges now taking management. Feedback: it had been months since I dared to style this child, I used to be procrastinating. One ought to by no means procrastinate.
SGP:661 – 87 factors. |
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Wyoming Whiskey ‘Nationwide Parks No.5’ (52.5%, OB, straight bourbon whiskey, barrel proof, 2024)
I believe that is model new, from Kirby, Wyoming. Nothing to do, I believe, with the outdated ‘Kirby’ whisky model. That is the primary time we’re tasting a ‘Wyoming Whiskey’, and I’ve simply seen that it belongs to Edrington (HP, Macallan). There appears to have been fairly a bit of name consolidation lately, with diversification efforts popping up in all places, effectively it appears. Color: full gold. Nostril: how beautiful that is, with the softness of corn but additionally that very fairly earthy aspect from the remainder of the mashbill. Notes of ‘Belgian’ mandarin liqueur, contemporary mushrooms, honeysuckle, a little bit of lilac, acacia honey, a contact of cane syrup and agave, then a really fairly trace of parsley… Sure, the whole lot right here may be very fairly. With water: touches of potting soil and apple peelings. Mouth (neat): delicate, barely candy, it doesn’t appear to have a lot rye. The feel is kind of gentle, heading in direction of roasted hazelnuts and really candy English tea (not that I’m saying our pals over-sweeten their tea, thoughts you). With water: it retains a light-weight and candy spine, however with none apparent fragility. End: slightly quick. Nougat and cane sugar. Feedback: delicate and even gentle, however with none extreme weak point. Should be the corn.
SGP:630 – 84 factors. |
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Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey 11yo 2012/2023 (52.9%, Oxhead Whisky Firm & Shelter, barrel, cask #412, 89 bottles) 
This ought to be G. Dickel. Color: deep gold. Nostril: there’s a little bit of that typical pineapple from JD (and GD), then a medicinal aspect harking back to Laph (actually?), which may be very stunning. There’s additionally slightly be aware of white nougat flavoured with mint – uncommon however very nice. With water: seawater and inhalation essences. Unimaginable. Mouth (neat): surprisingly sturdy, virtually Scottish, virtually peaty, marked by white fruits, cumin, earth, seaweed… All of that is extraordinarily unbelievable however superb. With water: and but, the bottom is clearly that of a bourbon, with vanilla-coconut and varnish-orange liqueur notes. End: comparable. Touches of tar. Feedback: very stunning, very wonderful. So long as there are mysteries like this in our whiskies, all will probably be effectively. I do know what you’re considering – I’ll make clear that this child was totally aged within the USA.
SGP:653 – 88 factors. |
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Grasp on, we will examine one thing…
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Tennessee Bitter Mash Bourbon 8 yo 2016/2024 (57.1%, Whiskey Sponge, Decadent Drinks)
Positively George Dickel, aged 3 years within the US and 5 years in Scotland. 75% maize, 21% rye, 4% malt and 100% enjoyable. Color: full gold. Nostril: it’s virtually like Grand Marnier aged in wooden (Cuvée du Centenaire), with sandalwood, incense, patchouli, and a packet of bidis. You’d virtually put Joan Baez on the stereo, if it weren’t for the gingerbread notes that seem subsequent (why that?). With water: that typical earthy aspect now comes by way of. A contact of tobacco. Mouth (neat): not a gram of peat, however a beautiful mixture of honey, maple syrup, woodruff, cognac, juniper, and cloves. It stays delicate general, with the orange liqueur main this charming little herd. With water: it’s actually wonderful, although the construction stays a bit gentle. Just about no malt, you see. End: of medium size, light, however a contact of star anise sneaks in among the many citrus notes. Feedback: prime of the basket.
SGP:651 – 88 factors. |
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Bitter mash? Simply ask… By the best way, in case you’re new, bitter mash isn’t really ‘bitter’.
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Tennessee Bitter Mash 18 yo 2003/2021 (50.8%, Wu Dram Clan & Kirsch Import, single barrel, cask #12, 156 bottles) 
This might solely be George Dickel, and of a stupendous age, no much less. Color: full gold. Nostril: an ideal demonstration of time’s impact, as the bottom is strictly similar to the Sponge’s, besides it’s rounded out, with myriads of small citrus fruits this time, and fewer of the bidi aspect. In different phrases, the ten additional years have decreased the influence of the wooden (not the opposite means round) and damaged down the incense and gingerbread notes into numerous micro-aromas from the identical universe. What we name right here a ‘fractal’ evolution. With water: chic blood oranges. Mouth (neat): nearer to the 8-year-old, rawer, on honey, maple syrup, and spices. With water: oh, it’s lovely, on caraway, outdated Cuban aguardiente, and even a contact of outdated cachaça. I swear. End: lengthy, with magnificent spices and mead match for the Greek gods – effectively sure, that’s what they had been ingesting on Mount Olympus. Feedback: similar very excessive stage because the Sponge, with ten additional years. Do ten years deserve two extra factors? After all they do.
SGP:651 – 90 factors. |
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Willett 7 yo ‘Household Property Rye’ (54%, OB, for LMDW, Straight Rye Whiskey, Single Barrel, cask #22612, 2024)
74% rye in right here, that’s going to be a change. Color: full gold. Nostril: the rise in energy of the ‘new’ Willett. We discover complexity, valuable breads, citrus fruits, delicate lavender, that ‘virtually’ soapy aspect, juniper, coriander, Thai basil, mustard seed bread… Such complexity in the event you take the time to hear. With water: a contact of papier-mâché, in any other case the identical, and all the higher for it. Mouth (neat): by Zeus! Melon, peaches, citron, olive oil, and heather honey. It’s masterful, I’m afraid. With water: once more, unchanged, the water provides nothing however just a few sultanas that seem out of nowhere. End: lengthy and virtually thick. Candied kumquats and dried apricots. Feedback: 90.49999 factors, however Dura Lex, sed Lex.
SGP:641 – 90 factors. |
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As they are saying, rye is (maybe) the way forward for malt. Proper, one final one, then we’ll do a 3rd and last American session subsequent time.
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Previous Potrero 8 yo 2015/2024 ‘Burning Daylight’ (65.6%, Ex-Libris, LMDW, rye)
Let the Californian whisky communicate. Certainly, that’s higher. Color: deep gold. Nostril: it’s monstrous, it has the whole lot. But when I had to make use of solely three descriptors, I’d say 1. Bergamot, 2. Winery peach, 3. Recent fig, and 4. (we do what we like, it’s our ‘weblog’) white clover honey. Chic nostril. With water: very good woody spices. Pinecones, high-end plywood, spruce, thuja… Mouth (neat): candy Vishnu and holy featherless crow! Think about a rush of olives, oysters, menthol tobacco, and a triple avalanche of smaller flavours. This whisky isn’t human (no joke, S.) With water: unique fruits roll in, mango within the lead. Curiously, it reduces the curiosity ever so barely. Only a tiny bit. End: lengthy, balanced, contemporary, fruity, and spicy. The coriander comes again on the very, very finish. Feedback: we brushed in opposition to 92 factors. When’s the following Air France flight to San Francisco?
SGP:751 – 91 factors. |
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I believe that in our third and last US session (for 2024), there’ll be extra Previous Potrero – and loads of Willett. See you quickly.
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