Seacrets Distilling Company - Orange and Lemon Drop Vodkas

 

If you don't vacation on the east coast, you may not know that Ocean City, MD is a hotbed of tourist activity in the summer months.  But it is also a one-of-a-kind distillery, producing award-winning rum, whiskey, vodka and gin.  We were fortunate to taste these Seacrets Distilling Company flavored vodkas, just in time for the hot summer weather and they are really something special.  Whether or not you consider yourself a vodka consumer, we think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what Seacrets is producing here.  

If you've been around here for awhile, you know that we taste everything neat - at least initially.  It can be tough to taste vodka and gin neat, as they are at the lower end of our "hey, lets' drink that today" list.  And too often you have to filter out the dozens of flavored vodka that sit on the shelf produced by the companies who are sloshing out a zillion barrels per year.  So when we had the opportunity to taste this one, we were pretty excited to try something off of our beaten path.

Seacrets uses their small batch premium vodka as the base here.  They add over 500 pounds of fresh blood oranges and navel oranges and let the magic begin.  The peels are also steeped for a shorter time for additional flavor and removed prior to the fruit.  After filtering out the fruit, they add natural cane sweetener to create the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness.  We have to tell you.  This really made us shake our heads and smile.  It tastes absolutely pure, flavorful and like a breath of summer in a glass.  And a bonus......... it's gluten free!

We went on to pour this over ice and sip it and we even started experimenting a bit with this liquor.  Four parts of this orange vodka to 1/2 ounce of cream of coconut had us reminiscing to our childhood, eating orange cream popsicles on our bikes.  Their website has a great orange crush recipe you need to check out.  I know we will be trying it!

ABV:  35.0% (70 proof)

Distillery:  Seacrets Distilling Company

Suggested retail price:  $24.99

Drink The Bottles score:  88/100

If you love lemon flavored vodka, this is the one you need to put on your list!  It's incredibly tasty, affordable, not made with artifical flavors and makes a great John Daly (you know, iced tea and lemon flavored vodka)!  Again, this one starts with the Seacrets Distilling Company small batch (and award winning) vodka and fresh whole lemons (over 500 pounds) are introduced to the distillate.  Natural cane sweetener is introduced (lemons are sour folks!) and when the aroma, flavors and colors are just right, this goes into the gluten free stunner.  

Tasted neat, on ice and in some experimental cocktails, this lemon flavored vodka rose to the occasion for making us both giddy and impressed.  Pale gold in color, incredible wafting aromas of lemon and spring breezes greeted us at every sip.  This one just tastes "right".  It's light, it's very flavorful and you don't get a guilty or full feeling when tasting it.  There is literally no burn at the back end we ended up mixing this with a wide array of accoutrements - triple sec, orange juice, blueberry juice, iced tea, ginger bear and cranberry juice to name a few.  While some of these drink concoctions were better than others, the Lemon Drop vodka never disappointed.  

We're hoping to visit the distillery sometime in the near future.  Leighton Moore is the owner/founder and he spared no attention to detail when creating this work of art.  Everything in the distillery is an antique from 1933 (the year Prohibition ended) or earlier.  That includes the doors, windows, lighting, bricks and more.  No detail was spared.

We love what is happening with Seacrets Distilling Company.  They have an amazing venue and some really delicious products.  In less than 10 years they have created a bold footprint in the beverage industry and on the east coast.  Look for unique and great products to keep rolling out of here.  

ABV:  35.0% (70 proof)

Distillery:  Seacrets Distilling Company

Suggested retail price:  $24.99

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

 

Lodestar American Blended Whiskey

Two cousins who worked over a decade in the music and film industry found that they had discerning palates for whiskey and wanted to fill what they thought was a void in the beverage industry.  The inaugural and flagship blended whiskey from Lodestar Whiskey has a cool, laid back California vibe with mellow flavors and appealing owners.  They are relatively new to the space so they aren't distilling their products (who has a cool $25 million to do that?) but they are stepping outside of the box to blend warm and welcoming flavors with a combination of straight high rye bourbon and American single malt whiskey.

While blending isn't new and it definitely is an art form, what Anna and Wendelin are doing is charting their own course and getting people to notice.  We certainly did!  Medium chestnut color with graham cracker crust, orange and lemon peel and chewy caramel candy on the nose.  Those aromas led the tasting notes as well, but we also picked up sweet rolls and a lingering reminder of apple butter and minimal spice.  Tasted neat.

We really like what Anna and Wendelin are doing so far and we look forward to seeing what releases come next.  This whiskey was created to bring folks together and to try something that is tasty, unique and affordable.  We can only imagine what a family reunion is like with these two!

ABV:  45.0% (90 proof)

Distillery:  Unknown (Bloomington, IN)

Suggested retail price:  $44.99

Drink The Bottles score:  87/100

 

Fort Hamilton Distillery HonorsTradition With Modern-Day Bourbon & Rye

 

What do you think of when you picture Brooklyn, New York in your mind?  Do you think of diverse neighborhoods, amazing food and Coney Island?  Maybe.  But you might be surprised to know that there is a distillery with a rich history, creating inviting drams that should be on your radar during your next visit to the city.  Husband and wife owners Alex Clark and Amy Grindeland set out to create premium liquors and that is exactly what they are doing.  They bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka and gin, connecting the distillery's name to the historic Fort Hamilton Army Base, which was named after Alexander Hamilton.

First up, we tasted the Fort Hamilton Sinble Barrel Bourbon with an inviting mash bill of 85% Corn, 10% Rye and 5% Malted Barley, all locally sourced from New York state!  We always have a soft spot for folks who source their grains locally, as it adds to the footpring of what that area of the world is doing in the whiskey world.  This was barreled at 125 proof and aged for 4.5 years in a Char #3 53-gallon barrel.  There are tons of distilleries doing something similar, but the high corn on this one really caught our attention!

Medium chestnut color in the glass with hints of gold on the rim, this kosher certified single barrel bourbon (batch #1, mind you) presents farm-fresh sweetness on the nose with candied pecans, vanilla, tanned leather and spice cabinet.  This bottle was just released this spring and the mocha, vanilla, oak, hard candy and leather flavors are really blended wonderfully.  Some people snub their nose at anything less than a 6-8 year age statement, and they are really missing some delicious bottles on the market, including this one.  For a first batch single barrel bourbon, the team at Fort Hamilton has really set some nice ground work and we can't wait to see what else is in the pipeline!

ABV:  47.5% (95 proof)

Distillery:  Fort Hamilton Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $54.99

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

For us, the star of the show between the single barrel bourbon and single barrel rye was this rye (batch #14) by a small margin.  New York Rye is commonly known as America's original whiskey.  This pre-prohibition drink is still wildly popular today no matter how you drink it - neat, rocks or in a cocktail.  Like everything we taste, we enjoyed this neat and then again with one single cube and this one really opened our eyes!  The Fort Hamilton Distillery Single Barrel Rye Whiskey is nothing short of splendid to us.  Barreled at 120 proof and aged for 5 years in Car #3 thirty gallon barrels, each batch produces about 130 bottles.  A little lighter in color to the single barrel bourbon, the golden-red rye is comprised of 90% Rye and 10% Malted Barley, again, locally sourced from New York.  

European spices, vanilla, stone fruits and licorice initially on the nose with this very welcoming bottle.  Some time in the glass and additional swirling threw hints of fresh cut hayfield and star anise.  We couldn't wait to dig in and the flavors did not disappoint!  Vanilla, cedar bark, damp earth, black pepper and whisps of soy sauce were really making us smile.  A medium peppery finish was very welcome and not overpowering by any means.  That later additiona of a single ice cube brought us flavors of brown sugar and cream pie with a kick!   This is a delicious bottle!

Fort Hamilton Distillery was established in 2016 and frankly, when you find bottles like these, you really wish you lived in the area.  We can only dream of walking out of our New York loft, taking a walk down the street and sitting up at a hight top table at the distillery to enjoy not only these, but the other beautiful intoxicants that they have to offer.  We see a bright future for this distillery and we can't wait to see what they produce next!

ABV:  45.0% (90 proof)

Distillery:  Fort Hamilton Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $54.99

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

Nelson Bros. Whiskey Calvados Cask Finish

 

What happens when two brothers begin a trek to trace the whiskey distilling history of their great-great-great grandfather?  They run across a local historian in Tennessee who delightfully shows them two prestine bottles that were originally distilled by the elder Nelson, Charles.  This discovery lit a fire in Andy and Charlie Nelson, ultimately driving them to re-birth the Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey brand.  Fast forward eighteen years, this distillery produces not only the Green Brier label, but Nelson Bros as well.  These bottles are unique, delicious and created with time-honored traditions that began in the late-1800's.

The Nelson Bros Whiskey Calvados Cask Finish is a distillery-exclusive product, and a unique creation that has been loosely copied by other distilleries, but never with the same outcome - deliciousness!  The Calvados Apple Brandy casks used in maturation of this whiskey allows for additional flavors to infuse the whiskey and provide a distinctive finish, resulting in reddish-golden tones in the glass.

We tasted this neat in a rocks glass and then again with ice.  The nose welcomed us with aromas of honeycomb, toasted graham crackers, orchard fruit and vanilla.  It's very aromatic, only second to the greeting flavors of fig cookie, warm mulled cider, vanilla and cherry compote and hard candy.  For the finished whiskey fan, this one absolutely dances on the tongue, providing a finish that is uniquely changing.  We think mild pepper, warm apple pie, mixes nuts and cupcake frosting were most noticeable.  The distillery-only offerings typically sell out quickly, so we encourage you to contact the distillery for availability before you make the trip.

We really love everything that Nelson's Green Brier Distillery is doing and we love seeing their products available in most of the areas we visit.  This whiskey is absolutely a hit!

ABV:  53.4% (106.8 proof)

Distillery:  Nelson's Green Brier Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $94.99

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

Frey Ranch Bottled In Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

On a 1,500 acre farm in Fallon, Nevada comes some of the best whiskey we have tasted to date.  The Frey family has been farming this ground east of the Sierra Nevada mountains for about 170 years, which has resulted in them producing true grain to glass products.  They maintain complete control over every step in the process and their dedication to the craft results in wonderful products.

Colby and Ashley Frey establised Frey Ranch Distillery in 2006, all while still farming the family ground.  They are deliberate about each action they take from the obvious milling, mashing, fermeting (you kow, the "whiskey stuff") to the bottle and stopper design and label colors.  No detail goes unnoticed and no decision is made without the hands on approach of this team.

The Frey Ranch Bottled In Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is comprised of 100% slow-grown winter rye, aged for at least five years and is an absolute rock star in our opinion!  It bothers us that many whiskey lovers had a bad experience with Rye previously and they have completely shut it down.  We get it.  Some Rye can be over-peppered tongue tinglers that aren't enjoyable.  But that's not even close to what you're getting here.

Golden-brown-red sunset color in the bottle, this whiskey gives you lifting aromas of citrus, lemongrass, candied jam and subtle smoke initially.  We let this one have some time in the glass and came back to it.  There is a floral and cocoa bean undertone that presents itself and almost a sugar cookie presence as well.  To say there is a LOT going on here would be a huge understatement.  Tasted neat, we welcome flavors of warm baked pumpernickel bread, lemon custard, vanilla candy, more citrus with a very well-balanced and frankly, minuscule amount of spice.  While we think this would create a beautiful cocktail, we believe this whiskey stands on its own and is best enjoyed neat.  We are going to go ahead and say that we will be seeing this one again in our 2024 Best Whiskey list later this year!  This is absolutely, without a doubt, a Rye whiskey that you need to taste.

ABV:  50.0% (100 proof)

Distillery:  Frey Ranch Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $62.99

Drink The Bottles score:  95/100

Dread River Blackstrap Rum

 

We don't get a lot of opportunities to taste rum, but we are so glad we had this chance.  Dread River Distilling Co out of Birmingham, Alabama has been distilling bourbon, rum, vodka, gin and other fine spirits since 2019.  During the Covid pandemic they were also pumping out hand sanitizer.  What started as a dream to create a small craft whiskey distillery has turned into a thriving and impressive destination location that not only produces whiskey but has so much more to offer.  Dread River now has a full-service kitchen, bar, gift shop, even facility....and some damned fine rum!

The Dread River Blackstrap Rum is starts with brown sugar and molasses, which is important to know when tasting this one.  In lieu of sugar cane, the brown sugar plays an important part in the color, aromas and flavors of this unique liquor.  If you pop this open and are thinking you're going to get something similar to a Captain Morgan plonk, you're in for surprise.  This rum has a hauntingly gorgeous deep, dark chocolate color and features all natural flavors.  The mash is infused with orange peel, peppercorn, vanilla beans and coriander, creating aromas that leap from the glass.  

We tasted this straight and neat since we truly believe it is a sipping rum and then again with a couple of ice cubes.  Maple, lemongrass, coffeebean, vanilla and fresh fruit basket aromas were competing for attention.  Island fruits, vanilla pudding, maple candy and orange marmelade were initial flavors without the ice.  Ice brought out some semi sweet chocolate and sweet rolls towards the end.  To drink this is absolutely effortless and a real smile maker!

This is the inaugural batch of Blackstrap Rum from Dread River and we suspect it won't be their last!  If this bottle is any indication of how the rest of their lineup is, they are definitely worth putting on your radar!

ABV:  40.0% (80 proof)

Distillery:  Dread River Distilling Co.

Suggested retail price:  $39.99

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

Broad Branch Distillery - Leading The Way in North Carolina Spirits

 

By now, the world clearly knows that 95% of the world's bourbon is born in Kentucky.  But did you know that all fifty states not only make whiskey, but they distill other unique spirits as well?  Today, we travel virtually to Broad Branch Distillery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to discover six very unique spirits, ranging from a 60 proof flavored whiskey to a 6+ year aged, 100 proof Rye.  

We tasted the Broad Branch Distillery Spirits line up from 50 mL sample bottles.  This includes four of their CORE spirits and two of their PREMIUM selections.  This tasting was very unique, as it included North Carolina rum and a classic Carolina Spirit that was reminiscent of tequila.  Don't get us wrong - we LOVE our bourbon and whiskey (and we tasted those too!) but it's always fun to discover new flavors and products outside of the famous distilled brown water.

BBD relishes the Blue Ridge Moutain distilling processes and they live by the mission to create the best products they can while employing the craftmaking of the Old World style.  Though modern-looking and feeling, this team knows that time honored traditions of mashing, fermenting, aging and bottling spirits at the precise moment means that every bottle is getting the best that they have to offer.  At BBD, you're going to find a contemporary twenty-first century building located in the Winston-Salem Arts District with friendly faces and welcoming vibes.

So let's get into the bottles...

First up is "Nightlab", representing a traditional, time-honored North Carolina 100-year-old recipe.  This spirit was completely new to us and we couldn't wait to dig in.  If you smelled and tasted this, you would swear, without a doubt, that you were drinking a high end tequila.  This mash is comprised of grain, sugar cane and hops.  While there is no agave here, there is that agave flavor profile.  Most tequila is bottled at 80 proof, so if you like higher proof liquor, you will definitely want to set aside the Patron for this gem!   It is extremely clean and easy to drink, whether in a cocktail, on ice or sipping neat.

ABV:  47.5% (95 proof)

Distillery:  Broad Branch Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $33.95

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

While we don't know the mash bill on "Frank's Reserve" we can tell you that this bottle feels right.  What does that mean?  It means it is a very smooth, lower proof derived of grains, sugar cane and hops.  This doesn't taste "hoppy" at all, likely because it was aged in European Chardonnay barrels and new American Oak barrels for 3 years each.  The 6 year age statement is delivering a beautiful deep amber color with cherry pie and peppery spice on the nose and palate.  We tasted this neat and while it is pretty straight forward, it is impressive in its own right.  For someone who is wanting to taste different spirits and who hasn't garnered a taste for 100+ proof offerings yet, this one comes highly recommended.

ABV:  44% (88 proof)

Distillery:  Broad Branch Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $39.95

Drink The Bottles score:  87/100

All of the products we tasted from BBD were well received, but we have to admit.... we were very excited to pour and taste this one!  This is their blueberry flavored whiskey, "Smashing Violet".  We tasted this neat, on ice and blended with a dash of pulp-free lemonade (from concentrate).  The pours were very small but introduced the palate to an inviting and absolutely delicious blueberry flavor.  We picked up some hints of spice cabinet and subtle flavors of New York cheesecake after some air time in the glass.  This one doesn't hit you in the face with an overwhelming blue monster, but that's because there are no added flavors, sweeteners or colors.  You get two things here - whiskey and blueberries.   This is crafted extremely well.  They could have really made this a "go to hell" high proof party drink and we are glad they didn't.  We think we need to buy a bottle and try this over vanilla ice cream!

ABV:  30% (60 proof)

Distillery:  Broad Branch Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $46.95

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

The Broad Branch Distillery "Sungrazer" Craft Rum was a great surprise for us as well.  Nice light golden color, this triple distilled beauty ages in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for 3 months, creating an sweet-smelling and flavorful finish.  This is 100% Caribben molasses at the top of the game.  The nose shows off some spring floral boquet, candied apricot, sweet hard candy and even some bubble gum notes with some air time and swirling.   Mouth covering flavors of sweet caramel taffy makes this memorable and one to keep on hand for drinking neat or for some awesome cocktails.

ABV:  40% (80 proof)

Distillery:  Broad Branch Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $36.95

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

When we started tasting this "Rye Fidelity" rye whiskey, we couldn't write our tasting notes and thoughs fast enough. From the medium hickory color to the long finish, we knew we were in for a ride!  It's funny how many bourbon and whiskey drinkers we run into who immediately tell us that Rye "isn't their thing" because of the spicy feel and burn.  So for them, we challenge them to taste this incredible bottle!  We have personally really tasted some delicious Rye whiskeys this year and this one is definitely a contendor for our favorite!  Mocha and muddled ripe berries on the nose, this Rye has a dominant chocolate pie with graham cracker crust flavor, mixed berry jam and some espresso bean flirting at your tongue with some time in the glass.  It's extemely viscous and it completely covers your mouth.  Incredible!  This is North Carolina's only 6+ year single barrel straight rye whiskey and Broad Branch Distillery has set the standard.  No, that's not right.  They have set the bar for others to try to reach!  We dare any other North Carolina distillery to produce a rye this fantastic!

ABV:  50% (100 proof)

Distillery:  Broad Branch Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $69.95

Drink The Bottles score:  95/100

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the second offering in the Broad Branch Premium Spirits category.  This is "Big Winston", a 6-year-old straight bourbon whiskey.  Mash bill unknown, this low rye bourbon Mahogany-colored bourbon presents notes of vanilla cream, spice cabinet, oak and wet tea leaf on the nose.  Lovely brown sugar with hints of spice at first taste.  Then joining are welcoming flavors of toasted nuts, vanilla custard and dried plum.  The finish is extremely smooth.  We tasted this one neat in a Glencairn and would love to try this in a cocktail.  Well done!

ABV:  42.5% (85 proof)

Distillery:  Broad Branch Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $59.95

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

Hooten Young Operation Gothic Serpent Rye Whiskey

Tim Young and former Special Mission Unit Member (MSG RET) Norm Hooten were chatting around a fire, sipping whiskey and dragging on cigars with friends.  That's how all great whiskey brands are started, aren't they?  These two guys wanted to honor military service and provide a quality whiskey to the market that had meaning behind their brand.  Hooten Young was born.

This is the first product of Hooten Young we have tasted, and that's a shame since we have seen it locally many times on shelves.  Now that we have tasted this 6 year rye, we will be on the hunt for more of their limited-release whiskey to taste and share.  This is the Hooten Young Operation Gothic Serpent Rye Whiskey honoring the 30 year anniversary of Operation Gothic Serpent.  OGS is the real life story that inspired the wildly popular movie Black Hawk Down.  

Coming in at 93 proof, this MGP-distilled whiskey has a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% barley.  The color is antique oak furniture with aromas of dried fruits, tobacco and clove.  Tasted neat in a rocks glass, the sweet dried fruit flavors were joined with carmel candy, peppercorn and cherry cordial.  While the finished isn't overly long, it is very pleasant and leaves you with wanting to dig back into the bottle.  This would be an entry level whiskey for this brand compared to its other limited, higher aged statement releases.  Nonetheless, it is definitely a whiskey that would be a great companion to telling stories with friends and making new memories.  Solid.

ABV:  46.5% (93 proof)

Distillery:  MGP for Hooten Young

Suggested retail price:  $64.99

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

Filmland Spirits Moonlight Mayhem! Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 

Nearly six years ago to the day, we wrote an article about the importance and value of bottle labels in the wine industry.  This, of course, holds true today and encompasses not only the wine but also spirits industry.  We can't think of a brand in the whiskey world who understands this better than the team at Filmland Spirits.  This Los Angeles-based company is comprised of film industry experts and whiskey enthusiasts who want to marry the two industries with enjoyable, eye-catching and palate pleasing brown water.  And that's exactly what we have here for you today.

This is the Filmland Spirits Moonlight Mayhem! Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey that gives you a well-rounded package.  You get the ultra cool art deco label on a memorable and incredibly information-packed bottle, a fair price and most of all - a very tasty and fun product!  This is bottled in Kentucky and distilled in Indiana, meaning it is most likely a product of Midwest Grain Products.  If you're a bourbon snob and just rolled your eyes, feel free to move on.  Most folks don't realize that many dozens of brands start with and still use MGP to distill their spirits.  Some of the most popular brands are MGP to this day.  We never hate on that fact.

Coming in at 94 proof and with a 4+ year age statement, this has a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley.  Filmland Spirits lists this as a small batch bourbon, and like all small batch bourbons, that definition is clouded (or secretive to some) so we take that at face value.  Let's get into this one...

Gingerbread color in the glass to the rim and more viscous than expected, pleasantly.  On the nose are tons of citrus, chocolate covered cherries and toffee.  A little air time brings out additional sweetness and this is reminiscant of a Werther's Original hard candy.  Tasted neat, the same citrus fruit is at center stage with some island fruits showing up in the back end.  Chocolate covered cherry, baking spice and cigar box join in nicely, always blending with the sweet toffee/candy notes.  This isn't overly complex but it is very tasty and respectable.  While this could be considered their entry-level whiskey, there's nothing juvenile about it.  Filmland Spirits also produces a cask strength bourbon, a 9 year-aged Kentucky straight bourbon, a straight rye and a cask strength rye.  Each one tells a story and features the amazing bottle artwork.  If you see any of these in the store, definitely give them a try!

Check out our YouTube video review!

ABV:  47.0% (94 proof)

Distillery:  MGP for Filmland Spirits

Suggested retail price:  $54.99

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

 

O H Ingram River Aged Bourbon

 

When we set out to taste and share our thoughts on this bourbon, we were a little apprehensive at first.  We suppose you could say that about any whiskey or bourbon that we've never tasted, but we were worried that the "river aged" statement might be more of a sales gimmick.  Of course the Mississippi River has been used for hundreds of years, allowing distillers a more convenient way to transport their product.  But why would you age your whiskey on a barge on the river?  Well, one advantage is that the whiskey is in constant contact with all sides/ends of the barrel with the constant gentle movement of the river's dance.  Some would argue that this helps develop the familiar whiskey flavors faster and with more intensity.  Let's find out!

The mash bill on this O H Ingram Whiskey offering is 70% corn, 21% wheat and 9% malted barley.  The absence of rye provides a smoother and sweeter bourbon and an extremely easy drinker.  On the nose we initially noticed a great deal of tropical fruit, orange juice, espresso bean and polished leather.  It is immediately both inviting and intriguing.  First tastes (neat, of course) provided flavors of apple pie, cinnamon, honeycomb and the citrus that stayed the course throughout the entire tasting experience.  When you first taste this, you find that this initially seems to be higher than 105 proof, but this quickly mellows out to a very pleasant and welcoming finish.

We tasted this the next night and were met with a very similar experience but adding in hints of cherry pipe tobacco on the nose and chocolate-covered coffee beans on the palate.  Each bottle cap displays the barge number where the whiskey was aged.  We really were blown away by this bourbon and are seriously impressed by what O H Ingram is doing here.  

Check out our YouTube review!

ABV:  52.5% (105 proof)

Distillery:  O H Ingram

Suggested retail price:  $69.99

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

15 Stars Private Stock 8 & 15 Year Blended Bourbon

 

Sourcing and blending whiskey is nothing new.  The practice has been going on for hundreds of years since the first whiskey was produced.  But in order to be successful at blending whiskey, you need to have an understanding of the whiskey itself, the mash bills, the age statements, how to marry the various barrels and an impeccable taste for quality.  Owners of 15 Stars, Rick and Ricky Johnson, are a father and son duo that formed the company in 2019 but didn't release their first product until the spring of 2022.  These entrepreneurs and whiskey pros have been steadily growing their brand since then, paying attention to every detail (including the 15 stars bottle closure, offering a nod to Kentucky becoming the 15th state) and sourcing only what they feel are the finest bourbon barrels available from Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee.

If you consider yourself a "bourbon purist", you might be rolling your eyes about now.  And you would be extremely remiss.  Sure, there is something to be said about a farm-to-bottle, locally sourced grains, aged-in-house operation.  But it is equally impressive to come across master blenders who can create unique and delicious bourbon.  In some cases, you could argue that the latter is more difficult because of the constant trial and error one must endure to find the perfect recipe that ultimately ends up in the bottle.

We were completely thrilled to taste this 15 Stars Private Stock 8 & 15 Year Blended Bourbon.  We had been seeing different 15 Stars products pop up at local liquor stores occasionally, but they were never on the shelves very long, which is indicative to the growing popularity of the brand.  

We tasted this neat in a Glencairn, but we didn't pop and pour this one.  The aromas leapt out of the bottle and we let this one set in the glass for about 15 minutes prior to seeing what it was about.  

Dark brown sugar color to the glass edge with impressive viscosity.  The bourbon felt very luxurious and the aromas initially made you feel like you were walking into a bakery.  Inviting fragrances of freshly baked yeast donuts filled the nose followed by raspberry filling, caramel and clover honey.  The first sip brought in oodles of black cherry with signs of cedar, dried tobacco leaf and vanilla fudge.  We went back and forth about baked pecan pie and mocha hints at the finish, but the black cherry dominance was present throughout the tasting and it was absolutely delicious.  You could drink this on the rocks, but for the life of us, we don't know why you would.  This bottle, in our opinion, should be enjoyed neat and maybe slightly chilled.  Our wine library is about 64 degrees, so this was right in our wheelhouse.  

Keep an eye out for 15 Stars.  They're off to a fantastic start and the momentum is growing!  If we are to assume that this bottle is an indication of the quality of all of their releases, we can't wait to taste some others.  Yes, it is that good!  This one will be fun to re-visit throughout the next few months to see what a little airtime does for it.  We think it will continue to thrive.

Check out our YouTube video review!

ABV:  53.5% (107 proof)

Distillery:  15 Stars

Suggested retail price:  $139.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100