George Dickel Rye Whiskey

Damn, I’m tired.

I’m not sure if you noticed this, but I am a wonderful husband. So much so that I took today “off” from work in order to build my wife a permanent fence around her garden. Well, start building anyway. This is going to be a much bigger job than I had anticipated when I told her that my building this was her Mother’s Day present. Today I used an auger to dig 14 two-foot holes and put in 14 posts. If I had good soil, it probably wouldn’t have taken as long (or been nearly as hard) but I live on clay. Very wet clay.

The good news is that if I ever decide to get into pottery, I have all I would ever need just a few inches below the surface of my yard.

Luckily for me, my wife is an amazing wife too. As I finished cleaning up and sat down to write, a Sazerac magically appeared at hand. She decided that I needed to have a post-work cocktail. And knowing what I was writing about tonight, she used that.

George Dickel Rye is the whiskey that made me realize that I’d never reviewed most of the Dickel lineup. I seriously thought I had. I bought it right after it came out for the express purpose of reviewing it. It was an era when most of the rye coming out was from MGP. This probably was as well, though I doubt anyone actually admitted as much. But I remember that the word on the street was that they bought it fully aged and then ran it through charcoal. Kinda the opposite of the Lincoln County process that Dickel usually uses.

But I wanted to see what the filtering did to the product. At the time, I really didn’t notice much and I’ve bought it as a cocktail rye off and on since. And yes, the entire time, I thought I had reviewed it. So here I am finally making up for lost time and letting you know what I think of one of my rotating cocktail ryes (I guess that might be a hint right there).

George Dickel Rye Whiskey

Purchase Info: $24.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Village Liquors, Prior Lake, MN

Price per Drink (50 mL): $1.67

Details: 95% Rye whiskey mash. 45% ABV. Filtered through maple charcoal.

Nose: Cedar, mint, hints of brown sugar.

Mouth: Brown sugar, mint, cedar.

Finish: Gentle and on the shorter end of medium length. Notes of mint, baking spice, and a hint of maple.

Thoughts: I like this one as a cocktail rye. It has a lot of the typical 95% Rye-Style flavor notes but is just a bit sweeter than I like my rye to be when I sip on it. I really like it in an Old Fashioned or Sazerac though.

OK. Now. I am off to take my second shower of the day because, honestly, I stink.

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Book Review: Camp Cocktails by Emily Vikre

I have enjoyed camping my entire life. But, as I got older, the way I camped and the things I enjoyed about it changed.

When I was a little boy, my father took my brother and me on a twice-yearly fishing trip to Northern Minnesota. We’d pack all of our gear into a boat, drive to an island campsite and pitch a tent for the week. There was no running water, no toilets that you didn’t dig for yourself, and best of all no one else around. My dad and the other adults would be out fishing no matter what. Rain or shine. Once the rest of us stayed in the tent for the week due to heavy downpours. Another time there was a tornado that went over the island. But no matter what, we always had fun. For a kid like me, it was complete freedom. I’d swim in the lake, gather the wood and tend the fire all day, I’d read ten books while I was there and listen to the music that I wanted to listen to. Those trips are some of my best memories as a kid.

As I got older, I took trips with the Boy Scouts. Once we went on a canoe trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, also in Northern Minnesota. I had fun on this one, but the Boy Scouts didn’t allow nearly the freedom that I enjoyed on my other trips to the area. The hiking and canoeing and hanging out with friends was fun, but I bristled under the structure that they put in place.

After I got married, my wife and I started tent camping again with our daughter. I mostly went with other family members, so I still bristled a bit at the forced structure that the family’s planners saddled us with. But that was made up for by the family gathering around the bonfire at night. My family likes their drinks and we can get a bit rowdy. We were asked not to come back to campgrounds on more than one occasion.

After a while, I realized that waking up sore because of the cold damp ground and sticks that somehow appeared under the tent (even though you were positive that you cleaned the area) was no longer for me. I’ve had a couple of different camping trailers. Sold one, should probably sell the other. But these days, when I camp, I’m almost always in a cabin. I love campgrounds, I love the campfire and the camp drinks. But I don’t love dragging a trailer across the country when I can get just as good of an experience in a cabin that is already at my destination. And if I decide to splurge on a hotel for one night of my trip, I don’t need to find a place to park the trailer overnight.

Luckily for me, a recent book I bought can help no matter what type of camping I am doing. If I have access to ice, there are recipes for that. If I have a cabin with all the amenities, there are recipes for that. And if for some reason I were to try camping as I did as a kid (not likely) then there are recipes for that as well. The book is called Camp Cocktails and it is by Emily Vikre. Ms. Vikre is the owner of Vikre Distillery in Duluth, Minnesota. I’ve reviewed one of their gins in my gin line-up a while back. I didn’t make the connection when I ordered the book, I just thought it sounded interesting.

And it was!. The writing is fun. The foraging tips are super cool. And best of all, the cocktails are great. At least those that I’ve tried. The next time I go camping, even if I’m just pretending on the deck for the evening, I’m going to make sure I plan ahead and get the ingredients for some of these cocktails.

I really liked this book. It is available on Amazon for about $20 and I highly recommend it.

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BourboDid you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

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Or if you click the Amazon links above, and make any purchase (doesn’t have to be this book), they will give me a little affiliate money. And hey, if you are an iOS user, look for Bourbon Guy in Apple News. Thanks!

Four Gate Whiskey Company: Batch 6, The Kelvin Collaboration II

I’d like to thank Four Gate Whiskey Company for providing a review sample with no strings attached.

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For some reason, I’ve been thinking of my childhood lately. Probably because I’ve had a lot of time to think during this enforced downtime. It’s funny how scents can bring back good memories that you hadn’t thought about for years. Tonight’s whiskey did that for me. One sniff and I was reminded of time spent with my father.

My mom and dad divorced when I was young. Very quickly afterward he and his new wife were married and gave birth to my little sister. Needless to say, this caused some issues later on in life when I was an angry teenager and realized what the implications of that timeline were. But at the time, I was just happy to spend time with my dad, even though I hated my new step-mother. I was at his house for two weekends per month. He’d come to get me every-other Friday and on the way to his place, we would stop for supplies at the gas station near his house. He’d get smokes and beer for him and treats for my brother and I. A soda, candy, chips. You know, the sorts of things that were usually forbidden by my mother.

Sitting in the pickup sharing a candy bar with my dad and brother in the gas station parking lot is one of my happiest childhood memories of spending time with my dad. As I get older, I realize that it is the memories of the small “unimportant” events that I cherish the most.

Four Gate Whiskey Company: Batch 6, The Kelvin Collaboration II

Purchase Info: This sample was graciously supplied by the producer for review purposes. Suggested retail price is: $199.99

Price per Drink (50 mL): $13.33

Details: 12-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Cognac and Rum Casks. Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley. Non-Chill Filtered. 63.2% ABV

Nose: Oak, tobacco, coconut, and a hint of wood smoke

Mouth: Shows a lot of influence from rum and cognac along with notes of vanilla, baking spice, and coconut. Water opens it up, bringing out more spicy and fruity notes.

Finish: Long and warm with lingering notes of dark chocolate, coconut, and capsaicin-style spice.

Thoughts: This is absolutely delicious. This might be my favorite of the samples they have sent over. I love the coconut notes. When I was growing up a Mounds candy bar was my favorite treat at the gas station. This reminds me of that. I love this one. Partially for how it tastes, but also for the happy memories it drug up from the depths of my childhood.

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Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, and more.

Blood Oath Pact No. 6

I’d like to thank Common Ground PR and Lux Row Distillers for providing a review sample to me with no strings attached.

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Welcome to the 2020 BourbonGuy.co…

What? Excuse me, I’m getting a note…ok. really? Ok. No, no that’s fine. Sure.

Sorry about that folks, it seems that for the first time in six weeks, we are not doing a bracket competition tonight. Wow. I’m not even sure what to write in an actual review anymore. Well, never mind that let’s just do what I always do: jump in and wing it!

While I was off doing fun brackety-type competitions, I had a few samples delivered to the house. The first one we will look at is the sixth edition of the annual Blood Oath release from Lux Row Distillers. As usual, Pact No. 6 is a combination of three different bourbons, blended together by Head Distiller and Master Blender John Rempe. Quoting the Press Release:

For Pact No. 6, Rempe chose a 14-year ryed bourbon with notes of oak and leather, melded with an 8-year warm toasty ryed bourbon and complemented them with a 7-year ryed bourbon rested in cognac casks. The memorable combination brings caramel notes and hints of spice, along extra flavor from the cognac barrels.

When I got the press release, I was interested by the Cognac-finished component bourbon. Last year’s rum-finished bourbon component was masterfully handled. It had a subtle but noticeable impact on Pact No. 5. So I was curious to see if the Cognac-finished one was handled similarly. In my own blending experiments, I’ve found that Cognac and Bourbon work well together due to their similar barrel influences. You do need a light hand, however, as the fruit notes can quickly become overpowering. So as an amateur blender, I’m always curious to see how a Master handles it.

Blood Oath Pact No. 6

Purchase Info: This sample was graciously sent to me for review purposes by Lux Row Distillers via their PR agency. The suggested retail price is $99.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 ml): $6.67

Nose: Salted Caramel and chocolate chip cookies (vanilla, chocolate, sweetness, and hints of baking spice).

Mouth: Salted caramel, baking spice, ripe fruit, and a touch of dried grains.

Finish: Medium length. lingering notes of caramel, vanilla, and dark chocolate.

Thoughts: Like last year's rum-finished edition, this Cognac-finished Bourbon shows subtle influence from the finishing barrel. And while I preferred last year's edition to this year's, that is only because I prefer rum to Cognac. This is another very good release in the Blood Oath line.

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Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

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The BourbonGuy.com "Stuck at Home" Bourbon Brackets: The Championship!

I am so excited for tonight! For two reasons honestly. One is that there are actual sports stuff happening tonight! Like sports stuff that is live and not a replay of an old game that basically only serves to remind us how poorly sports graphics age. And sure, I couldn’t give two shits about the NFL. But I love college football and so the NFL Draft is always a fun way to see kids that I’ve followed for years finally see their dreams come true. I watch it every year. And for the most part it is the last time that I will pay attention to most of these kids. It’s kind of a good bye in that respect. Plus on the years that my Gophers have players that will be drafted, I like to see where they go.

But the other reason is the more pertinent to tonight’s post. I finally get to spill the beans on who wins! This was such a fun contest and I wish that every one of you had been able to play along with me. So let’s get down to it.

And as always, the following Bourbons were tasted blind at the same time. There may be odd or inconsistent tasting notes between these contests and other reviews because of how they pair/interact with one another.

Four Roses Single Barrel vs. Maker’s Mark 101 proof

Nose: Both of these have a really nice nose. They are pretty similar. Notes of toffee, caramel, brown sugar, oak and hints of fruit.

Mouth: Both of these show a lot of similarities. Lots of "bourbon" notes of toffee, caramel, brown sugar, baking spices. Whiskey 2 has a strong note of red fruit, whereas Whiskey 1 is more floral.

Pre-Reveal Thoughts: These are both delicious. As you might guess since we are reaching the last few matchups, the competition has gotten tighter. So much so that my wife and I have picked different winners. She picked Whiskey 2 as her winner and I picked Whiskey 1. Believe it or not, this is our first split decision. Things could get could get interesting later on.

Reveal: Whiskey 1 was Four Roses Single Barrel and will be moving on tot he Championship in my bracket. Whiskey 2 was Maker’s Mark 101 proof and will be moving on in my wife’s bracket.

Four Roses Small Batch Select vs. Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond

Nose: Whiskey 1 is showing more oak, cherries and vanilla. Whiskey 2 is basically a sugar cookie with floral notes.

Mouth: The mouths follow the noses fairly well in both of these. Whiskey 1 features cherries and baking Spice. Whiskey 2 features sweet caramel, vanilla and floral notes.

Pre-Reveal Thoughts: Once again, these are both very good, and I wouldn't turn down a glass of either. But in this case whiskey 2 rolls to an easy win with both of us.

Reveal: Whiskey 1 was Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond. But our winner was Whiskey 2, Four Roses Small Batch Select.

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So here is where my bracket stands right now (for my wife’s swap Makers and Four Roses Single Barrel). I have a matchup of Four Roses heavy-weights on my hand. Will the new kid on the block knock off the old favorite? And remember, when you read these, I didn’t know yet what I was tasting. All of these were done blind after the first post of the series.

Four Roses Single Barrel vs. Four Roses Small Batch Select

Nose: These are very similar. Both of them have a lot of brown sugar and vanilla.

Mouth: Whiskey 2 shows sweet honey and baking spice. Whiskey 1 is more brown sugar and baking spice.

Pre-Reveal Thoughts: The difference here is slight. Basically the difference between honey and brown sugar. And for me, I prefer honey. Whiskey 2 wins my bracket.

Reveal: To say I was shocked at this outcome is an understatement. I could have guessed that, just based on my preferences, that Four Roses would be a favorite to make the finals. But I would have never guessed that both of them would. And I tell you, as a guy who makes grand pronouncements about what I like and don’t like, I was relieved to find out that Whiskey 2, Four Roses Single Barrel was the one I preferred. Just like I said back in my Small Batch Select review.

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So there we go, right? No, not really. Much like college football of old, we have dual champions as each awarding agency has chosen their own.

Maker’s Mark 101 proof vs. Four Roses Small Batch Select

Pre-Reveal Thoughts: My wife says that whiskey 2 shows more of the classic “Bourbon” notes that she loves in bourbon. Vanilla, caramel, spice. And that the heat of whiskey 2 is nicer as well. So for her champion she chooses Whiskey 2.

Reveal: Whiskey 2 for this matchup was Four Roses Small Batch Select.

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So what did we learn from this experience? Well, I learned that even against top competition, Four Roses is a favorite in this house. I mean, as I said above. I was shocked to learn that both of the Four Roses bourbons made it to my finals.

I also learned that while my wife and I have a very similar palate, they aren’t the same. Which is nice since that means that sometimes we each get a bottle to ourselves as we choose to “leave it” for the other to drink since they enjoy it that much more. Most of the time it is me leaving wheated bourbons for her as she really likes them. I get about one glass of any Weller that comes into the house. She just likes it that much more than I do so I let her have it. So it wasn’t too surprising to see that the only wheated bourbon in the competition made it to the Championship in her bracket.

I hope you guys had as much fun reading along with this as I did doing it. And once again, I’d like to give a shout out to reader David Brown for the financial donation that made me get off my butt and get the ball rolling on this and covered a majority of the cost of the bottles that I didn’t already have in my closet. Thanks David!

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Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, and more.

The BourbonGuy.com "Stuck at Home" Bourbon Brackets: Maker's Mark 101 Proof vs. Very Old Barton 100 Proof & Heaven Hill 6 year Bonded vs. Four Roses Single Barrel

Just a couple of observations before we get into the competition tonight. First, I have been having a lot more food from restaurants during our shared time apart than I ever did previously. I almost never went out to eat, I seldom had delivery and never did take-out. And this isn’t for a reason that was immediately apparent to me. I mean, yes I do want to support local businesses. And that is how it started. But I think the reason is mostly that I used to run to the grocery store if I decided at the last minute that I no longer wanted what I had planned to have for supper. Now, I really don’t want to do that so I have food brought to me. Which is kind of a win-win. The restaurants get an increase in business during a trying time and I don’t expose myself needlessly.

My second observation really is a product of the first. It is really important for me to put on jeans now and then. Not because I particularly like jeans, but because they provide a better barometer of whether or not I’ve been having too much take out. I mean the pajama pants I’ve been wearing around the house for the last month are super comfortable. However they really kinda expand with you as the number of orders of fried chicken, pizza, etc begin to replace the grilled chicken, fish or rice that would normally be on the menu.

But, let’s stop talking about the food that is making my jeans tight and start talking about the booze that is making my jeans tight. Specifically tonight’s contestants.

And as always, the following Bourbons were tasted blind at the same time. There may be odd or inconsistent tasting notes between these contests and other reviews because of how they pair/interact with one another.

Maker’s Mark 101 proof vs. Very Old Barton 100 proof

Whiskey 1 (Maker’s Mark 101)

Nose: Sweet toffee, vanilla, fruit, delicate floral notes, and dusty oak.

Mouth: Starts sweet with caramel. Moves to spicy ginger, mint and cedar as it stays in the mouth.

Finish: Medium to long with a nice spice. Ripe fruit, cedar, and baking spice.

Whiskey 2 (Very Old Barton 100)

Nose: Old dusty lumber, sugar cookies, almond.

Mouth: Hot and spicy (capsaicin spice not baking). Dry with almond and baking spice.

Finish: Medium and warm with lingering notes of dusty wood, buttercream frosting and baking spice.

Pre-Reveal Thoughts:

These are both good. But #1 has a nicer nose. Both are tasty in the mouth, but #1 has a really nice finish.

Reveal: It should be no surprise that Maker’s 101, one of the most expensive bourbons in the competition, beats Very Old Barton 100, the least expensive. But even so, I will still probably be bringing more Very Old Barton 100 than Maker’s 101 home with me from my next Kentucky trip. Maker’s Mark 101 proof advances and moves into the Finals.

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Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond (6 Year) vs. Four Roses Single Barrel

Whiskey 1 (Heaven Hill Bonded)

Nose: Toffee, dried grain, mint, caramel

Mouth: Sweet and spicy. Caramel, mint, dried grain, baking spice

Finish: Medium length and warm. Black tea, cinnamon, nutmeg

Whiskey 2 (Four Roses Singel Barrel)

Nose: Black tea, cinnamon red hots, nutmeg

Mouth: Black tea, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, citrus

Finish: Medium length and warm. Black tea (with lemon), caramel, baking spice.

Pre-Reveal Thoughts:

These are both delicious. It was hard to choose between them. Ultimately it just came down to preference and, boy, that tannic black tea note was too good to pass up.

Reveal: It is not a surprise that Four Roses took this round. As commenter ZX said in the last post: “I have a deep and abiding love for HH OSB BiB, but it's a standard bourbon made from not overly selective batching. And when FR SB is on, it's ON.” That sums it up on this one. Both were good, but Four Roses Single Barrel was just better. And it advances to the Finals because of it.

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Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, and more.

The BourbonGuy.com "Stuck at Home" Bourbon Brackets: Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Knob Creek & Henry McKenna Bonded vs 1792 Bonded

It has been a super weird week. On Saturday I was on the deck having drinks in a t-shirt. Sunday and Monday it snowed almost half a foot. And now today, everything has melted and you could be back out there in a light jacket since it is about 45°F or so. But it wasn’t only the weather that has led this to be a bit weird. Monday morning we had a freezer scare since it was so overloaded that the door popped back open after we left the room (luckily we didn’t lose much). Tuesday our washing machine broke, filled with water and overflowed even though it was not on. And yesterday I fixed said washing machine after the new part arrived. As I said, it’s been a weird week.

I also ventured out of the house for basically the first time since our lockdown (I’ve gone on walks with our pups). Man. Folks at my local ACE Hardware do not give a shit about social distancing. No masks or gloves for the employees. To pay you need to stand on either side of a counter that’s only a foot and a half wide. And the employees sidle right up next to you to ask if you need help. It took all I had to not answer with “Yeah, you can get your ass 6 feet back outta my face!” If I get this damn thing, I’m blaming my local ACE Hardware.

Anyway, that’s not why you’re here. You want to know what happens in Round Two of the “Stuck/Stay at Home” Brackets.

Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Knob Creek Bourbon

Whiskey 1 (Knob Creek)

Nose: Mint, caramel, wintergreen, brown sugar cinnamon candies

Mouth: Mint, cinnamon candies, caramel, hints of vanilla

Finish: Medium length, notes of cinnamon and dried grains

Whiskey 2 (Four Roses Small Batch Select)

Nose: Anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, vanilla

Mouth: Follows the nose with anise, cinnamon, mint, caramel, and vanilla

Finish: Medium length. Notes of anise, cinnamon, mint, and vanilla.

Pre-Reveal Thoughts:

Whiskey # 2 is the clear winner here. #1 is good and I could see it winning against other competition but the rich and layered spiciness of #2 is too much.

Reveal: Based on price alone, this should have come as no surprise. Whiskey 2 cost me twice as much as Whiskey 1. But as price and quality are only kinda connected in the whiskey world, we still needed to do the tasting. But in this case, the more expensive whiskey won. No upset: Number 1 Seed Four Roses Small Batch Select advances to the Finals over Number 5 seed Knob Creek.

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Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond vs 1792 Bottled in Bond (store selection)

Whiskey 1 (1792 Bottled in Bond, South Lyndale Liquors selection)

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, cherry, nutmeg

Mouth: Nutmeg, caramel, vanilla

Finish: Medium length and warm. Dusty oak and caramel.

Whiskey 2 (Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond)

Nose: Vanilla sugar, cinnamon, mint, tropical fruit

Mouth: Vanilla, cinnamon, mint

Finish: Medium length and warm. There is a "pop" of fruit, tannic oak, and baking spice.

Pre-Reveal Thoughts:

Kind of a boring matchup compared to the others. These are both right along the lines of your stereotypical "bourbon" notes with very little variance from that baseline. That said, I'm enjoying #2 just a little more so #2 wins.

Reveal: Though I would happily take a glass of either of these, it looks like we have our first upset of the second round. It is only an upset because of where I bought this particular bottle, though. Most of the stores that I frequent sell Henry McKenna for over $40, but Total Wine offers it for just over $30, though they don’t have it very often. And since I bought it at that $30-ish price point, Henry McKenna got the #3 seed while the bourbon that it beat cost over $40, sat at #2 and got a first-round bye. Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond wins and advances to the Finals over a local store selection of 1792 Bottled in Bond.

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Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, and more.

The BourbonGuy.com "Stuck at Home" Bourbon Brackets: Four Roses Single Barrel vs Wild Turkey 101 & Henry McKenna Bonded vs JW Dant Bonded

You know. I’ve been doing bracket type competitions for a long time. This is the eighth contest in seven years. You wouldn’t have thought that it would take a comment on the last post to make me realize that I could do all these rounds at once and have a completely blind competition. But it did. I started these as a way to try cheap bourbons that I hadn’t had before so I really didn’t have any preconceived notions about any of them. As I’ve included more and more bourbons that I’d had before, I guess it never dawned on me to change the way I run these.

Until now. Starting with the competitors in this post, this is not just a blind matchup of two known bourbons but is instead a completely blind competition. So what changes got made? Well, the main one was instituting another layer of blindness to the competition.

• I poured 200mL of each contestant into a sample bottle. I labeled each sample bottle with a 10 digit random code. (10 digits so it was just a garbage thing that my brain wouldn’t try to remember on the off chance I saw the bottle)

• I made a bracket that just had codes on it for my wife (she doesn’t pay attention to the brackets as we do this, she just tastes what is put in front of her). This way she knew which codes go against each other, but not what those codes represent.

• She then takes that bracket and chooses any of the contests that are available and pours us each a 1-ounce sample of each contestant. She places those samples on our tasting pads and leaves the room after recording in a notebook what code was placed on which letter.

• The tasting pads have four circles on them, labeled 1, 2, A, and B respectively. After she leaves the room, I choose whether to move number 1 to letter A or letter B (and then the other goes to remaining circle) and make a note of which bourbon I moved to which circle.

• She then reenters and if all has gone as planned neither of us knows what is in our glass beyond narrowing it down to one of the 10 remaining bourbons in the contest.

• Then over the course of Friday night through Monday night, we tasted the rest of the competition and … well, let’s just say we were amazed at some of the results when we had zero preconceived notions.

Now let’s get to it.

Wild Turkey 101 vs. Four Roses Single Barrel

Whiskey 1 (Wild Turkey)

Nose: Mint, Big Red cinnamon gum, vanilla, caramel, almond

Mouth: Warm and spicy. Notes of mint, dried grains, and oak

Finish: On the longer side of medium and warm. Dusty grains and vanilla

Whiskey 2 (Four Roses)

Nose: Nutmeg, cinnamon, raisin, and a slight antiseptic note.

Mouth: Spicy with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, leather, mint and dried fruit

Finish: Medium length and sweet. Notes of dark chocolate, ripe fruit, brown sugar, and baking spice

Pre-Reveal Thoughts:

If we had chosen based just on the nose, # 1 would have been a clear winner. As a whole though, #2 is much more complex and enjoyable. I'd take a glass of either though. # 2 wins.

Reveal: So there goes the King of the Bottom-Shelf Brackets. Its first crack at the more expensive competition and DOWN GOES TURKEY! Four Roses Single Barrel advances.

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Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond vs. JW Dant Bottled in Bond

Whiskey 1 (McKenna)

Nose: Cinnamon, mint, lots of oak

Mouth: Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, oak

Finish: Medium with lasting warmth. Dusty oak, ripe red fruits, and baking spice.

Whiskey 2 (Dant)

Nose: Caramel corn, cinnamon

Mouth: Butterscotch, cinnamon, dried grains, vanilla, caramel

Finish: Medium and warm. Lingering Butterscotch and dried grains.

Pre-Reveal Thoughts:

Not to knock #2, but #1 is just so much better. #2 is just sweet and heat. Nice in a glass when watching tv or to sip before bed. But #1 is much more complex and interesting. #1 wins.

Reveal: Well, I guess this shouldn’t be a surprise, Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond is more than twice the age and over twice the price. It should have won. And it did Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond advances.

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