Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Buffalo Trace (Elmer T Lee Collectors Edition)

Tonight, I visited a bottle that’s been on my shelf a little while – A bottle of Buffalo Trace, with a special twist: the Elmer T Lee Collectors Edition.

A few years ago, my sisters found themselves in Kentucky and, while there, took a tour of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Neither of my sisters are bourbon afficionados (or even really like it), but knowing I am, brought me back some gifts. Among them was this bottle.

At the time, it was my understanding, the barrels these bottles were from were still hand picked by Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T Lee, godfather of the Single Barrel bourbon. Mr. Lee, who passed away this year at the age of 93, was calling the shots at Buffalo Trace (then still the Stagg Distillery) in 1985 when he pushed for the launch of Blanton’s, birthed the single barrel craze and revolutionized the industry. Elmer was renowned for his palate and skill, so the thought that he still selected these bottles is enough for me to be enthusiastic.

Of course, I don’t know if he actually did. What I do know is that at the time my sisters procured the bottle for me, it was only available at the distillery itself and, having sampled it next to a regular bottle of Buffalo Trace, there are some, allbeit subtle, differences.

I like Buffalo Trace Bourbon. As a mass produced bourbon, I have preferred it to most of the others in it’s price range for everything other than pure sipping. I’ve used it in cooking, in cocktails, in baking, and straight. It’s not my choice for sitting back with a glass neat or on the rocks, but it certainly is a great product. This particular bottle is a touch better.

My take: right from the get go, the color is a deep yellow-amber, darker than many others. The nose opened up with corn, vanilla, and a sort of baking spices that made me think of rum or even fruitcake. It wasn’t extremely strong in scent, but was pleasant enough.

It sipped a bit on the thin side, with a pop of pepper and spices. There were tastes of orange peel, and I noted cinnamon, all spice and while I didn’t feel it was thick or had great mouth coat, it didn’t feel empty.

The finish was long and had both the sprite sparkle of cinnamon, but also a nice radiating warmth that lasted for some time.

A quality selection, and a good one to toast to Mr. Lee.

Dan’s scale (1-10): 7.9

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year

…and now for the review!

Hopefully everyone had a very Merry Christmas – I certainly did. Along with a good number of Bourbons and Whiskeys I will be reviewing here very soon, I received a spectacular surprise from my wife: we will be attending the second annual Bourbon Classic in Louisville, Kentucky at the end of January! It is an awesome event, full of tastings, seminars, speakers, meet and greets and some inspired bourbon-themed and paired dishes by renowned chefs. I could not be more excited, and am already looking forward to the sights and sounds (as well as the tastes!) and posting all about them here.

For Christmas Eve, before going to visit the family, we cracked open a bottle of the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year. I was able to procure two bottles of the Van Winkle family this year, and will be reviewing the other soon enough. It was a delectable way to start a wondrous holiday indeed.

Now, while I pride myself on giving the ‘everyman’ review of some under-reviewed bourbons, I certainly have to admit that the ORVW 10, or any other Van Winkle, is not suffering from a lack of exposure or web-content about the product. More words have been typed (or spoken, sometimes in hushed tones) about “Pappy” this year than all other bourbons combined, I would bet. But that doesn’t mean I just turn a blind eye to a bottle I obviously respect enough to make it my holiday Bourbon-du-jour!

The bottle is one of my favorites from look alone. I like the script, the picture, and the old-timeyness of it. But one does not go to the ends of the earth…or at least the ends of the midwest…for bottle alone!

Savvy bourbonites know, but for recap, the ORVW 10 is a wheated bourbon, using wheat instead of rye. This is one of the trademarks of many Van Winkle products, most notably the three Pappys. Distilled and barreled at Buffalo Trace, it shares a mash bill close to or identical with W. L. Weller, another of my favorite bourbons. And like the W. L. Weller Antique, ORVW 10 weighs in at 107 proof. Not for the light of heart (but certainly not barrel strength either). Many have taken to calling the Weller “poor man’s Pappy,” and there is some truth to it, even if the Weller’s flavor profile never quite hits Van Winkle standards. The ORVW 10 is one of a kind, and certainly didn’t disappoint. My take:

Nose: On first take, the rip of 107 proof hits strong. To fully get the nose, I let it sit in the glass for a few minutes, then lifted again. Sweetness filled my nostrils – Vanilla and toffee, and the rich smell of maple syrup. There is also a fruitiness to it, like a mulled-cider of fruit and rum. It certainly got me salivating.

The taste was very sweet too. The taste of molasses and honey mixes with the aforementioned fruit to create a smooth drink. Caramel pops up in between. The oak presents itself at the back end, not overwhelming, but ducking in among the other notes.

The finish was not what I expected – rather than the burn, it stayed smooth and short. Wheat guarantees a lack of harshness. I’ve read other reviews since that refer to touches of cinnamon and spices, but I have to admit, I did not get that at all.

Overall, ORVW 10 is no joke. It’s a soft, smooth entry in the Van Winkle line. While some would elevate it because of the honor of its name, and others punish it for the popularity of the same, I fall right in the middle. Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year is a good pour. If you can get it, drink away!

Dan’s Scale (1-10): 8.5

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Buffalo Trace Single Oak Project Barrel Number 136

A bittersweet weekend to be sure, but one deserving of a nice bourbon. My Missouri Tigers beat Ole Miss on Saturday night, propelling them to a number five ranking in the country – exciting times indeed! Next week it’s a matchup against Texas A&M, for the chance to play in the SEC championship game.

Unfortunately, Sunday led to a feeling all Detroit Lions fans know to well: the dismay of watching our beloved Motor City Kitties grab a defeat from the jaws of victory. Four interceptions, a fumble, and a blocked punt to boot (pun sadly intended). A brutal game watching experience while the November cold howled outside.

If that wasn’t enough, this week we raise our bourbon glasses to the passing of one of the best television characters I can remember rooting for (Spoiler Alert): Richard Harrow on Boardwalk Empire. In my 36 years of television watching, I have grown fond of a lot of shows and certain characters – Silvio Dante (Sopranos), Jim Halpert (Office), Boyd Crowder (Justified), and on and on. But few, if any, did I root for as much as I did for the sad, sharpshooting war veteran from Boardwalk Empire. I (and we) rooted for his salvation, and felt true joy when he found it. He was often the conscience on a show full of dark, evil deeds. And last night, in the season finale, he was laid to rest after saving those people he cared about most, and was done in by the very soul he had found. Rest in peace Richard – we drink to you!

So without further ado – our bourbon of the week!

Today we try another bottle from the ever fun and interesting Buffalo Trace Distillery‘s Single Oak Project, and today’s comes from batch number 136. A few details about 136:

Barrel # 136
Distillation Date: 1/6/2003
Age: 8 years old
Entry Proof: 125 info
Bourbon Recipe: Rye
Char Level: #4 Char
Months: Seasoned 6
Tree Cut: Bottom
Warehouse: L
Warehouse Type: Concrete Floor
Warehouse Location: L-3-27

I do love trying these unique one-of-a-kind bourbons, for the reasons I’ve stated before – much of the fun for me is in comparing the differences, the subtleties of the character that so many bourbons have, and by making each barrel so different, Buffalo Trace has really given us something to enjoy in that special way.

My take: There was much disagreement in the house on this one between my wife Jen and I. This particular batch exemplifies the differences in what each of us likes in our bourbons.

The nose was warm and inviting – a rich caramel and toffee gave way to notes of dried fruits and an almost sticky sense of molasses and honey. One of the best noses I’ve encountered.

The mouth-feel was rich and thick, although not overwhelmingly so. The taste was quite smooth, carrying through on the toffee and caramel, with a bit of molasses and nutmeg thrown in for good measure. It was a little too smooth for Jen, who likes her bourbon spicy and punchier. The finish was medium and also smooth, not overwhelming or harsh in the least.

To conclude – I liked this one – alot!

Dan scale (1-10): 8.1

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

It is beginning to really feel like autumn. The front yard is covered in leaves, the furnace has been turned on for the year, and Daylight Savings Time is over, shortening our days. This weekend certainly felt like fall – winds blowing, football on TV and a fire in the fireplace.

I am not a bourbon enthusiast that dwells on packaging – sure, a nice looking bottle is always welcome, but it certainly isn’t what I use to define what I’ll be drinking. That said, this week’s selection Corner Creek is unique because it looks like a plain and simple wine bottle. Not a looker, necessarily, but not a bad bourbon either.

Corner Creek comes to us from… well, no-one on the internet seems to be sure. Many signs point to it being a Willett product, but I haven’t seen that confirmed. Where-ever it is from, it is a blended bourbon, and one whose unremarkable bottle belies a unique, if not amazing, quality drink.

My take: The nose is earthy. It smells of grain, floral, and a slight hint of sweetness, like vanilla. Upon a little air, the different grains are more obvious – rye and wheat especially. Finally, the oak is definitely present as well.

The taste has one unique characteristic that sets it apart from most bourbons I’ve tried: it was very dry. Almost like a red wine dry. The taste was soft, and had notes of vanilla, oak, with a touch of nut and leather. It wasn’t unpleasant, but each sip left me wanting a little more flavor. The finish was equally smooth, and Jen and I agreed this was a pretty good, if unspectacular, bourbon.

Then, we added the ice chip. Ice opens some bourbons up and closes others – this falls into the former category. While the taste stayed dry, we could get a touch more of the citrus peel and caramel in the flavor.

This is not the bourbon I would drink for something unique, but I would recommend it to a first-time bourbon drinker, or someone for whom harsher bourbons left a bad impression. And the price point ($25 in Michigan) was reasonable.

Dan scale (1-10): 7.4

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Calumet Farm

Ahh, What a bittersweet weekend. The name of this blog may be “baseball and bourbon,” but if you’ve read a few posts, you know that I am equally a football fan. Last night, my college – the University of Missouri – lost a nail-biter of a game in double overtime to South Carolina. This hurt as Missouri was in fifth place in the BCS, and could have been headed for a national title chance. When I woke up this morning, the loss still lingered. But with the Detroit Lions playing Dallas at 1 o’clock, and a new bourbon to try, hope sprung eternal.

The Detroit Lions. Oh what an exasperating team they can be. In my 36 years on this earth, I have been able to witness one playoff win. Optimism has been high this season, and the Lions have responded by playing the style of up and down, win one lose one football they have played most of my life. Today’s game against the Cowboys seemed particularly important, as losing would definitely move them to the far edges of the playoff picture.

The game was thrilling, but the ending…what an ending. Taking the ball 80 yards in less than a minute, with quarterback Matt Stafford diving in to score the winning touchdown with mere seconds on the clock: amazing. So maybe my newly uplifted spirits guided my review of this weeks selection, the Calumet Farm bourbon. But like the Lions, this drink was sweet.

Dan's Bourbon of the Week: Calumet Farms — Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Calumet Farm

My take: Calumet Farm comes courtesy of a recommendation (like many of my selections) from the guys at Kakos in Birmingham, MI. It’s a newer bourbon line, with the name from a farm well known for it’s Kentucky Derby winning steeds. I do not know the source of Calumet Farms, and it has no age statement. This one was right up my alley.

The nose was sweet – vanilla, corn, caramel.

The taste is a little thin, but full of butterscotch, vanilla, caramel,charred oak and a slight, white pepper. It didn’t taste like an older bourbon, so my guess is that it’s 6 years or under. But it was still flavorful and smooth.
And the finish – absolutely delicious, sweet and so very smooth. I actually had more than my usual first tasting because it was so smooth. I should mention Jen found it a bit bitter, and she is less of a fan of smooth than I am (she likes single barrels more, where I am a bigger fan of blends).

I feel weird saying this about a bourbon that is so new on the scene, but I loved it.

Dan scale (1-10): 8.7

*Update – I have since been told that Calumet Farm Bourbon was a very limited run, and will probably not be available again after this year. If you’ve heard something different, please let me know. Otherwise, best gettn’ while the gettin’ s good!

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Early Times 354 Bourbon

This was a pretty cruddy day. Last night, the Detroit Tigers lost the ALCS to the Boston Red Sox, those grungy, prospector-looking bums from Beantown. It was a heartbreaker too – another late grand slam, base-running bloopers by Prince Fielder, more bullpen implosions. Then, just for good measure, the Lions choked away a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Brutal. It’s only fitting that I sampled a brutal bourbon as well.

This week, I tried another selection recommended for me by my favorite bourbon store here in Michigan, but the results left something to be desired.

The Early Times 354 is a re-entry into the United States market. Early Times was apparently the most popular bourbon in the US in the 1950s, and was (and is) wildly popular in Japan. In sampling it, I couldn’t help but feel it was a throwback to the rougher and tougher standards people had before the more recent small batch, single barrel preference was made.

All of that is a nice way of saying that, as a sipper, Early Times burned. It’s nose was harsh and primarily alcohol – I had to hold it for some time and at a further than normal distance to get a feeling for the notes of corn, cereals and a hint of spices. The taste I had a much more difficult time discerning. The alcohol was so strong, despite it’s being under hundred proof, that there wasn’t a lot of room for flavor. The finish was something out of an old western, where the hero takes a slug of the whiskey in the tavern and grunts. A slow, long burn.

The rest of this bottle will be mixed with Coke for parties, where it will harm no one.

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Penny Packer 80 proof Bourbon

It’s great times. The Tigers are in the ALCS, the Lions have a winning record, and my main men Joe and Giovanni from Kakos Liquor have advised me of a few new bourbons to give a taste to. The first one, which I took for a test drive this week, is Penny Packer 80 Proof.

Produced in Kentucky, bottled in Germany. I’m not sure how that is remotely close to a good business model, but the amazing thing here is the price point: $18. That means a fifth is cheaper than Beam or Jack. But is it as good? Sort of.

Smooth, vaguely sweet. Sips well, with hints of caramel and vanilla. No overpowering elements. Very clean finish. Not on par with the greats (a little bland) but no shame in it either, and I would think it would be great for bourbon mix drinks.

Dan scale (1-10): 7.3

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 year

And so it was that I found myself on the highway for a weekend of travel to the our-burbs of Philadelphia and back, to venture to that most strange of environments: my wife’s high school class reunion. Not just any reunion either, but her sixteenth class reunion (her class did not have the more traditional ten or even fifteen year event). A night of merriment with strangers whose sole connection is the tenuous relationship they ~~have~~ had with my spouse so long ago that had a child been born on the day of their last commiseration, said kid would be preparing for college themselves. And atop that, it was on the night of game two of the ALDS is which the Tigers were playing the perpetually underdog Oakland A’s. If ever there was cause for bourbon, this may be it.

Much to my surprise, this is not how events went down. The reunion itself was quite pleasant and low-key, and I was introduced to several wonderful people I may not otherwise have met. I found myself engaged in conversation with some truly interesting individuals, whose acquaintance I am pleased to have made. Most importantly, my wife enjoyed herself thoroughly, and got to see many old friends. And as a bonus,the event was at a sports bar, so I still got to see the game, even though a 1-0 loss was hardly what I wished for.

On the way back on Sunday, we stopped at a Pennsylvania liquor store, to pick up some new spirits. One that caught my eye was the Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 Year, from West Virginia. A quick bit of research online told me that initial reviews were good, and that it would make a good Sunday drinker. I picked up a bottle, and rambled on.

We headed west to visit with my mother-in-law in southern Pennsylvania, bottle in tow, and took a scenic drive through the Pennsylvania countryside. The sky was blue and the day was a beaut. When we finally arrived at her house, we gathered with more family in anticipation of a well-cooked meal, and broke open the bourbon. Myself, Jen, her mother, her aunt and her grandmother (!) all poured a glass of the Smooth Ambler. We were pleased.

My take: The Smooth Ambler 7 year has a punch right out of the bottle. At 99 proof, that is to be expected – the nose has some serious first-take burn. Then, the alcohol gave way to earth tones, particularly rye, as well as cinnamon, nuts, oak and even a bit of mint.

The taste was loud and proud. It starts with sweet spots of honey, charred sugar and caramel, and transitions to a pepper and apple rye. And there’s that mint again.

The finish is long and hinted of coffee and more pepper. Finally, a cinnamon and oak wash come over, as the finish dissipates.

This is a nice bourbon. I enjoyed the rye characteristics, but I’ll admit it had a bit too much spice for my taste profile. My wife, however, really liked it, as did my in-laws. Therefore, my rating…

Dan scale (1-10): 8.4

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Elijah Craig 12 Year Small Batch

Well, a new NFL football season is upon us, and I’m an unrepentant Detroit Lion’s fan, so who knows what this year holds in store. The team hasn’t looked great in preseason, but adding Reggie Bush in the offseason can’t help but make us better, and we still have Stafford, Suh and Megatron, so I suppose hope springs eternal!

For this week’s bourbon, I tapped a local resource. A few years back, when I decided to take my bourbon fandom up a notch, my family jumped in to help me try to find some good selections. In her endless calling around, my mother stumbled upon a store in Birmingham, MI called Kakos Market. The people at Kakos were wonderful, talking with her for long periods of time and making recommendations for other bourbons that might fit her son’s flavor profile. They pointed her toward some absolute winners, which I will reference at another time.

I dropped into Kakos myself last week, looking for a few specialty bottles, and while in the store, they showed their own small batch barrel of Elijah Craig 12 year. I had a taste in the store, and took a bottle home for myself, to try today.

Every once in a while it happens where I can taste a good bourbon, know it’s a good bourbon, but just not feel it myself. This is exactly what happened here.

My take: This is a spicy bourbon. The nose was full of autumnal scents – apple, corn, nutmeg – a lot of fruit and nuts. And wood, lets of wood.

The taste carried this over. The flavor popped with spicy oak, corn and fruit. It fills the mouth, and has a pleasant taste, but as you may know by now, I like sweeter bourbons, and this one has some burn. It’s dry, and has a long, strong finish.

I know it’s a quality bourbon, but (and maybe it was just my mood that day) it was too harsh for me.

Dan scale (1-10): 7.0

Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Blanton’s Single Barrel

Ahhh, Blanton‘s. This is the granddaddy of the Single Barrel bourbon craze. They started releasing it in single barrel form in the 1980s, and it is still produced from barrels in Buffalo Trace warehouse H. One of the cool things about Blanton’s is it’s unique bottle, and the tops. There are eight different horses on the top of Blanton’s bottles, representing a jockey and horse coming to the gate, running a race, and winning – how very Kentucky! I picked up this bottle from the Buffalo Trace Distillery when we were there in June. It didn’t disappoint.

Dan's Bourbon of the Week: Blanton's Single Barrel (Barrel no. 328, 5-9-13). The granddaddy of the single barrel bourbons. — Dan’s Bourbon of the Week: Blanton’s Single Barrel (Barrel no. 328, 5-9-13). The granddaddy of the single barrel bourbons.

The nose was fantastic – corn, apples, cinnamon, rye, and a hint of…apricot? But the taste – so smooth, so clean. It’s has a nice mouth coat – soft and buttery. It’s got a bit of wood char bitterness, but is as smooth as almost any I’ve tasted. You can taste the corn, and there’s a sweet detection of summer fruits, like apples.

The finish is mild, not overwhelming. I love this bourbon.

Dan scale (1-10): 9.3

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Tag: Kentucky