​Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Wild Turkey Distilling Company,
Lawrenceburg, KY

​Shelf: Middle Shelf
 Price Range:  $35-40
Proof:  86 proof
 Age: 8 years
Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
 Color:  Yellow amber
 Nose: A really great nose.  Apricot, honey, Carmel, Vanilla.  Hints of light cinnamon rounded with soft oak.
Taste:   Bright rye with hints of light black pepper. Light oaky flavors. 

Value:  Delivers – strong buy
 Score:  89
 Cut to The Chase:  Yes, worth the money -- at this price

Because of the McConaughey celebrity hype, I was a bit skeptical about the Wild Turkey Longbranch, but I was pleasantly surprised and reminded never to underestimate anything Wild Turkey releases.  WT Longbranch is a very satisfying bourbon.  Nice soft oak expressions at the start.  Taste the 8 years immediately.  Quickly brightens with bright rye and pepper notes.  Heats up as Longbranch expands across the palate.  Builds in intensity, and then emerges with a surprising finish of honey and apricot.  Classic Wild Turkey.
 
Really enjoyed the 8 years in oak.  A great deal of bourbon released today is aged at 6 years so those extra 2 years really makes a difference.  Superbly aged which adds to the balance and character.  Gives the bourbon a soft smooth velvety finish.  While the 86 proof is generally a bit light for me, the aging makes up for the lighter proof in complexity and dimension.  Also, the strong rye expression adds a pepper sharpness that blends subtly with the oak.  The finish is surprising as the bourbon smoothly sweetens with notes of honey and vanilla. 
 
This is a nice addition to any bourbon collection and something I look forward to sharing with friends.  Fine work by Master Distiller Eddie Russel.  Don't know how much a hand Matthew McConaughey had in crafting this terrific bourbon, but the end result is excellent.  If you like oak and rye, I think you will really enjoy Wild Turkey Longbranch.  Alright, alright, alright. 
 
Reviewed by:  Jack Epps, Jr.
 
Send comments to: BourbonNotes@gmail.com

Shelf: Middle Shelf
  Price Range: $40
 Proof: 101
Age: No age given – best estimate from previous releases 10 plus years
Mash Bill:  Unknown
Color:  Honey amber
Nose: Bright orange citrus notes, with vanilla, honey and toffee aromas.
Taste:  Syrup texture that continues to broaden and expand.   Presents with nice soft oak notes and vanilla that sweetens on the finish with rounded corn flavors.  Very pleasing and with flavors of vanilla, citrus, oak and toffee.

Value:  Seems a bit high
 Score:  82
 Cut to The Chase:  A solid bourbon but not my first choice in the price range.

It's been awhile since I've had Johnny Drum Private Stock and it's much better than I remembered it.  Sweeter and more balanced.  Soft on the initial taste with a strong corn base.   Soft oak flavors add to a rounded oak texture.  Flavors of vanilla with nice bright rye finish.  Has a nice syrup texture that heats up to a big finish.  It's high proof at 101.  If you don't like high proof, you might like a few drops of water to open it up a bit.  
 
This is a solid bourbon, reminiscent of Willet but not as balanced or smooth as Willet.  Middle Shelf is a very competitive field and Johnny Drum Private Stock makes a good showing.  I don't think you will be disappointed, but I also don't think you will be knocked out either.  One of the issues I have with Johnny Drum Private Label is that it's not really distinctive.  I don't finish it and say, "Ah, that's Johnny Drum."  As I mentioned, it's been awhile since I've Johnny Drum, and I did enjoy it.  It's very pleasing but when compared to similarly priced bourbons like Michter's Small Batch, Johnny Drum has met its match.   Middle shelf is highly   competitive with a lot of  outstanding bourbons. 
 
Reviewed by:  Jack Epps, Jr.
 
Send comments to: BourbonNotes@gmail.com

Shelf: Middle Shelf
Price Range:  $26-30
Proof:  86.6
Age: 8+ years
Mash Bill:  85% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
Color:  Reddish Amber
Nose: Pleasant sweet oak with hints of cinnamon, cherry, and citrus.  Notes of vanilla.  
Taste:   Soft and sharp at the same time.  Velvety texture that continues to heat up on the finish.  That familiar Evan Williams woodiness that prizes oak over corn

Value:  Great value at this price.  
​Score:  89
Cut to The Chase: Great bourbon at a great price.

Batch: 1811369

Shelf: Middle Shelf
Proof: 91.4
Price: $45
Mash Bill:  79% corn, 11% rye, 10% malted barley
Color: Rosy amber
Nose: Subtle richness that requires a strong pull of the nose
 Taste: A nice round vanilla finish. Notes of cherry. Subtle oak that rises up into the nose. With it being 91.4 proof you could taste the richness but none of the strength that comes with a higher proof. I do like the presence of vanilla in this one. Citrus aftertaste. Hints of licorice. The aroma is cherry-like, like eating one of those Maraschino cherries from an Old Fashioned.
 
Value: Finds that intersection between price point and taste. Each sip provides validation that you made a good bourbon selection. You say to yourself: “Another great sip.”  
 Score: 90
 Cut To The Chase:   Yes, definitely worth the buy. Delicious.

​Bourbon Notes: One Saturday, I had scheduled an adult play-date with my good friend to spend all night playing the newly released Red Dead Redemption 2. I loved the first one. It brought me into the world of westerns and had me thinking: “Why hadn’t I watched all these films before?” There was nothing more satisfying than seeing a bartender slide a bottle of brown liquor across the wood bar to the John Wayne or Clint Eastwood hero. Something satisfying and pride-inducing about an American archetype drinking the true American spirit.
 
That Saturday, I went to my local liquor store that had a great selection of bourbon. I picked up a bottle of Basil Hayden’s. A great sipping bourbon for long conversation or coupled with an activity of endurance – such as gaming. Near it, I saw the frontier-looking bottle of Michter’s Small Batch. I had never tasted this brand before and decided to take a chance. I’ve seen it on many bar shelves and store shelves and thought it might be worthwhile. Established 1753 under a different name, it has staying power. I took it up to my friend’s and we popped it open. With the opening scenes of the game, with the main characters surviving through a harsh mountain snow, I poured my first glass. It was warm and comforting and I said to my friend, “Damn. That’s good.” After he finished his beer, he jumped on board and poured a glass himself. Michter’s Small Batch is a good companion, whether you’re making it overland through the Cumberland Gap, even if just in fantasy, or playing the beautiful western of Red Dead Redemption. I bought another bottle and is my current go-to. More please.
 
Reviewed by:  Mike Mazurek
 
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Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
 
Distilled and Bottled by
Brown Foreman Distillers Company
Louisville, Kentucky

Proof: 90
Price:  $25
Age:  No age give.  Best guess 4 to 5 years
Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
 Color:  Reddish amber
Nose:  Notes of citrus, caramel, cinnamon and hints of oak.  
​Taste:   The rye takes a lead role in the initial flavor.  The 90 proof adds to the brightness as the wood comes through on the finish.

​Value:  Solid value for a single barrel bourbon
Score:  84
Cut To The Chase:     Not at the top of my list

Hancock’s Reserve “President’s” 88.9 proof – Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
 
Distilled, Aged & Bottled By: Buffalo Trace Distillery,
Frankfort, KY 44.5% AC By Vol (88.9 Proof) 750 ml

Middle Shelf -- Single Barrel
Price:  Currently around $100  
Proof:  88.9
​Age:  While the age isn’t given, my estimate would be around 6-7 years in the barrel.
Mash Bill:  Buffalo Trace  mash bill #2 -- 12-15% rye
​Color: Light Amber
​Nose: Soft pleasant nose with hints of citrus and cinnamon.  Buffalo Trace wheated mash bill with rounded corn finish.  Light oak notes and citrus orange finish.
Taste: Soft on the palette. The corn is strong but not too sweet.  Balanced with wheat and lite rye.    The oak has a nice warm taste balanced with the corn and rye.  No edges.  Very pleasant single barrel bourbon.  Classic Buffalo Trace mash bill. 

Value: Not a value bourbon – gotten  hard to find and  pricey
Score: 89
Cut To The Chase:  A bit pricey, but suddenly hard to find.  Buy it if you find it.

Single Barrel
Bottled-In-Bond
Straight Bourbon Whiskey
 
Distilled and Bottled by
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
Louisville, KY
Bardstown, KY
 
Barrel No. 2803
Barreled on 8-10-06

Middle Shelf
Price Range:    Continues to go up in price $50 plus
Proof: 100
Mash Bill:  78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12 % Malted Barley
Age: 10 years
Color:  Dark reddish amber
Nose: Notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and oak. For 100 proof, it’s a light nose.
Taste:  Bright 100 proof with a burst of rye.  Excellent balance between corn and oak with the oak winning.

Value:   Great value for a 10 year bourbon that delivers. 
Score:   92
Cut to The Chase:  A 10 year single barrel you should own.   Buy two -- if you can find them.
 

A wonderful 10 year single barrel Bottled-In-Bond bourbon.  The heat of a 100 proof rolls of the tongue with notes of vanilla and toasted rye.  A lot of initial heat that continues with a complex finish.  It never fades or disappears, nor does the heat overwhelm.  Not easy to find this kind of bourbon with this age today at this price.   Not sure why McKenna is often overlooked.     I have to admit I was late to trying Henry McKenna but am happy I’ve found it.  It’s not as corn sweet as Buffalo Trace bourbons, but it has that rich deep satisfying oak flavor of Heaven Hill.   The reddish amber says a lot about the 10 years in the barrel and its rich warm oak.  Those extra two or three years in the barrel really pays off with a darker more complex bourbon. 
 
This is one to bring to a tasting and share with friends.  It will be a crowd favorite.  It might be too hot for some people, but I enjoy the heat of Bottled-In-Bond.   After the heat recedes, it’s the complexity of Henry McKenna that stays with you.  This is a nicely balanced satisfying bourbon that I know you will enjoy and will add depth to your collection. 

UPDATE:   As you may know,   McKenna Single Barrel Bottled-In-Bond won the 2019 San Francisco  World Spirits Award
as "Best is Show Whiskey."  I'm not surprised as McKenna Single Barrel has been one of the best kept secrets for   many years and was bound to get the acclaim it deserves.   But there is good new and bad  news here.  Which to you want first?    Okay -- the bad news first:   While there were always multiples bottles of McKenna Single Barrel on the shelves, now they are gone -- disappeared.    McKenna has   ascended to the upper   echelon of bourbon greats.  And mere mortals such as us can't find a   bottle to buy -- and if you do find one, the price has gone up -- appreciably.    The Laws of Supply and Demand  apply.   The good news?  Let me think for a second.    Ah, good news for Heaven Hill.     Congratulations.   Please release more.
 
Reviewed by: Jack Epps, Jr.
 
Send comments to: Bourbonnotes@gmail.com

Kentucky Straight Whiskey
 
Distilled and Bottled by
Elijah Craig Distillery Co
Bardstown, KY

Shelf: Middle 
Price:  $25
Proof:  94 proof
Age:  No age statement. Best guess 7 to 8 years
Mash Bill:   78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
Color:  Rich amber
Nose:  Citrus orange, cinnamon, hints of cherry, vanilla sweetness
Taste:   The rye is bright and hot on the tongue which quickly smooths out with notes of oak and corn.  Has that Heaven Hill warm oak flavor with a complex aromatic finish. 

Value:  A lot of bourbon for the buck.  One of the best bourbons value on the market. 
Score:  88
Cut To The Chase:  Yes, buy, drink and enjoy.

​Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey
Distilled and bottled by Barton Distillery, Bardstown, KY

Shelf: ​Middle 
Price:   $27
Proof: 93.7
Age: No age statement, best guess is 5 to 6 years
Mash Bill:
Color:  Medium Amber
Nose: Cinnamon and warm oak.  Corn, vanilla, and toffee notes.  Hints of summer rain.
Taste:   First impressions are of rye and oak.  Corn notes roll off the edges of the tongue.  Has a lively flavor with a lot going on.  The alcohol is sharp but not unpleasant.  As it finishes the oak comes on a little bit at the end, but it’s rounded and soft. ​

Value:  Excellent value.
Score:  87
Cut To The Chase:   Yes, nice daily bourbon

I’ve enjoyed 1792 Small Batch since it first hit the market several years ago.  Well balanced if a bit strong with the oak on the finish.    A small batch that delivers a lot of flavor for the price.  Goes down easy with a very smooth finish. 
 
Excellent bourbon for the money.  Solid and consistent over the years.   It’s been relatively easy to find.  Don’t hold it against 1792 if you find it at CVS or your grocery.   Hard pressed to find anything at that price to match 1792 Small Batch.    Broke my heart when Barton’s warehouse collapsed in 2018.     Hopefully it won’t affect the supply of the 1792 line of great bourbons including the single barrel and barrel proof which I will review shortly.   Also excited about the 1972 Bottled-In-Bond which was  rated   # 9 in the  Whiskey Advocate  2018 Whisky of the Year.  
 
I’ve also bought 1792 in the 1.75 Liter size which, for no good reason at all, tastes slightly better than the 750ML.  Since bourbon does not age in the bottle, there should be no difference between the smaller size and the larger bottling.  The chemistry should be the same – same bourbon in a larger bottle.  If you find it in the 1.75 Liter size, give it a try and see what you think.  I may be crazy, but I prefer the larger bottling of bourbon whenever I can find it. 

1972 deserves a place in your bar.    Really good everyday bourbon. 
 
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