i Finally found it
Red breast 27
my word this is one of the best spirits i've ever had the pleasuire of swallowing. i will have to take a few to recollect my notes on it, but wow
Finally found the Maker's Mark 2022 BRT-01.
Tumblin' Dice 4-year Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Heavy Rye Bourbon
Woodford Reserve Double Oak Bourbon
Col Taylor Barrel Proof. Was available at a very reasonable price in the NW Chicago burbs on a recent business trip. Had to have a couple to make sure I liked it as much as I initially thought.
Blanton's last night. Was able to buy a bottle on the secondary market for something less than my firstborn.
Just had a nice bourbon package delivered. Contained some Peerless Small Batch, Woodford Reserve Double Oak, and Frey Ranch. Looking forward to trying them, as soon as I can get rid of this cold.
Mrs. H just returned from visiting family in Taiwan and gave me a bottle of Kavalan Solist "French Wine Cask." Only 155 bottles produced (our is stamped as 145/155). It is really nice. I've enjoyed Kavalan in the past, but never had one as nice as this.
After dinner last night, couple we were with wanted to have an after-dinner drink. I was going to order a cognac when my friend said he was buying and wanted my permission to order something else, so why not? He ordered Johnnie Walker Blue Label. I rarely drink whisky any more, but this is going to change my drinking habits.
Lots of butterscotch, vanilla, prune, honey, hints of chocolate, rich and smoky, and extremely smooth. I get it.
For me, this is a more than acceptable alternative to cognac. I'll buy a bottle later today. I have a couple bottles of good scotch that I keep for friends who are so inclined; both have been open for many months, probably well over a year. I don't think the Blue Label is going to last nearly that long.
I had a similar experience, Seaquam. I pretty much stick to Scotch, preferring the Islay and Jura ones like Talisker and Lagavulin. I am acquiring a taste for Kavalan, as I indicated above. Anyway, a friend bought me a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue, which I found to be revelatory. I have tolerated some other JW bottlings, but this was fantastic. I will be treating myself to a bottle next time I'm out shopping.
Funny, I've had the opposite reaction to JW Blue. The first couple of times I had it I really liked it. The last time I had a glass the smoke overwhelmed the rest of the flavors. Started tasting like an Islay (which I am NOT a fan of). I haven't had any since.
the walker blues has a new master blender Rothko back in late 2021, the new 2022/2023 are much more mellow having a much less talisker component in the blend.
I've been a huge fan.
@mneeley490 posted:Woodinville Whiskey Co. Straight 100% Rye Whiskey Finished with Toasted Applewood Staves, 100 proof.
Bought this at the distillery a couple months ago, about 20 minutes from my house. This was a special limited release, and is good stuff. A lot of spice from the WA-grown rye, but a touch of sweet fruitiness from the apple wood gives it a nice counterbalance.
So it's been about 4 years since WWC made their toasted apple stave spirits. Had to go back and look for this one, and was a little surprised to find that it was their rye.
This morning they released a 100 proof straight bourbon version of it. Only 1 barrel was made (god knows why), so there were less than 200 bottles produced. It certainly isn't going to be commercially available any time soon. I got in line early and procured the 2-bottle limit. I'm sure there were more people in line than bottles available, but the early bird gets the worm.
So similar notes as the rye, with it being slanted toward the bourbon profile, of course. Straight bourbon being aged only 2 years or more, the toasted apple wood definitely influences the nose and taste. I would have liked to have seen what it could be like with an older bourbon, at least 4 years. But still a great sipper. 
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