re: Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch Volume III

Missing the islands, so this will have to do until I can get back in July.

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ThirdPD
Blue Note Cross Roads toasted in French oak

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I just bought this because I was bored and at Costco. How is it? Will bust open Friday.

Per Breaking Bourbon

It's up in the air with age but it appears to be in line but not confirmed.

"Historically, Master’s Collection releases could often be characterized as unique and even experimental expressions, with unique barrel finishes and different mashbills being common. This particular expression contrasts many in the sense that it is the same mashbill, proof, and also does not have an age statement - no different than Woodford’s flagship Distiller’s Select Bourbon, a $35 readily-available ongoing release.

With Very Fine Rare Bourbon however, Woodford has included their oldest bourbon yet in this batch, a group of 17 year old barrels that had been held back to batch with other barrels for the release. While it’s not uncommon for companies to reference an age, or ages, of barrels used in a blend without disclosing percentages used, it is more common to reference the range of ages used even if exact percentages are not provided. This could be said of Four Roses’ annual Limited Edition Small Batch release, ongoing High West and Barrell Bourbon releases, and some of Wild Turkey’s releases, to name a few.

What’s a bit frustrating in this case is the fact that we only know there are 17 year old barrels in the blend. Based solely on the label, which makes no reference to age, in theory this could mean that only a small percentage are 17 years old, while the rest could be as young as 4 years. It’s a fine line to walk when it comes to a brand’s marketing strategy, though I would wager most who only skim the marketing materials might actually believe the bourbon is 17 years old. It took me a second read-through of the press release to realize it’s a blend of multiple ages, with an unknown number of barrels being 17 years old and the remainder being some other undisclosed age(s).

Label and marketing frustrations aside, the bourbon tastes quite good and certainly highlights its higher age component quite well. In fact, the balance between the higher age notes and the bright, lively notes is effective. Compared to the standard Distiller’s Select, the age is more amplified without compromising the brighter notes at all. Moreover, I often notice an unusual almost chemical-like flavor in the standard Distiller’s Select, which is (thankfully) completely absent from this Master’s Collection release."

Prior OP made me take a pour for memory purposes. I'll say this, prob their best release at this point

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Blanton's is in Cenla. Stores are holding it until tomorrow morning


Why?

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From what I've gathered, 3 stores went in together and got a barrel pick. They split it equally between them and agreed to release at the same time for $79.99

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M10 rye is just over 90 proof and phenomenal, but it's the exception

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good stuff

There’s some good damn news

Late pour is the cheat code

7 year Willett bourbon? Oofff

That the store pick being released at a few stores today?