Drink Notes

Schlafly American India Pale Ale It’s got enough malt body...

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:41:35 -0400

Schlafly American India Pale Ale

It’s got enough malt body to balance the intense bitterness from a hefty dose of dry-hopping. Crisp, dry, balanced and hoppy.

Don’t be struck with sticker shock. This one is worth it.

Sometimes gems like these are just tucked away on the back of a...

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:48:15 -0400

Sometimes gems like these are just tucked away on the back of a shelf.

Dark Truth Stout is dark. Taste notes: Dark roasted malt; dark...

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:41:00 -0400

Dark Truth Stout is dark.

Taste notes: Dark roasted malt; dark fruit - raisin and plum; dark chocolate; slightly smokey bitter hop finish

Buy again? You bet.

National Premium is back. We couldn’t be happier.

Wed, 30 May 2012 11:14:56 -0400

National Premium is back. We couldn’t be happier.

Flying Dog’s ‘Pearl Necklace’ Oyster Stout -...

Wed, 30 May 2012 11:13:16 -0400

Flying Dog’s ‘Pearl Necklace’ Oyster Stout - Proceeds benefit Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration

simplybro: Copper Fox Rye Whiskey by Wasmund’s 2/3 rye, 1/3...

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:27:00 -0400

simplybro:

Copper Fox Rye Whiskey by Wasmund’s

2/3 rye, 1/3 malted barley smoke-dried over applewood and cherrywood smoke and aged in used bourbon barrels. Sound interesting enough for you? It should be. Complex, artisan rye whiskey. If you see it — grab it. $38

Saison du Buff brewed and bottled by Dogfish Head Brewed three...

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:12:52 -0400

Saison du Buff brewed and bottled by Dogfish Head

Brewed three times a year using the same recipe by either Dogfish Head, Stone, or Victory. Saison du Buff is a savory beer perfect for food pairings.

Arrogant Bastard Ale by Stone Brewing Co.

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:30:53 -0400

Arrogant Bastard Ale by Stone Brewing Co.

Once upon a time…

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:48:02 -0400

Once upon a time…

simplybro: Bushmills Irish Whiskey Canbys by Shwood Reclaimed...

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:07:28 -0500

simplybro:

Bushmills Irish Whiskey Canbys by Shwood

Reclaimed Bushmills Irish Whiskey barrels make for some pretty awesome limited edition shades. $225

Favorite pint glass courtesy of FlyingDog

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:37:05 -0500

Favorite pint glass courtesy of FlyingDog

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA One for now, one for four years...

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:01:03 -0500

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

One for now, one for four years later…

The Balvenie Doublewood The use of whisky oak makes this scotch...

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:24:00 -0500

The Balvenie Doublewood

The use of whisky oak makes this scotch and excellent transition for a bourbon drinker. You will recognize the vanilla and spice notes and be welcomed by the salt and peat flavors of a proper single malt.

A bourbon drinker’s recurrent nightmare.

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:34:00 -0500

A bourbon drinker’s recurrent nightmare.

White Dog Mash #1 by Buffalo Trace Distillery This is a...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:33:50 -0500

White Dog Mash #1 by Buffalo Trace Distillery

This is a must-buy for someone who wants to expand their bourbon knowledge. Buffalo Trace’s White Dog is straight from the still and bottled at 125 proof. It uses the same mashbill (corn, rye, malted barley) as their Buffalo Trace Bourbon, and thus presents you with the rare opportunity to drink one next to the other for comparison.

On the nose, White Dog is undoubtedly a corn whiskey, but hints of rye and spice follow close behind. The sweetness of the corn hits the palate first, but it is not strong enough to overcome the subtle nuances of the sour rye, spices, and malted barley that hit the palate through the finish. This whiskey is surprisingly smooth. You would think at 125 proof the heat would be thoroughly present up front, but the burn manages to stick to the chest leaving you with a warming sensation.

Self-Education:
Pour yourself a short glass of White Dog and a glass of Buffalo Trace Bourbon and you will have before you a lesson in bourbon distilling and aging. Smell and taste the White Dog and take a few notes, then do the same with the bourbon. You should be able to highlight the differences and deduce which flavors came from the mash and which came from barrel-aging. Hopefully you will come away a little more knowledgeable, and with a greater appreciation for the art of distilling and aging whiskey.

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon Blanton’s Original...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:32:48 -0500

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon ages in tin-clad Warehouse H through the hot Summer months. It continues to age ‘hot’ through the Winter thanks to a steam heating system. The warmer the warehouse is, the more the staves of the barrel expand. This allows the bourbon to seep further into the cracks of the alligator-charred interior and pull more flavor from the oak. The result is a bourbon with excellent color and deeply complex flavors.

If you’re looking for consistency you aren’t going to find it in a single barrel bourbon. What Blanton’s does offer is the location of the barrel your bourbon came from. Note the rick number and the barrel number. If you loved the bourbon from that barrel look for other bottles from the same location. Even still, the bourbon is going to vary from year to year.

Despite the variances, Blanton’s does offer some characteristic notes that will almost always be present. The opening has hints of rye, vanilla and honey that balance with the strong presence of caramel. A good mild burn carries with the caramel flavor to finish, which I have found to be different with every bottle. A good amount of spice can be found on the end, but you might also get a taste of pepper, maple, chocolate, tobacco, or cinnamon depending on your barrel.

This bourbon will keep an enthusiast’s interest, but it’s one you could also enjoy with a newcomer without reservations.

Favorite Barrel so far - #290, Rick 28 (2008)

Willet Family Pot Still Reserve

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:31:32 -0500

Willet Family Pot Still Reserve

Elijah Craig 12yr Single Barrel tasting

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:28:59 -0500

Elijah Craig 12yr Single Barrel tasting

Noble Rot - saison brewed with grape must

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:27:59 -0500

Noble Rot - saison brewed with grape must

Photo

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:26:10 -0500