2 years in oak

To be classified as Kentucky straight, a whiskey must be aged for a minimum of two years in new charred oak barrels. This blog is dedicated to exploring not only whiskey but all good things brewed, fermented and poured. Cheers.

[2yearsinoak]

Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider

Artisanal Reserve Honey Crisp

6.5% ALC/VOL - 22 FL. OZ.

This unfiltered craft cider is made with organic honey and, I believe, is only sold in large bottles.

I'm a big fan of Crispin ciders. I love their Browns Lane, which they import and make with bittersweet English apples. But I've found the artisanal reserve series to be very pleasurable as well.

Although not as dry as the Browns Lane, the Honey Crisp is not really that sweet despite the added organic honey. Because it is unfiltered and has added honey, this cider has a great mouthfeel - light and easy to drink yet with a substantial and velvety body.

I find the finish more subtle, like licking a honeycomb. After the first few sips you get notes of wax. The honey, although adding some sweetness, also adds a savoriness and quiet earthiness. I drank this as my dessert last night, but it could pair well with a lighter entree.

8/10

Enjoy.

[2yearsinoak]

Double Rye!

High West Distillery

ALC. 46% VOL.

(92 PROOF)

I've been meaning to review High West's Double Rye! for a while now, a unique and unexpected offering. Firstly, High West is based in Park City, Utah, not a city known for its whiskey... yet. The only ski-in gastro-distillery in the world, High West has a penchant for the odd, crafting strange blends of various whiskeys. Double Rye! is one such blend, joining a 2-year-old rye with an older 16-year-old one.

The younger has an impressive 95% rye mash, giving Double Rye! its aggressive notes and everything you would expect from a good rye. The 16-year-old has a meager 53% rye mash, the other portion being largely corn. The resulting union has a rye bite, but the complex notes of an well-aged bourbon. You taste fruit, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, and anise on the tongue. It has a strange gin-like profile (noticeable on the nose) and makes for a killer Manhattan. Every part of this rye blend works well, and that's what is ultimately so surprising.

Unfortunately, I was not as impressed with High West's other blends when I visited - which also seem overpriced considering that Double Rye! is their cheapest bottle. They're still a distillery to watch though, as they have just started to distill and age their own whiskey.

8.5/10

For a Manhattan featuring Double Rye! I suggest the following:

2 parts High West Double Rye!

1 part Cocchi vermouth

3 dashes whiskey barrel-aged bitters (I used Fee Brothers)

squeeze of orange with one large twist to garnish

[2yearsinoak]

Smith & Forge Hard Cider

ALC. 6% VOL.

This isn't my favorite cider, but it's a solid choice. Yes, it is too sweet and it lacks complexity, but that goes with the price, between $6 and $7 for a 4-pack of pint cans. Some quick research will also show that Miller owns the company that makes this cider.

My suggestion? Pour it into a pint glass with a splash of bourbon for a boilermaker of sorts.

4/10

[2yearsinoak]

My "bar" in Austin. It will be missed.

[2yearsinoak]

ARDBEG Uigeadail

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ALC. 54.2% VOL.

Nose: Smoke, smoke, smoke from all that peat with hints of sweetness

Tongue: Strong and woody, smokey and deep

Finish: warming, a building peatiness

Uigeadail (Oog-a-dal) is very assertive, with an intense smokiness, but despite this it is not overpowering. There is just enough of a lingering sweetness to balance out this fine Scotch. At well over 100 proof, I would warn that this whisky is dangerously drinkable although after a finger or two you'll feel like you licked a peat briquette.

9/10

[2yearsinoak]

Firestone Wookey Jack

Black Rye IPA

ALC. 8.3% VOL.

First of the "guest" beer reviews.

Usually I am not very fond of IPAs, for me they tend to be palette killers (don't really like the aftertaste, and generally too hoppy or bitter), plus I never want more than one pint. Firestone's, though, is a standout.

It's a dark ale and, unlike other IPAs I've had, it is very well balanced - hints of smokiness, not too hoppy, and malty. I've also been a fan of every rye beer I've tried. Light, dry, and a bit spicy.

If only it came in a six pack.

8.5/10

[2yearsinoak]

Bulleit Bourbon 10 yr Limited Release

ALC. 45.6% VOL.

(91.2 PROOF)

Nose: dried fruits, vanilla, hints of olive

Tongue: very woody, oak, vanilla

Finish: smokey, bit of rye spice

Bulleit is a solid choice and their rye, which came out a year or two ago, is excellent (although I prefer Knob Creek's despite the higher price) so when I got this bottle of 10 yr old Bulleit I was understandably excited.

This is a very woody bourbon, which is to be expected from a 10 year old, but not overwhelmingly so. It still manages a very balanced profile, finishing of course with a little rye pepperiness thanks to Bulleit's high rye mash. As you sip, the oak can build and before you know it you have "wood tongue," a sensation I know well from Woodford's Double Oaked. The key here is that the Bulleit isn't bitter, so it's front end remains very enjoyable.

I wish it had a bit more complexity to it, but if you're in the mood for a solid, simple, straight shootin' bourbon, then look no further.

7.5/10

[2yearsinoak]

Willett Pot Still Reserve

Willett Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ALC. 47% VOL.

(94 PROOF)

Nose: pine, mint, vanilla, spice

Tongue: hay, oak

Finish: warming pepper

Willett reserve is one of my favorite bourbons out there. It's very smooth and refined, a gentleman's drink undeniably. Yes, the bottle is a bit gimmicky, but unique none-the-less and it stands out all the more for it. I also love the sound it makes when poured, a real glug glug sound.

It has a rustic profile, with strong notes of pine, hay and oak and the wood coats your tongue as you sip. Willett is made with pure limestone spring water and some of the stone seems to be there too. As the bottle says, enjoy unhurried. Willett is a treat to be savored.

Highly recommended.

9.5/10