12th Annual BourbonGuy.com Brackets: Round 1: Old Forester 86 proof vs Jeppson’s Bourbon 100 proof

Here we go! Let’s get down to the competitions. I hope that you guys are as excited about this as I am. These were tasted in an order only known to my wife as another bit of obfuscation to hide what was being tasted. So Round 1 of the 2025 BourbonGuy.com Brackets starts with Division 2’s Number 4 seed, Old Forester, taking on Number 1 seed, Jeppson’s 100 Proof Bourbon.

Old Forester, the country’s first bottled bourbon, is a product of Brown-Forman in Louisville, KY. It shares a corporate umbrella with Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s. This 86-proof version is their entry-level Old Forester. It was purchased at Viking Liquor Barrel (Prior Lake, MN) for $22.49 per bottle or $1.66 per pour.

Their opponent is a bourbon that I’ve never had before. In fact, I didn’t even know it existed before going shopping for this competition. Jeppson’s 100 Proof Bourbon is a sourced bourbon from the folks in Chicago that bring you Malört. If you know anything about Malört, you can see why this gave me pause. It was sourced from distilleries in both Indiana and Tennessee. This bottle was purchased at South Lyndale Liquor in Minneapolis, MN, for $19.99 for a 750 mL bottle or $1.33 per pour.

All of the competitions this year were tasted blind, and we knew the winner of the competition prior to any reveal. Notes, thoughts, and conclusions were all recorded before we knew which bourbon was which. Needless to say, some of my conclusions were surprising to me. Tasting notes may be a little unusual since they were tasted side by side and will have influenced the perception of one another.

Zesty Doorknob (Old Forester 86 proof)

Price Per Drink (50 mL): $1.66

Details: 43% ABV

Nose: Vanilla sugar, red fruit, a touch of baking spice

Mouth: Oak, red fruit, and baking spice

Finish: Medium in length and warmth. Notes of oak and baking spice

Gleaming Pancake (Jeppson’s Bourbon 100 Proof)

Price Per Drink (50 mL): $1.33

Details: 50% ABV

Nose: Dusty oak and a nice mineral note. It’s reminding me a bit of an old garage

Mouth: Soft in the mouth. Cinnamon, caramel, and oak

Finish: On the longer side of medium, with notes of almond, oak, and baking spice

Thoughts:

Pre-Reveal Thoughts: Gleaming Pancake is much softer on the mouth with a nicer mouthfeel. Zesty Doorknob is a bit harsher. Flavors are decent on both, but I like Gleaming Pancake more.

Post-Reveal Thoughts: I’m a bit surprised by this one. Not because of an upset or anything—I mean, usually, proof beats price in these matchups, and that happened again. But instead, because the lower-priced one was a sourced whiskey. Adding a middleman usually increases the price. Also, since the Jeppson’s name is most well known for Malört—a spirit marketed as being really unpleasant to drink—I did not have high hopes for this one. But that’s why we do this blind.

Winner: Jeppson’s 100 Proof Bourbon is advancing to round 2.

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12th Annual BourbonGuy.com Brackets: The “Man, It’s Getting Hard to Find Things Under $25” Edition

You know what time it is! The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has already started, which means everyone is in Bracket Mode. It really is a wonderful time of year. Up here in the northernmost state in the contiguous U.S., the snow is still trying to fall, though the end is in sight. Gardeners have started their seeds, there are days when the windows can be opened, and, of course, there are brackets to be filled out—and busted.

No, not those silly basketball or hockey brackets. We’re talking Bourbon Brackets. And let me tell you, this really is my favorite time of year. In fact, I enjoy it so much that whenever I decide to hang up the ol’ keyboard, I already know what my last series of posts will be: brackets. But don’t worry—that’s a ways off yet. I’d like to make it to at least 15 years of publishing first.

And let me tell you, this year’s competition is a good one. Of the seven major bourbon producers that existed when I started this site (Beam/Maker’s, Buffalo Trace/Barton, MGP (now including Lux Row), Heaven Hill, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Brown-Forman), five are represented this year. The other two have been featured often enough that I used their spots for some newer faces.

The Selection Rules

This year’s selection process was simple:

• The bourbon had to be in a 750 mL bottle

• It had to cost under $25

That’s it!

For seeding, I sorted by proof first, followed by stated age (if applicable), and then used price as the final tiebreaker. Here’s what that got us:

Division 1

• Seed 1: Benchmark Bonded

  • A reader suggestion from last year. It's not available in Minnesota (that I’ve seen), so I grabbed it at Binny’s Beverage Depot in Chicago for $19.99 back in September of 2024. 100 proof.

  • Nonsense name: Baffled Toaster

• Seed 2: Rebel 100

  • The first of three wheated bourbons in the competition—and the cheapest of the three 100-proof bottles.

  • Purchased at Viking Liquor Barrel (Prior Lake, MN) for $17.09.

  • Nonsense name: Grumpy Cloud

• Seed 3: Jim Beam Black

  • The newly age-stated 7-year-old version, bottled at 90 proof.

  • Purchased at Total Wine (Burnsville, MN) for $20.99.

  • Nonsense name: Wobbly Cactus

• Seed 4: Old Bardstown

  • The only true craft whiskey in the contest, distilled by Willett in Bardstown, KY, and bottled at 90 proof.

  • Purchased at South Lyndale Liquor (Minneapolis, MN) for $21.99.

  • Nonsense name: Rusty Marshmallow

Division 2

• Seed 1: Jeppson’s 100 Proof

  • A sourced bourbon from the folks in Chicago who make Malört.

  • Purchased at South Lyndale Liquor (Minneapolis, MN) for $19.99.

  • Nonsense name: Gleaming Pancake

• Seed 2: Larceny Bourbon

  • The second of three wheated bourbons, coming in at 92 proof.

  • Purchased at Total Wine (Burnsville, MN) for $22.99.

  • Nonsense name: Soggy Parrot

• Seed 3: Maker’s Mark Bourbon

  • The final wheated bourbon in the contest—also the lowest proof (90 proof) and highest price of the three.

  • Purchased at Viking Liquor Barrel (Prior Lake, MN) for $24.97.

  • Nonsense name: Lumpy Telescope

• Seed 4: Old Forester 86 Proof

  • The lowest proof of the contest, making it the lowest seed.

  • Purchased at Viking Liquor Barrel (Prior Lake, MN) for $22.49.

  • Nonsense name: Zesty Doorknob

Keeping It Blind: The Setup

Of course, that list doesn’t eliminate inherent bias, does it? So, as usual, we took a few extra steps to keep the tasting blind—while still keeping track of what advanced.

Here’s how we set it up (it’s an oh-so-simple process):

1. I seeded the whiskey in the bracket as listed above.

2. I poured 200 mL bottles of each bourbon and labeled them with their nonsense names.

3. I made a separate bracket using only the nonsense names and handed it, along with the bottles, to my wife.

From there, she takes over.

• She doesn’t know what’s in each bottle (thanks to the nonsense names).

• She pours and keeps track of the winners.

• All I have to do is taste, write, and pick my favorite. It’s a pretty slick system.

The empty bracket is below, and as usual, there were plenty of storylines and surprises along the way—wheated matchups, high proof vs. low proof, price battles, and more. But that’s for the future. In the meantime, who you got? Let us know down in the comments!

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If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Rebel Bourbon: Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel Bourbon

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Lux Row for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

It’s bonus post time! I’m trying to clear out the last of the samples prior to starting the BourbonGuy Brackets series next week. I am also sick as a damned dog right now so all you get is a press release to go along with the tasting notes I did prior to getting sick. But hey, it’s a bonus post anyway, right?

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Rebel Bourbon rolls out Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel Bourbon

One-of-a-kind bourbon release takes the Rebel sponsorship of Richard Childress Racing to a new level

 ST. LOUIS (Feb. 26, 2025) – Bardstown, Kentucky-based Rebel Bourbon – the Official Bourbon of Richard Childress Racing – announced the limited-edition release of Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel Bourbon. Every barrel was selected by two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle “Rowdy” Busch and bottled at 108 proof (54% ABV) in honor of Rebel’s sponsorship of RCR.

The new limited-edition release is handcrafted according to Rebel’s original time-honored wheated recipe since 1849 and aged for a full four years to provide robust flavor and a velvety smooth finish with a hint of spice. An allocation of 5,000 cases (6-in) of Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel is available nationwide at a suggested minimum retail price of $39.99 per 750mL bottle. 

“We wanted to do something we’ve never done before, in the spirit of living against the grain and doing things your own way, and KB 108 is the perfect answer,” said Philip Lux, Rebel Bourbon brand manager. “Kyle selected every barrel for this one-of-a-kind release with the guidance of Master Distiller John Rempe. Each barrel was hand-bottled, giving each bottle a bit of rebellious character and a flavor profile to match! This special release is made to be enjoyed by collectors and fans of Rebel, Kyle and RCR alike.”

Every bottle’s front label includes prominent placement of the unique barrel number selected by Busch, plus the bourbon’s proof and “aged since” date details. The distinctive label also includes Busch’s signature, number and the RCR logo. 

“This sponsorship really is about living life with a rebellious spirit, and I had fun picking barrels on my own terms for this special limited-edition release,” said Busch. “I’m proud to have my name on every bottle and excited for fans nationwide to experience something new from Rebel Bourbon and RCR.”

 Rebel Bourbon has plans for more excitement and fan fun ahead in 2025, and the release of Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel takes the sponsorship’s momentum to a new level. Rebel is a multi-race sponsor of the No. 8 Chevrolet and Busch with an all-new paint scheme born from American white oak Rebel Bourbon barrels and designed to honor the brand’s craftsmanship. Busch takes the wheel of the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet in select NASCAR Cup Series races including the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix March 2 in Austin, Texas. To learn more about Rebel-RCR news and events in race markets, follow Rebel on Facebook and Instagram, and RCR on Facebook and Instagram, and visit RebelBourbon.com and RCRRacing.com. Use the product locator to find Rebel Bourbon products in specific locations.

 Rebel Bourbon and Richard Childress Racing remind everyone 21 and older to drink responsibly – and never drink and drive.

 About Luxco:

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora Gonzalez Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; and Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Penelope Bourbon, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, Green Hat Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

About Richard Childress Racing:

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2025 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).

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Rebel Bourbon: Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel Bourbon

Purchase Info: This sample was provided for review purposes at no cost. A 750 mL bottle at the suggested retail price is $39.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $2.67

Details: 54% ABV. Wheated bourbon.

Nose: Vanilla, oak, cedar, and cinnamon.

Mouth: Baking spice, cherry, caramel, and oak.

Finish: Medium length and warm. Notes of cherry cola, cinnamon, and a touch of mint.

Thoughts: This is spicy and delicious. There is oak throughout, but not overpoweringly so. The cherry cola on the mouth and finish are lovely. I'm quite happy to have this in my glass.

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If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Lux Row for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

My wife is just getting over a pretty nasty cold. She was extremely sick all last week and only just started feeling better. I was there as her caregiver and smile provider, doing my best to help her feel a little less miserable. I even broke out my Russian Tea recipe to help her along. Of course, the entire time, I was hoping I wouldn’t catch it while also preparing for the worst. It felt like watching a slow-moving car crash I couldn’t avoid.

Since it’s BourbonGuy Bracket season (starting next week), I crammed a month’s worth of tastings into the last week or so—just in case I ended up down for the count. And it’s a good thing I did. This morning, the scratchy throat started. Here’s hoping a nice glass of bourbon will help soothe it.

But before I did the Bracket tastings, I worked through the samples for this week. First up: Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish. Debuting in October 2024, this small batch bourbon is now available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Before we get into what the company has to say about their new bourbon, let’s talk about the cask it was finished in. What exactly is PX Sherry?

Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry is a rich, naturally sweet dessert wine from Spain, made primarily from the Pedro Ximénez grape variety. To concentrate their sugars, the grapes are often dried under the sun—a process known as asoleo—before fermentation. This results in an intensely sweet, dark wine with pronounced flavors of dried fruits like raisins, figs, and dates, complemented by notes of honey, chocolate, and coffee. PX Sherry is notably viscous, offering a syrupy mouthfeel balanced by acidity, leading to a lingering, harmonious finish. Its unique characteristics make it a versatile ingredient in cocktails, adding thickness and a raisin-like sweetness.

According to the press release:

The PX Sherry cask finish imparts an aromatic bouquet of dried figs and dates, and decadent flavors of grape syrup and candied fruit followed by hints of spice, roasted coffee, and dark chocolate. The result is a unique and balanced pour.

 “We wanted to meld the intensely sweet flavors of PX Sherry with the spicy, peppery flavor notes of our ryed bourbon,” said Lux Row Master Distiller John Rempe. “The outcome is a delicious combination of two opposing yet complementary flavors that results in a truly unique expression.”

“PX Sherry was an immediate hit at Lux Row,” said Lux Row Brand Manager Eric Winter. “We’re looking forward to expanding its footprint and sharing this unique offering with bourbon drinkers who are looking for one-of-a-kind flavor options and taste profiles.”

Let’s dig in.

Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish

Purchase Info: This sample was provided for review purposes at no cost. The suggested retail price is $49.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.33

Details: 56% ABV. Four years old. Finished for an additional six months in PX Sherry casks.

Nose: Strong oak initially, fading into cinnamon and toffee.

Mouth: Sweet and spicy, with notes of red fruit, caramel, and baking spice.

Finish: Warm and rich, with notes of caramel, cinnamon, red fruit, and oak.

Thoughts: This is quite good. To me, the Sherry-cask finishing comes through in the mouth most strongly, with hints in the nose and finish. It's got a wonderfully rich mouthfeel, almost syrupy. Then, the oak notes are there to support everything. Delicious!

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If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey, A225

I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for sending this sample with no strings attached.

Looking at that image above, you’d think that Spring had sprung here in Minnesota. And you’d have been forgiven for thinking that. Until today, we hadn’t had any measurable snow that actually stuck around this year. Heck, I was wearing shorts outside for most of the last month (don’t read too much into that—I just seem to be well adapted to the cold).

That all changed this morning when nearly a foot of heavy, wet snow dropped overnight. And I mean heavy. I fired up the big snowblower, and even that wasn’t enough to handle it in one pass. The plow ridge at the end of the driveway was a solid 18 to 24 inches high and about three feet deep—pure heart attack snow. But I can’t complain too much. Before today, that big snowblower had only been used once in the last couple of years.

What I can do, however, is sit down with a late-afternoon whiskey to recover from the physical labor of clearing the driveway and sidewalk. And if that whiskey happens to be tonight’s pour, I certainly wouldn’t be upset.

Bernheim Barrel Proof is, as the name suggests, a barrel-proof version of Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Wheat Whiskey. The mash bill is 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. This batch was aged between seven and nine years before being bottled at a hefty 125.4 proof. The A225 designation means this is the first batch (A) of 2025 (25), released in February (2). The suggested retail price is $66.99.

Let’s dig in, shall we?

Bernheim Barrel Proof A225

Purchase Info: This sample was provided at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $66.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.47

Details: 62.7% ABV. Mash bill: 51% wheat, 37% corn, 12% malted barley

Nose: Caramel, mint, oak, vanilla, cinnamon, and cocoa.

Mouth: Hot and spicy, with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, mint, and cocoa.

Finish: Long and hot, with lingering notes of cinnamon, toffee, and cocoa.

Thoughts: Whooo-boy! This one is hot! But it takes water well—adding a splash tames the heat and lets the flavors open up without losing complexity. Speaking of complexity, this might have the most layered nose I’ve ever found on a Bernheim product. I really like this one.

Comparison to Last Time: A225 is more complex on the nose and sweeter overall. On the palate, while B924 was still rich and hot, it had more grain-forward notes, whereas A225 leans more into barrel influence. Between the two, I much prefer A225.

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If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Heritage Distilling Co. Service to America Salute™ Whiskey - War Dogs & Battle of Iwo Jima

I’d like to thank Heritage Distilling Company for providing these samples with no strings attached.

Sorry about missing last week. I was having a mental health crisis brought on by homophobic comments left on the site. I don’t allow them to be posted, but I still have to see them. And mean comments are never fun—especially for someone who struggles with mental health on a good day. Even more so these days, when everyone seems angry and determined to “win” every conversation. Just remember, there’s a real person on the other side of the screen. Be kind.

Anyway, you’re not here for a lecture—you’re here to read about bourbon. So let’s get to it.

Tonight’s bourbons come from Heritage Distilling Co. out of Gig Harbor, Washington. They’re veteran co-founded and have built a solid reputation in the craft spirits world, racking up awards for ten straight years from the American Distilling Institute. As one of the biggest craft distilleries on the West Coast, they continue expanding through traditional sales channels and the Tribal Beverage Network—an interesting partnership with Native American tribes to create branded distilleries and tasting rooms. It’s a unique approach that not only grows their business but also supports tribal communities in the process.

These bourbons are part of Heritage Distilling Co.'s Service to America Salute™ line, which pays tribute to those who serve. Each edition honors a different community and raises funds for related charities.

Let’s dig in and see how they taste, shall we?

Heritage Distilling Co. Service to America Salute™ Whiskey - War Dogs

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $95 for a 750 mL bottle. As of writing, it’s available for purchase on the HDC website.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.33

Details: 49.3% ABV. Mashbill: 78% Corn, 12% Rye, 10% Barley. 5 years old. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Nose: Brown sugar, almond, cinnamon, and fresh mint.

Mouth: Cinnamon, oak, almond and mint.

Finish: Warm, sweet, and medium in length, with notes of almond/cherry, mint, and cinnamon.

Thoughts: This is pretty tasty. It's just a good, solid bourbon. Sweet on the finish. Warm in the mouth. I like it.

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Heritage Distilling Co. Service to America Salute™ Whiskey - Battle of Iwo Jima 80th Anniversary

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $95 for a 750 mL bottle. As of writing, it’s currently sold out on the HDC website, but you can sign up to be notified when available.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.33

Details: 52.5% ABV. Distilled by Heritage Distilling Co.

Nose: Black tea, cinnamon, and citrus.

Mouth: Cinnamon red hots, nougat, and a touch of chocolate.

Finish: Warm and on the longer side of medium. Lingering notes of cinnamon and black tea.

Thoughts: Very warm—think Cinnamon Red Hots or Atomic Fireball candies. Lots of cinnamon. The note I’m describing as black tea on the nose and finish is the same as the one I call nougat in the mouth. It just presents differently in different areas. Since I’m not a fan of black tea, this gets a neutral rating. And as we all know, a neutral rating doesn’t mean anything is wrong with it—it just isn’t meshing with my palate. A lot of folks will like this one, though. It’s rich and sweet.

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If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Penelope Cooper Series: Havana

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Penelope Bourbon for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Jumping straight into the bourbon tonight. With President’s Day on the horizon, a lot of my fellow Minnesotans are heading to warmer weather since schools have the day off. Which means I am up to my ears in dogs. So let’s get to it.

Havana is the latest release in Penelope Bourbon’s Cooper Series. We looked at another entry in the series a little under a year ago when we reviewed the Penelope Rio release. Like that one, this is a barrel-finished bourbon. In this case, it uses Penelope’s blended four-grain mash bill: 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley. Much like Rio, this bourbon spent time in three different barrels.

First, the bourbon was aged for four years. Once dumped, it was then finished in used Caribbean rum casks for an additional 12 months. Finally, it was aged for another month in a barrel that was previously used to hold maple syrup. Fun fact: that maple syrup barrel originally spent the first part of its life aging none other than Penelope Bourbon. Life is a circle sometimes.

Here’s what the company has to say about this latest edition of the Cooper Series:

“This is much more than a rum-finished bourbon – it’s a standout in our collection of cask-finished bourbons,” said Danny Polise, Penelope Bourbon Founder and Master Blender. “The maple finish is the perfect complement to the initial rum-finished bourbon by further elevating the blend and creating balance between savory, sweet and oak spice.”

Let’s get into the tasting notes.

Penelope Cooper Series: Havana

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $79.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.33

Details: 46.5% ABV. Cask-finished in both maple syrup and used rum barrels. Composite mash bill: 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley.

Nose: Oak, maple candy, and vanilla.

Mouth: Very sweet, spicy, maple, molasses, and vanilla.

Finish: Medium length and warmth. Lingering notes of molasses, oak, baking spice, and vanilla.

Thoughts: I think this might be the first Penelope release that doesn't get a positive rating from me. When tasting neat, I found the flavors to be oddly disjointed and not well-balanced. It is super sweet, and the spiciness on the palate isn’t really reminiscent of baking spice—it’s just mostly heat. There is also an oddly prominent ethanol note, which I will sometimes get in a highball made with soda that is too sweet. I’m not a fan. However, with the addition of bitters and ice, Penelope Havana makes a decent Old Fashioned.

I have no doubt that I am an outlier on this one. The other reviews I scanned while seeing if Google would take me directly to the product page are all pretty positive—at least in the short snippets that appear in search results. But I can only speak to my own tasting experience, and it wasn’t positive. As always, I’m not saying it’s bad—I’m just saying: I don’t like it.

That said, I wouldn’t mind trying a cocktail made with bourbon, rum, and maple syrup. Might have to play with that a bit.

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If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Elijah Craig Toasted Rye

I’ve got samples piling up and am sitting on a bunch of bottles I’ve picked up during my travels, going all the way back to September. So that means it’s time for another BONUS POST!

Yeah, I’m excited too!

Today’s bonus whiskey is a bottle I picked up locally. I’ve lost the receipt, but we’ll just pretend that it was from Total Wine since I see that the one closest to me has it listed on their website. I almost walked past it because I thought it was just Elijah Craig Rye. And while I like Elijah Craig Rye, Heaven Hill ryes don’t usually speak to me the way others do. They’re good, but I usually prefer a higher amount of rye in my rye whiskey, as opposed to the traditional Kentucky “barely legal” style. But when I noticed that this was a different product, I knew I had to pick it up to share with you good folks.

So what is different between this Toasted Rye and the standard Elijah Craig Rye? The press release gives a good breakdown:

The process begins with fully matured Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, which is dumped and then re-entered at barrel proof into a second, custom toasted new oak barrel designed in partnership with Independent Stave Company. The toast on these secondary barrels is unique to Elijah Craig Toasted Rye. At the end of the nearly hour long toasting process, a cap is placed on the barrel to quickly ramp up the heat to an extremely high temperature allowing phenols to embed in the surface of the barrel for an added element of smoke to complement the spice and sweetness of the Rye.

Now onto the important part: how does it taste?

Elijah Craig Toasted Rye

Purchase Info: We’re pretending that I bought this at Total Wine in Burnsville, MN, for $56.99 for a 750 mL bottle because I lost the receipt and can’t remember which store I got it from.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.80

Details: Mash Bill: 51% rye, 35% corn, 14% malted barley. Finished in New Toasted Barrel. 47% ABV.

Nose: Strong notes of cedar and toffee followed by mint and cinnamon.

Mouth: Cinnamon, toffee, oak, milk chocolate, and cedar.

Finish: Medium in both length and width. Lingering notes of cinnamon, mint, oak, and red fruits.

Thoughts: This is good. Sweeter than most ryes, but very good. There’s a nice bit of oak influence, but the rye is still prominent. I think I’d still prefer ryes with a higher percentage of rye in their mash bill, but I appreciate the oak influence here. You typically only get this level of oak influence from long-duration aging, but extended aging often overpowers the rye character. This approach is a great way to achieve both.

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