Basil Hayden Malted Rye

I’d like to thank the folks from Beam Suntory and their PR teams for sharing this sample with no strings attached.

In the past, I’ve been very harsh on Basil Hayden products. I, like many long-time whiskey enthusiasts, wondered exactly why they existed. Why would you water down a perfectly good Old Grand-Dad to 80° proof and then charge more for it? Especially when you already had an 80° proof Old Grand-Dad on the market. This was a common narrative in American Whiskey circles circa 2010/11.

Eventually, I realized that a higher price and a fancy label would bring in more new bourbon drinkers than a garish orange label and a high proof level. For one, Old Grand-Dad’s historic label is ugly. You would not buy that as a gift for someone. And two, the high proof would probably cause the bourbon novice to sputter, choke, and ultimately not enjoy themselves. I know this because my wife underwent the same process as a novice. Basil Hayden was her favorite bourbon until she grew to want a little more flavor and oomph in her bourbon.

But then Basil Hayden seemed to switch gears in their brand philosophy. And worst of all, they didn’t even clear it with me (even though this was all speculation on my part). All of a sudden Basil Hayden itself wasn’t much more expensive than other bourbons on the shelf, but they were putting out new versions at (for the time) very high prices. All still at 80° proof. I gave up my defense of the brand and soured, which didn’t mean much since I wasn’t someone who was buying their whiskey anyway. I gave a few releases relatively poor reviews, but this isn’t a site that drives markets so no big deal.

But after a while, I started to notice something. Somewhere along the way, Basil Hayden had been putting out a lot of different whiskeys. Some permanent some limited releases. And though they started out fairly tame (rye, 10-year-old rye, 10-year-old bourbon, etc.) after a while, they started getting really experimental. Things like a mash bill that includes rice, a blend of bourbon and rye, a wine-cask finish, a smoked bourbon, and even a rye that had a little bit of rum added to it. This is some cool shit, even if the results weren’t always to my more traditional palate. I mean more innovation is good especially when it hits.

So now I think of Basil Hayden as Beam’s “Experimental Whiskey” brand. And it’s doing it within the limitation of being an 80° proof whiskey. As a creative professional with over 20 years of experience, I know that limitations are often the source of the best creative products. Speaking only for myself, if everything is on the table, I can’t think of anything. So I kind of admire that.

And so we turn our sights to Basil Hayden’s latest release: Malted Rye. It is an 80° proof whiskey made from a 100% Malted Rye mash bill. And as I usually detest malt whiskeys and whiskeys that use a large portion of malted grains that aren’t malted barley, I’ve come to this with an open mind. I have liked certain malt whiskeys in the past. Even ones that use malted rye (my least favorite malted grain). So, let’s see how this one tastes.

Basil Hayden Malted Rye

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided as a review sample by the producer at no cost. The suggested retail price is $59.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.00

Details: 100% malted rye. 40% ABV.

Nose: Cinnamon, vanilla, and herbal mint.

Mouth: Cinnamon, mint, lime zest, and a grassy note.

Finish: Medium in length and warmth. Notes of spearmint, lime zest, and oak.

Thoughts: You won't hear me say this often, but this whiskey is perfect at 80° proof. If the proof were any higher, many of its delicate notes would be overpowered by the heat. And it is delicate. But in this case, that isn't a bad thing. Instead of reading delicate notes as "bland" read it as "finely-crafted." I don't usually say this about a Basil Hayden release, but I really like this one. Beam master distiller Freddie Noe is quoted in the press release as saying “It delivers a more refined side, an unexpected softness and approachability, creating a new way to experience rye.” I gotta say, he isn’t wrong. And proving once again that we are living in a topsy-turvy world, this one is better out of a tasting glass. So dig out that Glencairn if you have one.

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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, C923

I’d like to thank the folks at Heaven Hill for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

I admit it. I don’t get very worked up by Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. And yes, I am not like most people. I get the privilege of trying every batch. And while I don’t take that for granted, you could accuse me of being a bit blasé about it. It comes out three times a year, like clockwork. And honestly, whichever bottle you can get your hands on will be really fucking delicious.

But as I said, I am not most people. Which I found out as I did a little searching online. See, I lost my copy of the press release that came with the sample bottle of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923 that I received. I like to include any interesting notes in there on these posts if I can. And I always need to verify the current asking price. But when I did a quick search to see if I could find the press release? Wow. A lot of folks get very passionate about this particular release. There are entire websites that are dedicated to just tracking them. And, oh, so many videos showing a guy making an odd face next to the words “Best Ever?” I was honestly a little shocked.

See, I never look online for other people’s reviews, especially not for something I’m going to review myself. To be perfectly honest, I just don’t care what anyone else has to say about a whiskey. I’ve been doing this long enough that I trust my palate. I know what I like. And that is enough for me. And at the end of the day, all I do here is tell stories and tell you if I liked a particular whiskey.

Though, I have been chastised for that in the past. Case in point, I received a comment on the last Elijah Craig Barrel Proof review stating:

B523 is fantastic, look up other reviews.

All I said is that I liked A123 more. And if that isn’t a sign of the passion that this release engenders, I don’t know what is. And hell, I love the passion. If we weren’t all passionate about bourbon, I wouldn’t have been writing on a silly little blog for over a decade now.

But at the risk of earning the wrath of other passionate fans, let’s get on with the important part. How is this new release?

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided by the manufacturer for review purposes at no charge. The suggested retail price is $74.99 (as reported by the WhiskeyWash on Sept 30).

Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.00

Details: 66.5% ABV. 13 years, 7 months

Nose: Strong notes of cocoa, vanilla, and oak with touches of cinnamon and mint underneath.

Mouth: Hot in the mouth with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and oak.

Finish: Long and warm with notes of cinnamon, almond, caramel, and oak.

Thoughts: Right off the bat, the nose is fantastic. I'd be happy just to nose this all night. Luckily, I do not have to do that because the mouth is also delicious. It's hot, as is to be expected at over 130° proof, but it takes water very well. It tames the heat but doesn't seem to affect the flavor much. This is one hell of a bourbon.

Comparison to B523: The nose for C923 is much sweeter, showing more chocolate. The mouth on B523 is hotter, and C923 is a lot sweeter. The finish on B523 is much warmer. I'd choose C923 in a heartbeat if given the choice. Both are delicious, but C923 offers more of what my chocolate-loving self wants. I love it.

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Remus Repeal Reserve VII, 2023

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Ross & Squibb Distillery for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Ladies and gentlemen, today's whiskey review comes to you with a twist, as I find myself under the weather and unable to fully indulge in the delightful experience of tasting Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII. But fear not, as I've enlisted the help of artificial intelligence to guide you through this introduction and provide you with a glimpse into what makes this particular bourbon so intriguing.

Remus Repeal Reserve Series 7 is the latest installment in a prestigious line of bourbons that pays tribute to George Remus, a legendary figure from the Prohibition era. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship and a commitment to recreating the essence of that bygone era, this series has consistently captivated whiskey enthusiasts with its unique blends. This seventh edition promises to continue that tradition, offering a carefully curated blend of aged bourbons that promise a symphony of flavors and aromas.

Though I may not be able to savor the nuances of this whiskey today, I'm excited to embark on this virtual journey with you. Join me in exploring the legacy and craftsmanship behind Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII, as we delve into its history, tasting notes, and what makes it a notable addition to the world of bourbon. Cheers to the power of technology and the enduring spirit of whiskey appreciation!

Yeah…that’s right. I have a massive headache brought on by either a minor cold or severe allergies. No clue as to which, so I asked ChatGPT to write the intro to this one. If you want to read a more in-depth history of the brand's namesake, George Remus, look no further than the review of the initial release of Remus Repeal Reserve back in 2017. I think it still holds up.

This 2023 edition of Remus Repeal Reserve is a medley of five different bourbons from the MGP stocks. These come from both their “21% rye” bourbon mashbill (75% Corn, 21% Rye, and 4% Barley Malt) and their “36% rye” bourbon mashbill (60% Corn, 36% Rye, and 4% Barley Malt). The five bourbons include:

  • 6% “21% rye” bourbon distilled in 2007

  • 26% “21% rye” bourbon distilled in 2013

  • 21% “21% rye” bourbon distilled in 2014

  • 26% “36% rye” bourbon distilled in 2013

  • 21% “36% rye” bourbon distilled in 2014

And luckily for you, I came down with whatever this is (gestures broadly at his head) after I did the tasting for this week. So let’s dig in and see how this one tastes (or more accurately, tasted earlier this weekend before I got sick).

Remus Repeal Reserve VII, 2023

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $99.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.66

Nose: Brown Sugar, allspice, vanilla,

Mouth: Caramel, cinnamon, allspice, green apple, leather, and oak.

Finish: Medium in warmth and length. Notes of leather, oak, cinnamon, and green apple.

Thoughts: As usual, this is delicious. I’m really digging the baking spice notes. The green apple that came out during the tasting in Glencairn glasses is not nearly as prominent out of a rocks glass, which I actually like. It was just a bit too prominent in the original tasting. It's still there, but it's much better integrated. All in all, this is a delicious release. Aside from last year’s, I’ve reviewed every edition right back to the beginning. And this is right up there quality-wise with all the rest. If you’ve liked it in the past, you probably still will. I know I do.

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Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey, 2023

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Ross & Squibb Distillery for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Well, hello there, neighbor. I was just sitting down to learn more about Ross & Squibb’s latest rye. Would you like to learn about it, too?

Ok, that’s enough with the Mr. Rogers thing. So, I’m still working my way through the massive number of samples that arrived while I was on vacation, and the next on the docket is one of a couple from Ross & Squibb, formerly known as the retail brand portion of MGP.

Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond is a six-year-old Bonded Rye distilled in March 2017. It uses their 51% rye / 49% malted barley mash bill. They produced 3,000 6-bottle cases. And the suggested retail price is $49.99. Quoting from the Press Release:

“I’m proud to continue Ross & Squibb’s tradition of creating high-quality rye whiskey that dates back to 1847. Since that time, we have worked to perfect our craft, giving our rye whiskeys unmatched character,” said [Master Distiller Ian] Stirsman. “For our Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey we combined our industry leading rye expertise with a new high malt mashbill to create something truly special.  We then let the barrels mature for a minimum of 6 years, resulting in aromas of sweet malt, dark chocolate, raisin and saddle leather with tasting notes highlighted by caramel and mocha with a rich, candied-fruit body, followed by a slight green-apple, malted-chocolate and cinnamon finish.”

So, they mention that this is a new mash bill. Looking back on past reviews that I’ve done for Rossville Union, I see that I mentioned this mash bill, as an aside, back in 2018 when I reviewed my first bottle from the brand. But I no longer see it on the MGP product sheet, so either they stopped making it and are using up the stocks or pulled it for in-house use. After tasting it, I’m guessing the latter, but that is just a guess.

Now onto the important part, how does it taste?

Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey, 2023

Purchase Info: This sample bottle was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $49.99

Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.33

Details: 50% ABV. 6 years old. Mash bill: 51% rye, 49% malted barley.

Nose: Cedar, spearmint, and a touch of vanilla.

Mouth: Sweet and spicy with notes of spearmint, caramel, oak, stone fruits, apple, and cinnamon.

Finish: Sweet, warm, and long with notes of spearmint, cinnamon, and stone fruit.

Thoughts: With just rye and malted barley, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. Corn can help add a nicer mouthfeel to a rye, and I wondered if this would be an issue here. But nothing to worry about in that respect. This is a pretty damn good rye! I'm enjoying the heck out of it. It’s sweet and spicy with a very prominent spearmint note. It has really nice fruit notes. If you like a well-balanced rye, pick this one up. $50 for a limited release is a pretty good price.

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Luca Mariano Ambassador 86 Bourbon (in partnership with Green Bay Packer Hall of Famer Antonio Freeman)

I‘d like to thank the folks at Luca Mariano for sending this review sample with no strings attached.

I love American football. If a game is on a screen within visible range, my eyes will be on it. I just can’t help it. I love the sport. College Bowl season is my favorite time of the year. If I go out to eat, no matter the day, there will probably be a game on that I should have no logical reason to care about but will still watch intensely until we leave. These days, I am more of a college football fan than an NFL one, but if an NFL game is on the screen I can see, I’m watching it. My Saturdays are emotional in the fall. I’ll be the happiest man alive if my beloved Golden Gophers win. If they lose, it's probably best not to talk to me for a little bit until I get over it. (I think I will have more bad Saturdays than good this year since we just lost to a team without a coach.)

You’d think I’d be used to my teams losing. I grew up in Northern Wisconsin as a Green Bay Packer fan in the 1970s and 80s. I had to read books that were twenty years old to see things written about a good Packer team. But, just like these days with my Gophers, a bad year (or years) doesn’t dilute the passion. I mean, the people I grew up around would motion to the Pastor to speed things up if it looked like church wouldn’t end in time for kickoff (and he’d do it). We were a serious football family surrounded by other serious football families. And when I grew up and moved to the Green Bay area, you knew that I was going to be one of the many rabid fans in the area.

And I was! Of course, by this time, the Packers were actually good, having already gone to a couple of Super Bowls. I watched every game, including numerous games at Lambeau. (Even though every game is a sellout, numerous season ticket holders can’t make it to every game and make their tickets available.) Those I couldn’t be at were watched in my living room with a wife who was extremely tolerant of my obsession. She was a fan, too, but not in the “ruin your day after a bad game” sense like I was. And all those games I watched, I watched wearing my trusty Antonio Freeman #86 Packer Jersey.

These days, I live in a different state and don’t get the opportunity to watch as many games as I used to when I was in Green Bay. Unless you were one of the many establishments that had the game on, the local economy literally stopped during game time. And though I’m not nearly as obsessed as I used to be (like I said, college football fills that role now), I still follow along when I can. I’m even one of the thousands of official Packer stockholding owners.

So when I got a press release saying that Luca Mariano had made a whiskey in honor of their good friend Antonio Freeman? Well, you know, the first thing I did was reach out to them to see if they had a sample to taste and share. Here’s what they had to say about it:

Born from friendship and craftsmanship, Luca Mariano Ambassador 86 is a limited release to coincide with the upcoming 2023 NFL season and to celebrate the career of Green Bay Packer’s former Wide Receiver and Super Bowl XXXI Champion Antonio Freeman. Just like Antonio’s Super Bowl victory, Luca Mariano Ambassador 86 is a three barrel blend of greatness hand picked by Antonio Freeman himself. It’s a 3 Barrel Small Batch, high rye Kentucky straight bourbon, aged 8 years and 6 days, and comes in at 86 proof. This limited release not only celebrates Luca Mariano’s and Antonio’s commitment to excellence but also pays homage to the passion of a champion through its name. Antonio wore jersey number 86 throughout his NFL career and was known for his toughness, power, and ability to make big plays. His Super Bowl XXX1 championship with Green Bay cemented his place as an NFL legend.

According to a company social media post, this is available in Wisconsin at select Festival Foods stores. And according to the Festival Foods website, it runs about $90.

Ok, so now that we have all that out of the way, how does it taste?

Luca Mariano Ambassador 86 Bourbon

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. No suggested retail price was given. But the Festival Foods website says they have it for $89.99, currently on sale for…$86.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.00 (at regular price)

Details: 43% ABV. 8 years old.

Nose: Nutmeg, oak, brown sugar, and a pleasant floral note.

Mouth: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cotton candy, brown sugar, citrus zest, and oak.

Finish: Sweet and of medium length and warmth. Notes of vanilla, oak, and citrus zest.

Thoughts: When I saw 86° proof on this, I was prepared to be disappointed. Instead, I was very pleasantly surprised. This drinks very nicely at 86° proof. There is very nice spice, but it isn't so hot that you can't enjoy it. If you are looking for a comparison, it reminds me a lot of Buffalo Trace.

I like it. I will probably have to pour the rest of the sample into my glass the next time I watch a Packer game. Maybe more if any of my Wisconsin readers want to help a fella out…

UPDATE…and it turns out someone did help a fella out. You know who you are and thank you very much.

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Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2023

I’d like to thank the folks at Garrison Brothers for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

A reminder that I am on vacation to the Pacific Northwest this week. If things go as planned, as you read this, I should be hanging around Mount Rainier National Park or relaxing in my cabin outside of the park. Obviously, this was written ahead of time.

Garrison Brothers is not a distillery I know much about, having never purchased their product before. Mostly because the cheapest bottle that Total Wine has is about $90 per 750 mL bottle, with the highest-priced bottle being above $200. That’s a bit too high for me to take a flyer on. But when they offered me a sample of their upcoming 2023 Cowboy Bourbon, I knew I needed to experience this 140°+ proof monster.

2023’s Cowboy bourbon will be releasing Saturday, September 23rd, at a distillery event in Hye, Texas, with the remaining bottles landing at retailers starting the first week of October. The suggested retail price is $249.99.

Here is what the company has to say about this bad boy.

Cowboy Bourbon® is Garrison Brothers’ most elite expression offering the truest taste of Texas terroir on the market. The release comes from what Master Distiller Donnis Todd calls his “piggy bank” of barrels that are just too flavorful on first taste to bottle. He patiently saves and collects these specific barrels as he finds them during his daily, monthly and yearly taste tests, if he deems them of having Cowboy Bourbon® potential. Years later, he takes these barrels out of the already incredibly harsh Texas climate in which they are aging and puts them to the ultimate test: more Texas heat. The already incredibly high-proof barrels continue to age, with some ending up completely empty. Those that remain are collected and married together to make the legendary Cowboy Bourbon® bottled at cask-strength, uncut and unfiltered. Every barrel used in this year’s release was at least six years old.

So, how does it taste?

Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2023

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $249.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $16.67

Details: 6 years old. 70.45% ABV.

Nose: Maple, mint, cinnamon, leather, and oak.

Mouth: Holy Fuckballs that's hot! Notes of oak, leather, maple, campfire smoke, and cinnamon.

Finish: Hot and long with notes of cinnamon, maple candy, leather, wintergreen, and oak.

Thoughts: This is a very tasty bourbon. Super fucking hot at 140.9° proof, but no one but internet tough guys would try to sit down and drink a glass of whiskey at this proof without water or ice. Well, not if they wanted to taste anything later that is. My taste buds are blown right out after this tasting. Luckily it takes water well, retaining the flavor but taming the heat. Give me this with a large cube/sphere of ice on a hot evening and I'll be happy as can be. It's quite good.

Did you enjoy this post? If you want to support the work going on here at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch (tasting journals, stickers, pins, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com.

Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend

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

A reminder that I am on vacation to the Pacific Northwest this week. If things go as planned, as you read this, I should either be walking along an ocean beach, enjoying rainforests, driving, or relaxing in a room at Lake Crescent Lodge in Olympic National Park. Obviously, this was written ahead of time.

Though I’d never heard of Celtic Honey prior to this post, the press release assures me that it has been around for long enough that the bottle you see in the photo above is both reformulated and has had a packaging update. When I saw the email come across my desk, I thought, “This could be a delicious addition to a whiskey cocktail.” But I didn’t ask for a sample. I wasn’t sure if it would appeal to you guys, being a liqueur and not even one made from bourbon. But when the PR guy came back explicitly asking if I wanted a sample, something made me say yes. I mean, the worst that would happen was that I would have a sample of honey liqueur to find a use for.

So what is Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend? According to their website, it is a blend of grain neutral spirit, Irish whiskey, and honey, though the press release mentions the “flavors of native Irish flowers, plants, and trees.” This reformulated version is sold at 80° proof and “is set to reach retail shelves across the country by August at a suggested retail price of $24.99 per 750 ml bottle.”

But how does it taste, and most importantly, should you pick up a bottle?

Celtic Honey Beekeeper's Blend

Purchase Info: This sample bottle was sent at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $24.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $1.67

Details: 40% ABV

Nose: Not nearly as sweet as I would have expected. The main note on the nose is herbal honey, but not super sweet honey.

Mouth: Sweet, but not cloyingly so. Notes of honey, cinnamon, clove, and mint.

Finish: Short and sweet with notes of sweet honey, delicate spice, and a pleasant nuttiness.

Thoughts: I expected this would be a decent cocktail ingredient, but I didn't expect it to be very good on its own. Yet here we are. I plan to finish the tasting glass once I'm done with tastings tonight, something I don’t often do when I’m doing multiple tastings at one time. It's obviously much sweeter than a bourbon, but not nearly as sweet as I would have expected from a product reformulated from a honey liqueur. More than anything, it reminds me of an Old Fashioned where the bitters had been left out. I could easily see myself enjoying this with a dash of bitters over ice or as the sweetener in an Old Fashioned or whiskey sour. In fact, I'll probably try that later and will include the results below.

—

So it’s now the next day, and I can 100% tell you that it makes a wonderful addition to cocktails. My wife loves a whiskey sour, so I made her a riff on that using equal parts fresh-squeezed lemon juice, Maker’s Cask Strength, and Celtic Honey. I shook that with ice with a small squirt of Agave Syrup (because it wasn’t quite balanced without it) and mint and garnished with a mint sprig. She really enjoyed it and asked for another, which I was happy to provide since today is her birthday. I made myself a much simpler drink. Equal parts Maker’s Cask Strength and Celtic Honey with a dash or two of bitters over ice. It was also quite tasty, though I realized later that I could have been even lazier and just left out the Bourbon altogether. When I tried just Celtic Honey and a dash or two of bitters over ice, it was just as good, though quite a bit sweeter.

So, should you pick up a bottle? Well, if all of this sounds good, I would. I’m certainly enjoying my bottle and will continue to as long as my (adult) daughter doesn’t finish it while she’s housesitting for us while we are gone.

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