Tonight I am drinking a true FrankenWhiskey. And, not to spoil the results for you, but I love it. Released by Beam Suntory, Little Book is a label that celebrates unique whiskey blends. It's, to quote the label, "crafted by Freddie Noe," son of Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe. I've never met the younger Mr. Noe, but I have to say I like what he's doing with Little Book.
Last year's Little Book was a blend of bourbon, corn, rye and malt whiskeys ranging from 4 to 13 years old. I...never tried it. For some reason, it just didn't interest me. Maybe it was the malt whiskey. Adding malt whiskey to something is usually a sign that I won't care for it. In any case, I passed on it. I sort of regret that now...
This year's, however, was a different animal altogether. It blends 8-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye whiskey with two different Canadian Whiskies. A 13-year-old Canadian Rye with a 40-year-old Canadian whiskey made from corn. I have been house blending US and Canadian Ryes at home for quite a while and was really looking forward to seeing what a company with access to nearly unlimited stocks could come up with. And when I saw it at Total Wine for less than $75, I pounced on it.
Little Book 2018: Chapter 2 "Noe Simple Task"
Purchase Info: $73.99 for a 750 mL at Total Wine, Burnsville, MN
Details: 59.40% ABV. Blend of 8-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye whiskey, 13-year-old Canadian Rye, and 40-year-old Canadian whiskey.
Nose: Cinnamon, nutmeg, candle wax, non-specific wood.
Mouth: Nice and spicy with good heat. Cinnamon carries over to the mouth with a honey sweetness and dried fruit notes backing it up.
Finish: Spicy and long with cinnamon, rye spices, mint, honey and dried fruit.
Thoughts: I saw some people in online comments bashing this for using Canadian whisky. As far as I’m concerned, those people are very wrong as the Canadian whiskies are the ones that are providing most of the flavor. This is a well crafted whiskey that has a lot of the Canadian rye flavors with the spicy brashness of a US-style rye. It’s fantastic. Spicy and bold with a great mouthfeel. I think I’m in love.
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