Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

BourbonBlog.com was recently the first bring you news of the release of the new Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel.

This cask strength, non-chill filtered Bourbon leverages the popularity of the the Russell’s Reserve label while delivering a new expression for the Bourbon enthusiasts.

This Bourbon demonstrates how well-balanced the sugar and barrel notes are in the whiskey aged at Wild Turkey Distillery and the range of flavors you can experience in their juice.

Does it taste anything like the original Russell’s Reserve 10 year Old Bourbon? Only slightly with some of those components present in the sweetness.

While warming on the mouthfeel, the smooth nature makes it feel lower than 110 proof as it drinks closer to 100 or so.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel (750ml) is available now priced at $49.99, definitely a bargain for a barrel proof.

As Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel has long been an treasure, and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel shows, we hope to see even more single barrels from Wild Turkey.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Bourbon:  Rusell’s Reserve Single Barrel Small Batch

Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg

Color: Medium to dark amber

Age:  8-9 Years, varies by barrel

Proof:  110 proof 55% ABV

Nose: Pleasant burn with prevalence of alcohol and barrel.

Taste: Quite buttery blending the deep medium extraction of barrel with a chorus of brown sugars together in the mouth. A touch of light honey and milk chocolate toward end of the mid-palette.

Finish: Smooth, medium linger.

Bourbon review by Tom Fischer.

W.H. Harrison Presidential Reserve Bourbon Aged 16 years

BourbonBlog.com becomes the first to review the extremely rare, one-time bottling of W. H. Harrison Presidential Reserve Bourbon, aka “The Grouseland Cache.”

How rare is this 16-year-old Indiana Bourbon? Only 918 bottles were produced and each is hand-numbered.

The perfect balance of sweetness and barrel near the end makes this one of the best finishes we’ve ever tasted on whiskey at this age.

Presidential Reserve is worth the $150 price tag for a one-time bottling to own a piece of flavor history you may not have the chance to taste again.

The Presidential Reserve is the same mash bill recipe as the original W. H. Harrison Bourbon, but aged for 16 years.

In the video review below, BourbonBlog’s Tom Fischer  joins Tipton Spirits Founder Jerry Knight, creator of Harrison Bourbon, at the historic Gerthaus in Evansville, Indiana for a tasting in the “Hoosier homeland” where this Bourbon aged.

A portion of the proceeds from this unique bottling will be donated to The Grouseland Foundation, which operates Indiana’s first Governor’s Mansion built by  William Henry Harrison.

When Harrison built the mansion in 1804 in Vincennes, he was Indiana’s governor and he later became the 9th President of the United States.

W.H. Harrison Presidential Reserve Bourbon: “The Grouseland Cache” Review

Bourbon: W. H. Harrison Presidential Reserve Bourbon, the “Grouseland Cache”

Color:  Medium to deep amber.

Age: 16 years old

Proof: 45% , 90 Proof

Nose: Butterscotch, pleasant barrel

Taste: Enters with deep barrel, deep vanilla and caramel.

Lacing of candied notes and char push the depth of flavor into the taste buds in a bold way.

Finish: Sugarcoated barrel. The sweetness is strong but not syrupy.

The natural raw sugar flavor in the finish makes it quite distinguishable.

W. H. Harrison Bourbon Collection including the original, Governor’s Reserve, and Presidential Reserve

Historic Gerst Haus in Evansville, Indiana

“Insanity and brilliance” come together in one bottle to redefine the taste and approach to Bourbon as we know it.  BourbonBlog.com reviews Corsair Artisan Distillery‘s Insane in the Grain – 12 Grain Bourbon.

Watch the video review above and read the expanded tasting notes below as we take time away from the snow to elaborate.

This 12-Grain Bourbon is made with Corn, Blue Corn, Barley, Rye, Wheat, Oats, Quinoa, Spelt, Sorghum, Triticale, . 6-Row Brewer’s Malt, and Millet. (See the Distillery Beer Recipe below)

We’re tasting the “Batch One Bottling” of this “alternative grain” style Bourbon which is only available now in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Corsair Artisan Distillery is one of the most talented and innovative craft distillers that we’ve watched grow over the last several years.

In 2012, Corsair Craft Distllery won both the “Craft Distillery of the Year” and “Innovator of the Year” in the Icons of Whiskey Awards.

They also won 18 awards at ADI’s 6th Annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits in 2012 and around 44 total medals at international spirits competitions just this past year.

Since their beginning in 2007, Corsair has experimented with well over hundred mashbills for whiskeys and Bourbons. Corsair co-founder Darek Bell’s book Alt Whiskeys chronicles the unique recipes that have been a key to Corsair’s success.

Insane in the Grain is among the most complex flavor journeys ever reviewed on BourbonBlog.com and one of the most interesting releases to date from Corsair.

This Bourbon “pulls all of Corsair’s previous grain experiments together to form an intricate whiskey” according to the label.

This particular bottle we’re reviewing is hand numbered #42 of 69, produced at their Nashville, Tennessee Distillery and selected by Corsair co-founders Andrew Webber and Darek Bell.

After you watch the video, please note that the correct way to pronounce “Triticale” is “trit-ih-KAY-lee”.

Insane in the Grain Bourbon Review

Bourbon: Insane in the Grain Bourbon

Distillery: Corsair Artisan Distillery, Nashville, Tennessee

Color: Medium to dark amber

Proof:  96 proof, 48% ABV

Nose:  While I start my review in the video calling this nose a “lovely commotion of smoke,” the commotion of aromas is a welcomed one.

So much happening in this nose, it is difficult to determine which to follow. Take a breath and this will lure the enthusiast in for more.

Taste: Deep, buttery caramels kneaded into uncookied brownie batter against smokey barrel. Robust with juicy malty characteristics.

Warmth of the proof heats up sugary notes mid-palette delivering fresh baked pastries, sweet-bread notes and a peppery chocolate.

Toward the end, a harmony of grains unite for an insanely delicious flavor.

You’ve heard of the “Brain Freeze” and the “Head Rush”…this is what we like to call the “Grain Rush.” Yeah, without the ice.

The most intriguing part of reviewing a well-thought craft whiskey like this one is the ability to discover new flavors every time you return for another pour.

Finish: Butterscotch, nuttiness.

Distiller’s Beer Recipe:

28 lb. 6-Row Brewer’s Malt

7.5 lb Red Wheat Malt

175 lb Yellow Corn

15 lb Rye Malt

25 lb Millet Raw

18 lb Oats

25 lb Spelt

14 lb Sorghum

25 lb Buckwheat

25 lb Quinoa

100 lb Blue Corn

50 lb Triticale