Old Medley Bourbon 12 Years Old

BourbonBlog.com was the first media outlet to tell you about the new Old Medley 12 Year Old Bourbon.

Now, we’re the first to review this very rare 12 year old expression of Wathen’s Bourbon in the video above and in the tasting notes below.

While there is no age statement on Wathen’s Bourbon, Old Medley bears an age statement and delivers one of the best flavors we’ve ever tasted in a 12 year old Bourbon. Old Medley is the same recipe as Wathen’s, but with more age.

With only 2,500 cases being distributed in this one time release, Old Medley is one of the more limited releases you’ll see in 2013.

For a suggested retail price of $49.99, it is worth every penny and if you can find it definitely pick this one up.

BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer joined Charles Medley, President of Charles Medley Distillery to taste this Bourbon. The conversation became so enjoyable that Tom took out his pocket cam for an unexpected interview to learn more about Old Medley and Charles too.

As a 7th Generation Distiller, Charles is full of stories, knowledge and experience in the Bourbon industry. He brings all that character and expertise into one bottle in Old Medley 12 Year Old Bourbon.

Depending on where you live in the USA, you can find the Old Medley either now or very soon in markets that carry Wathen’s Bourbon.

Check your favorite liquor store and you may be lucky enough to find it in Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts and other states.

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Old Medley Bourbon Review

Bourbon:  Old Medley Bourbon 12 Years Old

Distillery: Charles Medley Distillery, Owensboro, Kentucky

Color: Medium to dark amber

Age:  12 Years

Proof:  86.8 proof, 43.4% ABV

Nose: Pleasant burn with prevalence of alcohol and barrel.

Taste: Delicious balance between sugars and barrels. Deep aged vanillas, luscious caramel, and candied pecans.

Toward mid-palate, the Bourbon’s complexity and smooth character shine through in a bold way.

Finish: Caramel corn, buttery, medium linger.

Old Medley Bourbon and Wathen’s Bourbon

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

BourbonBlog.com became the first media outlet to taste the Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2012 release at the 2012 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September in the video below.

Now we’re bringing you our review of this year’s 2012 vintage release of Old Forester.

For a $50 limited edition release, we recommend you pick up this very warming, toast Bourbon. You too will  happy a little mistake was made 12 years ago!

This specific release crafted from an 82 barrel batch, selected from a single day of production.

That day’s mash bill had 2% extra malt added to the fermenter.

“Once barreled the bourbon was ricked on the fourth floor in warehouses H and I where it experienced a balanced maturation environment. There the angels’ share resulted in low barrel yields and therefore intense barrel flavor concentration,’ Chris Morris tells BourbonBlog.com.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is vintage-dated and offers a one-of-a-kind character that will never be replicated.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2012 Release Review

Bourbon: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2012 Release

Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Brown-Forman, Versailles, KY

Color:  Medium amber

Age: 12 years

Proof:  97 proof, 48.5% ABV

Nose:  Pleasant cooperage and rickhouse aroma alongside lovely malts and cinnamon.

Taste:  Honied almonds with cherry notes that are reminiscent of a Manhattan cocktail. T

The spicy and roasted malts with dry mouthfeel.  Cinammon and baking spices are evidence.

It has a “Christmastime” /  holiday spicy, warming quality which would make you feel like you’re laying near a fireplace anytime of the year.

Finish: Warming luscious vanilla, crème brûlée, and  marzipan. And at the end, a refined yet dry nutty note that seems to be present throughout the flavor.

Woodford Reserve Four Wood Masters Collection

Woodford Reserve has just released the latest extension of its Master’s Collection, and it is indeed another beauty that shows off the original flavor with a unique expression.

Available in major metro markets, this limited edition release are available with a suggested retail price of $99.99 for a 750ml bottle. at 94.4 proof.

This seventh release, called Four Wood, is part of the limited edition bottlings that pushes the limit of what Kentucky Whiskey offers by crafting rare and innovative products.

Four Wood is a unique batching of mature Woodford Reserve bourbon which has been aged in American Oak and has been finished in barrels made from Maple Wood, Sherry Wood and Port Wood.

Overall, it is gem for Woodford Reserve lovers who want a flavor adventure of depth.

“This year’s Master’s Collection brings together a unique combination of exotic wood (Maple) and fortified wine (Port and Sherry) in a complex interplay of flavors unsurpassed in our craft,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris tells BourbonBlog.com.

“The batching ratios of the three finishing barrels were painstakingly chosen so that no one character dominated the final product. Instead, Four Wood is so balanced that the palate effects of each of the four woods plays a discernible role in the final flavor presentation.”

With each release, one of the five sources of flavor is changed for the Master’s Collection expressions. These five sources – grain, water, fermentation, distillation, and maturation – are unique to bourbon whiskey, and altering just one of them creates a totally new flavor profile.

A limited quantity will be available in Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Sweden, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and in various Duty Free markets.

Four Wood is the seventh in the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection series following Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish, Sweet Mash, Seasoned Oak, Maple Wood Finish and Rare Rye Selection offerings.

Released periodically at the master distiller’s discretion, the Master’s Collection whiskeys are extremely limited in quantity and bottled only once, in a proprietary package inspired by the copper pot stills of The Woodford Reserve Distillery.

Woodford Reserve Four Wood Bourbon (2012 Master’s Collection) Review

Bourbon: Woodford Reserve Four Wood, Master’s Collection 2012

Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Brown-Forman, Versailles, KY

Color:  Rich amber

Age: Fully aged Woodford Reserve aged in American Oak, Sherry, Port, Maple Wood

Proof:  94.4 proof, 47.2% ABV

Nose:  Bold, rich butters, apple pie, wood

Taste:  Enters bold and shows great depth of elegant barrel characteristics.  Mid-palate, pleasant extraction of all the woods combine for a  ”candy coated Bourbon” mouthfeel.

Each unique barrel finish that has been combined  to pronounce a note that shines through for a surprising enhancement to the final flavor . The port may be the most dominant with soft tannic expression.

This is followed by Sherry as a certain dry note balances against the port and sweeter notes.

The more you sip this Bourbon, the more it becomes like a Scotch, unraveling in flavors. It is a glass of the classic Woodford Reserve on “barelroids”

Finish: Somewhat nutty, lingers with heat and sticky barrel juiciness.

Chris Morris Master Distiller Woodford Reserve tastes Bourbon from unique barrelings to create the Woodford Reserve Four Wood Master’s Collection

Heaven Hill Distilleries shares one of the first bottles of the limited edition 2012 release of Parker’s Heritage Master Distiller’s Blend of Mashbills with BourbonBlog.com for our review.

The Parker’s Heritage Collection was launched in 2007 to honor Parker Beam of Heaven Hill

There will only be around 7,500 bottles released beginning in September 2012 at around $80 per bottle.

This release features barrels of 11 year old Heaven Hill rye-based Bourbons, used for such renown brands as Elijah Craig and Evan Williams, mingled with select barrels of the wheated mashbill Heaven Hill uses for the Old Fitzgerald line, also aged for 11 years.

Bottled at cask strength, this bottling, much like the highly acclaimed “Gold Anniverary” bottling of 2009, showcases not  only the individual whiskeys, but also the skill of the Master Distiller in selecting and marrying them together in the right proportions.

The rye-based Bourbon was pulled from the 4^th floor of Rickhouse “R” in Bardstown, while the wheated Bourbon aged on the topmost 7^th floor of nearby Rickhouse “T”. Like previous Parker’s Heritage Collection releases, the “Master Distiller’s Blend of Mashbills” is  chill-filtered as is the custom for many Bourbon brands, thereby helping to maintain the natural esters and compounds which provide a rich texture and mouthfeel.

The release will comprise of 3 “dumps”, with each having a slightly different barrel proof. The full bottling run will be shipped in the next 4 to 6 months.

We are pleased to bring you the first review of the new Parker’s Heritage Master Distiller’s Blend of Mashbills…

2012 Release of Parker’s Heritage Master Distiller’s Blend of Mashbills Bourbon Review

Bourbon: Parker’s Heritage Master Distiller’s Blend of Mashbills Bourbon

Distillery: Heaven Hill Distilleries, Bardstown, Kentucky

Color:  Rich, glowing amber.

Age: 11 yeaar old rye-based Heaven Hill bourbons mingled with select barrels of the wheated mashbill Heaven Hill uses for the Old Fitzgerald line, also aged for 11 years.

Proof: 63.5% , 127 Proof

Nose: Butterscotch, strong warehouse cooperage with light baking spices, nutty and slight peat-like aroma.

Taste: Velvety mouthfeel and enters sweeter than Parker’s Heritage collection we’ve seen in the past.

It goes into a flavorful diffusion of grains as the unique mashbills shine through.

The rye and wheat playing against each other and fighting for your attention while both settling on your palette in a relaxing, luscious fashion. At 127 proof, it is undoubtedly warm ,but doesn’t go in overly hot.

The barrels used for Old Fitzgerald line are a bit more distinct in this particular bottle once analyzed and contemplated after several glasses.

Overall, we most enjoy the smoothness on this unique release and expressions of spice and sweetness showcased with a higher proof while also  being approachable and manageable to responsibly drink several glasses of 127 proof.

Finish: Creamy, calm and medium linger.

Previous 5 Releases of Parker’s Heritage Collection

2007 Release: An 11 year-old Cask strength Bourbon

2008 Release: a rich 27-year-old Bourbon, was entered into oak in 1981

2009 Release: Parker’s Heritage Golden Anniversary Bourbon , contains Bourbons from all five decades of Parker Beam’s  service – 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

2010 Release: Parker’s Heritage 10-year-old Wheated Bourbon

2011 Release: Parker’s Heritage Cognac-Finished Bourbon

Photos by BourbonBlog.com and review by Tom Fischer of BourbonBlog.com

You enter a lounge of the finest cuban cigars, chocolates, after an exotic meal and the favorite company of your choosing.

Add to that company and yourself to this photo, and the thoughts may begin to conjure what we get Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch Review

Yes, the Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch  will compliment the right cigar. However, with elegance and the journey served straight, we most recommend enjoying it on its own. What else could you need?

Every fall around Kentucky Bourbon Festival, we anticipate the release of the the Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch. Unlike the small batch

Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge shares his tasting notes of the new Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch at a Bourbon Dinner at the Blind Pig in Louisville, Kentucky

Jim Rutledge takes time to carefully choose several barrels of varrying ages and recipes from the 10 unique recipes of Four Roses.

For the 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch, Jim told BourbonBlog.com this past week at a Four Roses dinner where we sampled the new limited edition, that this took a series of many months.

He finally decided on 17-year-old bourbon comes from Four Roses’ OBSV recipe, which expressed delicate fruit, spicy and creamy characteristics when he tasted it.

In addition, the 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch also includes a 12-year-old OBSK, a 12-year-old OESK as well as an 11-year-old OBSV, all married together to create one of BourbonBlog.com‘s favorite Limited Edition Small Batch from Four Roses ever! You’ve heard the phrase, “It just keeps getting better.”

With this particular annual Bourbon release, it is so true.

In June 2012 , for the second consecutive year, Four Roses landed third onthe list of the 140 Top “Five Star Spirits in the World,” compiled by renowned liquor industry critic, F. Paul Pacult, for the 2012 Limited  Edition Single Barrel release.

The 2011 Limited Edition Small Batch was also featured in last year’s list.

Approximately 4,000 bottles of the Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon are planned for distribution in September to U.S. markets where the brand is currently available.

Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch Review

COLOR: Medium Amber to slightly dark amber

NOSE: Delicate and pleasant blend of the finest cuban cigar smoke, musky warehouse char backed with stone fruit.   As stated earlier, an alluring quality of walking into a lounge of the finest cuban cigars, chocolates, after an exotic meal

TASTE: Starts with rich yet mellow blend of DNA found Four Roses Bourbons with slighty sticky oak element. Then goes to chocolate truffles laced with caramel. A sophsticared verison of cadbury caramello, but think of Godiva or Vosges.

Midpalate, the bourbon kicks up both warmth and spice and delivering  hints of Indian cooking spices a mild note of sweet curry with coconut.

FINISH: Warm and creamy. Deep, rich mellow hallmark that. At the last breathe of this bourbon, it clings to the mouthfeel not in an annoying and sticky fashion, but in a luscious wonder

Alert your tastebuds to ready for  an adventurous swim. We believe that any who dare to add ice to this one will only be pulling the drain stopper too soon. Jim often recommends a touch of water to open up the flavours a bit.