Reviews

Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey (2016) Review

Michters Barrel Strength Rye 2016

Michter’s Distillery has released a year’s worth of limited production whiskies, and it’s only May.  So far, 2016 has seen both their limited production 10-year-old rye whiskey and 10-year-old bourbon hit shelves.  Now, add another limited production whiskey to the list, as we’re seeing the second release of their robust barrel strength rye whiskey.  The first bottling came last spring, and it was fantastic.  You can read my review here.

The standard rye expression from Michter’s is bottled at 84.8 proof.  I think it is tasty, but lacks some “oomph”.  That was all corrected with their barrel strength rye.  This single barrel rye whiskey ranges in proof from 110.2 to 114.8 proof.  My sample bottle, from barrel 16D432, comes in at 111.8 proof.  Retail for Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey is $75.

Michter’s barrel entry proof is 103 proof, which is lower than a majority of the big producers.  Why does the mean for the flavor of the whiskey?  Bourbon historian Michael Veach explains barrel entry proof at length in a great article on his website.

Rich and mouthwatering is a good description for the nose.  Concentrated aromas of dark brown sugar, allspice, vanilla frosting, and creamy caramel hit your nose all at once.  In a strange way, it sort of reminds me of the nose from a 1980 bottling of Wild Turkey 101 I had a few months back.  That sort of makes sense, as high-rye mashbilled Wild Turkey’s barrel entry proof back then was pretty low.  Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye is full-bodied, coating your tongue in a melange of bold flavors.  What appeared on the nose is also found on the palate.  Think caramelized dark brown sugar and creamy butter on the entry.  Allspice, rye spice, cinnamon stick, and some vanilla extract soon develop mid-palate, as does a touch of oak and black cherry.  This almost comes across as a high-rye bourbon rather than a rye whiskey.  The rich, dark brown sugar/caramel/vanilla/spice flavor combination lacks the overt sharpness of most rye whiskies.  The rye grain shows up in the modest finish, which is a bit dry.

I find that this 2016 release is slightly more enjoyable than the 2015 release, which was a standout rye.  This year’s edition is dangerously drinkable.  No, seriously.  Michter’s Barrel Strength rye whiskey is one you will fall in love with instantly.  Spoil yourself and pick up a bottle.

9/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Michter’s.)

The Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky Review

Yamazaki 18

The Yamazaki 18-year-old single malt is one of my all-time favorite whiskies.  I picked up a bottle about a year and a half ago, before the world craving for Japanese whisky reached the heights its experiencing today.  When I say picked up, I mean it was sitting on the shelf, collecting dust alongside other whiskies.  I immediately purchased it.  I wish I would have done the same with another bottle I saw at a different retail shop across town.

The days of finding a bottle on a shelf are long gone.  Sure, you may find a bottle at a retail shop, but chances are likely its price is going to be marked up.  I paid less than $200 for my bottle, which is right under the suggested retail price. This expression is bottled at 43%.

Yamazaki 18 B

Right off the bat, this whisky fill your nose with a melange of rich, fruity aromas.  Slightly burnt caramel, raisins & prunes, dried apricots and mulling spices leap out of the glass.  A bit of wood spice, leather and a whisp of smoke stay in the background.  Quite intoxicating.  I could smell this for days.  The entry isn’t initially as sweet as the nose suggests, but it is as rich.  Dried red fruits and spices on entry lend to a short burst of tropical fruit.  Cinnamon stick and allspice provide the spicy characteristics.  In the meantime, sherried malt gives way to dark berries and a creamy bitterness at the back palate.  Let’s call it mocha or dark chocolate.  The finish is medium in length, leaving behind a slightly burnt spicy caramel note.

The rich, dark fruit and spicy nature of this whisky is the reason it’s in my Top 10 all-time favorites.  My only minor complaint, if you want to call it that, is the bottling proof.  While I’m certainly no expert, I can’t help but wonder how much more delicious a 46% or cask strength release would be.  Regardless, the Yamazaki 18 is one of the more enjoyable whisky experiences I’ve had.  Really, it’s that good.

9/10

Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky Review
Photo courtesy of Beam Suntory.

Photo courtesy of Beam Suntory.

The Yamazaki might just be Japan’s most talked about distillery, or at least its most popular one.  It’s Sherry Cask expression was named World Whisky of the Year 2013 by whisky writer Jim Murray.  The Japanese whisky category seems to have exploded since then.

Part of this popularity means it’s getting harder and harder to certain Japanese whisky expressions on your store shelf.  The Yamazaki 18-year-old expression has all but disappeared from shelves, but every now and then its younger sibling, the Yamazaki 12-year-old, can be found.

The Yamazaki 12-year is bottled at 43% abv, and available for $60+, if you can find a bottle.

The nose here has a rich character, full of honey, ripe plums, sweet malt, and ginger root.  There is no astringent alcohol vapor here, which confirms just how well made this whisky is.  Where Hakushu 12-year-old is very herbal and fresh, Yamazaki 12-year is a rich, velvety pour.  That clove honey note from the nose is present on the palate, from start to finish.  Some spice quickly hits the tongue on entry, complimenting the rich honey note.  The spice dissipates and big fruit and citrus notes appear, with plums, baked pear, and orange peel being the more dominant notes.  A very faint hint of smoke shows up on the back palate and fades away, leaving a long spiced honey finish.

Without question, The Yamazaki 12-year-old is a delicious whisky, especially for people who love big honey and fruit notes in their whisky.   The way the layers of flavor develop should keep experienced drinkers excited, but it’s also an easy drinker for beginners.

Now, the hard part is easily finding a bottle.

8.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Beam Suntory.)