Maker’s Mark Introduces New Commemorative Bottle
Photo courtesy of Maker's Mark.

Photo courtesy of Maker’s Mark.

Maker’s fans, mark your calendars.  Starting May 1st, Maker’s Mark is releasing a limited edition commemorative bottle to celebrate American Pharoah, one of the greatest racehorses in history.  In 2015, American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and the Breeder’s Cup Classic.  This bottle comes just in time for the Kentucky Derby, which is as synonymous to Kentucky as bourbon.

Maker’s limited edition bottle retails for $74.99.  Remember, this is a 1L bottling.  I know a few Maker’s collectors who are itching to get their hands on this one.  Commemorative bottles from the company are just that – different bottles.  The whisky is the same Maker’s you find everywhere.

“Maker’s Mark has always had a strong connection with horse racing,” said Rob Samuels, Chief Operating Officer of Maker’s Mark Distillery. “Without the support of the thoroughbred industry in the early days of our brand, Maker’s Mark simply wouldn’t exist. We’re honored to help grow the sport we love while also commemorating one of the most remarkable achievements in sports history.”

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky Review

Hibiki Harmony

Goodbye Hibiki 12-year-old.  Hello Hibiki Japanese Harmony.  In an attempt to manage its whisky inventory against a skyrocketing global demand, Suntory has discontinued the excellent Hibiki 12-year-old.  In its place is this new non-age statement blend, Hibiki Japanese Harmony.

Hibiki 12-year-old was my introduction to Japanese whisky, and it couldn’t have been a better foray into the category.  Unfortunately, that bottle is long gone.  As luck would have it, the timing couldn’t have been better.  It gave me a chance to try Suntory’s new blend.

Like the discontinued blend, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is bottled at 43% abv.  A 750mL bottle should run about $64.99, which is roughly what the 12-year-old expression cost.

There’s a bit of freshness in the nose, probably due to younger malt or grain whiskies in blend. It’s light and floral, and full of fresh fruit, light honey and vanilla underneath a layer of oak.  There’s some slight sherried malt and saccharine sweetness on entry.  Delicate floral notes, citrus and oak make up the majority of this malt.  Like the 12-year-old, a hint of smoke appears on the backend.  The finish is moderately long with lingering honey.

So the big question is does this new Japanese Harmony stack up to it’s predecessor?  In short, it’s a worthy replacement.  It successfully captures the essence of the old while moving into the future via no age statement.  In a straight comparison, the 12-year-old is slightly richer and smokier.  However this new blend is no slouch.  Do away with your prejudices and pour a glass of Hibiki Japanese Harmony.  I think you’ll like what you taste.

8/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Beam Suntory.)

High West Midwinter Nights Dram Review

High West Midwinter Nights Dram 2

High West one of the country’s premier craft distillers (I know that term is contentious).  Yes, they are distilling whiskey, but the majority of their current stock is sourced whiskey.  That doesn’t matter as they have a master’s skill in blending what they do source.  Just look at their excellent Bourye, a blend of bourbon and rye whiskey.  Or their solid and very enjoyable Rendezvous Rye.  However, High West Distillery is not content on resting on its laurels.  They find themselves experimenting with different blends and finishes.  For example, they’ve taken their Rendezvous Rye and finished it in ex-port casks and French oak casks.  The result is A Midwinter Nights Dram, a play on Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

High West Midwinter Nights Dram 1A Midwinter Nights Dram is a limited release whiskey, usually hitting shelves in the fall.  My sample bottle is Act 3, Scene 1, which translates to the third batch and first bottling day.  It’s bottled at 98.6 proof… yes, that’s the average body temperature.  The suggested price is $90, which is a $40 premium over High West’s Rendezvous Rye.

The base whiskey is High West’s very solid Rendezvous Rye.  It’s a blend of a 6-year-old rye whiskey (MGP-distilled rye whiskey with a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley) and a 16-year old rye whiskey, produced at the Barton distillery.  That one carries a mashbill of 80% rye, 10% corn and 10% barley.  This blend of rye whiskies is then finished in both French oak barrels and ex-port barrels.  French oak casks usually impart some spiciness to whiskies, while the port barrels will add some fruit notes.

That 95% rye from MGP is known for it’s prominent dill aroma, and it’s the first note out of the glass.  Past that are wonderful aromas of cinnamon dough, sweet vanilla, light toffee, and fruit tart.  A blast of warm cinnamon spice hits your tongue on entry, developing into dark brown sugar, a not-so-sharp and semi-sweet rye grain.  Candied orange peel ever so slightly peaks through the bed of flavors.  The port barrel finish provides some much welcome dried fruits in the form of dried black cherry and dried plum.  Aged vanilla and oak lead us to the long finish filled with rich toffee and baking spice.

I previously said and still stand by my statement that Rendezvous Rye is a solid whiskey, especially for its $50 price tag.  But taking that rye further with a short, secondary maturation in port and French oak barrels has turned it into a completely different whiskey.  Well duh!  But is it good?  No.  It’s utterly fantastic.  A Midwinter Nights Drams is promoted by High West as the perfect wintertime, fireside dram.  I think they’re spot on.  The whole tasting experience almost comes across like a Christmas cake with it’s sweetness and spice, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.  This one comes with a very high recommendation and is on the shortlist for my favorite whiskies of the year.

9/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by High West.)