Rye

The 2018 New Orleans Bourbon Festival
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New Orleans Bourbon Festival 2017: a chat with Fred Noe and Eddie Russell, moderated by yours truly.  Photo courtesy of New Orleans Bourbon Festival

Back for its second year, the New Orleans Bourbon Festival really didn’t have to change much from its first outing in 2017.  It wasn’t just a successful first year festival.  It was a successful festival, period.  But the festival’s founders aren’t resting on their laurels.

Tracy Napolitano, one of the festival’s founders, is the only full-time employee.  After taking a short breather following last year’s festival, Tracy and fellow founders took all the feedback they received to heart.  Their mission was to improve upon their first outing without losing its spirit.

The festival takes place Thursday, March 8th through Saturday, March 10th.  Festivities kick off with several bourbon dinners at restaurants around New Orleans, each sponsored by a different brand.

Like last year, this year’s festival features two Grand Tasting nights filled with pours from both large and craft brands.  The biggest change is the inclusion of all American whiskey.  The first festival was generally limited to bourbon only.  That means a whole lot of rye whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, and more.  More than 100 different whiskies will be poured.  If you happen to see me at one of the Grand Tastings, please say hi.  I’ll be the guy with the glass of whiskey in his hand.

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You can’t drink whiskey and not smile.  Photo courtesy of New Orleans Bourbon Festival

In addition, this year’s VIP ticket holders are getting more attention.  Some really special pours can be expected in the VIP area.  I’ve been told the list confidentially, and yeah… those VIPs should definitely heed the phrase ‘first come, first serve.’  Better yet, “the early bird gets the worm.”  There’s also a special welcome reception for VIPs entitled “Bourbon & Burlesque.”  ‘Nuff said.

Again this year is a whiskey judging by Ultimate VIP ticket holders.  From what I’m told, these tickets sell quickly.  We’re less than three weeks away.  Go get your tickets now.

Seminars have been spread over two days, now taking place the Friday and Saturday of the festival, which gives folks more access to attend more seminars.  This year’s speaker lineup is a doozy, featuring Fred Minnick, Michael Veach, Peggy Noe Stevens, Bernie Lubbers, Maggie Kimberl, Trey Zoeller, and many, many more.

The festival’s theme this year is “Generations,” a theme very important in American whiskey.  I again have the pleasure of moderating not one but two panels related to that theme. On Friday, I’ll chat with Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe and his son, Freddie.  Saturday, you’ll find me moderating Eddie Russell and his son, Bruce.  I simply cannot wait!

Festival proceeds go to Kids Can Nola, a new non-profit benefitting the welfare of children.  It’s a classy touch from the festival founders.

I’m sure this year’s festival will far surpass last year’s wonderful inaugural event.  NOLA and bourbon are made for each other.  If Kentucky is bourbon’s wife, New Orleans is definitely the whiskey’s mistress.

NewOrleansBourbonFestival.com

 

Tap 357 Canadian Maple Rye Whisky Review

I’m generally not a fan of flavored whiskey.  However, I won’t pass up the chance to try one.  After all, you can’t know if you dislike something until you taste it.  Enter Tap 357 – a Canadian rye whisky blended with Canadian maple syrup.  Here’s some info straight from the producer:

The cask-aged 3-, 5-, and 7-year old blended rye whisky used in TAP 357 is produced at the oldest distillery in Western Canada, where it is distilled four times then matured in a combination of new, second-, and third-use bourbon barrels. 

TAP Whisky’s Master Blender Michel Marcil then blends these whiskies and adds pure Canada 1 Light maple syrup from the Quebec area.  It’s then married for a period and bottled at 40.5%.

The nose is dominated by maple syrup, which is accentuated by notes of vanilla extract, baking spices and spice cake.  Taste-wise, we’re talking maple.  Lots of maple!  Loads of maple!  The whisky is expectedly very rich, but not cloyingly sweet.  Rye spice compliments and cuts through.  Creamy vanilla and oak spice add some depth.  The finish features creme brulee and light maple syrup.  

The maple nature of this whisky doesn’t taste artificial.  Of course it doesn’t.  The producers are using real maple syrup.  Maple syrup is generally a note I pick up in Canadian whiskies, so it feels natural to use it to flavor the whisky.  Like I mentioned earlier, Tap 357 is rich, but not cloyingly sweet.  It leans strongly on the maple syrup side, but has just enough other flavors to keep things interesting.  Does this mean Tap 357 is the first flavored whisky I actually like?  I believe so.  Nicely done!  8/10

Thanks to Tap 357 for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey Review

Woodford Reserve Rye

Woodford Reserve is now in the rye whiskey game.  There was an indicator a couple of years back when they released rye whiskey as part of their annual Master’s Collection.  The reviews I read about it were mixed, but the excitement mostly came from the anticipation of a rye whiskey from Woodford Reserve.  The bottle is the same as Woodford Reserve bourbon.  The only difference is the green label at the bottom.  As with its bourbon brethren, this rye whiskey also has a batch and bottle number.

Woodford Reserve’s PR firm sent me a small review sample.  The rye spice in this whiskey is nice.  It comes across on the nose, and it should: Woodford Reserve Rye contains 53% rye in its mash bill.  I also get some clove, vanilla, black pepper and light brown sugar.  The rye also comes across on the palate along with caramel and honey.  It has a long sweet honeyed finish.  Bottled at 90.4 proof was the right call.  It’s a nice sweet spot – not too thin and watery but not too hot.  Very balanced.

Priced at $38, slightly higher than their bourbon, Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey is a delicious sipper.  As of the writing of this post, Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey is only available in several markets in the United States, but I expect it to spread to the rest of the country soon.  Recommended.

8.5/10