Single Barrel

Store Pick Review: Calandro’s Supermarket 1792 Full Proof and Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye

Calandro’s Supermarket in Baton Rouge, Louisiana just released a couple of store picks they thought I’d be interested in trying. Who am I to turn down whiskey? Mark Calandro and his son Taylor taste and choose the barrels for their stores. Let’s get to tasting.

First up is 1792 Full Proof. This goes into the barrel at 125 proof. After maturation, the whiskey is proofed down to that same proof. Because that could just mean a couple of proof points, this is basically barrel proof bourbon. The nose is rich with hints of caramel, red fruit and spice. Taste-wise, we’re talking about layer after layer of decadent caramel upfront. Additionally, hints of graham cracker and red fruits develop alongside some baking spice and leather. The finish is long, with lingering notes of barrel char and sweet oak. Calandro’s 1792 Full Proof is big, rich, and worth every penny of its $49.99 cost. 8.5/10

Next up is their Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye, currently one of the first of these releases in Louisiana AND the supermarket chain’s first rye whiskey picks. Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye is bottled at 115 proof. The nose is a touch muted at first, but becomes a bit livelier with a little airtime. Aromas of rye spice, fruit, vanilla, and lightly roasted coffee abound. On the palate, a sweet brown sugar entry develops hints of toasted rye grain, cherries, and wood spice. The finish is long and warming, with hints of sweet vanilla and spicy rye. $39.99 8/10

Great picks from Calandro’s! I am excited to see what they bring into the store next.

Thanks to Calandro’s for the generous samples. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: Michter’s 10-year-old Rye Whiskey (2018)

Michter’s has released their coveted 10-year-old rye whiskey for the first time in more than a year.  The single barrel expression consistently ranks among my favorite rye whiskies. Just like the last time, Michter’s 10-year-old rye barrels were selected by Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson and approved by Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann.

Though Michter’s is currently distilling at their new distillery (a place I really need to visit), the stocks that make up this whiskey came through contract distilling.  That’s different from sourcing whiskey.  Contract distilling means making your whiskey at an existing distillery to your specifications (mash bill, unique yeast strain, etc).

Bottled at 46.4% ABV, or 93.8 proof, Michter’s 10yr rye undergoes the company’s “signature filtration.”  My sample bottle came from barrel no. 18E559.

The nose on this whiskey always does it for me – dark, rich caramels with an abundance of baking spices like nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and cardamom, as well as a bit of toasted oak.  On the palate, the whiskey doesn’t disappoint.  Layers and layers of dark caramel wash over the front palate as those lovely spice notes ramp up in intensity.  A little bit of toasted rye is present, as is a touch of vanilla pod.  A dark chocolate note appears mid-palate, along with a touch of leather and oak.  The finish features more caramel alongside toasted coconut,  dried fruit, and spice.

Michter’s has another winner on their hands with this expression.  It keeps in line with a richness found in a lot of Michter’s whiskies.  Decadent is a great descriptor here.  Quite lovely.  A bottle runs a suggested retail price of $160, and I think it’s worth every penny.  Nicely done.  9/10

Thanks to Michter’s for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Rebel Yell Single Barrel (2017) Bourbon Review

Photo courtesy of Luxco.


The second release of Rebel Yell Single Barrel is already on shelves.  It launched in 2016 and quickly became one of my favorite bourbons released that year.  A 10-year-old, 100 proof wheated bourbon for about $60- seriously, what’s not to like?

As I just mentioned, Rebel Yell Single Barrel is a wheated bourbon.  That means the producers use wheat as the secondary grain instead of the more traditional rye.  Speaking of producers… though Luxco is currently building a distillery in Bardstown, they are still sourcing their whiskey from other producers.  In the case of most of Luxco’s whiskies, that source would most likely be Heaven Hill.

My review sample is from barrel 504315, which was filled in May 2006.  I said it before and I’ll say it again: kudos to parent company Luxco for adding this information to the label.

I’m happy to report the quality of last year’s release remains.  Big aromas of grilled sweet corn, caramelized sugar and vanilla fill the glass.  Slight hints of cinnamon and fresh brioche follow.  On the palate, classic bourbon notes are showcased – vanilla cream, cornbread, and cinnamon. A touch of leather and oak tannins lightly coat the tongue in the back palate.  The finish is long and somewhat sweet, with notes of spiced corn and caramel.

I enjoy bourbons of many walks of life.  Lately I’ve come to consider 8 to 12 years to be my sweet spot in terms of a bourbon’s age.  Heaven Hill’s 10-year-old Parker’s Heritage Collection from a couple of years back is pretty much a flawless bourbon for my tastes.  Barrel Bourbon Batch 005 was aged for eight years and still lingers in my memory.  Rebel Yell Single Barrel, though a different mash bill, hits on all cylinders.  It is extremely well-balanced and delivers a wonderful display of flavors.  8.5/10

Rebelyellbourbon.com

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