Exploring Whiskey Responsibly
S04E01 WftA – Benchmark Bonded Bourbon Review
In this, our first Podcast Episode of Series 4, we discuss some Whiskey News, set the stage for this season, and in our feature, Review Benchmark Bonded Bourbon. If you’ve seen the bottle on store shelves and wondered about it, this is the show for you.
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S04E01 WftA – Benchmark Bonded Bourbon Review
Brian’s George Remus Cask Strength Single Barrel Review:
reviewed 2023, July 01
George Remus Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon (George Remus CS SiB) offers a complex flavor profile with plenty of fresh rye, a unique mix of fruity sweetness, spices, and a hint of cocoa on the nose. The mouthfeel is smooth yet prickly owing to its higher proof, but the flavor of buttercreamed graham and Kraft caramels delight. The bourbon showcases seasoned oak, and a touch of leather, providing a sophisticated and rich experience for the senses with a long and dry spicy finish. Pour me another.
Category: Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
Region: G. Remus Distilling Co., Atchison, KS
Distillery: G. Remus Distilling Co. (DSP-IN-15023, Ross & Squibb Distillery)
Mash Bill: unpublished … Believed to be a blend of one or more MGP high-rye mash bills*
Barrel Char: unpublished, although likely a heavy char
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Age: over 4 years (nas)
ABV: 57.1% (114.2 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 18410
Price: $59.95 (Spring 2023 Idaho)
New bottles feature “REMUS SINGLE BARREL BOURBON” on the label.
*(Single barrels are privately selected; mashbills may differ.)
Ideal for bourbon lovers and collectors, Remus® Single Barrel Bourbon is an annual release offered at barrel strength in three mash bills – with each featuring its own unique, high proof flavor profile.
Each year, barrels are selected by participating retailers from our historic Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. With no two retailers’ barrels tasting alike, Remus Single Barrel offers a new sipping experience in every bottle.
Learn more at Remus Bourbon.
Alternate pours, equaling about four ounces, were added into a Weck jelly jar and two Glencairns. My daughters and I enjoyed the bourbon neat for this review; I drank from the Weck.
For other assessments on this product, click to read Hannah’s and/or Elora’s reviews.
The first waft of George Remus CS SiB is straight up rye freshness. The aroma carries an inviting scent of dark sherry barrel tannins. As I nose on, roasted corn and dusty grain add a rustic touch, while ripe berries, apricot, and gourmet raisins provide a subtle fruity sweetness. Then come faint notes of allspice, cinnamon, and white pepper which deliver warmth, along with a surprising touch of cocoa. Additional inhales bring suggestions of light vanilla, caramel corn and simple syrup which add to the richness. Seasoned oak and toasted wood drift in and then damp sawdust and a hint of leather contribute to the bourbon’s earthiness, adding a small dose of delicate sophistication.
The first sip of George Remus CS SiB surprises the taste buds with its complex and unique flavor profile. Each sip warms the mouth with a foundation of wood, dusty grain, whiskey-soaked dark cherries while dried figs offer a dark richness. A touch of bitter woodiness and dark cinnamon add depth, and the pronounced rye presence provides a spicy kick. As I sip on, stale Graham crackers contribute a baked feeling, with buttercream frosting infused with rich vanilla and Kraft caramels melted over hazelnuts add a luscious, nutty dimension. As I swallow, damp sawdust, seasoned oak, hazy toasted wood, and the leather notes sensed on the nose add depth to this remarkable bourbon.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Sips of George Remus CS SiB are easy to hold, yet prickly after the swallow, giving the underside of the tongue a good tickling. I suspect (though unpublished) the barrels used in aging had a heavy char, owing to this bourbon’s oily mouthfeel as this bourbon puts the salivary glands in overdrive. Although on the woody side of the spectrum, there is plenty of sweet and spice in the mix as well. As the whiskey rests in the Glencairn between sips, a long-lasting solid crown breaks to form clinging droplets, allowing long clinging legs to drain back the liquid to the carrot colored pool.
George Remus CS SiB’s finish is long and lingering, with a gradual build-up of heat in the throat. Dusty grain contributes to its dry character, while subtle barrel tannins and dark cinnamon add depth. The solid rye foundation persists, offering a spicy complexity and while not in any traditional sense, the sensation of sweetness in the finish is accompanied by persistent hazelnuts. Seasoned oak and hazy toasted oak feature in the finish as well, along with hints of barrel char and leather for a sophisticated conclusion. And upon downing the last drops, the empty Glencairn smells of wood chips strewn over the workshop floor after a long day of wood turning lathe work.
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Remus Single Barrel is released by the distiller each spring.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 91/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
This is an impressive bourbon and one not to be passed over. If you see a George Remus Cask Strength Single Barrel in your store, bring it home.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Remus Bourbon.
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Brian’s Courage & Conviction Cuvee Cask Review
reviewed 06-December-2024
The aroma of Courage & Conviction Cuvee Cask (Courage & Conviction Cuvee) combines dry sweetness reminiscent of sherry and Riesling wine with notes of fruit blossoms, herbal tones, and red berries. As detected on the nose, dry Riesling flavors evolve with a sweet nectar of apricots, red berries, and plum to treat the tongue. There is a subtle spiciness from ginger and nutmeg, as white pepper adds contrasts to earthy cocoa powder, toasted pecans, and a hint of toasted oak. Its creamy texture creates a soft mouthfeel, and inside the glass, long clinging legs entertain the eye after each sip. The finish is long and warm, moving from wine tannins and sherry to floral, fruity, and dry oak elements. This is a nice pour.
Category: American Single Malt
Region: Lovingston, VA
Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co.
Mash Bill: 100% malted barley
Barrels: Sherry casks, Premium bourbon barrels, and European red wine cuvée casks
Barrel Char: Various, Undisclosed, European red wine cuvée casks (casks undergo ‘STR’ treatment, meaning ‘Shave, Toast, Re-char’)
Barrel entry proof: Undisclosed
Age: Undisclosed (minimum of four years)
ABV: 46.0% (92.0 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 26468
Size: 750 mL
List Price: $69.95 Price Paid: $51.95 (On Sale, Idaho, Fall 2024)
No batch or bottle number identifiers
Late founder, Dr. George G. Moore, would often say, ‘Have the courage of your convictions.’ His vision was to redefine American whisky. This vision was inherited by his family and the result is a world class American single malt whisky. Made from 100% Malted Barley. Aged a minimum of four years in exceptional sherry casks, premium bourbon barrels, and European red wine STR cuvée casks. The hot summers and cool winters in Virginia allow our whisky to age at a faster rate than our counterparts in Scotland.
Learn more at Virginia Distillery Co.
Approximately four ounces from a newly opened bottle went into my Glencairn. After nosing the pour for the review, about 30 minutes past before the first sip was taken.
The aroma of Courage & Conviction Cuvee combines a dry sweetness reminding me of sherry and dry Riesling wine with delicate notes of light fruit tree blossoms and herbal tones. Red berries, apricots, and fresh red plums add a vibrant and fruity layer, while faint citrus contributes a subtle brightness. Powdered ginger and nutmeg and the sweetness of vanilla taffy and honey combine to provide a nice balance. As my nosing continues, an earthy presence of wet, fresh-cut oak sawdust offers a nice aromatic foundation.
The first sip of Courage & Conviction Cuvee begins dry, with Riesling wine characteristics. As additional sips are taken, a potpourri of fruit tree blossoms and herbal notes blend with the sweetness of apricot, red berry, and plum nectar. There s a slightly bitter blood orange marmalade note here too, while ginger, nutmeg, and white pepper temper the contrasting tang with subtle spiciness. Dry cocoa powder notes compliment flavors of light vanilla, the gentle sweetness of fruit blossom honey and faint light brown sugar. Rounding out the flavor train, chopped and toasted pecans enhance the experience and fade away on the sensation of toasted oak.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Courage & Conviction Cuvee has a gentle and creamy texture, creating an easy to hold mouthful, yet gives a simple tongue tickling as a reminder of its proof. The fruitiness seamlessly blends with a slightly bitter aftertaste which provides an interesting contrast without overpowering the pour. After each sip, the visual inside the glass reinforces its appeal as long clinging legs descend quickly, leaving behind a widely spaced inverted droplet crown above the deep honey-colored pool.
Courage & Conviction Cuvee Cask finishes long and warm with layers of complexity as wine tannins and sherry notes fade into floral and herbal accents. As the red berries and plums scensed on the nose and tongue drift away, ginger and white pepper provide a gentle spice. Memories of milk chocolate and light vanilla add a touch of sweetness, then gradually give way to dry oak and toasted wood, creating a balanced and structured finale.
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 89/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Virginia Distillery Co.
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