Whiskey for the Ages is Three Years Old!

Whiskey for the Ages is Three Years Old!

As 2022 draws to a close, we wish to say, “Thank you” to our many loyal followers, readers and subscribers. On this, our three year anniversary, we have archived 310 individual reviews of 164 different whiskies. While we haven’t upload many articles this year, Hannah and I did add reviews written by my youngest daughter. Check out Elora’s assessments and learn what music she listens to while enjoying a glass.

While our noses, taste buds, and preferences conflict from time to time, we do get to enjoy this adventure together as we share each day’s events over a good pour. Some of this year’s favorites include:
▪︎ Boarder Cask Strength Bourbon,
▪︎ Booker’s 2022-01 Ronnie’s Batch,
▪︎ Little Book Chapter 3,
▪︎ Horse Soldier Reserve, and
▪︎ Maker’s 46 Cask Strength.

NATIONAL BOURBON HERITAGE MONTH

Like last year, we accepted the 30 Bourbons in 30 Days challenge this past September. This year, we incorporated a twist. Other than four mainstream whiskies which we assessed, we enjoyed 24 unique bourbons we didn’t add to our review library. Idaho (where we live) is a Control State. The Idaho State Liquor Division (ISLD) provides its residents with ISLD Picks instead of Store Picks.

When these unique bottles become available, we bring them home to our bunker. The offerings are available to patrons of Idaho’s state run liquor stores, and we decided to open and enjoy some of the collection without review. It had been quite some time since I took pleasure in a pour without first preparing a review.

Whiskey for the Ages is Three Years Old!

What did we learn? For the most part, the bulk of the ISLD bourbons were just “good”, with only a few being stellar. Maker’s Mark and Old Forester selections continue to impress, while offerings from Elijah Craig and Knob Creek fell a little short of expectations for us. Still, I am looking forward to next year’s challenge.

ENHANCED WEBSITE NAVIGATION

To improve website navigation and provide quick access to corresponding detail, we’ve added a couple new jump-link features. These links can be accessed from within each review and from any website page.

Near the bottom of each review, a link to other whiskies given the same score* (93/100) can be found.

Whiskey for the Ages is Three Years Old!

*NOTE – whiskeys in any given numeric tier do not have the same aroma, flavor or finish; they are NOT the same. They are merely on par with one another. Most of all, be mindful our ratings and scores are subjective as they are awarded by the reviewer.

When there are additional iterations of reviewed pours, readers can jump directly to whiskies from the same stable. For example, when a Booker’s, ECBP, or Maker’s product is reviewed, one can access other products in the review library.

Another navigation aid can be found in the expanded “Whiskey Sorted” sidebar widget located at the top, right or bottom of each page depending on the device being used. The widget provides quick access to Brian’s and Hannah’s ratings and whiskeys by Price or Proof. Here one can jump directly to Whiskey Sorted by Distillery as well.

Whiskey for the Ages is Three Years Old!
SOCIAL MEDIA

This year, Hannah and I frequently posted on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter. While some of our thoughts included review access on our own site, there were many with links to whiskey related industry news, as well as updates on what we were doing.

This past June and July we participated in a Summer Advent event with our local whiskey enthusiast group. We put our skills to the test as we attempted to determine blind the type of whiskey submitted, its proof, the name of the sample and when available, its age and the distillery where the dram was made. My efforts were humbling, while Hannah did well, finishing fourth. Our escapades were updated on the various platforms.

And like last December, we’re closing out the year with drams from Whiskey Advent Calendars leading up to Christmas day. This year we’re doing two fun, no-pressure whiskey calendars, one featuring American and the other, an abbreviated World list. Be sure to follow us on Social Media to see where we are, what we’re drinking, and what we are doing next.

SUBSCRIBE TO WHISKEYFORTHEAGES.COM

Lastly, please consider subscribing to our website using the SUBSCRIBE widget in the site sidebar. Enter your name and email address then click the SUBSCRIBE button so you’ll never miss new content.

Whiskey for the Ages is Three Years Old!

WhiskeyfortheAges.com subscribers are first to be notified (by email) whenever we post … and don’t worry … we hold contact information in the strictest confidence. And, readers can use our Contact Page to email their review and content requests. Click the Leave.A.Reply button below each review and article to give input and share your thoughts.

Whiskey for the Ages is Three Years Old and we are evolving. Thanks again to everyone who follows and comments on our posts! And as always, we look forward to sharing our pours and thoughts in the year ahead.

Cheers!
– Brian

WhiskeyfortheAges.com, Editor
Brian Dawson, LinkedIn
Whiskey for the Ages is Three Years Old!

Larceny Barrel Proof B522

Brian’s Larceny Barrel Proof B522 Review:

reviewed 28-September-2022

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B522 BOURBON REVIEW:

From the nose to the palate and even a bit on the finish, Larceny Barrel Proof B522 (Larceny BP B522) has a strong alcohol presence. Herbal roasted corn blends with wheaty notes as do dark cherries and faint peaches. Dark baking elements of cinnamon, nutmeg and melted butter mix with cocoa, vanilla, brown sugar, making for a delicious treat. BP B522 offers a medium long finish of dry, toasted oak and leather in a pleasant wave of warmth. Read on to learn more about this wheated barrel proof offering from Heaven Hill.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B522 BOURBON VITAL STATS:
Larceny Barrel Proof B522

Category: Barrel Proof Wheated Bourbon
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Barley
Barrel Char: #3
Age: nas (Heaven Hill states batches contain six to eight year old bourbon)
Entry Barrel Proof: 125
ABV: 61.9% (123.8 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 18860
Availability: Tri-anual Limited Release
Batch: B522
▪”B” Second release of the year
▪”5″ Released in May
▪”22″ Released in 2022
Price: $64.95 USD (Idaho, 2022)

The Larceny line of Bourbon is the modern heir of our historic wheated mashbill, known behind-the-scenes at our distillery as “O.F.D.” or Old Fitzgerald Distillate.
— Learn more at Heaven Hill Distillery.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

Taken out of the newly opened bottle, the first one and a half ounces mixed with the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, by alternating the pours, four once review amounts went into two Glencairns. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat as we prepared this review.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B522 NOSE:

Larceny BP B522 greets the nose with aggressively strong ethanol alcohol. While it takes time to acclimate, I can coax herbal roasted corn and wheaty grain. With careful concentration, fruit aromas abound … Dark cherries, unripe peaches, orange citrus, and mashed bananas. I am reminded of a freshly made Orange Julius from the shopping mall. Then come baking spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and powdered green pepper mixed in melted butter, cocoa, and vanilla. The sweets build as buttery hard candy and burnt brown sugar caramel come together in dark hazelnut toffee. As I contemplate and continue to nose the confection, faint dry-seasoned oak fades into hazy and toasted smoky-sweetness, bounded in faint leather.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B522 PALATE:

As with other Larceny BP offerings, B522 gives the mouth a hot but herbal roasted corn and wheaty alcohol bite. I am always surprised at this, as the sensation is what I’ve come to expect from a ryed barrel proof bourbon not something with a wheated pedigree. Further sips bring cherry pipe tobacco then gingered peaches and cinnamoned prunes. There is pepper here too and some nutmeg sprinkled in brown butter and vanilla over crushed graham crackers. Sweetness comes as dark brown sugar, burnt caramel, and robust Grade B maple syrup. The aromas of dry seasoned and toasted oak along with notes of leather pass to the palate as well.

Larceny Barrel Proof B522

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Larceny BP B522 gives the mouth and throat a rough and gritty workout. As I become accustomed to the sensation, my saliva makes the liquid viscous and oily but I still get quite a tickle on the tongue. The flora and fruit are well balanced with sweetness and wood having a touch more impact. As each sip is taken, a thick veil breaks into fat evenly spaced long clinging legs. Then inside the Glencairn a fine thin crown breaks into tiny dots which dribble slowly above a deep, dark, and rich mahogany pool.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B522 FINISH:

Larceny Barrel Proof B522 offers a medium long finish with a wave of warmth. The herbal roasted corn passes through as do dark fruits and baking spices. Ginger lingers, but the sweetness has faded into dark mocha, light vanilla, and toffee. The empty Glencairn is full of oak sawdust and faint alcohol drifts in and out. This is a nice but hot pour.

MY RATING: 89/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Like other Heaven Hill barrel proof offerings, I will always be on the lookout for the next Larceny BP when released.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Larceny.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Larceny Barrel Proof B522
Larceny Barrel Proof B522

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Brian’s Whiskey Reviews
Individual Whiskey Reviews

Redwood Empire Pipe Dream

Brian’s Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon Review:

reviewed 21-September-2022

REDWOOD EMPIRE PIPE DREAM BOURBON REVIEW:

At first glimpse, Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon (Redwood Bourbon) appears honey-like in color, making me wonder … But when the cork is popped, classic bourbon aromas waft from the bottle. There are not many herbal notes, but when tasted, warm roasted sweet corn and newly spouted rye grass along with powdered ginger and white pepper blend into a sweet rye bread treat topped with a hint of honey. While the color belies this bourbon’s age, there are plenty of woody notes to provide a solid foundation.

REDWOOD EMPIRE PIPE DREAM VITAL STATS:
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream

Category: Bourbon
Region: Graton, CA
Company: Redwood Empire Distilling
Distillery: Undisclosed distilleries in California, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Raw Rye, 4% Malt Barley
Barrel Char: undisclosed
Barrel entry proof: undisclosed
Age: A blend 4 to 12-year-old barrels
ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
Price: 39.95 (California, 2022)

FOR EVERY BOTTLE SOLD, WE’LL PLANT A TREE

Named for the 14th tallest tree on the planet, Pipe Dream is our first Bourbon whiskey. Pipe Dream Bourbon is made from barrels aged between four and twelve years with a high corn mash bill. Smooth and complex, it is a true sipping whiskey.
— Learn more at Redwood Empire Whiskey.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

Alternate pours, equaling about four ounces, were added into two Glencairns. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat for this review.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

REDWOOD EMPIRE PIPE DREAM NOSE:

Redwood Bourbon offers a classic bourbon aroma without an alcohol nip to trouble on the nose. I get light fruit tree blossoms and a hint Maraschino cherries. There are faint notes of powdered ginger and white pepper which seem to enhance aromas of fresh baked rye bread. The sweets are faint as well and present as vanilla, simple syrup, faint honey, and a hint of maple. But most prominent is light sweet oak an a bit of cedar.

REDWOOD EMPIRE PIPE DREAM PALATE:

Redwood Bourbon tastes of warm roasted sweet corn, raw fresh grain, and newly spouted rye grass. The aromas of powdered ginger, white pepper and fresh rye bread pass to the palate. But now the sweets darken as burnt caramel and dark honey cover bitter walnuts. This is a woody bourbon as dry seasoned oak fades into toasted oak and barrel char.

Redwood Empire Pipe Dream

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Redwood Bourbon has a silky smooth mouthfeel is simple and gentle and is easy to hold. Yet it is a little disjointed with a bit of a effervescent mouth tickle. In the Glencairn the veil breaks quickly into long clinging legs. As the legs break, droplets hang then fall into the honey colored pool leaving behind a lingering crown ring with only a few irregularly spaced drops.

REDWOOD EMPIRE PIPE DREAM FINISH:

Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon offers a warm medium length finish of drying grain, ginger and pepper with a touch of warm buttery caramel. Like noted on the nose and palate, dry seasoned and toasted oak linger with a heavy char aftertaste. When the last drops are downed, the empty Glencairn smells of light barrel char and moist sawdust.

MY RATING: 87/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
I am surprised at the score I awarded and I would purchase another, but only if I couldn’t find something I would rather grab.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream

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