Welcome to the Whiskey for the Ages (WftA) Podcast landing page! Pour your favorite amber elixir (or have some of what we’re we’re having) and come along as we journey through the whiskey universe.
If you’re a whiskey lover or just curious about the world of whiskey, then you’ve come to the right place. Our podcast episodes explore various aspects of whiskey, from its rich history and cultural significance to the many aroma and flavor profiles of our favorite pours.
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Each episode features engaging discussions about whiskey-related topics. You’ll hear reviews of different whiskey brands and their various expressions, in-depth education sessions about the nuances of whiskey, Industry News, and lively conversations about everything from casual sipping to serious whiskey collecting. In addition, we will also be looking for unique perspectives on the world of whiskey. To get there, we’ll feature interviews with whiskey experts and industry insiders from time-to-time.
LISTENER INVOLVEMENT
But that’s not all – We want our listeners to be part of the discussion as well! We encourage and look forward to your participation in regular segments. We will do our best to answer your questions and discuss your favorite whiskeys. So whether you’re a longtime whiskey lover or just starting to explore this fascinating spirit, join us for lively conversations, informative discussions, and plenty of great whiskey.
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Exploring Whiskey Responsibly Whiskey for the Ages podcasts are published for the enlightenment and entertainment of people of legal drinking age. Each podcast is sprinkled with whiskey history and produced in a way novices, enthusiasts and aficionados alike can learn for themselves how whiskey can be enjoyed differently by multiple people. To launch, click an Icon above and join the fun to learn how Dad and Daughters enjoy the amber nectar.
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.
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.
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.
*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.
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.
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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.
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!
Unfortunately, my least favorite of the Larceny Barrel Proof bunch. It’s on the simpler side with traditional bourbon warmth being the only major offering here. 75/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA – Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery – Classification: Wheated Bourbon – Age: nas – Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Barley=12% – Casks: Char #3 – Barrel Entry Proof: 125 – ABV: 61.9% (123.8 proof) – Price: $64.95 USD in 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.” of Old Fitzgerald Distillate.” – Heaven Hill Distillery
This is bourbon to have when you’re preoccupied. I imagine sitting perhaps in a music studio, surrounded by sound and ultimate focus is being channeled. This bourbon will keep the fire alive in the gut while not distracting you from the task at hand. It’s a coal powered locomotive machine of determination.
Classic Heaven Hill pepper greets the nose first, followed by a dark molasses, chocolate, and seasoned fig. Along with them is a dark maple syrup, drizzled over the top of a sweet, fluffy waffle. They all meld together well and even though this is high proof, I can really dig into the glass with an inhale, not feeling too afraid about the burn. I can find oak as well, but I think a fresh evergreen pine really lies at the heart of the wood foundation for this bourbon. There’s a bite of freshness all while being consistently soft and unaggressive. Despite the initial inhale of Heaven Hill pepper, this nose really stands out from its distillery peers, carrying dark sweet notes with it. It’s refreshing and original, and I’m looking forward to the sip of this one.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Perhaps my favorite aspect of this bourbon, it’s raspy and settles nicely across the palate. – Balance: Uniform in the way that there isn’t a hero here. – Visual: Mahogany in color, this left small droplets in a haphazard crown.
– Taste: I can hold this impossibly long on the palate without feeling the burn nearly at all. And while the nose had offered many complex aromas, I’m finding initial impressions of the flavor to be a little lackluster. There’s a yeasty essence and certainly grain, but beyond this, it feels a bit plain. The alcohol grows from the chest – well beyond the ability to taste anything new, but present enough to give a hug. I keep searching and searching but all I am really met with is traditional bourbon heat. These are not flavors I am accustomed to finding in a Larceny Barrel Proof, and I find myself disappointed. If I want a deep and warm pour, I’ll reach for this, but it does not offer the complexity I have come to expect of these BP’s.
A Kentucky chew unfortunately doesn’t evoke any other flavors beyond a deeper oak. The alcohol penetrates the tongue like needles – tightly compacted to make the burn more akin to a limb falling asleep than alcohol burn.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium. The warmth is there, and it grows in intensity the longer I sit with this. – Between Sips: Empty of extra flavors. Really only left with bourbon warmth.
– No More: This, regretfully, didn’t change the further I get into the glass. I wanted to find more flavors, and I traditionally love Larceny Barrel Proof’s for their complex, fruity flavors. They just never appeared in this bourbon.
The empty Glencairn is a beautiful oak sawdust – full of warmth and the Heaven Hill stamp I’ve been hunting for in this bourbon. Why couldn’t this be here earlier?
WORTH THE PRICE?
For $65, I’ll just say it – I’d rather buy Old Forester 1920. The bourbon warmth is the highlight of this Barrel Proof, but beyond that, I’m hitting a wall of simplicity. For $65, even in a growing price market in bourbon, I need a bit more complexity in my pour. This batch isn’t quite worth it for me.
