Whiskey for the Ages Review Archives – Page 5 of 15

Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Review

Posted on 10-October-202210-October-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Review

Original review written September 21, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Simple, grassy, but fairly affordable. If you like your whiskeys paying homage to the world of grain, this is a bourbon for you. It’s an easy-sipping addition to any bunker, if not a little plain. 85/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Graton, California, USA
– Distiller: Undisclosed distilleries in California, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee
– Company: Redwood Empire Distilling
– Age: a blend of 4-12 yr old bourbons
– Mash Bill: Corn=75%; Raw Rye=21%; Malted Barley=4%
– Casks: undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
– ABV: 45% (90 proof)
– Price: $39.95 USD in California in 2022

“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.

FOR EVERY BOTTLE SOLD, WE’LL PLANT A TREE”

Visit redwoodempirewhiskey.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with my sister Elora, along with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This bourbon is initially striking in its contrast, though it loses it in the palate. I’d love to have Redwood Empire on a cliffside or in the waves, watching flame rivers of lava fall into the ocean, being caught in the spray all the while. This bourbon would ground you in a turbulent environment, and perhaps it’d be that environment that would bring out the best in this bourbon.

Photo by Buzz Andersen on Unsplash

NOSE:

This bourbon crosses the nose with a mellow, yet seasoned pine chased by a salted peanut. The peanuts almost seem encased in a toffee, but it’s not necessarily sweet. Much of this bourbon smells quite savory, with bay leaves, thyme, and a sprinkle of black pepper offering a steep contrast to the toffee – nearly smothering it, in fact. Further contrasts are offered in clashing of the aforementioned salt (now taking on a briny essence like an ocean) and a scorched earth component. Char from wood bark is met with the burnt sap from within, creating such a mixture, it’s absolutely captivating. The alcohol is soft – no chance of feeling a bite if you’re experienced with whiskey.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: This has an effervescence to it, feelings raspy as if I have pulled a shoot of grass across the palate.
– Balance: Heavy on the grasses and grains – a flavor I don’t mind, but it would be nice to have some extra complexity.
– Visual: Honey in color, this fades to leave behind a faint ring, but it does linger for a significantly long period of time.

– Taste: I can let this sit on my palate almost indefinitely without feeling the slightest hint of a burn. When I push it across the palate, it’s as if I’m chewing on a reed or tall blade of grass. There’s a chewy starch, coupled with some moisture that prevents the flavor from being a distinct hay. I can find rye apart from the grass that offers both a spice and freshness to this bourbon, but it doesn’t change the tone of it much. This tastes fine, but I will admit it to being a one-note wonder. Fortunately for this whiskey, it’s a good note.

Looking for more complexity, I go for the Kentucky chew, and while I find the alcohol waking up (a little), the grass/reed element is still the most potent component of this whiskey.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. I can feel the warmth of the bourbon linger, but it isn’t particularly aggressive and there aren’t many other flavors contributing.
– Between Sips: Grass, grass, and grass are found here in this pause. If I squint, there are some raisins, but they are so fleeting, they hardly count.

– No More: The mouth feel really is what makes this bourbon. It doesn’t get worse from an objective perspective; however, I am starting to long for some complexity.

The empty Glencairn is actually a bit empty in its aroma. There’s oak, but it is oak to hunt for with deep inhales and the nose shoved into the glass. For a bourbon so heavy in its earth component everywhere else, I’m surprised to find it so lacking here.

WORTH THE PRICE?

For $40, you’re not getting robbed, and I won’t have difficulty finishing this, as I do like grassy bourbons. But this is a bit simple for me to ever consider keeping it a permanent addition in the bunker (in the hypothetical situation where I could buy it any time I wanted). I *do* think it’s worth $40, but it’s not a flavor I’m constantly seeking out.

REDWOOD EMPIRE PIPE DREAM REVIEW RATING: 85/100

Click 85/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
Click Redwood Empire to see more whiskeys from this brand.

Back to …

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Horse Soldier Reserve Review

Posted on 18-September-202210-October-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Horse Soldier Reserve Review

Original review written September 12, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

An emotional story for bourbon, I don’t think Horse Soldier forfeited the craft and quality a drink of this stature demanded. This exceeded my personal expectations without a doubt. 93/100

VITALS:

– Made In: St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
– Distiller: American Freedom Distillery
Distilled by and stored in Ohio at Middle West Spirits
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=20%; Malted barley=10%
– Casks: unpublished char
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 61% (122 proof)
– Price: $65.85 USD in Montana 2022

“Immediately following the [9/11] attacks on our nation, the USA responded with a daring insertion of small teams of Green Berets into northern Afghanistan. The Northern Alliance successfully overthrew Masar-i-Sharif, a Taliban stronghold, with the support of these brave men. This region’s inhospitable, mountainous terrain made efforts and enemy engagements on wild Afghan horses a necessity for the Special Operations team (ODA595). Nicknamed the “Horse Soldiers”, all these brave men are honored today by American’s Response Monument overlooking ‘Ground Zero’ in New York City. [In addition], our bottles … are molded with World Trade Center steel.” – American Freedom Distillery

Visit horsesoldierbourbon.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with sister and reviewer, Elora, as well as father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages editor, Brian.

Check out Elora’s thoughts here and Brian’s here!

SETTING:

This bourbon calls for rusticity; there’s a desire to walk onto a patch of farmed earth and break off a stalk of wheat – the bloom of America’s dinner table. Pair it with a homemade apple pie with chunky, ungraceful pie crust designs (it’s made with love and butter), and the Horse’s Soldier is finally able to dismount. Time to come home.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

NOSE:

Burnt wheat, dark caramel and candied apples all but attack the nose even on the first inhale, remaining surprisingly distinct from one another despite these flavors being quite bold, even on their own. Regardless of the bold, subtle notes can be found underneath with only a little coaxing, such as a faint vanilla, mixed together with a fresh herb rosemary as well as light vanilla and yeast.

There is a dark fruit here as well, like plum, but it comes in such a heavily reduced form, it’s almost become a syrup. It’s hard to tell if this plum is burnt, and if it’s not, then it is certainly close to that point. It’s as though it’s meant to be painted within the confines of pastry, but bitterness of the near-burnt quality prevents it from seeming too indulgent.

I can’t find too much oak on the nose, but with the assortment of the other aromas, I’m not too bothered. A surprising gentle alcohol burn makes these flavors both approachable and discoverable.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Heavy and oily. It sinks into the palate in a way that both grips the taste buds while simultaneously feeling slippery.
– Balance: Excellent. I can detect grain, sugars, fruits and alcohol heat in each sip in equal proportion.
– Visual: Flame in color, this leaves behind a thick ring with droplets clinging just under the rim.

– Taste: For being 122 proof, it’s a bourbon that I can hold in my mouth for a significantly long time before I feel pressured to move it around. When I do, caramel-esque candies – from the hard butterscotch to the chewy cubes of caramel themselves – are all presented. There’s a bitter wheat element that comes with this sweetness, but it grounds the flavors from becoming overbearing. It sits heavy on the palate as well, much like the aforementioned plummy gooeyness on the nose. The heat of the alcohol finally kicks in at the back of the palate in a single rush, but it doesn’t burn – just wants to be acknowledged.

In the midst of the caramel and warmth, are poached figs and pears, doused in another light caramel. Again, there’s some bitterness, but the accompanying warmth makes it all seem purposeful. There are even cherries to chase back the fig and pear. A Kentucky chew absolutely burns the palate, awakening cinnamon and black pepper, with the cherry as well as an alligator-charred oak. Exquisite.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Exceptionally long. I can feel the heat at the back of my palate linger long after the sip is gone. It’s certainly another enjoyable aspect of this bourbon.
– Between Sips: I can find a hint of cherries between sips; however, the predominant flavor comes from wood chips, soaked in water and incredibly chewy.

– No More: This grows in depth and complexity the further into the glass I get. Each sip brings out more darkness in flavors, especially the sugars. It’s truly a treat to the palate that is looking for a rich texture of sweetness.

The empty Glencairn is a spicy oak with more of that black pepper and cinnamon from the palate. A great finish to a pretty great bourbon.

WORTH THE PRICE?

I like to think I remained objective in my review and kept the story to the back of my mind, as it is an emotionally driven bourbon with its marketing. Nevertheless, I find that Horse Soldier offers a wide variety of flavors. At least one is sure to impress any preferred flavor profile. It’s a wheater that stands apart from the crowd, whether you’re talking about proof or distillery (Heaven Hill’s Larceny Barrel Proof’s are perhaps the most analogous at this time). Do I think it’s worth $65? All day. If I lived in Montana, this would be a bottle I’d endeavor to keep in the bunker at all times.

HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE REVIEW RATING: 93/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 93/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.

Back to …

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Blood Oath Pact 8 Review

Posted on 18-September-202218-September-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Blood Oath Pact 8 Review

Original review written September 5, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Soft with apples and light caramels and syrups, this is a welcome bottle in our collection. It’s unique while being familiar in its roots of bourbon warmth, albeit a little simple. I’m glad to have it. 84/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Sourced from undisclosed distilleries in Kentucky
– Distiller: Lux Row Distillers
– Blender: John E. Rempe
– Classification: Special Finish – Calvados casks
– Age: nas (includes one 14-year-old bourbon, one 11-year-old, and one 8-year-old bourbon)
– Mash Bill: unpublished
– Casks: ex-Calvados; unknown char
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 49.3% (98.6 proof)
– Price: $99.95 USD in Idaho in 2022

“A masterful union of three well-bred bourbon. One, a 14-year ryed bourbon. Two, an 11-year ryed bourbon. And three, an 8-year ryed bourbon finished in Calvados casks from the Normandy region of France to impart slight apple on the nose with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. With each sip, feel transported to Northern France by way of Kentucky.”

Visit bloodoathblood.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

I’d love to sit in the middle of a poppy field with Pact 8, hearing the wind play through the grass and making the whole horizon dance and sing with color. It’s a simple bourbon, but I imagine that sitting in such a field would prevent even the breath feeling bland.

Photo by Luismi Sánchez on Unsplash

NOSE:

While apple from the Calvados casks is here, contributing a soft sweetness, I can still easily detect the ryed bourbon foundation. Simple and golden syrups with oak, plus a mix of darker fruits meet the nose without a burn. It certainly smells deep with that oak at the base and the grain constituting the bourbon add an additional layer of sweet and spice simultaneously. The longer I nose the glass, the more I find a sugary, yet hot cinnamon as well – almost like a red-hot gummy candy. Overall, the nose is inviting and definitely warming, matching the proof of the pour just so.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Soft, yet textured. It really is as though I’m chewing on a slice of soft apple.
– Balance: It’s heavier on sugars, down to the grain component, but it doesn’t taste sickeningly sweet at all. It translates more as a gentle wave of warmth than anything else.
– Visual: Mahogany in color, this leaves a thick ring with clinging droplets that stagger their way back down into the glass.

– Taste: I can hold this on the palate for a considerable time before feeling the need to aggravate it for flavors. It sits light on the tongue with tickles like pop rocks only kicking in after almost a minute of just holding it. Once I move it, a light caramel emerges and while not heavy in flavor, it does suddenly develop a depth in weight. It feels as though it’s seeping into my taste buds and making everything in my mouth warm. Golden delicious apples offer not only their juice, but also the texture of apple flesh – soft with just the hint of grip. With the fruit of the apple are accompanying apple tree blossoms.

Grain from corn offers its own syrupy contribution, adding to the thickness and depth while not overpowering the other flavors. In fact, where oak usually acts as the binding agent between flavors in a bourbon, I am finding that in Pact 8, it’s this gentle corn syrup. It even enhances the alcohol warmth, which as hinted at earlier, isn’t particularly aggressive. A Kentucky chew makes the palate pop, but the burn isn’t painful, rather it coaxes out more caramel and subtler golden syrup.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Short. I can’t find a great deal of warmth after the sip is gone, but there is a mild bourbon presence all the same at the back of the palate.
– Between Sips: Overripe apples that have been baked free of their raw flavors sit between sips. It’s like an apple pie without the spice, gluey syrup or pastry crust. Still decent, but not my favorite aspect of this bourbon.

– No More: This stays consistent in its flavors; however, the warmth does grow considerably the further into the glass I get. It sits in the chest but doesn’t expand far, feeling more like a pearl of heat. I wish that this had moved from being so simple into something more complex, but it’s not a bad pour.

The empty Glencairn is pure oaky sawdust in a way that the rest of the glass hadn’t been. I wish that I’d had some of that oak from the nose move into the palate.

WORTH THE PRICE?

$100 is, as I always say, a big ask. I do think Pact 7 is superior, but I won’t lie and say that I’m upset to have bought a second bottle. I don’t know if I’d go out of my way to buy another bottle, as it does feel a little simpler on the palate than I’d like for a bottle of this price. However, do bear in mind that it takes a near perfect bottle (and with more proof if I’m honest) for me to continuously reach for it at this price.

BLOOD OATH PACT 8 REVIEW RATING: 84/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 84/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
Click to access more Blood Oath reviews.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews