Tag: Whiskey for the Ages Review

Elora and Cream of Kentucky Rye

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Elora and Cream of Kentucky Rye

Original review written June 21, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This rye does not have a lot of sweetness, but earthy elements like bread, herbs, plants, and soil dominate the dram in an intriguing manner.

VITALS:
Elora and Cream of Kentucky Rye

CATEGORY: Bottled-in-Bond Rye
REGION: Middleton, KY
DISTILLERY: Distilled, aged and bottled at Kentucky Artisan Distillery
DISTILLER: Jim Rutledge, former Master Distiller at Four Roses
MASH BILL: 100% Ryman Rye
BARREL CHAR: unpublished
BARREL ENTRY PROOF: unpublished
AGE: 4 years old (minimum)
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16195
PRICE: $80.45 USD in Idaho

Learn more at J.W. Rutledge Distillery.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed this rye in my living room along with my sister, Hannah, and my father, Brian, while listening to folk country music.

Check out Hannah’s review for this rye here!

Check out Brian’s review of this rye here!

MUSIC SELECTION:

There is a pastoral element to this rye; earthiness dominates the glass and it is impossible to ignore. A hint of darkness is also present, but it isn’t necessarily morally bad. It exists like a shade of grey that lets the light shine. “House on a Hill” depicts a dystopian reality where the only light and goodness can be found in the innocence that children.

Video found on YouTube.com under The Pretty Reckless Channel from Going to Hell (2014)

The second movement of Dvořák’s From the New World Symphony, strongly linked to the spiritual folk song, “Goin’ Home,” brings a sense of hope for a brighter future and for seeing lost loved ones again.

Video found on YouTube.com. London Philharmonic Orchestra; March 13, 2019 (video published); David Perry, Conductor; The 50 Greatest Pieces of Classical Music, album

NOSE:

Alcoholic heat strikes the nose at first before being quickly dominated by rye, black, and pretzel bread, flour, cooked noodles, oats, malt, sesame seeds, and other assorted grains. There is not a lot of sweetness here except for small hints of raisins, brown sugar, golden delicious apples, butterscotch candies, rich vanilla bean, fig, and artificial grape flavoring. The dram also carries a number of herbal and nutty elements such as pumpkin fruit, green vegetables like cabbage and asparagus, salt-roasted sunflower seeds, pistachios, cashews, and potting soil. Savory flavors like black pepper, butter, and seasoned spaghetti squash, are also present.

PALATE:
Elora and Cream of Kentucky Rye

Feel: The drink is not abnormally hot. It freshens the mouth and almost cleanses it. A familiar alcoholic burn is present, but is not overwhelming.
Balance: All of the flavors of bread and nuttiness blend very well, and it is easy for the drinker to distinguish flavors.
Visual: The color leans towards mahogany, but one could make the argument that the color is terracotta pot; long legs stain the glass like the windows of a church and a very defined crown is visible.

Just like in the nose, grainy and earthy flavors swiftly dominate the palate. Rye and whole wheat bread is easily noticeable along with oats, alfalfa hay, sesame seeds, blended peanuts and sunflower seeds, petrichor, and bibliosmia.

There are also savory elements such as cooked ranch-style and black beans, maple bacon, salted butter, butter-seasoned eggs, baked potato, spicy spaghetti sauce including meat flavors. Again, sweetness is not really a noticeable element. If one were to try to perceive any of these tastes in this category, they might detect a nutty pie, like butter pecan, boxed red wine, and raisins. One particular and uncommon taste is worth noting, and it is one that resembles the scent of an old, musky piano. When snuffing this flavor out, I was reminded of the times I would be playing the clarinet or piano in a small practice room at the university I attended.

FINISH:

The finish has a medium length of time, only lasting for about five whole seconds at most. The flavors explode in the palate before quickly declining into a gentle heat in the chest. Fruit leather, rye bread, oats, and baked potatoes dominate the aftertaste while subtle hints of spaghetti sauce, fresh tomatoes, banana bread, malt, and golden delicious apples can also be detected.

BUY AGAIN / WORTH THE PRICE:

The rye is an intriguing dram, but a price of $80 for this is an expensive offer, especially since it lacks the sweetness factor that I enjoy in whiskey. Therefore, I would have to say that for me, it is not worth the price.

I personally would not get this again. However, if it were offered at a gathering where there were sides of bread and cheese, I would happily go for it.

ELORA AND CREAM OF KENTUCKY RYE RATING: 82 / 100

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Cream of Kentucky Rye Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Cream of Kentucky Rye Review

Original review written June 21, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Unique and original full of rye bread punchiness and even raisins and bran like the cereal *wink wink*. Happy to have it, and I know I’ll never have another rye like it again. 91/100

VITALS:
Cream of Kentucky Rye Review

– Made In: Middletown, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Kentucky Artisan Distillery
– Classification: Bottled-in-Bond Rye
– Age: 4yrs (minimum)
– Mash Bill: 100% Rymin Rye
– Casks: unpublished char
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 50% (100 proof)
– Price: $80.45 USD in Idaho in 2022

“The Cream of Kentucky brand was originally introduced in 1888 by I. Trager & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Just prior to the end of Prohibition, the brand was acquired by the famed Schenley Company and subsequently re-introduced in 1934. Through the 1930s and 1940s, Cream of Kentucky grew to becomes on the leading bourbon brands, with renowned artist Norman Rockwell provid[ing] much of the award-winning artwork for the brand during its heyday.”

Visit www.jwrutledge.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review of this rye here!

And find Elora’s thoughts here!

SETTING:

This one is nostalgic for me in a way that makes me want to pour a glass of this with a bowl of raisin bran cereal. It’s rich, dense, with hints of sweetness mingling throughout. The rye bread of the pour will pair well, and the acidity of the grain will likewise lift the depth of the cereal. It’s homey, and it’s something I can really see myself settling into when I am just looking for a day of simplicity and comfort.

Photo by Cristine Despares on Unsplash

NOSE:

This certainly does smell creamy on the first inhale – an absolute rye bread explosion – as well as incredibly (I cannot stress this enough) nutty. Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, even cashews abound. Surrounding them in a light drizzle of a dark caramel and a bit of banana. I can find bran (like a cereal), which makes the whole nose smell outwardly quite healthy – not a common trait in a whiskey, but I’ll take it. There are some dark fruits here in a fruit leather variety, but they are very subtle, and certainly not a berry kind of fruit. They seem to be much more like prunes and perhaps dates and figs.

With the bread and nuts being so dominant, it’s difficult to find wood (but there is a malt-type of foundation) and quite difficult to find an alcohol burn also. It’s an enjoyable, unique nose that I know I have not had the likes of before. Definitely intrigued by what I will find on the palate.

PALATE:
Cream of Kentucky Rye Review

– Mouth Feel: Believe it or not, but creamy is an appropriate description here. There’s depth and oiliness that just eases the rye around the palate without needing any kind of aggravation.
– Balance: Heavy on bread and earthy tones, so perhaps not the most balanced. However, if you like those flavors, I don’t think you’ll be too bothered here (I am not).
– Visual: Terracotta pot in color, this falls in one great sheet before leaving a thin ring and the occasional small droplet behind.

– Taste: After the (admitted) shock value of this palate being so different from what I was expecting, raisin bran cereal absolutely captures my taste buds. It’s as if I’m having the cereal in front of me now, and I’m getting ready for school. (I always like healthier, grain cereals as opposed to something sweet with artificial fruit flavor, chocolate, or marshmallows.) As such, this rye is drinking in a very nostalgic way, right off the bat. When I dig around in the palate, I find spice like nutmeg, many of the nuts listed above, and sweetness like simple syrup to add complexity to the rye grain and cereal. There are other dried fruits here also, like the prunes and dates from the nose, and now currants as well.

All the while, the alcohol gives a little nip now and then, as if peeking out from behind a corner sheepishly. It’s not aggressive when it does bite, hearkening, again, back to a bashful attempt at getting attention. It’s playful. It combines with the rye in a way that makes the already established complexity, that much more multidimensional. I still cannot find much wood here, but the strong presence of the rye bread/raisin cereal are such a good foundation. I can forgive the lack of wood. There’s even a soda bread component to go with the rye that creates a bit of needed acidity to lighten up the dark, malty flavors.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium-Long. The aftertaste certainly perpetuates and there is a noticeable warmth that sits just at the top of the throat – not burning, but hovering.
– Between Sips: Raisin and the rye bread is constant throughout the pour, including here between sips. I’m grateful for the consistency. There are not many whiskeys that stay so true to that first inhale on the nose.

– No More: As stated – consistent as I go through the glass. The bran element grows in intensity, making me feel as though I could actually chew on this whiskey. (Note: When I did partake in a Kentucky chew, that alcohol woke up. It bit hard with rye bread before backing off again to that familiar dark, dried, fruity goodness.)

The empty Glencairn is dirty sawdust. It’s been trampled down and beaten badly, but at the end of the day, it’s still warm and as welcoming as ever.

WORTH THE PRICE?

$80 makes for a pricey bottle, but the originality and the nostalgia it’s brought up for me, makes it worth the price. I’ve never had a whiskey like this before. If I’d tried this in my early years of whiskey adventuring, I don’t think I’d like it. It’s complex and it’s even quite affronting. If you’re experienced with ryes and bourbons, and like grain forward pours, give this a try and swallow the price tag. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

CREAM OF KENTUCKY RYE REVIEW RATING: 91/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 91/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.

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Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Elora and Booker’s 2022-01 Ronnie’s Batch

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah here! And introducing the third sipper of the family and guest writer, Elora Dawson. Elora has been sipping with Dad and me since she turned 21 two years ago, and she’s even practiced writing many a review with us! To celebrate this year’s National Bourbon Day (excuse our tardiness), we all thought it was time to include her in our posting adventures. This week, she stars as a guest reviewer on The Sip, and perhaps we will see more of her in the future. For now, enjoy reading her thoughts on a Booker’s Batch (yep – she sips with the best of them ;)).

Elora and Booker’s 2022-01 Ronnie’s Batch

Original review written June 7, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Booker’s Ronnie’s Batch is a great bourbon that has many sweet and earthy tones. However, it should NOT be taken lightly; its heat can give Kentucky hug if you are not careful.

VITALS:
Elora and Booker's 2022-01 Ronnie's Batch

– Made In: Clermont, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Jim Beam Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Small Batch
– Age: 6 yrs. 11 months, 22 days
– Mash Bill: Corn=77%; Rye=13%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 62.15% (124.3 proof)
– Price: $89.95 USD in Idaho in 2022

Elora and Booker's 2022-01 Ronnie's Batch

– From Master Distiller’s Notes: Ronnie’s Batch is made up of barrels that were aged in 5 different locations/warehouses (WH)… Breakdown is as follows:
48%: 5th floor of 7-story WH Z
26%: 5th floor of 7-story WH Q
15%: 5th floor of 7-story WH 1
7%: 4th floor of 9-story WH D
4%: 3rd floor of 7-story WH 5

Find more information at bookersbourbon.com

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed my bourbon neat in a Glencairn glass along with my sister and dad.

Check Hannah’s and Brian’s reviews here!

MUSIC SELECTION:

Booker’s Ronnie’s Batch should be shared with close friends and family and should be used to create happy memories. Poor Man’s Poison’s “A Place for Friends” provides comfort to the listener while encouraging them to revisit those sentimental moments with a nostalgic smile.

Video found on YouTube.com under PoorMansPoison Channel from Friends With the Enemy (2011)

Numerous flavors can be detected in Booker’s Ronnie’s Batch, and while it is easy to note the sweet tones that make the drink shine, it is also grounded by the deep fruity and earthy essences. Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity” from his The Planets showcases these traits, with the high strings and woodwinds representing the sugars and the low strings and headstrong brass portray the depth and heat.

Video found on YouTube.com under Nicks Channel – Performance by James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (2008)

NOSE:

This bourbon at first carries several sweet tones, notably caramel, marshmallow, and the artificial essence of cinnamon from Red Hots. However, the mellow scents of white bread and wine ground these strong sugars. There is also a hint of star anise, toffee, peanuts, black licorice, sweetened butter, and pastry that is laced with honey, much like the Latin-American dessert, sopapillas. Fruity aromas, such as apricot jam, grilled pineapples, figs, marmalade, granny smith apples, and rainier cherries counter the other sweet flavors. It is also worth mentioning that herbs and other earthy scents balance the other notes in the dram, and these include dry grass, soil, spear mint, dust, petrichor (the smell of rain), and bibliosmia (the smell of books).

PALATE:
Elora and Booker's 2022-01 Ronnie's Batch

Feel: The dram is thick, dry, and hot as it settles comfortably in the chest.

Balance: Everything within the drink blends incredibly well, almost to where discerning distinct flavors is difficult.

Visual: The color is mahogany, and there is a defined crown with long legs that stick to the glass

The bourbon carries a more nutty and fruity tone with subtle hints of the sweet flavors listed above. Honey, sopapillas, marshmallow, peanuts, soil, apples, marmalade, butter, and caramel once again can be detected in the taste. Other flavors, while subtle, shine through in the drink, which include notes of artificial grape essence, sunflower seeds, vanilla, pear, banana bread, poppyseed, maraschino and bing cherries, charred oak and graham cracker.

Some bourbons in my experience have differing scents and palates, which can strongly affect how I like them. I am a person who usually wants to be able to taste the flavors that I get in the nose, and if I come across one that has a strong difference in aroma and taste, I will most likely not gravitate towards it. This, fortunately, cannot be said about Booker’s Ronnie’s Batch because I was able to find numerous connections between the taste and aroma. Because of this, I was easily able to enjoy this sweet beverage.    

FINISH:

The dram has a long finish in both the palate and the feel. Peanuts, apricots, cherries, charred oak, grassy herbs, and a surprising hint of boiled chicken linger in the mouth. It settles snugly in the chest and warns of the possibility of a Kentucky hug if not taken seriously. After a Kentucky chew, hints of warm, sweet sugar and brine present themselves for a generous second before returning to the finishing flavors.   

BUY AGAIN/WORTH THE PRICE?

I personally enjoyed Booker’s Ronnie’s Batch because of the plethora of flavors I was able to detect in both the nose and palate. While $90 may seem like an expensive purchase, I would say that it is worth it and should be included in a bourbon collection. Therefore, I would be more than happy to buy it again.

ELORA AND BOOKER’S 2022-01 RONNIE’S BATCH RATING: 92/100

To access other whiskies from this brand, click Booker’s.

Music has always been a part of my life, whether I am playing or listening to it. Since I started appreciating bourbon, I have been trying to think of possible songs that would be compatible with the dram. There isn’t a single genre that I gravitate to the most, but there are several songs that I love. As a new reviewer to Whiskey for the Ages, I want to be able to provide at least a couple of musical excerpts; one will be representing my musical career in a classical setting, and the other will be from more mainstream genres. I hope you’re able to enjoy these bourbons with my music selections!

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Elora and Booker’s 2022-01 Ronnie’s Batch
written June 2022 by Elora Dawson
Writer, WhiskeyfortheAges.com