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!
ELORA’S HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This bourbon is unlike anything I have ever had before; it brings nutty and savory notes along with sweeter tones accompanying it. Overall, it offers a warming darkness that encompasses the dram and comforts the drinker.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON VITAL STATS:
– Catagory: Wheated Bourbon – Region: St. Petersburg, FL – Distillery*: American Freedom Distillery * Distilled by and stored in Ohio at Middle West Spirits – Mash Bill: 70% corn (yellow dent), 20% wheat (soft red winter), 10% malted barley – Barrel Char: unpublished – Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished – Age: nas – ABV: 61% (122 Proof) – Price: $65.85 (Montana, Summer 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 Mazar-i-Sharif, a Taliban stronghold, with the support of these brave men. This region’s inhospitable, mountainous terrain made efforts [difficult] and enemy engagements on wild Afghan horses a necessity for one Special Operations team (ODA595). Nicknamed the “Horse Soldiers,” all these brave men are honored today by America’s Response Monument overlooking “Ground Zero” in New York City. [In addition,] our bottles … are molded with World Trade Center steel.
MUSIC SELECTION FOR HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON:
Music is a big part of my life, both playing and listening and there are many songs I love. As I appreciate a bourbon, songs compliment the dram. The following pieces came to mind as I sipped this pour.
“God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood – Lee Greenwood; July 1, 2021; Lee Greenwood, leader; You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’, album
The Planets, Op. 32, No. 2 “Venus: The Bringer of Peace” by Gustav Holst. – Chicago Symphony Orchestra, January 19, 2019; James Levine, conductor
September 11, 2001 was a tragic date in American history. On that day, planes intentionally destroyed the World Trade Center, killing nearly three thousand people. Personally, I have no memories of this traumatic event because I was a toddler when it happened, but I still feel sorrow for those affected by it. I do, however, remember the stories told by my parents, many of which involve people in our hometown having signs say, “Honk if you love America,” or of people consoling one another on the streets.
I wanted to choose a song that encompassed this patriotic appreciation of my country for this modern music selection, hence the reason I selected “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood. As I am writing this, I also wish to take this time to thank all of the soldiers, first responders, and everyone else involved for their service during and following the events of 9/11.
As for the orchestral choice, I chose Gustav Holst’s No. 2, “Venus: The Bringer of Peace” from his The Planets, Op. 32 because I was able to attribute each of the warm flavors to the strings and winds. There are a lot of hardy and slow-moving low notes from the string basses and cellos that bring a sense of calm while the high, ethereal chords from high winds and strings chime in with hope and happiness.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON AROMA (17/20):
When I first smell this, I get a lot of wheat bread, which is no surprise, considering how wheated the bourbon is. Sweet notes are evident in this as well, taking up the majority of the scent. Toasted marshmallow, sugar cane, and French vanilla ice cream can be detected. I am having a hard time getting wood out of this since the bread and sugary sweetness seem to overpower this category, but I can track down a hint of char. There are some fruits that I can get out of the dram, such as apricots, peaches, pomegranate, and rainier cherries, as well as a few savory spices, like peppercorn, parsley, and oregano. Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and buttered pecans should also be worth mentioning because they seem to offer a briny tint to the aroma.
– Feel (5/5): It is a rather mellow bourbon when I first sip it. There is heat, for sure, but it is more of a pleasant warmth that settles well in the palate and stomach. It also is a bit creamy and leaves a comforting tingle in its wake. – Balance (4/5): The taste of this tends to lean heavily on the nutty side rather than sweet, but it is not unwelcomed. All the flavors overall blend nicely into a hardy glass of bourbon that offers a complex array of darker flavors. – Visual (5/5): I can easily see a thin crown outlining the glass with varying lengths of legs. Big, thick droplets cling to the glass as they slowly trickle down. The color is somewhere around auburn and flame, but I am more inclined to agree to it being the latter.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON TASTE (22/25):
The taste is quite different from the scent in that I’m not getting nearly as many sweet notes. In fact, I would say I get more savory elements. Sesame and olive oil, toasted corn, toasted rye bread, sunflower seeds, baked beans, pecans, peppercorn, and fennel seeds can be found in this. I do get hints of marshmallow, sweet cream, and caramel, which does help bring a welcomed sweetness. One taste that is worth mentioning is one of honey nut cheerios or the flavors of the Luckies in the cereal, Lucky Charms. As for fruity tones, I get pomegranate, pears, and cranberries.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON FINISH (19/20):
The feeling lingers on the palate for about a half a minute, but the actual flavors dwindle after a short period of time. For me, more nutty flavors like pecans and sunflower seeds linger longer than any of the sweeter ones, but I am able to get a bit of vanilla, marshmallow, brown sugar, and cranberries. Rye and wheat bread, popcorn, and char are also evident.
WORTH THE PRICE / BUY IT AGAIN (18/20):
– Value (8/10): Honestly, $65.85 to me seems like a pretty big ask. I liked it very much, but it is not a bourbon that I would pay this kind of price for. – Purchase (10/10): I quite enjoyed it, and the savory notes were unexpected, yet pleasant. If it were offered elsewhere at a cheaper price, I would gladly reach for it again.
ELORA’S HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON REVIEW written June 2022 by Elora Dawson Reviewer, Writer, WhiskeyfortheAges.com
Each review will include a couple musical excerpts; one representing my musical career in a classical setting, and the other from more mainstream genres. I hope you enjoy your whiskies with my music selections!
