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BSG Review: Blood Oath Pact No. 4

August 14, 2018 / BSG / 2 Comments

Distilled By: Lux Row Distillers (sourced from another distillery)

Location: Bardstown, KY

Parent Company: Luxco

Class: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Oak Barrels

Proof: 98.6 (49.3% ABV)

Age: 12-year, 10-year and 9-year old blend

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Blood Oath Pact No. 4 is a limited release with only 36,000 bottles produced, never to be made again. The distillery describes Blood Oath Pact No. 4 as “A masterful union of three well-bred bourbons, each bringing it’s own voice to the rich harmony found inside each bottle. The first, an extra-aged-12-year-old bourbon… The second, a rich 10-year-old bourbon… The third, a 9-year-old bourbon finished in toasted barrels.” The Blood Oath Series launched in 2015 with Pact No. 1, and will continue to highlight a different variant (Pact) each year. John E. Rempe is the creator of the Blood Oath Pact limited release series. He has been developing and blending spirits and beverages for over 20 years, joining Luxco 17 years ago. This release is sold in a commemorative dark-stained wooden box with a MSRP of $99.99. I bought this bottle at the new Lux Row distillery gift shop after a tour in July 2018. The bottle was signed by master blender John E. Rempe on the glass just above the label.

BSG REVIEW:

Color: Amber, thin with medium legs on the glass.

Nose: Caramel, honey, apple, heavy oak.

Palate: Caramel, chocolate, oak and a little spicy. The toasted barrel seems to push through even stronger than on the nose.

Finish: Long, spicy, yet smooth finish with lingering caramel and oak.

BSG Score: 90/100

BSG Review: Jefferson’s Ocean Voyage 15 (Wheated)

August 13, 2018 / BSG / 0 Comments

Distilled By: Various Undisclosed; Kentucky Artisan Distillery (since 2015)

Location: Crestwood, KY

Parent Company: McLain & Kyne (Louisville, KY)

Class: Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Proof: 90 (45% ABV)

Age: NAS

Mashbill: “Special Wheated Mashbill”

Jefferson’s Ocean started out as a experiment with 3 barrels on Trey Zoeller’s friend, Chris Fisher of OCEARCH’s ship, in an effort to find out what unique effects could be discovered by exposing the bourbon to the extreme elements experienced during a sea voyage. The barrels experience extreme temperature fluctuations, salty sea air and an almost constant gentle rocking of the ship. This resulted in a dark bourbon with a briny flavor. The experiment created such great demand from consumers, that Trey has since commercialized this experiment and sent hundreds of barrels around the world. Each voyage will typically cross the equator four times and visit five continents and over thirty ports. Ocean Voyage 15 is the first-ever “wheated” bourbon to be sent on one of these voyages. By using wheat instead of rye for its secondary grain, the maturation process allows more of the sweetness form the corn and vanilla from the wood to shine as opposed to the spiciness that is usually present from the rye. My bottle of Ocean Voyage 15 came from an exclusive bottling for Liquor Locker (Evansville, IN). It is bottle number 68 from batch number 126.

BSG REVIEW:

Color: Deep Copper, long oily legs left on the glass

Nose: Salted caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, sweet corn with butter, brine, light oak.

Palate: Brine is dominate, crème brûlée, vanilla, salted caramel, wheat bread crust. Tobacco, oak.

Finish: Dry lingering brine and oak finish.

BSG Score: 91/100

BSG Review: Four Roses Super Premium (Japan)

August 12, 2018 / BSG / 1 Comment

Distilled By: Four Roses Distillery

Location: Lawrenceburg, KY

Parent Company: Kirin Brewery Company

Class: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Proof: 86 (43% ABV)

Age: NAS

Mashbill: Undisclosed

In February 2002, Kirin Brewery Company bought the Four Roses brand from Diageo. This is one of two products by Four Roses that is sold exclusively in Japan. The other is the less expensive Four Roses Black Label. There is very little information published by the company about the specifics of this particular bourbon. However, it is known that the Four Roses Super Premium expression is unique from what you can get in America. Rumor has it that several recipes are used and that 80% of the bourbon is aged for at least 8 years with the other 20% coming from barrels aged for 10 or more years. Four Roses distills, ages and then dumps the barrels in Kentucky before sending the juice over to Japan for bottling. I picked up this bottle for approximately $50 while on a trip to Tokyo in 2017.

BSG REVIEW:

Color: Copper, oily (long legs in the glass)

Nose: Sweet, caramel, vanilla. Apple, pear, peach. Floral, light oak.

Palate: Sweet again, caramel, vanilla, honey, briefly floral, smoother oak (not harsh), somewhat dry feeling. More sweet than the Four Roses selections available in the U.S.

Finish: Mostly leather and oak, mildly floral with medium-long finish. Easy, smooth burn.

BSG Score: 85/100

So it begins…

August 3, 2018 / BSG / 0 Comments

I have long been a fan of the brown elixir called whisk(e)y. However, only recently have I become more serious about learning the stories behind and the nuances of the spirits I experience along my journey through this life. Though I definitely have preferences among the styles of whisk(e)y from which to choose, I also appreciate the art form of the distillation processes, aging & finishing methods, blending, tasting and sharing of all of the expressions that someone took pride in creating for us all to enjoy. Follow along as I document the stories I uncover as I broaden my horizons in this journey.

The Barrel Strength Gentleman

Barrel Strength Gentleman

Page 8 of 8

BSG Review: Blood Oath Pact No. 4

BSG REVIEW:

BSG Review: Jefferson’s Ocean Voyage 15 (Wheated)

BSG REVIEW:

BSG Review: Four Roses Super Premium (Japan)

BSG REVIEW:

So it begins…

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