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Review #0015 Wild Turkey Rare Breed vs Wild Turkey
Who makes it? Wild Turkey Distillery
Mash Bill: ? 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% barley
We break out the bottle from our “One Year Party with the Krew” and give it go. Erik brings a surprise to go up against Rare Breed but gets punched in the mouth. Kris talks about how Wild Turkey got its name and the 17,000 barrels that went up in flames because of a gender reveal party. Kris tasted dark cherry with leathery notes and sour on the finish when ice added. Erik could taste tobacco, dark cherry and said this is the whiskey he’d pick for a biker.
Kris gave it 7
Erik gave it 6
How much: This will run you about 40 – 55 dollars
Wild Turkey get it’s name from an Austin Nichols executive that took the best samples in the warehouse on a wild turkey hunt and everyone loved it. Asking on the next hunt if Tom brought any of that wild turkey bourbon. Two years later, it was bottled and sold as Wild Turkey Bourbon and has been a mainstay ever since.
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Review #0014 Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Who makes it? Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport NY
Mash Bill: ? 53% corn, apple wood smoked wheat, barley and just a slap tickle of rye!
Time to raise your fist to to whiskey and rock! We become bad-ass whiskey soaked scoundrels as we open this New York based bourbon coming in at 80 proof, aged 3 years with just a whisper of appley smoked wheat goodness. Before the review CEO and Founder Tommy Brunett gave us the skinny on Iron Smoke and the distillery just outside Rochester, NY.
Kris gave it 8
Erik gave it 7.6
How much: This will run you about 40 – 50 dollars
The 1816 gets its name from the trading post that was established on the Tennessee River in 1816.
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Review #0013 Chattanooga 1816 Single Barrel & 91 Single Barrel
Who makes it? Tennessee Still House, bottled by Chattanooga Whiskey Co.
Mash Bill: ? (1816)75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley, aged 11 years, (91 single barrel) Yellow Corn, Malted Rye, Caramel Malted Barley & Honey Malted Barley
We crack open a bottle of no longer made, can’t be found, straight from the experimental distillery Chattanooga 1816, 11 year 111.2 proof Single Barrel with Chris Helmly, who brought to the table, a bottle of Chattanooga’s FIRST EVER Tennessee High Malt Single Barrel coming in at 118 proof. We laugh, we cry, we sweat our balls off and remember the times of yesteryear when we froze those same parts. We have a great time, talking whiskey, single barrel selection and everything else under the sun.
Kris gave 1816 a (splashy)7 and 91 single barrel an 8
Erik gave it 1816 a (splashy)7 and 91 single barrel an 8.8
How much: The 1816 Single Barrel was limited release so it is no longer available but the 91 Single Barrel store pick can be found at Broudy’s Liquors for $59.99
The 1816 gets its name from the trading post that was established on the Tennessee River in 1816.
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Review #0012 Old Mr. Boston Freedom Bell Bourbon
Who makes it? Old Mr. Boston Distilleries
Mash Bill: ? Aged 8.3 years or 100 months
We get a hold of this 44 year old bourbon from Andy “Conman” Conley whose mom scored two full sealed bottles at an estate sale in Georgia. Sampling this sweet amber liquid Kris found that the nose was very strong, smelled of alcohol overpowered the sweet and spices until the ice cube was added. Erik had a similar take with the added smell of glue. On the finish Kris found that it more appealing than the nose but on a whole not overly impressed while Erik thought the same but was less enthused by the finish. At the end of this review Erik goes on a rant about Crown Peach that is hilarious.
Kris gave it 5.0
Erik gave it 4.5
How much: Good luck finding a full bottle but… it last sold in 2013 overseas for $32.00
A little history: Old Mr. Boston was founded by Irwin Benjamin and Hyman Berkowitz in 1933. Not only did the produce the whiskey but many cordials, liqueurs, gin, rum and brandies. They also created the Old Mr. Boston Bartenders Guide in 1935 that had hundreds of drink combinations and quickly became a staple in bars across the country. Back then it sold for 50 cents and also contained ads for Old Mr. Boston which served as a great marketing tool. In the 50’s and later they were known for collectible decanters such as the Freedom Bell, Paul Bunyan, Paul Revere, Polish Horse mounted legionaire, camels, trains, cars and sailboats. Glenmore Distillers bought the company in the late 60’s but by 1986 closed it doors on 1010 Massachusets Ave. and the state took over the massive building. In 1995 Sazerac bought the rights to Old Mr. Boston changing it to Mr. Boston and continues to put out liqueurs, cordials, mixers, bourbon, gin and brandy in that name.
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Review #0011 Jack Daniel’s Bicentennial Whiskey
Who makes it? ack Daniels – Brown Forman
Mash Bill: 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye. Then ages a minimum of 4 years.
Our good friend and Whiskey Krew member “D” aka: Dan, generously provided this bottle to review. Upon a visit to his dad, it was found in a closet and Dan instantly googled it and decided to hold onto it for just over a decade. Kris thought it was very smooth with a strong finish with a buttery oaky flavor, definitely an improvement over black label Jack. Erik thought it had a buttery flavor and wouldn’t have guessed that was Jack Daniel’s. Dan enjoyed the butterscotchery flavor with no bite and just a tingle around the lips. Overall, very enjoyable!
Kris gave it 7.5
Erik gave it 8.6
How much: It’ll cost you about $400-600 on the secondary market. Currently not available in stores.
A little history: On June 1796, President George Washington signed a bill granting statehood to Tennessee. In 1866 Jack Daniel aka Jasper Newton Daniel) officially started his distillery. In 1896 he bottled Jack Daniel’s Centennial in celebration of Tennessee 100 birthday in a special bottled he himself designed and due to the time it took to craft this unique twisted glass shape few were made. For the bicentennial Jack Daniel’s (now owned by Brown-Forman) bottled a Jack Daniel’s Bicentennial at 96 proof. The highest proof bottling at that time. Now you have Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel and Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select at 100 proof.
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