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Little Book No. 5

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Who makes it? James B Beam Distillery

Mashbill: unknown but it is a blend of 2yr, 5yr, 15yr Kentucky Straight Bourbon and 3yr 100% malted rye

Where it’s from: Clermont, Kentucky

When it Started: 1795 with Jacob Beam, changed the label to Jim Beam in 1943

Kris’ cousin Jason visits from Atlanta bearing a bottle of Little Book no.5. We find out that Freddie Noe used the nickname is grandad Booker gave him Little Book for this once a year offering. Also, Freddie Noe is an 8th generation distiller and this distillery has been around since the 1795 and of course Jim Beam is one of the pillars of the American whiskey world.

On the nose Kris found sweetness, caramel and an undetermined spice. Erik found earthy spices, an unexplainable bourbon smell and rubbing alcohol. Jason nosed sweet and caramel.

The palate bears no fruits, baking spices and heat for Kris but Erik thought is was deep rye-ee, fruity like Iron Smoke and a hint of banana bread. Jason had a late burn with a drop of cinnamon toast flavor.

Adding ice Erik says she’s a thick lady and prefers the one cube while Kris says it tones down the heat and more of the flavors break through. Jason, who is a cold whiskey fan, found that he could use two more cubes.

Kris gives it a 7

Erik gives it a 7

Jason gives it a 7.5

This once a year offering is usually around the 100-120 dollar mark but as it gets harder to find you know that prices go up and this particular bottle was found at 179.00

The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey

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Who makes it? Not sure, some surmise it comes from Cork

Mashbill: barley, malted barley, pure Irish water

Where it’s from: Ireland to Brooklyn

When it Started: in 2019

This time we travel outside the US to Ireland and then back again. Even though this is an Irish whiskey produced in Ireland, it’s for an American brand call The Fighting 69th Regiment Irish Whiskey. Colonel James Tierney wanted a whiskey for his troops. Put out the word and finally Scott Reid stopped by with a Master Blender on hand named Chris Leskowicz. The result is a unique Irish whiskey that deserves your attention.

On the nose Kris could smell apple and honeysuckle. Erik got pears and an interesting spice.

The palate brings in subtle heat, fruit and unbelievably smooth. On the finish more of the fruity apple and pear that has something on it like cardamom, floral tones making you want to go back for another sip.

Adding ice brings out more of the fruity flavors and we agree this is at the top of our Irish whiskey lists.

Kris gives it a 7.5

Erik gives it a 8.5

Coming in at around 35 dollars, well worth picking up.

Gunnar’s Bourbon with Tim Daniels

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Who makes it? Four Fathers Distillery

Mashbill: 61% Corn, 34% Wheat, 5% malted barley

Where it’s from: Jacksonville, FL and Sedan, KS

When it Started: in 2017 Tim Daniels

We visit Four Fathers Distillery to take a tour and talk to Tim Daniels owner and distiller.

New Year 2021  is a blend of 5, 9, 10, and 11-year old straight Bourbon Whiskeys distilled in KY, TN, IN, NY, TX, WY, CO crafted and bottled in Kentucky

Nice on the nose, the proof is not showing through at 113.9 and doesn’t singe the nose hairs. Moderate sugary sweet, with a little citrus and nutty on the palate. Kind of a sneaky heat. Goes down smooth and then the heat builds. With a cube it knocks down the heat making it smoother and brings more flavors and we both agree this benefits from the cube.

Off the nose, butterscotch comes through and smells sweeter than 2021. On the palate comes in sweeter and after ice the sweetness continues but we agree on the 2022 is better without ice.

These New Year bottles from Barrell Bourbon will cost you about $100 a piece, but we both agree that they are worth it. Pick one up and let us know what you think!

Barrell Bourbon 2021 vs 2022 Flash Review

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Who makes it? Barrell Bourbon

Mashbill: ???

Where it’s from: Barrels from all over the country

When it Started: in 2012 by Joe and Jan Beatrice, first bottle hit shelves in 2014

It is a sourced and blended bourbon that every autumn they create a very special blend of bourbons to toast the year to come. Kris and his cousin Jason each have a bottle. Jason picked up 2021 and Kris was out and about and seen New Year 2022 and decided to pick that up and proposed a head to head challenge.

New Year 2021  is a blend of 5, 9, 10, and 11-year old straight Bourbon Whiskeys distilled in KY, TN, IN, NY, TX, WY, CO crafted and bottled in Kentucky

Nice on the nose, the proof is not showing through at 113.9 and doesn’t singe the nose hairs. Moderate sugary sweet, with a little citrus and nutty on the palate. Kind of a sneaky heat. Goes down smooth and then the heat builds. With a cube it knocks down the heat making it smoother and brings more flavors and we both agree this benefits from the cube.

Off the nose, butterscotch comes through and smells sweeter than 2021. On the palate comes in sweeter and after ice the sweetness continues but we agree on the 2022 is better without ice.

These New Year bottles from Barrell Bourbon will cost you about $100 a piece, but we both agree that they are worth it. Pick one up and let us know what you think!

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 vs 2022 Flash Review

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Clyde May’s Single Barrel, Special Reserve 110 and Rye with LC May

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Clyde May’s Single Barrel, Special Reserve, Rye with LC May!

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Who makes it? Currently sourced for Indiana

Mashbill: Bourbon – 78% corn, 12% rye, and 10% barley

Rye – 95% rye, 5% malted barley

Where it’s from: Bottled by Conecuh Ridge Distillery

When it Started: 2002 officially but Clyde May has been distilling since 1946

He was unlike a lot of moonshiners in the area, since his reputation was attached to every bottle he produced it had to be of the utmost quality. He never sold a legal bottle of whiskey but in 2002 his son Kenny wanted to bring his father’s whiskey to the market legally and so the journey began. Now, the grandson of Clyde May, LC is the face of the company and even stopped in and shot a video with us giving first hand accounts and everything that goes into making Clyde May’s Whiskey.

The first bottle we taste is the Single Barrel Straight Bourbon 102 proof. It pleases the nose right out of the glass, a few baking notes and sweetness. On the finish, it lets you know you drank something. A little bit of the heat but still goes down smooth. Definitely something to pick up if you can find it. It’ll cost you about $50.

The second bottle is the Straight Bourbon 110 Special Reserve that won double gold at the San Francisco competition. We did more talking that tasting but it did have different profile that the single barrel but has a much bolder aspect to it and this one easier to find. This will run you about $60.

The last bottle was their Straight Rye Whiskey with mint on the nose, finishes of smooth with Erik saying it is different, different. A good rye to add to your whiskey cabinet. This comes in about $40

A solid showing by Clyde May’s and thoroughly enjoyed each bottle, with Kris’ fav leaning toward the 110 special reserve and Erik going for Straight Rye.