KY Bourbon Fest bound? Keep an eye out for these new releases

September 13, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

The sold-out Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF) starts today and continues through Sunday. If you are lucky to have scored tickets, here are some special new bottles to keep an eye out for. They might be at each distillery’s booth for a taste, or some might even choose to sell them there as well.

I’ll be posting from the KBF every day on the Bourbon Country social media platforms (@justaddbourbon), so be sure to follow my bourbon-soaked shenanigans. I will try and behave myself for the most part, and if you’re there on Sunday, Sept. 15, stop by the Bourbon:30 panel discussion on bourbon journalism with myself and some very cool writers in the industry. It runs from 1:30-2 p.m.

Four Roses 2024 Limited Edition Small Batch

OK, so this one will most likely NOT be at the KBF, but it is being released at the nearby Cox’s Creek Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling Facility as well as the Lawrenceburg distillery on Saturday, Sept. 14. It’s first-come, first-serve, so you’ll have to line up early. I believe they’ll start letting people in line around 3 a.m. Shoo!

This year’s release features bourbon aged 12-20 years old and is bottled at 108.2 proof and non-chill filtered. I received a media sample and can say with 100% certainty that it’s delicious and worth the time in line. I get a lot of citrus and vanilla notes from this one, as well as a lovely baked cherry note, some of that Four Roses spice, and also an underlying flavor of toffee and creme brûlée.

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024

This one WILL be for sale each morning at the KBF while supplies last. This year’s Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged release clocks in at 119.3 proof and comes from a blend of 12- and 13-year-old bourbons.

If you recall last year’s inaugural release, it’s created from taking fully mature barrels of Maker’s Mark (4-6 years old) and then relocating them inside the Maker’s cellar for extra aging. The moderate conditions inside the cellar allow the bourbon to age gracefully, and in turn, they’re not losing as much to the angels.

It’s tasty, as always, and is everything I wanted added to my standard Maker’s Mark: age and proof.

Angel’s Envy Triple Oak

For the first time in over 10 years, Angel’s Envy is adding a third bottle to its signature, everyday lineup, in the form of a Triple Oak bourbon. It’s a is a blend of whiskeys finished in three types of barrels: Hungarian Oak from Hungary, Chinkapin Oak from Kentucky, and French Oak from — you guessed it — France. It’s bottled at 92 proof.

This bottle will eventually be distributed throughout the U.S., but if you just can’t wait, it’ll be available at the Louisville distillery on Saturday, Sept. 14, as well as at the KBF that morning, too. Master Distiller Owen Martin will be at the festival as well, and I hear he’ll be doing a tasting of it on Friday. So if you’re interested, head to the AE booth and ask for details.

The Triple Oak bourbon is rich and nuanced, and I seem to taste something different every time I try it. (Full disclosure: I was given a media sample to review.) Sometimes I get milk chocolate and coffee, while other times I get a nice oak toast and cinnamon.

Booker’s Bourbon “The Reserves”

If you’re a fan of Booker’s, this release is like a “very special episode” of Booker’s. It blends bourbons that are 8-14 years old and will be released in smaller quantities because of the rare nature of these bourbons. The 2024 release spans eight production dates and eight different warehouses, and it is bottled at 125.9 proof.

I’d like to get a taste of this before I commit to buy, but deep down I know it’s going to be amazing — especially since I’ve never met a Booker I didn’t like. Hopefully I can taste it at KBF, where I’ll be stalking Freddie Noe for his country ham.

Little Book “The Infinite: Edition 1“

And speaking of Freddie Noe, he has a new Little Book release just in time for the KBF and National Bourbon Heritage Month: “The Infinite: Edition 1.” This is the first-ever brand extension from Little Book that features whiskey laid down by three generations of the Noe family: Booker, Fred and Freddie.

The whiskey ranges in age from 7-20 years old, and each is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It’s bottled at 119.3 proof. I haven’t tried this one yet either, but here are some details from the news release:

“Edition I: The bourbon distilled by Booker Noe lays the groundwork with notes of oak, char, and smoke. Fred Noe’s bourbon brings in rich flavors of dark fruit, cherry, and brown sweets. And it’s all rounded out with bourbon Freddie Noe made where caramel, vanilla, and spice notes really shine through. Perfectly balanced yet unlike anything made before.”

I’m hoping they’ll have both the Booker’s and Little Book at the KBF, but I don’t have confirmation. So we’ll just mosey on over there and pray for a miracle.

Other bottles to look out for …

Now that distilleries can sell bottles at the KBF, I’d say most of them will come with something special. My advice would be to head to your favorites as soon as you get in the gate and find out what they have. Heaven Hill always brings some great bourbons, as does Bardstown Bourbon Company, Green River and Lux Row.

Also, remember that the KBF has partnered with most of the distilleries involved and picked special single-barrel releases in honor of the festival. These will also be for sale at each distillery each day. So your chances of scoring a great bottle of bourbon are extremely high. Hopefully higher than the rain chances this weekend!

See you there!

five different bottles of the first DeHart Whiskey

DeHart Whiskey is a family affair

September 4, 2024The Bar Belle 1 Comment

This bottle might be a little tough to find (unless you’re in Kentucky), but don’t you love the look of it? DeHart Whiskey is a new toasted-barrel bourbon created by a Louisville-based family that shares a passion for great bourbon, art, design and fulfilling lifelong dreams.

Brothers Mike and Dan DeHart always had a dream to create their own bourbon together, and it was fodder for many Thanksgivings spent around the table talking about names, mash bills, styles, finishes, and proofs. Growing up in Louisville, they were no stranger to the whiskey industry and spent most of their adult years “researching” all types of bourbons.

Mike DeHart (middle) with Doreen (left) and Jeaneen Barnhart | Courtesy

Finally in 2019, they purchased some slightly aged bourbon barrels from MGP in Lawrencburg, Ind., and moved them to Stanford, Ky., to age gracefully among the Kentucky countryside.

Now it was time to activate the twin powers — twin sisters Doreen (Mike’s wife) and Jeaneen Barnhart — to help with the look and packaging.

Doreen is an award-winning graphic designer, while Jeaneen is a renowned equine artist in Louisville. Her artwork has appeared in television and movies, on Kentucky Derby Festival posters, and even on well-known bourbon brands like Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark.

Doreen got busy creating the logo and bottle design, and Jeaneen started conceptualizing an image on canvas.

The image she came up with features a sassy and sexy woman with a holster around her hips. The artist wanted a playful vibe and something that would be eye-catching on a shelf with other bottles. That goal has definitely been achieved.

The Whiskey is Frisky

As for the whiskey, I can attest to the quality and rich flavors. Full disclosure: I was invited by Doreen, Mike and Jeaneen to help write some of the tasting notes for the website, and I used it as a way to get the scoop on this new release and enjoy some great bourbon in the process. Win-win!

DeHart Whiskey is available in Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown, E-Town and Pikeville. | Courtesy

There are five different releases in DeHart’s first launch, and each is a cask-strength single barrel that was aged 7 years in new, charred oak barrels.

The bourbon was then transferred to a toasted barrel for an additional 9 months. The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley, and the proofs range from 108 to 112.

Mike explained that he and his brother love the toasted-bourbon category and wanted to play around with their own finishing techniques. This will be the first release of many planned, as the brothers have more inventory (and different mash bills) they’re tinkering with.

Just like fine bourbon, they’re in no hurry to flood the market with their brand. Instead, they plan on taking their time and getting it exactly right to their tastes.

Where to Find It

DeHart Whiskey is slowly trickling into local and regional liquor stores.

You should be able to find it in Bardstown, Lexington, Elizabethtown and Pikeville, and there are a handful of bars and liquor stores carrying it in Louisville as well, like Evergreen Liquors in Middletown, Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop in the Highlands, and Taste Fine Wines & Bourbons in NuLu.

Check this link for all the places you can find the whiskey, which will continue to be updated. And stay tuned for more DeHart Whiskey releases in the future. I can’t wait to see the artwork on the next one!

DeHart Whiskey retails for a suggested price of $69.99.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. adds High Wheat to its Origin Series

August 21, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

Wheated bourbon fans should be rejoicing. On the horizon in that bourbon category are releases of Pappy, Maker’s Cellar Collection, Larceny Barrel Proof, maybe another Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, etc. And now, Bardstown Bourbon Company is adding another wheated bourbon to its Origin Series roster in the form of High Wheat.

What does this mean? Well, first, let’s start with legendary Master Distiller Steve Nally and his 30+ year career at Maker’s Mark. The man worked with wheat for 30 years, so it’s a safe bet the “Wheat King” knows what he’s doing. He worked along side Head Distiller Nick Smith for this one, and the two came up with a low barrel entry proof of 108 — which I’m also a big fan of.

“Once we perfected the distillate, we focused on the aging modifications that would make this whiskey best-in-class,” Smith said in a news release. “The lower barrel entry proof of 108 pulls more wood sugars in from the onset, leading to a drinking experience that is elegant and complex.”

The mash bill on this one is 53% corn, 39% wheat and 8% malted barley, and it’s aged for a respectable 6 years. The proof is 106, also in my preferred range. It retails for $49.99.

High Wheat is definitely one of the highest percentages of wheat in the category, but there are also some craft distillers doing some fun things with the secondary grain as well. Wilderness Trail’s wheated bourbon has 24% wheat in the mash bill, for instance.

This product joins BBCo’s Origin Series, which was launched in 2023 and includes a rye whiskey, wheated bourbon and rye bourbon.

So how does it taste?

What I noticed right away is the viscosity of this bourbon as compared to the other wheated bourbon in the Origin Series (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley). The thicker texture likely due to the low entry proof and possibly the higher wheat content — but whatever the case, it’s a delicious sip.

The nose reminds me of a Werther’s Original with a little apricot mixed in. And on the palate, the bourbon oozes with Grandma hugs. I get layers of rich caramel drizzle atop vanilla bean ice cream, milk chocolate and even some almonds sprinkled on top. The finish lingers with a little maple and brown sugar action.

One of my favorite wheated bourbons is the Weller Antique, at 7 years and 107 proof. This is 6 years and 106 proof — so we’re really not too far off from that. This could possibly become my everyday wheated sipper.

New Angel’s Envy Bottled in Bond shows off bourbon without port finish

June 7, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

Many bourbon purists believe that when a bourbon is finished in a second barrel, it’s because the distiller is trying to cover up something or mask an unwanted flavor note. Sure, that could be true in some cases, but ever since Angel’s Envy debuted in the market in 2011, they’ve had to field this misconception time and time again.

Now, for the first time ever, Angel’s Envy is releasing a special product that shows off its bourbon without any port finish. The Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bottled in Bond will be available only at the distillery starting on National Bourbon Day, June 14.

Using an industry low barrel entry proof of 103, these barrels were made specifically for this release and came in right at 100 proof (the standard for Bottled in Bond releases). The bourbon is almost 6 years old and will be sold in .375ml bottles for $54.99.

Angel's Envy Master Distiller Owen Martin — Angel’s Envy Master Distiller Owen Martin | Courtesy

I caught up with Master Distiller Owen Martin earlier this week to sample the new product and find out how it came to fruition. Most of us would probably guess that releasing a product so unlike its core brand was likely Martin’s idea, since he was the newest person to join the team in 2022.

Not so, says Martin.

The idea to release an unfinished Angel’s Envy product actually came from founder Lincoln Henderson himself. Although he passed away in 2013, Lincoln left behind several notebooks full of ideas, processes and directions, and coming out with a bourbon that was not finished in ruby port barrels was up his sleeve all along.

“This was not my idea at all. This was an idea that was relayed to me of Lincoln Henderson’s,” says Martin. “It’s very cool for me to execute an idea from the founder of the company.”

The barrels were laid down in the spring of 2018 with that low barrel entry proof of 103. They were then placed on a lower floor of a cool warehouse in Henry County to help manage the angel’s share and proof level, since the goal was to keep them around 100 proof.

Here’s where Martin gets technical: “Instead of withdrawing them at 100 proof, we let them mature further to prioritize flavor,” he explains. “We drew the barrels at 98-99 proof and blended 27 low-proof barrels with two high-proof barrels from the same season to reach exactly 100 proof.”

He whipped out his phone and even showed me a picture the fancy proofing equipment that read 100.000 exactly. He was blown away, since most of the time there’s always a .006 margin. This was the first time he ever got a perfect proof, which surely has to be a sign that Lincoln approves.

Owen Martin shares a sample — Martin shares a sample and explains the concept behind the release. | Photo by Sara Havens

“Reframing and thinking outside the box is necessary for any brand,” Martin says. “If I’m innovating correctly, it should feel like a natural extension of the brand and still surprise people. A good example of that was the Rye Cask Strength we released last year. I think that surprised folks a bit, and I think an unfinished Angel’s Envy is really going to surprise some people. Hopefully in a good way. I think the bourbon will speak for itself.”

And speaking it will do. Since I got to try a sample with Martin, I can attest to its wonderful notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, honey and Animal Crackers. Yes, Animal Crackers. It’s in there, I swear! Bourbon purists definitely won’t be disappointed with this one, and hopefully it’ll quell the naysayers who might not be into finished products.

You can pick up your own bottle of Angel’s Envy Bottled in Bond on Friday, June 14. The distillery will be throwing a party that day from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., which will include cocktails, appetizers, live music and much more. Martin will also be on hand to sign bottles.

Green River goes Full Proof

June 4, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

I’ve been quite impressed with Green River Distilling Co. since it relaunched in 2022. Based in Owensboro, Ky., the distillery is one of the oldest in the state (with a DSP of No. 10), but after Prohibition it never really came back to full steam, having changed hands numerous times and producing various brands throughout the years.

Now, Green River is owned by Bardstown Bourbon Company (which is run by PPC, Pritzker Private Capital), and things seem to be running quite smoothly over there. How do I know? Because the whiskey they’re producing is top-notch for the price point they’re asking. Also, I drink bourbon and I know things.

Green River Full Proof bottle — The first batch is 117.3 proof. | Courtesy

Not to bury the lede here, but another shining example of Green River’s frisky whiskey-makin’ abilities comes out today with the release of Green River Full Proof, a blend of bourbons aged 5-7 years and bottled at barrel strength (117.3 proof) and non-chill filtered. And the price is a mere $49.99.

The bourbon is the same mash bill as their flagship bourbon: 70% corn, 21% rye and 9% malted barley, but according to a news release, the barrels chosen for the Full Proof expression are selected differently

“Full Proof bottlings are custom blends of barrels selected from our favorite parts of the rickhouses and hand selected for their quality,” says Dan Callaway, VP of Product Development for Green River. “What I love about full proof expressions is that you are in control of the proof — taste at full-bodied strength and adjust to your preferences.”

How’s it taste?

I was fortunate to receive a media sample of the Green River Full Proof, and I can say the high-rye bourbon is definitely worth adding to your home bar. I wouldn’t make cocktails with it, but I would sip on it slowly after one of those long days at the office — even if your office is in the basement.

On the nose I get roasted pecans and caramel, and on the palate I get a nice warm mouthfeel of black pepper and apricot, with a little vanilla, cinnamon, baked cherry and Werther’s Original candy.

It’s the perfect bourbon to sip neat, but if you have to add a rock or two, I won’t judge.

In other news …

I’m so behind on my bourbon news it’s not even funny after three pours of this stuff. Things I still need to get to include: Jeptha Creed Wheated Bourbon, Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Amrut Finish, the new Old Fitz Bottled in Bond, the new Elijah Craig, 15 Stars, Michter’s 10 Year Rye, and the list goes on and on.

I’ll include some of it in my next roundup for Alcohol Professor, so stay tuned. And speaking of that, my list of best Finished Whiskeys just came out there, so go check it out. I might need an assistant!

Respect the Mint Julep

April 5, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

Mint Juleps: Line ’em up and drink ’em down!

In my latest piece for Food & Dining Magazine, I dive into the many misconceptions about the beloved Mint Julep, and I implore my readers to respect the traditional Derbytime cocktail. They’re actually quite tasty when made correctly — which means not in bulk at Churchill Downs during the Derby.

Next time you’re at your favorite cocktail bar, ask them if they make a mean Mint Julep. If they say yes, give it a try. And if they say no, tell them goodbye.

Here’s an excerpt from my article, and the full piece can be read here.

“The Mint Julep, made of four simple ingredients (bourbon, sugar, ice and mint), should be as much of a Southern staple as sweet tea and backhanded compliments. There are so many ways to dress it up — add blackberries, powdered sugar or chocolate bitters, try brown sugar or even mix in molasses — but you mean girls and gents won’t give it a chance after experiencing dreadful versions of the cocktail in Derbies past. Yes, I agree Mint Juleps served at Churchill Downs weren’t great for many years, but now they’re better. The braces are off, the awkwardness of blended whiskey and sugar water is long gone, and it’s now in the capable hands of Old Forester.

So won’t you let the Mint Julep sit at your lunch table?

…

Did you know that because of the Mint Julep, we now have sturdy straws? In 1888, Civil War vet Marvin C. Stone was having a tough damn time trying to drink a Mint Julep through a grass straw, as they did back in the day, so he fashioned one out of thick paper that would stand up against the bourbon and ice. Isn’t that nice? The cocktail also gets a shout-out in several renowned novels from “Gone With the Wind” to “The Great Gatsby,” and The Clovers and Ray Charles sang about it all the way to the top of the charts with “One Mint Julep” in 1952 and 1961 respectively.“

—By Sara Havens, Food & Dining Magazine, Spring 2024

If after all of this you’re still not a fan, then just go back to your vodka soda and cauliflower pizza.

It’s almost Tailspin time! Behold the best beer fest in Louisville

February 9, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

Sure, you can coup us up for two months while Old Man Winter hides the sun and takes away all the fun, but as soon as the calendar flips from February to March, you better believe we Louisvillians are ready to bum rush the outdoors. And the first sign that spring is near is the beloved Tailspin Ale Fest, which draws thousands of thirsty people to Bowman Field each year to celebrate beer, friendship, beer and aviation.

This year’s Tailspin, which is now in its 11th year, will be held Saturday, March 2, from 3-7 p.m. VIP tickets are already sold out, but there are still some GA tickets available. (But be sure to get them ASAP, because this event will sell out.)

What’s New?

So what’s new this year? Well, of course there is more beer than ever, with over 250 American craft beers served by the sample. IPAs, pale ales, sours, stouts, ciders — you name it, it’s there. And for those who like a stiffer pour, Green River Distilling will be on hand again offering up samples of bourbon — but more on that later.

This year there will also be VIP bathrooms courtesy of Tom Drexler, and you can actually purchase a special potty pass on the Tailspin website for $30. One of the only downsides of a big beer festival like this one here is encountering long lines at the Port-o-Pots, so this pass could be a great way to circumvent that bladder ache. The pass will allow you access to 17 indoor restrooms that are located in a private area.

Now, if you’re bougie and want your own private bathroom, that can happen as well for a fee of $200. And I will be your friend for the day, too!

Scene at Tailspin Ale Fest — Who’s ready for some beer? | Courtesy

While you’re not drinking beer, you can hit up local food trucks, dance funny at the silent disco, sing karaoke, smoke cigars and/or listen to the cool tunes of Tony & The Tan Lines.

And, as always, a portion of the proceeds benefits a local charity. This year the funds are going to Pints for Parkinson’s | TKO. There will also be a live boxing demonstration that highlights “the importance of exercise and movement in combating the challenges of Parkinson’s disease,” according to the news release. “The demonstration pays tribute to Louisville’s own legend, Muhammad Ali, whose battle with the incurable disease underscored the significant role that boxing and commitment to life played in extending his earthly existence beyond expectations.”

What About That Bourbon?

A Green River Single Barrel will be available at Tailspin. | Courtesy

Let’s get back to the bourbon. Tailspin has teamed up with Green River for a special single barrel pick that will be for sale starting Feb. 29 at the Evergreen Liquors in NuLu (4-7 p.m.).

Any bottles left after this event and another one at Against the Grain will be sold at Tailspin. All I know is the bourbon is 119 proof, so you better believe I’ll be lining up for a sample!

Several of the breweries that have bourbon barrel-aged brews at the festival were given freshly dumped Green River barrels, so it’s like a tasty circle of life between beer, bourbon and my belly.

So let’s just all survive the next few weeks — we got the Super Bowl and the upcoming Bourbon Classic (Feb. 23-24) — and I’ll see your fine faces at Tailspin!

Woodford Double Double Oaked will be your Valentine if you live in these four states

January 29, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

Last Tuesday, the anticipated January email hit my inbox like a ton of bricks. It’s time to take a trek to the Woodford Reserve Distillery for the annual release of Double Double Oaked, also known as heaven in a bottle!

So I did what any self-employed schlep working from home would do. I threw on clean pants, grabbed the dog and hit the road to Versailles. I was in line by 9:30 a.m. and out by 10, and I even got to sample this year’s 90.4-proof Double Double and can attest to its out-of-this-world taste.

I’ve always been a fan of Double Double Oaked, if you couldn’t tell. To me, it’s like bourbon dessert, and I nurse every drop in the 375-ml bottle, trying to make it last as long as I can.

This year, if you’re lucky enough to live in these four states plus Washington, D.C., you’ll be able to snag a bottle for yourself without making a pilgrimage to the distillery:

Kentucky
Nebraska
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Washington, D.C.

For the first time ever, Woodford Reserve is offering up a bottle of Double Double Oaked as a Valentine’s Day promotion through its website. For $152.99, you’ll get a bottle of the new Double Double Oaked, a bottle of regular Woodford Double Oaked and a box of fancy Compartes chocolates, which they just debuted last month. All of this will be shipped to your door — if you live in one of the areas mentioned above, of course.

“This is the most indulgent gift for whiskey lovers who want to treat their partners and friends — or themselves — to the ultimate Valentine’s gift,” said Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall in a news release.

Those chocolates are meant to pair with the bourbon, so you’ll have a great time eating and drinking once you get the goodies — whether you’re single or hitched! At least if you’re single, you don’t have to share.

You’ll be able to snag your Valentine Double Double package on Feb. 1 starting at 9 a.m. Eastern. So set an alarm and get your credit card ready to go! Here’s the link you’ll need: CLICK HERE.

Old Forester adds a 10-year bourbon to its Whiskey Row Series: 1924

January 12, 2024The Bar Belle Leave a comment

It’s been more than five years since Old Forester added to its popular Whiskey Row Series — expressions that highlight important moments in the brand’s 153-year history — but it’s well worth the wait for this latest one: 1924, a 10-year-old, 100-proof bourbon that features a new mash bill.

If you’re a history buff, you might be scratching your head at this point. Wasn’t 1924 smack dab in the middle of Prohibition? What could possibly be happening at Old Forester and Brown-Forman during this year for them to highlight 1924?

Master Distiller Chris Morris and Master Taster Melissa Rift discuss Old Forester 1924. | Photo by Sara Havens

Well, the answer to that is also why there’s a unique mash bill and why it’s age stated.

As Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris explained yesterday to a small media group, Prohibition is exactly why this bottle is truly one-of-a-kind. Obviously during those sad 10 years in history when alcohol was forbidden, it forced all distilleries around the country to shut their doors.

Well, all but a handful that were allowed to continue distilling for “medicinal” purposes.

Old Forester/Brown-Forman was one of those lucky few that kept things running. And they also acquired aging bourbon barrels from other nearby distilleries to store in one location. In 1924, that location was completed near where the Brown-Forman HQ is located today in west Louisville.

So basically, they had lots of bourbon to release (to pharmacies) that had varying mash bills, ages, etc. Some they blended with their own and released it under the Old Forester label, and others they maintained brand trademark rules and released it under various now-defunct distillery names.

All of the distilleries that were permitted to distill for medicinal purposes had to acquire other barrels, so this was just the standard operation of the day, per governmental regulations.

How does it taste?

But enough with history, let’s get to the bourbon! While the traditional Old Forester mash bill is 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley, the new 1924 mash bill adds more corn and takes out some rye at 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley. This makes for a sweeter taste and much less spice than the usual.

It’s definitely not your typical Old Forester, and the extra age of 10 years in the barrel adds even more flavor to an excellent pour. There are a lot of baking notes in this one: think brown sugar, vanilla, oak and graham cracker. There’s also a nice milk chocolate note that makes for a nice finish. And the more I sipped, I even got a subtle coffee flavor in the mix.

Old Forester Whiskey Row Series — 1924 joins four others in the Whiskey Row Series.

I’m not sure I like it better than 1910 — the Whiskey Row Series expression that is double oaked — but that’s just my own preference for the sweeter side of bourbon. I love that they added the 10-year age statement to this one, and I think this bottle will be coveted and clamored after by many. It’s a great example of the many nuances and wonderful flavors that come from a well-aged Kentucky bourbon.

Old Forester 1924 will be available in all 50 states for a suggested retail price of $115.

New Pursuit Spirits experience lets you choose your own adventure in a bottle

December 8, 2023The Bar Belle Leave a comment

Whiskey thieves on top of barrels at Pursuit Spirits — Have you ever used a whiskey thief? | Photo by Sara Havens

With so many distilleries and satellite tasting rooms opening in Kentucky these days, the focus is now about “How can we be different?” The average bourbon tourist is becoming more knowledgeable, and this pushes distilleries to switch gears from the 51%-corn basics to more experiential, exclusive opportunities.

Case in point: Starting Saturday, Dec. 9, the guys behind Louisville’s Pursuit Spirit s, Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil, are offering bourbon fanatics two unique behind-the-scenes experiences at their newly opened warehouse in the Clifton neighborhood.

The first one, called “The Whole Shebang: Tasting + Barrel Pick + Fill Your Own,” is a 90-minute choose-your-own-adventure excursion where you literally sample through eight batched bourbons and ryes, pick which one you like best, and then fill an empty bottle using your own whiskey thief. You then have to cork it, seal it and even add on the label and fancy “barrel select” sticker.

Pursuit Spirits co-owner Ryan Cecil thieving a barrel — Pursuit Spirits co-owner Ryan Cecil demonstrates how to thief a barrel. | Photo by Sara Havens

The second option is a general “Pursuit United Breakdown,” which is a 45-minute deep dive into Pursuit’s award-winning small-batch bourbons and ryes. You’ll hear the story on how the brand got started and get to sample some of their best products.

The first experience is $150 per person and includes the bottle of bourbon or rye that you choose. And the second is $35.

The warehouse also is home to a small gift shop where you can purchase bottles and branded merchandise.

Sip It, Thieve It, Cap It

I was invited to check out one of the first run-throughs of “The Whole Shebang” experience, and I can say without a doubt that it’s a fun time and gives you that feeling that you’re running amok at a distillery with only a whiskey thief in hand.

Just tasting through eight bourbons and whiskeys is a great way to spend an afternoon. But getting to then thieve out your own whiskey of choice and add the cap and stickers to the bottle are just bonus points. I particularly enjoyed the air-compressor capping machine.

I ended up picking sample No. 2, which was a blend of bourbons that was then put back into a used Kentucky bourbon barrel to age a little longer. Every sample I tried was delicious and tasty in its own way, but I ultimately chose No. 2 because of the overt caramel, cherry and chocolate notes I detected.

Obviously the barrels and batches will change throughout the program, and Coleman even said they might introduce double baked options in the future.

The Tea on Pursuit

Pursuit Spirits also is currently working on a tasting room and visitor center in downtown Louisville, right next to the new Bardstown Bourbon Company storefront on Main Street. They guys say that will likely be completed by this time next year, and that some of these experiences will be moved to that location.

If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, here’s the quick backstory. It was founded in 2018 by the aforementioned duo who also run the successful Bourbon Pursu it podcast. They have a handful of products on store shelves including a bourbon, rye and double oaked expressions.

Bottles of Pursuit bourbon — Pursuit Spirits sells both bourbon and rye whiskey. | Photo by Sara Havens

Once their Main Street operation opens, you’ll definitely be hearing more about them. But for now, you can get to know them better by going behind the scenes inside their Louisville warehouse. Trust me, this isn’t just another bourbon tour.

The Pursuit Spirits experiences are available Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with limited tickets available per tour. The warehouse is located at 1700 Mellwood Ave. To book an experience, visit the website and hit the “Visit Us” button.

Here are a few more photos from my experience:

The Bar Belle

Keeping Louisville Lit

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