One Year Later

It's now been a year since our normal is no longer our normal. Although so much has happened in this past year, there has also been so much to be grateful for. The Whiskey Community has been a major crutch for a lot of us. Groups were formed, friendships made and many many late nights enjoying pours via Zoom, Instagram, Discord, etc. So many of us have come together through this common hobby (turned obsession) and it just goes to show, people as a whole can find the good in even the hardest times. The Community rallies around one another on a daily basis and it really warms my heart.

Here's to this incredible Community and to the real folks who keep it moving in the right direction!

Elijah Craig - Toasted Barrel Finish Review

Stats

Elijah Craig - Toasted Barrel Finish

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

No Age Statement (NAS)

94 Proof

Heaven Hill Distillery

Retail Price: $50

Mash Bill: 78% Corn / 12% Malted Barley / 10% Rye

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Color: Dark Caramel

Nose: The typical Heaven Hill sweet nose of vanilla and caramel come to the forefront. Baking spices consisting of nutmeg and cinnamon push through to a great scent of charred oak.

Palate: This is almost a dessert tray for my palate. I pick up the sweet vanilla and caramel right away but then marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate dance on my tastebuds. The toasted oak creates a feeling of sitting by the campfire and making s'mores.

Finish: Unfortunately, this came up short for me. The finish seemed to be a tad dry and slightly tannic. It was very short and didn't coat my throat the way I anticipated.

Overall: New offerings from one of my favorite distilleries really excite me. This one was no exception. The hardest thing to do is not to compare this Toasted Barrel with others on the market. This has its own identity. It stands on its own if you ask me. Aside from the short finish, the rest of this pour really holds it weight. The sweetness is very evident and is something I really do enjoy. The finishing in the Toasted Barrel works wonders on this dram and I look forward to keeping this stocked in the Library.

Library Rating: 8.2 / 10

Coppersea Distilling - Excelsior Straight Rye Review

Stats

Excelsior - Empire Rye

Straight Rye Whiskey

No Age Statement (NAS) - Aged at least 2 Years

96 Proof

Coppersea Distilling - Hudson Valley, NY

Retail Price: $45-$50

Mash Bill: 80% Raw Rye / 20% Malted Barley

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Color: Gold

Nose: First whiff is the smell of a freshly peeled orange. I gather quite a bit of malty, light oak after a few swirls. The citrus is very prominent with each sniff.

Palate: I was fully expecting that inviting orange from the nose to come over to the palate, but truth be told, I started picking up fresh made milk chocolate pralines. Next, vanilla extract and a holiday spice which I want to call nutmeg, but it could be a touch of cinnamon.

Finish: A nice warm linger down the throat with a smoky coating.

Overall: This is the first expression I've tried from Coppersea Distilling. The word "Excelsior" means "Ever Upwards" and is actually the New York state motto. This pour matches this motto. The nose and palate keep moving "upwards" when sipped. So many more flavors come to the forefront with each taste. This is a unique flavor profile and one I certainly wasn't expecting from a Rye. I'd love to see what a little more time in a barrel would do to this already delightful dram.

Library Rating: 7.3 / 10

I'd like to thank Breanna and the folks at Coppersea for providing this bottle for my unbiased review.