Blackened X Rabbit Hole Collaboration - Masters of Whiskey Series 2023 - Review

The Details

Blackened X Rabbit Hole

A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

Finished in Calvados Casks

No Age Statement (NAS)

Distilled in Tennessee & Kentucky

Bottled by Sweet Amber Distilling Co.

Columbus, Ohio

Non-Chill Filtered (NCF)

106.59 Proof

Mashbills:

Tennessee: 64% Corn, 36% Rye

Kentucky: 70% Corn, 25% Malted Rye, 5% Malted Barley

Price: $140-150

Poured Neat in a Copita Nosing Glass

Appearance: Amber

Nose: Apricot, Baking Spices, Vanilla and Honey

Palate: Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, Dried Apricots, Buttercream and Walnuts

Finish: Medium to long finish with a peppery spice

Overall: The Masters of Whiskey Series from Blackened continues with this 2023 release. Crafted from a 13-Year Tennessee Bourbon and Rabbit Hole's Heigold High-Rye, Double-Malt Kentucky Straight Bourbon, then finished in Calvados Casks.

The first thing that comes to mind with this impressive collaboration is Warm Cinnamon Rolls with walnuts. It immediately brings me back to walking through the mall and stopping at Cinnabon for a fresh cinnamon roll and a Mochalatta Chill. It's quite funny how a scent or a flavor can spark these memories. Because, just across from Cinnabon was Sam Goody. I purchased my very first Metallica cassette tape from that very store. Coincidence? I think it was meant to be.

I've always been a fan of Rabbit Hole as well. I had the unique opportunity to go to the distillery a few times and select a delicious Dareringer Cask Strength Single Barrel. The notes from the PX Sherry were something special. A state of the art distillery with some great folks running the show, it's hard not to fall in love with what they're doing in Louisville. Sure, this is a different finish, but the baseline is set and hits just right.

Do you know the story of Blackened? Do you happen to be a fan of Metallica? Check it out HERE

I'd like to thank the great folks at Blackened for shooting me this sample. It truly is delicious. Rock On!

Library Rating: 8.0 / 10

Wolves Malted Barley Series - Lot 2 - Review

The Details

Wolves

The Malted Barley Series

California Single Malt Whiskey

Lot No. 2

11 Years Aged (Distilled in 2012)

9 Barrel Blend

Distilled, Produced and Bottled by Wolves

Ukiah, California

55% Alc/Vol / 110 Proof

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Limited to 2100 bottles

Price: $305

Poured Neat in a Glencairn Glass

Appearance: Deep Gold

Nose: Honey, Vanilla, Milk Chocolate, Barley Wine

Palate: Warm Chocolate, Plum, Raisin, Honey, Vanilla Bean

Finish: Warm powerful Linger with White Pepper tones

Overall: First sip will make you take a step back. Not in a negative way, but in a very unique way. A profile that not many will associate with whiskey, but rather with beer. Barley Wine, creates a super fun profile and experience throughout this entire pour. It's always a great time when you're able to step away from the "norm" and get into something like this. As most know, I want to try it all. This is another winner in my book. Lot 1 was delicious, but I think this Lot 2 takes it to a whole new level.

"The price of being a sheep is boredom.

The price of being a wolf is loneliness.

Choose one or the other with great care."

I urge you to give a look to what Wolves is doing in California. Check out their website HERE One of their previous releases took my Number 1 spot in the Rye Category last year (2022). An incredible collaboration with Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

I'd love to take a moment to thank the folks at Wolves and to Life of Lux for providing this bottle. As most are aware, all of my reviews are unbiased and I take great pride in being able to try so many different variations on whiskey.

Library Rating: 8.8 / 10

Found North 18 Year Cask Strength Whisky - Batch 7 - Review

The Details

Found North

Cask Strength Whisky

Aged 18 Years

Batch 007 / Bottle 371

Matured in Hungarian Oak

Distilled in Canada

Bottled by Found North Whisky

Dover, New Hampshire

65.9% Alc/Vol / 131.8 Proof

Mashbill: 83% Corn / 16% Rye / 1% Malted Barley

Price: $160

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Tawny

Nose: Apple, Butterscotch, Cherry, Honey, Oak and Vanilla

Palate: Cornbread, Caramel Apples, Honey, Vanilla, Mature Oak

Finish: Long, Warm and a slight Peppery Spice

Overall: Despite having almost the entire vertical, for some reason, this is my first formal review of a product from Found North. Not sure what happened there. HA. Every expression I've had has been fantastic. My group, The Bourbon Thieves, went to Dover last year to pick a single barrel and fell even more in love with the brand, the people and of course, the whisky. Yes, I left the "e" out for a reason. Canadians spell it this way, and as an homage and a tip of the hat from Found North, they do as well. 18 Years. This product is old enough to vote. Let me tell you, there's nothing immature about what's going on here. At 131.8 Proof, be sure to sip in moderation. Now, that may be difficult once you try it. So many bourbon notes as well as some fruits will take over the palate. I get almost a dessert profile to start followed up by savory cornbread. Who doesn't like eating their dessert first?

If you have yet to find your North, check them out HERE

A big thank you to Nick and Zach Taylor for always thinking of sending The Library some of the best samples.

Library Rating: 8.5 / 10