Great Jones Distillery Reserve 10yo

Great Jones Distillery Reserve 10yo

Official bottling
Single bourbon - New York
Amber
52.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, oak chips, chocolate, cream, honey, brown sugar. Wit water, honey, cola nuts, oak chips. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, loosens. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Vanilla, honey, white pepper, chocolate, brown sugar, malted grains. With water, honey, brown sugar, sandalwood, honey. 
Finish: Long. Oak chips, brown sugar, malted grains, chocolate. 

Comments: 

A Manhattan distillery, makes creamy, chocolatey whisky. This one is quite sweet and honeyed, takes water well. - very interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Hudson Four Grain Bourbon

Hudson Four Grain Bourbon

Official bottling
Single bourbon - New York
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, foam shrimp, pear drops, mangoes, apple juice, cloves, hints of pineapples. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Strawberry jam, pear drops, surgical spirit, malted grains, cloves, hints of pineapples. 
Finish: Short. Ink, surgical spirit, pineapples, cloves. 

Comments: 

I think this sample was spoilt. A lovely fruity nose promised a lot, but on the tongue it was insipid and even bland. It’s such a pity, if it had matched the nose it would have been glorious.

Verdict:

Not bad

Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon

Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon

Official bottling
Single bourbon - New York
Amber gold
46.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Brown paper, cotton sheets, photocopy paper, chocolate, malted grains, raisins, sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, loosens, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Malted grains, sea salt, cocoa nibs, cotton sheets, cinnamon, cloves, brown paper. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, brown paper, cinnamon, sea salt. 

Comments: 

Savoury and spicy bourbon. It’s got the requisite fruity brown paper notes, but is less cough syrupy than some other solera whiskies. Interesting stuff, would love to drink more from this distillery.

Verdict:

I like this.

Breuckelen Brownstone 6yo

Breuckelen Brownstone 6yo

Official bottling
Single malt - New York
Amber red
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pencil erasers, cotton sheets, barley sugar, corn syrup, peaches. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, slippery, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Wet stones, peaches, almonds, fennel, cinnamon, corn syrup, white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, white pepper, fennel, cotton sheets. 

Comments: 

Herbal and peppery, with a decent level of minerality. I’m pleasantly surprised here because I didn’t think New York tap water was that hard. The distillery is in Brooklyn. Maybe the salts come from the barley.

Verdict:

I like this.

Hudson Whiskey NY

Hudson Whiskey NY

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - New York

Amber brown 
46% ABV

Bottle

Nose: Raisins, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, maraschino cherries, brown paper, salt caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, tingly, oily. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Brown paper, white pepper, sandalwood, oak chips, salt caramel, vanilla. 
Finish: Short. Oak chips, salt caramel, milk chocolate, white pepper. 

Comments: 

I’ve had the earlier versions of this bourbon several years ago. They’ve improved quite a lot - much more complexity and character. But perhaps I’m judging unfairly, my own palate has improved too! Decent dram. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Widow Jane American Oak

Widow Jane American Oak

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - New York
Amber
45.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, milk chocolate, raisins, fresh baked bread, strawberry jam, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Milk chocolate, pears, raisins, fresh baked bread, apricot jam, hints of nutmeg, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Cola nuts, cinnamon, apricot jam, pears, milk chocolate.  

Comments: 

Batch 44. Well matured whisky actually made by Widow Jane. Lots of chocolate notes, some pear and jam come to the fore. It’s quite an intense finish as well - more jam and pears. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Widow Jane Rye Mash Oak and Apple Batch 52

Widow Jane Rye Mash Oak and Apple Batch 52

Official bottling 
Single rye - New York 
Amber red
45.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Brown paper, strawberry jam, cloves, damson jam, black pepper, malted grains, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, strawberry jam, brown paper, orange peel, hints of photocopy paper. 
Finish: Short. Rye bread, black pepper, dark chocolate, strawberry jam. 

Comments: 

Not as appley as advertised, but it’s got some more malt and jammy notes than I’m used to in rye. It’s fairly simple, but it’s definitely promising.

Verdict:

I like this.

Five & 20 Rye Cask Sample

Five & 20 Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York 
Red
53.55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green tea, roses, musk, honey, strawberry jam, allspice, milk chocolate. With water, oak chips, allspice, milk chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, watery around the edges, loose. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, cornflakes, milk chocolate, roses, nutmeg, vanilla. With water, oak chips, milk chocolate, black tea, hints of roses. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, strawberry jam, coffee, milk chocolate, hints of musk. 

Comments: 

Jammy, but with a meaty rough note on the nose. It’s almost malty on the tongue, with the rye spice tamed. Water brings out a woody note, and it fades to a long bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tuthilltown Rye Cask Sample

Tuthilltown Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York
Amber red
57.34% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peach preserves, nectarines, apricot jam, vanilla, honey, pear drops, white pepper. With water, jasmine, pear drops, nectarines, hints of green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, volatile, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Green apples, lemon zest, apricot jam, rye bread, pear drops, white pepper, cinnamon. With water, green tea, green apples, pear drops, white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Cinnamon, pear drops, apricot jam, nectarines, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Intensely peachy, lot of jammy stone fruit notes. There’s a lot of floral stuff, and it’s not really that sweet, although the nose suggests that it is. Rather, it’s tart and a little spicy. Water diminishes the burn and brings out even more tart notes. Really very good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Stoutridge Rye Cask Sample

Stoutridge Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York
Amber
54.28% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cookie dough, vanilla, sourdough bread, brown paper, milk chocolate, nutmeg. With water, brown paper, milk chocolate, pumpernickel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black pepper, vanilla, cookie dough, pumpernickel, black tea, nutmeg. With water, black pepper, pumpernickel, milk chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Orange peel, pumpernickel, black pepper, nutmeg. 

Comments: 

Very yeasty rye, lots of sweet notes. The rye spiciness has softened into a slightly chemical funk, but it’s still pretty good. A little water enhances the yeastiness and brings it together.

Verdict:

I like this.

Coppersea Rye Cask Sample

Coppersea Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York 
Amber red
50.89% ABV
Dram

Nose: Nectarines, red grapes, raisins, mace, nutmeg, black pepper, brown paper, hints of sultanas. With water, magic marker, red grapes, sultanas, cinnamon, hints of cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Nectarines, peaches, white grapes, green tea, brown paper, sultanas, sandalwood. With water, peaches, malted grains, sultanas, cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Chinese angelica, nutmeg, red grapes, raisins, green tea. 

Comments: 

An interesting rye, sweet, fruity, but not quite spicy. Instead, it’s almost herbal, lots of woody, tannic, grassy notes. Some rye spice makes an appearance with a bit of water. Very tasty indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Albany Rye Cask Sample

Albany Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt 
Single rye - New York 
Amber
56.64% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, yoghurt, cream, milk chocolate, pears, nectarines, hints of cinnamon. With water, milk chocolate, marshmallows, vanilla, nectarines. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, warm, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Peaches, cinnamon, strawberry laces, nectarines, pears, milk chocolate, cream, hints of raisins. With water, peaches, marshmallows, raisins, cream. 
Finish: Medium. Cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, pears, hints of peaches. 

Comments: 

Not the Albany distillery in Australia, but the one in New York. The whisky is creamy and fruity, and very ‘soft’ despite the high ABV. Spicy rye notes only really appear on the finish. Quite lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Finger Lakes Rye Cask Sample

Finger Lakes Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York 
Amber
49.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, shortcrust pastry, vanilla, orange peel, honey, hints of toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, static, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Peaches, dried apricots, toffee, orange peel, black pepper, nutmeg, black tea, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, peaches, dried apricots, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

A very good cask sample from this New York distillery, which I’ve never encountered before. It’s very fruity and very spicy, with an intense, highly defined character. Very enjoyable, and I’m certainly on the lookout for more from the distillery.

Verdict:

I like this.

Coppersea 3yo Batch 1

Coppersea 3yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York
Copper
49.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, raspberry jam, black pepper, marmalade, rye bread, dried apricots, aluminium foil. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Black pepper, rye bread, peaches, marmalade, nutmeg, black tea, hints of ginseng. 
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, rye bread, marmalade, nutmeg, peaches. 

Comments: 

Coppersea - a New York distillery I’ve not had the pleasure yet. This was delightful, heaps of peaches, almost peach cobbler, over a strong spicy rye bread spine. Very robust and intense.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

King’s County 3yo

King’s County 3yo 

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - New York
Dark amber red
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raisins, banana cake, brown paper, blackcurrants, hints of Demerara sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, loosens. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, brown paper, orange peel, cloves, nutmeg, blackcurrants, Demerara sugar. 
Finish: Medium. Banana cake, brown paper, toast, raisins. 

Comments: 

Quite an intense and well-flavoured bourbon, with clear hallmarks of the small cask, cask-strength bottlings I’ve had. This is despite the lower ABV. Quite sweet and jammy. I hope the distillery can retain this level of quality.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

New York Distilling Company 2yo Batch 3

New York Distilling Company 2yo Batch 3

That Boutique-y Rye Company, Master of Malt 
Single rye - New York
Amber green gold
47.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, lemon zest, hints of black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black pepper, nutmeg, lemon zest, brown paper, honey, oats, star anise. 
Finish: Medium. Star anise, vanilla, cookie dough, nutmeg. 

Comments: 

Well, technically this isn’t whisky yet, it’s still rye spirit, but it’s got a good colour and a good set of flavours. Not too sweet, instead a cornucopia of spice and vanilla baked goods. Rather nice.

Verdict:

I like this.

King's County Barrel Strength Bourbon (Batch 12A)

King's County Barrel Strength Bourbon (Batch 12A)

Official bottling
Single bourbon - New York
Amber red
63.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, vanilla, coconut, strawberry jam, brown paper, hints of cocoa. With water, cinnamon, honey, brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Strawberry jam, brown paper, bananas, chocolate, rye bread, butterscotch. With water, sweet, pear drops, bananas, hints of apple juice. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked rye bread, chocolate, vanilla, honey. 

Comments: 

Intensely sweet and fragrant bourbon. Plenty of jammy notes when neat, including some chocolate. With water, it turns more fruity, with pear drops, apples and honey. I like the spirit from this distillery. While young, it's quite complex and intense, all the better for being bottled at cask strength. I hope they age the stuff a bit more, it's got some real potential.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

King's County Bourbon Barrel Strength (Batch 142)

King's County Bourbon Barrel Strength (Batch 142)

Official bottling
Single bourbon - New York
Amber
61.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Corn syrup, banana cake, vanilla, raisins, red grapes, brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Brown paper, black tea, banana cake, vanilla, red grapes, hints of saltpetre. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, vanilla, red grapes, brown paper. 

Comments: 

Wow. This is very young, probably under 3 years, but in the states you can still call it whisky (whatever...). But what it tastes like is really quite delicious. I don't think it needs water at all, it's not too sweet, plenty of tannins, and great heaps of cooked banana. A few more years (quite a few more), and it could become a stunning whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Hudson's Manhattan Rye

Hudson's Manhattan Rye

Official bottling
Single rye - New York
Amber red
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Nutmeg, raisins, red grapes, cloves, damson jam, sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Brown paper, raisins, cloves, sea salt, lemon juice, soor ploom sweets. 
Finish: Short. Cloves, nutmeg, raisins, soor ploom sweets. 

Comments: 

While enjoying this in New York (a little local flavour), I was surprised to find out it was available in the UK. Oh well. It's decent whisky, quite spicy as you'd expect from a rye, and very sweet and sour. Nice soor ploom sweets on the nose and finish. It's been years since I had one.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ragtime Rye (British Bourbon Society expression)

Ragtime Rye (British Bourbon Society expression)

Official bottling 
Single rye - New York
Amber red
57.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, whipped cream, raisins, cardboard, chocolate, nutmeg. With water, strawberries, violets, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, tingly, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, nutmeg, cinnamon, whipped cream, hints of coffee, hints of chocolate. With water, violets, chocolate, more cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Cardboard, vanilla, cinnamon, coffee, chocolate. 

Comments: 

Good finishing dram, this rye has the requisite spiciness, with plenty of floral notes once water is added. It's a cask strength version of the normal Ragtime Rye, originally created as part of a marketing campaign to promote New York rye whiskey, but bottled in the UK for the British Bourbon Society, and I think it's better for the added alcohol level.

Verdict:

I like this.