Michters is Americas first distilling company, dating back to 1753 when they started out making rye whiskey. They take a Cost Be Damned approach to the production of every barrel, using various methods including air drying their barrels for 36 months, toasting the barrels before charring them, using a low barrel-entry strength, heat cycling to encourage ageing during the winter. This Rye is a brilliant whiskey with fresh spice notes and a lingering soft finish.

Maker's Mark is a unique and full-flavoured, hand-made Bourbon Whiskey, made using the old-style sour-mash method and sealed with the iconic red wax.

Michters is Americas first distilling company, dating back to 1753 when they started out making rye whiskey. They take a 'Cost Be Damned' approach to the production of every barrel, using various methods including air drying their barrels for 36 months, toasting the barrels before charring them, using a low barrel-entry strength, heat cycling to encourage ageing during the winter. The American whiskey is aged in second-fill bourbon casks. It has a rich, soft sweetness which is remarkable.

Abasolo El Whisky De Mexico Corn Whisky is crafted and distilled from 100% Mexican Cacahuazintle (kaka-wha-sint-lay) corn, which has been cultivated and passed down for more than 200 generations by local farmers for its distinct and extraordinary flavour. Abasolo uncovers the deepest flavours of this ancestral corn through nixtamalization, a 4,000-year-old cooking technique never before used in whisky production, but fundamental in preparing corn as food in Mexico. While American bourbon makers use at least 51% corn and a percentage of barley, the nixtamalization process allows Abasolo to use 100% corn to make whisky. The nixtamalization process also has a direct impact on flavour, causing the spirit to open up with more floral sweetness and warmth of the grain. Made from GMO-free corn this gluten-free whisky has deep, nuanced notes of roasted corn, honey, vanilla, black tea and leather. These flavours are developed from the ancestral corn through the nixtamalization process and these flavours are unlike any other whisky.

"the nose and delivery are just about as good as it gets." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2019 Sazerac Rye dates back to the 1800’s and symbolizes the tradition and history of New Orleans saloons. It was at the Sazerac Coffee House on Royal Street where local patrons were served toddies made with Rye whiskey and Peychaud’s Bitters. The libation became know as the “Sazerac” and America’s first branded cocktail was born. This 6 year-old version of the famous Sazerac Rye is produced at the scenic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort (probably using a 'barely legal' rye recipe), home of numerous other whiskies such as Eagle Rare 10 year-old, Eagle Rare 17 year-old, Blanton's, Rock Hill Farms and George T. Stagg. The beautifully designed bottle harks back to the pre Civil War days when barrels of whisky were poured into ornately engraved decanters supplied by the distiller, displaying the colour of the whiskey to good effect. In what seems to be a company tradition, the price is nowhere near the kind of money many other ryes command. Our re-tasting since last visiting this stalwart in 2008 found moderate aromas suggesting caraway and oak shavings then green apple, orange zest, wood spice and sweet nutty/vanilla notes. This is a soft, plush 'fruity' style without compromising depth of flavour - dried apricots, apply rye and white pepper come counterpointed by light vanilla oak. The keynote grain isn't aggressive like some others, while the balance is near perfect, and there's dark rye bread, more pepper and a subtle muddled mint refreshing the fade. In short - Sazerac is a broad appeal whiskey with enough mid-palate sweetness, complexity and kick to convert one-eyed Bourbon nuts - or even the odd malt enthusiast. Keep this as the 'proper' choice for a Manhattan or Sazerac Cocktail. 45% Alc./Vol.

"One soaring, beautiful eagle." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible We first tasted Eagle Rare in 2006 when it was labelled 'Single Barrel'. As of 2019, that changed to a multi-barrel blend with a ten year old age statement. It remains a standout value - an American whiskey with the unusual credentials of maintaining a reputation for exceptional quality while being relatively easy to come by. The profile confirms a #1 Mashbill from Buffalo Trace, which is reported to be low rye (10% or less), yielding notes of caramel, new charred oak, liquorice bullets, cocoa and peppermint rock lollies plus cinnamon in support. The complexity grows with time. Re-tasted from a 20ml sample, it's lean on entry, but fills out beautifully into a medium-bodied, chewy whiskey with muted rye spices before vanilla and Bounty Bar flood the finish, the sugars checked by balancing oak and more creamy vanillas. Ever reliable and better than many Bourbons at twice its price, Eagle Rare remains hard to beat. 45% Alc./Vol.

The Four Roses distillery is located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky on the banks of the Salt River in Anderson County. The distillery has a unique Spanish Mission-style architecture rarely seen in Kentucky and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The company attributes their products quality to several factors: A unique Limestone water source, the spring-fed Salt River; a high quality grain source (Four Roses are the only distillery using the same grain source for 45 years, paying a premium for quality); Two Mash Bills in daily production - one mash bill contains significantly more rye than any other Bourbon, resulting in a spicy, full-bodied taste; and five proprietary yeast strains, each producing uniquely different flavours. Tasting note: Polished brass gold. Aromas of lamington cake and cherry ripe interchange with peppermint and drying oak as damp cedar wood enters. Lots of American oak input in the mouth: anise infused honey, cocoa and cherry ripe. A splash of minty-rye to finish. Rounds off finely tannic/peppery with hints of Turkish Delight and caramel fudge in the aftertaste. Youthful, but surprises with its complexity. Solid value if you're looking for a rye-heavy Bourbon. 45% Alc./Vol.

"...you can buy me a dozen of these roses any day of the week." - breakingbourbon.com Produced from a mashbill of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley, the strain of yeast used for the Single Barrel bottlings is Four Roses' version “V” which is described as being "delicately fruity, spicy, and creamy." (The distillery is unique in that it uses five different strains to create ten different whiskies). Ages will vary in this series, (a seven year minimum is cited by one source). Regardless, the aim is to bottle when the whiskeys are deemed to have reached their peak, with each barrel yielding approximately 180 bottles. Each release is individually marked with a warehouse and barrel number which is not predictable and subject to change without notice. It's also part of the fun: No two barrels create identical tasting Bourbons, thus the single barrel concept provides the opportunity to appreciate and compare whiskies from different barrels and aging locations. [Barrel RN 8-4R tasted] Bright burnished copper penny colour. A robust Bourbon sniff with a dense core of vanilla custard and caramel fudge overlaid with peppermint, balsa wood, cocoa and hints of cherry. Concentrated yet controlled with razor sharp sweet/dry balance; a burst of vanillan oak, honey and spiced peach, offset by a tangy, vibrant finish. Glace cherry is followed by late mint freshness. Text-book poise and length. As complete a Bourbon as you could expect to find in its category, this really over delivers. 50% Alc./Vol.

Four Roses Bourbon is a smooth and mellow, 80 proof Kentucky Bourbon. The nose has notes of gentle spice, honey, floral essences, and fruit. The palate has flavours of fresh fruit with hints of apple and pear. It is crisp yet smooth & soft. The finish is long, mellow, and pleasant. It began when Paul Jones, Jr., the founder of Four Roses Bourbon, became smitten by the beauty of a Southern belle. It is said that he sent a proposal to her, and she replied that if her answer were “Yes,” she would wear a corsage of roses on her gown to the upcoming grand ball. Paul Jones waited for her answer excitedly on that night of the grand ball…when she arrived in her beautiful gown, she wore a corsage of four red roses. He later named his Bourbon “Four Roses” as a symbol of his devout passion for the lovely belle, a passion he thereafter transferred to making his beloved Four Roses Bourbon.

Product Description: Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby® with the Woodford Reserve 150th Anniversary Kentucky Derby Bourbon Whiskey 1L (2024 Release). This limited-edition bourbon is a tribute to the rich heritage and excitement of “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.” As the official presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby®, Woodford Reserve commemorates this milestone with a stunning bottle design that captures the spirit of the iconic race. The commemorative bottle features the bold and vibrant artwork of renowned Louisville artist Wylie Caudill, who brings the dynamic energy of thoroughbreds charging toward the finish line to life. The design also incorporates the legendary Twin Spires of Churchill Downs, evoking the historic grandeur of the Derby. This special release celebrates both the heritage of the Derby and the craftsmanship of Woodford Reserve, offering bourbon lovers and collectors an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a piece of racing history. Maker: Woodford Reserve, crafted at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, is an expression of craftsmanship and heritage. Drawing from a rich history dating back to 1812, the distillery’s legacy is rooted in pioneering bourbon production techniques, with the distillery itself now a National Historic Landmark. The whiskey is made by the dynamic duo, Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall, whose shared passion for the art of whiskey-making shines through in every bottle. With a focus on craftsmanship, innovation, and quality, each sip of Woodford Reserve is a testament to their dedication and expertise. Woodford Reserve is a blend of time-honoured tradition and cutting-edge innovation, producing world-class bourbon that continues to push the boundaries of flavour. Philosophy: At Woodford Reserve, the belief is simple: great bourbon is a fusion of science, time, patience, and artistry. The distillery’s masterful approach begins with their exceptional grain recipe of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, which balances the sweetness of corn with the spice of rye and the nuttiness of malt. With naturally filtered, mineral-rich water sourced directly from the distillery grounds and a careful fermentation and distillation process, each batch of Woodford Reserve embodies the perfect combination of flavour and finesse. The barrels, crafted at their very own cooperage, undergo a unique maturation process in new, charred white oak barrels, lending complexity, richness, and balance to the spirit. It’s not just about making whiskey—it’s about making history. Tasting Notes NOSE: Rich, Complex, Inviting Dried fruit, caramel, and toasted oak rise from the glass, complemented by subtle hints of vanilla, spice, and a touch of dark chocolate. PALATE: Smooth, Full-Bodied, Elegant Signature smoothness with a full-bodied texture. Rich caramel, vanilla bean, and toasted oak are beautifully balanced, with a slight spice and subtle nuttiness that add depth and warmth. FINISH: Long, Balanced, Refined Smooth with a sweet aftertaste. The wood influence remains, perfectly balanced by the richness of the bourbon, making for an elegant and memorable conclusion.