Uniquely finished to deliver a more elevated experience, Maker’s 46 is aged longer with special seared French oak staves. With subtly layered bourbon notes and balanced complexity, 46 is the legacy of Bill Samuels, Jr., son of Maker’s Mark founders Bill and Margie. Released in 2010, Maker’s 46 was the first new major expression to be created at Star Hill Farm since classic Maker’s went into production in 1953. The first new bourbon since opening their doors had to make a statement. And Maker’s 46 did, as the first offering from the distilleries breakthrough wood-finishing series. Today, they continue to experiment with the effects of wood finishing to craft new expressions of Maker’s Mark, always remaining true to the original Maker’s – and the expertise, passion and persistence of Bill and Margie.

On a short list the most desirable, super premium American whiskeys, Pappy Van Winkle is usually near the top – if you can find it. But there’s another name in town: “Michter’s”, with roots going back to the 18th century. For scarcity, reputation and market value, Michter’s is now outdoing Van Winkle on every score. The ultra-aged releases are periodic and therefore actually far rarer than Pappy’s which are annual. Many consider older Michter's superior to the equivalent Van Winkles, especially if you prefer your whiskey to not be overly oaky. To top it off, a Michter’s 25 Year Old Rye has reached $8000 / bottle. Or there’s a 25 Year old for US $10,000 at Wally’s Liquor in the States. Take your pick. That’s the direction this brand is headed. The modern Michter’s was created in the 1950s (then owner, Lou Forman combined his son’s names – Michael & Peter). Later in 1989, the company declared bankruptcy, abandoning the original Pennsylvania operation. In the 1990s, two entrepreneurs filed for the Michter’s trademark and relocated the brand in Louisville, Kentucky. The “New” Michter’s whiskeys come with a swag of 5 Star / Highest Recommendations from respected critics that’s confirmed by a strong following amongst bartenders (now number two in top-trending American whiskey brands globally). There are four tiers in the range - which is a little confusing at first. The "US*1" expressions are the entry level, so named to honour Michter’s heritage, harkening back to America’s first whiskey company in 1753. Then come the limited releases (toasted barrel finishes and cask strength), then the age statements, and finally, there's a selection of ultra-aged 25 year old+ super limited bottlings. Master Distiller, Pam Heilmann, has extensive experience including time as manager at Booker Noe Distillery in Boston and 15 years with Beam Global. She’s helped out by Andrea Wilson, whose role is Master of Maturation. These ladies are very specific about the seasoning and toasting regimes of the wood they employ. They toast barrels before charring, which helps to make the wood’s sugars more accessible. They insist on barreling at a lower proof (103 instead of the standard 125), a practise which is claimed to get the sugars in oak to dissolve more readily into the distillate as it cycles in and out of the wood. Chill filtration is undertaken but customised to each whiskey's style. All Michter’s whiskeys are either ‘single barrel’ or ‘small batch’. Because “Small batch” is not a legally defined term in US whiskey regulation, many respected “small batch” brands are actually composed from hundreds or thousands of barrels, which helps to ‘lose’ sub-quality barrels in the blend. At Michter’s, the maximum “small batch” size is twenty full barrels. It explains why Heilmann and Wilson are more than a little fanatical about quality control, and you can sense it in the taste. Tasting note: [Lot L146456 tasted] Brassy gold. Opening aroma is peppery and true to style with lovely whiffs of dark rye bread; Further air contact draws out wax, dried apple, cinnamon and vanilla. Third pass finds suggestions of herbal tea - think peppermint and chamomile. Great complexity. A somewhat hollow entry leads into a powerful, peppery rye attack with ryvita biscuit, dried apple and peppermint tea flavours carried by vibrant spices. Hints of vanilla and toffee apple in the drying fade. Solid, text-book styled rye. 42.4% Alc./Vol.

Angels Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon is finished in port wine casks for an award-winning spirit. Angels Envy is a Louisville-based craft distiller that produces small batch, finished whiskeys. Co-founded in 2011 by the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson and his son Wes Henderson, it began as a passion project that combined their familys deep-rooted passion for and knowledge of the industry with an innovative outlook on bourbon making and finishing. The key difference here is the bourbon is finished in port casks, imparting a depth of flavour that other bourbons just dont have. On the palate, notes of vanilla, ripe fruit, maple syrup, toast and bitter chocolate are present before it finishes with a clean and lingering sweetness and a hint of Madeira that slowly fades.

Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been hand-picked by Paul and Steve Beam, and is a marriage of two high-rye Kentucky straight bourbon whiskies, one aged four years and another aged seven years.Yellowstone Select bourbon has spicy aromas of rye toast and cinnamon spice, which lead to a palate filled with caramel, melted butter and leathered cherries. The finish is slightly tangy, with additional notes of burnt brown sugar and cloves

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is well crafted with carefully selected ingredients and aged until it’s just right. Through the decades, fans of single barrel and barrel-proof bourbon have inquired about when Maker's Mark would release one of its own. And, the philosophy at the distillery was always to remain true to Bill, Sr.'s taste vision. But, after releasing Maker's Mark 46 and actually tasting this stuff right out of the barrel, the thinking on a barrel-strength release evolved. If you can imagine the caramel, vanilla and fruity notes of Maker's Mark turned all the way up, you'd have a pretty good idea of what Maker's Mark Cask Strength is like. While the higher proof delivers a bold bourbon presence in cocktails, we recommend drinking this surprisingly smooth barrel-proof whisky neat, on the rocks or with a splash. This is Maker’s Mark with nothing added to get in its way. Certainly not a beginner’s bourbon, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is for the enthusiast who’s after bolder flavours and higher proofs. After being screen filtered to remove wood pieces and char, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength goes straight to the bottle at a range of 108 to 114 proof. This wouldn’t work with just any whisky. Bottled at barrel proof, Maker's Mark Cask Strength ranges from 108 to 114 proof depending on the barrels. Surprisingly smooth, this bourbon retains the signature, front-of-the-palate flavours of Maker's Mark while amping up the vanilla and rich oak notes. The aromas begin with rich oak, followed vanilla and caramel. The palate is robust, with a warm texture, notes of caramel, vanilla and spice. The finish is long on front of tongue, harmonious with no harsh bitterness. This wheated bourbon is rumored to be aged 6 years and it is bottled at cask strength and 109.5 proof.

Jack Daniel's 1907 Tennessee Whiskey is charcoal mellowed and matured in the cooler areas of the barrel warehouse and bottled at 37% alcohol. Because the whiskey does not work its way as deeply into the barrel wood it has a light, slightly sweet taste profile. Jack Daniel's entrusted his famous distillery to his nephew, Lem Motlow in 1907. Lem soon introduced a white-labelled, lighter version of Jacks Whiskey. Jack Daniel's proudly continue this tradition with Jack Daniel's 1907.

84 Proof mash bill: 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% barley. Average of 3 years, aged in charred oak barrels. The high amount of corn gives this bourbon a classic sweet taste with notes of vanilla and caramel from the wood, and the rye adds some light spice flavor.

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.

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel is finely crafted from a single barrel which has been individually hand-selected by Master Tasters for its unique taste and smooth, aromatic character.