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.

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.

For the Brabazon Bottling Series 4, Teeling sourced unique barrels used by a long forgotten historical style of portugese port to prroduce a truly unique and distinctive bottling of Teeling Whiskey. Carvacelos is a style of Portugese fortified wine dating back to the 18th Century. These rare port barrels were filled with single malt distilled in 2007 and left for over two years to impart the full range of flavour and character on the whiskey. The result is a truly unique whiskey bursting with soft citrus fruits and distinctive prickly spice. Tasting Notes Nose: Caramel, malt, toffee, white grapes, Granny Smith apples, honeydew melon and mint Taste: Complex orchard fruit, hay-like malt, toast, honey, marmalade, sweetness, oak tannins and spice Finish: Port soaked dry fruit, malt and hints of cookie dough.

A new Woodford that’s set to be part of the core range. This is finished in heavily toasted, lightly charred barrels.

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.

Elijah Craig are another of Heaven Hill's successful brands. When a surge in popularity for the 12 year led to an inability to meet demand, it was removed from US shelves in 2016 (no surprise, age statements are now sought after). The core whiskey has since been re-labelled “Small Batch". Typically made from a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley, rumour has it this contains a fair proportion of whiskeys in the 8-12 year old range.

Jack Daniels it's a legend in the world of whiskey. This iconic brand has become synonymous with quality, tradition, and a taste that can satisfy even the most discerning palate. The story of Jack Daniels begins back in the 19th century, in the small town of Lynchburg, Tennessee. It was there that a young and ambitious man named Jasper Newton Daniel, better known as Jack, set out to create a whiskey that would leave a lasting mark on the world. Jack Daniels is known for its unique production process, which sets it apart from other whiskeys. The key ingredient is the limestone-filtered water from the nearby Cave Spring Hollow, giving the whiskey its distinct smoothness and character. The grains used in the distillation process are carefully selected and milled at the distillery, ensuring only the finest quality. One of the most intriguing aspects of Jack Daniels is its charcoal mellowing process. This involves slowly dripping the whiskey through ten feet of tightly packed charcoal, resulting in a smoothness that is unmatched. This process, known as the Lincoln County Process, is what gives Jack Daniels its signature flavour profile. But it's not just the production process that makes Jack Daniels special. It's the people behind the brand, the craftsmen who have dedicated their lives to perfecting the art of whiskey-making. Each drop of Jack Daniels undergoes meticulous scrutiny and is crafted with passion and expertise, ensuring that every sip is a testament to the brand's commitment to excellence. Jack Daniels has made an indelible mark on popular culture as well. From its appearance in countless movies and TV shows to being the drink of choice for rock stars and rebels alike, Jack Daniels has become more than just a beverage; it's a symbol of authenticity and rebellion. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey 700ml is a truly rare and exceptional grain spirit that has been released in extremely limited numbers. For the first time since prohibition, Jack Daniel's has used a new Rye recipe, resulting in a unique and complex flavour profile that is sure to impress whiskey enthusiasts. Rye has always been a part of the famous Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 grain, but it has never been in the spotlight as the lead grain. This unaged rye offers a spicy, surprisingly sweet flavour that is sure to delight the palate. This historic creation marries the smoothness of Jack Daniel's with a unique 70% rye grain bill. Complex flavors of ripe fruit mingle with light toasted oak notes to create a taste rich with spice and a pleasant lingering finish. This is a big, bold rye that does not overpower, making it a perfect choice for sipping or mixing in cocktails.