"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.

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.

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.

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.

In 1869, The Ripy family built the foundations of what is known today as the Wild Turkey Bourbon distillery. Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon is still produced using the same traditional technique, handcrafted by Master Distiller Eddie Russell alongside his father Jimmy Russell. Combined, the pair have over 97 years of experience and are the only active father and son Master Distiller team in the world. Rare Breed is abarrel-proof bourbon meaning it is bottled directly from a variety of barrels at the proof it reaches in those barrels with no added water to lower the proof or dilute the flavour. This bourbon is a unique marriage of Wild Turkey 6 to and 12-year-olod stocks, which give the whiskey a rich exceptional flavour that is remarkably smooth considering its high alcohol content.

Introducing rye whiskey made Jack’s way. Crafted with our 70% rye grain bill, natural spring water from our own Cave Spring Hollow, and Jack’s time-honoured charcoal mellowing process, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye is a whiskey that could only come from Lynchburg, Tennessee. Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and the whiskey makers of the Jack Daniel Distillery have created a unique rye that’s undeniably spicy and complex yet sippin’ smooth. It might be one of our first new recipes in over 150-years, but if you know Jack, you’ll know Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye.

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. Crafted with precision, the Glencairn snifter glass features a wide bowl that tapers towards the rim, capturing and concentrating the aromas of the whiskey. This design allows the complex scents to develop and unfold, enticing your senses with each gentle swirl. The solid base of the glass provides stability while the gently curved sides fit comfortably in your hand, allowing for a firm grip as you savour every sip. The delicate stem adds a touch of elegance, making the Glencairn snifter glass a visually stunning addition to any collection. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey 700ml is a premium whiskey that is bottled from a single barrel from the Jack Daniel distillery. Each barrel is selected by the Master Distiller for its suitability as a stand-alone product before being bottled, ensuring that every bottle is unique and of the highest quality. This full and mouth-filling whiskey boasts notes of cereal sweetness, with the rye making a noticeable appearance alongside a touch of cigar box and nut oils, as well as a little spice and an aniseed character. The finish is long and satisfying, with a hint of citrus and plenty of cereal sweetness that lingers on the palate. This limited edition gift set contains one bottle of Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey 700ml and a Glencairn snifter glass.

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.

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 for 36 months, toasting the barrels before charring them, using a low barrel-entry strength, heat cycling to encourage ageing during the frigid winters and using specific filtration types for each whiskey they make. The Sour Mash is their original recipe whiskey.

Old Virginia's 12 Year Old showcases the rare quality of authentic Bourbon from Kentucky. Presented in