Whiskey Tasting Notes – September 2016

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#1 – Kavalan “Classic” Whiskey – Cooper’s Price – $89.98

Only 18 bottles available in Colorado!!! I have 5 bottles to sell, but may be able to get more.

“Kavalan Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky is crafted by the King Car Group, which was established in Taiwan in 1956. The whisky is made entirely in Taiwan from malted barley that is imported from Scotland. Once the grains arrive in Taiwan, they are milled and mashed, before being fermented with water drawn from springs situated in the Central and Snowy Mountain ranges. This incredibly pure and quintessentially Taiwanese water source adds slightly mineral, round flavors to the whisky. Following fermentation, the wash is distilled through lantern-shaped copper-pot stills that were previously used at the Glenlivet Distillery. Due to the small size and shape of the stills, the whisky interacts with the copper, resulting in an incredibly pure and fruity flavor profile.

After the whisky has been distilled, it is aged for approximately three years in a combination of American oak casks that were previously used to mature bourbon and Spanish oak casks that were previously used to mature Oloroso Sherry. This unique maturation process gives the whisky an aroma of fresh fruit (particularly pear, mango and strawberries), which gives way to notes of orchid flowers, vanilla, coconuts and milk chocolate on the palate. The finish is medium long, with a touch of oil, citrus and cloves.”

Kavalan Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky earned the Gold Medal at the 2011 International Wine and Spirits Competition, where it was named “Best in Class.” It was also named in Ian Buxton’s “101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die”and earned a score of 93 points from the Beverage Testing Institute. Kevin: I can only sample 1 bottle, don’t miss out.

#2 – Jefferson Very Small Batch Bourbon – Cooper’s Price $34.99

Trey Zoeller, founder of Jefferson’s Bourbon, continues a family legacy of distilling. Handcrafted in “very small batches”, using traditional techniques, his bourbons appeal to novice and experts alike. Very small batch bourbons are produces by skillfully marrying a selection of 8 to 12 barrels in various ages. It achieves the precision of a single-barrel bottling, while ensuring the complexity and the consistency expected by fine bourbon and rye aficionados.

Mix of 60% Corn, 30% Rye and 10% Malted Barley.

Aged 6-10 years. Aged in No1 Char Barrels (light char).

Each bottle includes handcrafted batch number on the neck label.

#3 – Woody Creek Rye Whiskey – Cooper’s Price – $44.98

“We’ve been barreling our whiskey since December 2012. Most of our production is going into 53 gallon barrels for initial release in late 2014. However, we have also initiated a small barrel program (5 gallon with accelerated oak extraction) so we can preview the direction of the flavor profiles of our aged spirits. The good news for you is that you can stop by the distillery and enjoy these young spirits before that are available for sale. Help us taste and assess the quality and character of our straight whiskeys, bourbons, and rye.

Kevin: We were the first liquor store in the valley, if not the state to buy this whiskey to sell for consumers. Our first purchase was about 1 ½ years ago and a lot has changed since that first bottling. The current release has now spent nearly 4 yrs in barrel and WOW what a difference barrel age can do to an already wonderful rye. Its complexity is 3 fold greater with bright yet elegant spice. The weight is round and greater and the length of finish is now medium-long with the alcohol less apparent.

#4 – Charles Goodnight 100 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon – Cooper’s Price – $49.99

William “Bill” Foley II, the great-great-nephew of Texas Ranger, cattle herder and “father of the Texas Panhandle” Charles Goodnight, has followed in his pioneering uncle’s footsteps. A consummate entrepreneur, Foley is the ex-chairman of a Fortune 500 company, owner of a working cattle ranch and golf resort in Montana and founder of Foley Family Wines, where he began his foray into the wine and spirits industry.

Taking full advantage of his creativity and connections (Foley spoke at length with Wild Turkey to find the perfect recipe for his whiskey), Foley has been working tirelessly over the past several years preparing to launch his newest product: Charles Goodnight Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a nod to his late ancestor.

Charles Goodnight Kentucky Straight Bourbon is aged for roughly six years and bottled at a robust 100 proof. “My great-great-uncle was a tough guy and a big bourbon drinker,” says Foley. “He wouldn’t have wanted an 80-proof bourbon.”

Kevin: This is a sleeper and another allocated whiskey so I only have 11 bottles after the one I’m pouring. This is a HEAVY char barreled whiskey. You what they say, “You always need a 100 proof whiskey”