Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke

I’d like to thank the folks from Beam Suntory and their PR teams for sharing this sample with no strings attached.

Let’s just get the elephant out of the room first. I haven’t been too nice to members of the Basil Hayden line-up the last few times I’ve reviewed them. I used to see Basil Hayden as a great entry into bourbon. Gentle, approachable, and just upscale enough in price and design to attract the eye of people who don’t know anything about bourbon. 10 years ago it was a great strategy for bringing people into the Bourbon fold. Then the expressions got just … weird, the price went up, and those new expressions didn’t seem to showcase the approachable to entry-level mentality that I had assigned the brand.

And yes, I’m aware this is a “me problem” not a “brand problem.” It was just the only way I could square what the brand was with what the product(s) cost. But now, Basil Hayden has a new product out that I think could slot right into my early thoughts about the brand. Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke is a terrific introduction to smoked whiskeys. I’m just going to lay that out right away.

But wait! I hear the old-timers say, “You hate smoked whiskeys. How can you give this a fair shake?” And that is true. I am no fan of whiskeys that have a smoke influence. But, I do really like a smoked cocktail now and then. I used to add a half teaspoon of MB Roland Black Dog to an Old Fashioned now and then when I wanted a smoke influence. These days I use Smoke Boards for the same. And based on the way this product was described, it felt like it might be the first smoked whiskey I could enjoy neat. So I requested a sample and here we are.

So what is it? Well here is what the press release has to say:

Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke is crafted differently from most other smoky spirits. The steps to create this unique bourbon begin with toasting and lightly charring a secondary barrel. Afterwards, hickory-smoked chips are delicately ignited at a constant feed to produce smoke, which is then pumped into the barrel, resulting in soft, charred notes. This six-month secondary aging process provides a smoother, more subtle take on smoky spirits, and creates the perfectly sophisticated, yet approachable introduction to both bourbon and Basil Hayden.

And how does it taste? Let’s find out.

Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes, the suggested retail price is $49.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.33

Details: 40% ABV. Finished in smoked barrels.

Nose: Butterscotch and (as the name says) subtle smoke.

Mouth: Gentle with smoke notes to start. Beyond that is cinnamon and caramel.

Finish: Short but warm. Notes of smoke and cinnamon.

IMAGE: A smile because I like this in a cocktail!

Thoughts: I'm not a fan of this one neat. I'm afraid that, for me, the smoke is not subtle enough. But, as stated above, that is a “me problem.” If you like a kiss of smoke in your whiskey, this could be one to try. Because I do like smoked cocktails, I ended up trying it in an Old Fashioned. This paired wonderfully with my orange bitters, agave syrup, and a zested orange peel.

So the bottom line for me is that this is a meh when neat but plays very nicely in a cocktail (keep the dilution down though, it is only 80 proof). So because I like it in a cocktail, I’m giving it a like rating.

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Alberta Premium

I’d like to thank the folks at Beam Suntory and their PR firms for providing a review sample with no strings attached.

Hey we’re back live! Now you may be asking yourself: “Live? but he just posted last week?” And you’d be correct on that as far as it goes. But this year, since I knew the results prior to writing the first word, I thought I might write three weeks worth of posts and take a bit of time off. And boy, was it a good thing I planned ahead, even if the time away wasn’t as relaxing as I had envisioned.

If you are a long-time reader, you will know that one of my many businesses is a dog sitting business. It just so happened that as I was finishing up writing all the bracket posts, I started watching a very elderly dog. Who was deaf. And took five medicines. One of which was for an infected abscess on his neck. Which smelled so strongly of overly fermented Provalone cheese that it was hard to be in the same room as him. And of course, I felt so sorry for the guy that I washed him up three times a day to keep everything clean while the antibiotics did their job.

While the stinky pup was here, we were also watching one of our frequent guests. He’d gotten into something and had hurt his throat. Poor guy. So he was on multiple medications as well. Some with very strict timing. Toss in two or three other pups and it was a busy week or so. And all of that would have been fine. Easy as can be…except for one small thing. My poor wife slipped, fell and broke her arm. And couldn’t get in to see the surgeon for a week and a half.

So picture this. I’ve got pups who are used to snuggling with my wife and I. Pups who can’t understand why their Auntie keeps telling them to get back from her. We’ve got two pups who aren’t feeling well and a couple more who can’t understand why no one wants to play. My solution? I put my wife in a cage.

Not a real cage, mind you. But we wrapped a large doggie playpen around the sofa so she could be comfortable and dog free while the rest of us played with those pups that wanted to play so they wouldn’t get too rambunctious. It was crazy town! And now things have settled down just in time to get started on tastings and live posts again. Hard to do accurate tastings with a super smelly pooch in the room with you.

Tonight, we are going north of the border for our whisky. We’ve looked at whisky from this company for almost as long as the site has been in existance. And yet, this is the first time I’ve ever had the standard release. And for good reason. It is only now that the flagship Alberta Premium is being released to the US. We’ve gotten the Cask-Strength, we’ve had the Dark Horse/Dark Batch version with a bit of Sherry added to it. We’ve even gotten a taste of their offerings through many, many Non-Distiller Producers who import the whisky under their own brands. But this is the first time we ge to taste what the press release touts as the “number one selling 100% rye whisky in the world.” It also says:

Crafted and distilled in Calgary, Alberta, Alberta Premium is made from 100% Canadian prairie rye grains grown by local farmers. The grains are uniquely nourished by nutrient-dense, glacier-fed spring water from the surrounding Rocky Mountains. The result is a perfectly balanced whisky with unique nuances of flavor that are influenced by the natural climate and environment in which it is made.

So after all of that, let’s see how this tastes. Shall we?

Alberta Premium

Purchase Info: This sample was sent to me by the producer for review purposes. Suggested Retail Price is $24.99.

Price per Drink (50mL): $1.67

Details: 40% ABV.

Nose: Butterscotch, cedar, and pencil shavings.

Mouth: Cinnamon, butterscotch, cedar, and mint.

Finish: Gentle and on the shorter side. Notes of butterscotch, cinnamon, and cedar.

IMAGE: A smile because I like it!

Thoughts: Nothing wrong with that at all. If you are exclusively a bourbon drinker, give it a pass. It's a little more delicate than you will be used to. But if you enjoy a Canadian Whisky now and then, give this a shot. I think it is quite tasty. And if nothing else. it will give you something to compare all the higher-end Alberta Premium expressions against.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, and more.

Baker’s Exclusive Selection. Limited Edition Release

I’d like to thank the folks at Beam Suntory and their PR firms for providing a review sample with no strings attached.

We are still working our way through the sample backlog tonight so why don’t we jump right in.

Back in 2019, Baker’s Bourbon transitioned from a Small Batch to a Single Barrel Product. I’ve always been a fan of Baker’s. In fact, I’d say that it was probably my favorite of the Small Batch Collection. And the new single barrel version continued that even though I don’t buy it often as Knob Creek is so much less expensive in my neck of the woods. So imagine my delight when Beam Suntory announced that they had released a Limited Edition version of Baker’s Bourbon. This one is aged 11 years, 8 months. Sounded pretty good to me.

Let’s see how it tastes though.

Baker’s Exclusive Selection

Purchase Price: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $99.99.

Price per Drink (50 ml): $6.67

Details: 11 years, 8 months old. 53.5% ABV.

Nose: Leather, cinnamon, red fruit, and oak.

Mouth: Spicy cinnamon, leather, brown sugar, red fruits, and oak.

Finish: Medium in heat and length. Lingering notes of cinnamon spice and oak.

Thoughts: As I said above, I'm a big fan of Baker's Bourbon. And this? Well, this is a very nice Baker's Selection. It hits all the notes I've always enjoyed in a pour of Baker's. It's sweet, spicy, and bold. If I knew a Baker's fan that I wanted to get a gift for, I can see myself seeking this out. For myself, the Standard Baker's Single Barrel release would be "good enough." Baker’s Exclusive Selection is really good, but I can't see myself paying the $40 premium for it unless it was a gift.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, posters, and more.

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 2021

I’d like to thank the folks at Beam Suntory and their PR firms for providing a review sample with no strings attached.

It is getting cold here in Minnesota. So cold that when I go for a walk, I’ve started wearing pants instead of shorts. I haven’t yet graduated to a coat, much to the chagrin of my many elderly neighbors who are already wearing gloves outside. To be honest, for as much as I really hate winter, I seem to have been born in the right place for it. It just takes me a while to actually get cold. For example, I seldom wear shoes, even outside, unless I’ll be out there for more than 20 minutes or so or the temperature is below zero Fahrenheit.

That has also gotten me comments from the neighbors as I go to get the mail.

In the spirit of cold weather, I thought it would be fun to take a look at a sample that has recently landed on my desk from Canada. At least originally. For the second year running, BeamSuntory has released a limited edition bottling of Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Whiskey. From the press release:

Made in Calgary, Alberta, Alberta® Premium Cask Strength Rye is crafted from 100% Canadian prairie rye grains grown by local farmers and nutrient-dense, glacier-fed spring water from the famed Rocky Mountains. The result is a perfectly balanced liquid that reflects the brand's unique natural surroundings, Canadian heritage, and expert whisky craftsmanship. 

"Following the success of Alberta® Premium Cask Strength Rye's debut in the U.S. last year, we are thrilled to offer stateside whisky drinkers the limited 2021 release of our award-winning whisky," said George Teichroeb, General Manager of Alberta Distillers. "When Alberta Premium debuted in 1958, we were one of the first distilleries to create a true 100% rye whisky, and this cask strength rye is the culmination of our hard work and dedication to crafting exceptional rye whisky." 

I really liked last year’s release. And I was lucky enough to find a bottle recently on a trip to rural Wisconsin. But, since it was late last month that I found it, I had no idea if I had picked up the 2020 or 2021 release. So I reached out to the PR folks to see if there were any visual differences between the two releases. I like to know what release of a limited edition I’m buying and I thought you might as well. Here is what I found out:

  • The label of the two releases is the same with two minor design differences. 2020 had three standing barrels as a design element and 2021 has a single barrel on its side in the same location. And the typeface has changed from a sans-serif to a serifed font. Otherwise, they look the same.

  • The ABV range of the 2020 release was 63.9% ABV to 66% ABV and the ABV range of the 2021 release is wider at 63% ABV to 67% ABV.

That last one didn’t really help me as the ABV on the bottle I picked up was 66%, which was within both sets of ranges. In either case, I was able to determine by the design elements that I had, indeed, picked up a 2020 release. So now I will be on the lookout for 2021.

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 2021

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $74.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.00

Details: 63.7% ABV

Nose: Notes of cinnamon red hots candies, cedar, and black tea.

Month: Follows the nose with spicy cinnamon candies, cedar, mint, and black tea.

Finish: Long and warm with notes of floral mint and cinnamon candies.

Thoughts: This is good. I like it. I don't like it quite as much as I liked the 2020 release, though the differences are minor enough that I wouldn’t notice if I didn’t try them side by side. 2021 is a touch spicier and really focuses on the spicy cinnamon notes. 2020 had a bit more depth and complexity to it. Makes me happy that I found a bottle of 2020 in Northern Wisconsin last month, but also makes me want to grab a 2021 as well.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, posters, and more.

Little Book Chapter 5 - The Invitation

I’d like to thank the folks at Jim Beam for providing the following review sample with no strings attached.

By the time you are reading this, I will be on vacation. I’m guessing I will be somewhere in Northern Missouri if you are reading this the evening it came out. Hello from Wednesday! Did the world survive?

This is my first real vacation since before Covid. Even vaccinated, I’m a little nervous. But if I didn’t go, I’d lose all the money I paid for housing…so here I go. I’ll be as safe as I can and mostly just try to avoid being too close to people. Which is kinda how I usually do vacations anyway. And since I am in the middle of working my way through a list of “Things That I Should Have Done Last Week But Need To Be Done Before I Leave,” I’m going to jump right into the whiskey portion of this post.

I’ve been a fan of the Little Book releases since they were first released. I’m pretty sure that I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve tried. I really like the experimentation that Freddie Noe is doing with them. And this is no different. The whiskeys included in this blend range from two to fifteen years old. Paraphrasing the sell sheet provided with the sample (and quoting where appropriate) here are the blend components and what they say each brings to the final blend:

  • 2-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon: It “comes off the still and goes into the barrel at a lower proof delivering a whiskey that’s complex and balanced.” This whiskey contributed a creamy mouthfeel and sweet grain flavors.

  • 3-year-old Malted 100% Rye Whiskey: This whiskey brings in peppery notes and toasted grain/cereal notes with a hint of nuttiness.

  • 5-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon: This whiskey brings in hints of vanilla, corn sweetness on the nose, and a smooth finish “that help to balance the flavors from the younger whiskies and the 15-year-old bourbon.”

  • 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon: This brings heavier barrel flavors and adds complexity to the final blend.

That’s what Beam had to say, let’s see how it tastes.

Little Book Chapter 5: The Invitation

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $124.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price Per Drink (50 mL): $8.33

Details: 58.4% ABV. A blend of 2-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 3-year-old Malted 100% Rye, 5-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Nose: Bright ginger and cinnamon, toasted nuts, milk chocolate.

Mouth: Hot and spicy. Notes of vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and a generic nuttiness.

Finish: Warm and long. Notes of baking spice, chocolate, leather.

Thoughts: This is really good. I don't know that I'll be paying $125 for this, but I might check out Total Wine to see if they carry it for a little cheaper. But if you don't see a problem dropping $125 on a special release then add this one to your list. I like it.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.