Black Maple Hill Oregon Bourbon
Black Maple Hill Oregon Rye Whiskey
">

Click here for a copy of the report.

After the two year period was complete we blended most of the whiskey into our inventory but saved two barrels as "Reserve stock." We presented this unique opportunity to Ace Spirits who selected one of the two barrels.

This Hybrid barrel contains American oak, French Oak, and Eastern European Oak from Slovakia. All were charred and toasted at medium (#3) levels.

Our experience from tasting the different barrels was that the American Oak, our standard, had the highest vanillin development resulting in a more typical American sweet profile, The French and Eastern Euro Oaks were significantly drier and much higher in tannin levels. And the Hybrid did the best job of introducing more tannin, but balancing with the vanillin profile. Way higher oak flavors, but not to the point of eliminating the vanilla content compared to American Oak.

This particular barrel Hybrid 1, was one of two filled on 8/9/11. The barrel was dumped and bottled just prior to shipping to Ace Spirits in May 2015."">

blog post for more detail! A Special Three Pack of our 2018 Private Selections: Ace Spirits Winner's Cuvee (3-P2, 4-CU, 2-46, 0-MO, 1-SP)
JohnBro's Cozy Winter Warmer (3-P2, 1-CU, 2-46, 4-MO, 0-SP)
Maker's 46 Cask Strength (0-P2, 0-CU, 10-46, 0-MO, 0-SP) Maker's 46 is created by taking fully matured Maker's Mark bourbon and placing it in a barrel with ten charred wooden staves (all 46) in it to create more wood influence, more caramel, more... YUM. The whisky is then aged in these modified barrels for an additional three months to maximize the flavor impact of the staves. We love Maker's 46 and so when the opportunity arose to create our own private barrel, we jumped at it. Here's how it works: in 2017, the folks at Maker's worked with Independent Stave (one of the largest cooperages in the world) to create four new stave types to add to the existing Maker's 46 stave, for a total of five possible staves to fill ten stave positions: Baked American Pure 2 (P2) Seared French Cuvee (CU) Maker's 46 (46) Roasted French Mocha (MO) Toasted French Spice (SP) By arranging these staves in different configurations, you could develop up to 1,001 different whisky variants. We've done a few of these Private Select barrels, and we've been able to craft dramatically different whiskies using different stave configurations.">

No. 99 Wayne Gretzky 99 Proof Canadian Whisky
No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Ice Cask Canadian Whisky
No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Red Cask Canadian Whisky">

Ohishi Sherry Cask Finish Japanese Whisky
Ohishi Brandy Cask Finish Japanese Whisky
">

NOSE: Robust, intense caramel. Rich vanilla with roasted coffee notes, spiced dark fruit and mature oak.
TASTE: Mouth-filling. Sweet and intense. Deep fruit, spice and oak notes layered over dark caramel and vanilla.
FINISH: Big and bold.">

During Prohibition, Old Grand-Dad was produced by a pharmaceutical company, the American Medicinal Spirits Co., and was one of the few distilled spirits permitted to be prescribed as medicine.">

visited the distillery, fell in love, and just had to score one of these sought after barrels.">

The barley malt is distilled in century-old stills, then aged in oak casks for three years. During the maturation process, it gradually takes on its lovely amber color and develops magnificent aromas of pear, cherry, and lily. The finish hints at apples.

"European Single Cask Whisky of the Year" - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2011, on the 44-month edition of the Belgian Owl.">

The Flavor
We sampled many barrels of bourbon to look for the flavors that would combine to make an excellent blend.

From the older Kentucky barrels the flavors of caramel, leather, and wood, with a touch of rose become prevalent.

From Indiana barrels the flavors of soft cherry, a nice mid palette feel and a touch of floral are found.

From Tennessee bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, and ripe banana are gained.

The Colorado bourbons bring spice such as cinnamon which are found from the bloody butcher corn, and honeysuckle from the Olathe region sweet corn.">