National Bourbon Week is a prestigious celebration of bourbon culture hosted in Bardstown, Kentucky, renowned as the Bourbon Capital of the World. Held annually in conjunction with National Bourbon Day on June 14, this weeklong observance features various events, including exclusive distillery activities, special product releases, and curated tastings. The week culminates in the highly anticipated Bourbon City Street Concert, set against the backdrop of downtown Bardstown.

Eagle Rare is a 90-proof bourbon (45% alcohol) crafted by Sazerac at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. Using the distillery's low-rye mash bill 1, it differs from Buffalo Trace Bourbon due to its ten-year aging process, though it's not a single-barrel bourbon because of its bottling method. However, special single-barrel releases are available. Eagle Rare offers cherry, orange peel, and a delicate hint of caramel apple, as well as oak aromas, with flavors of caramelized butterscotch and subtle vanilla, presented in an elegant bottle featuring an eagle.

As a dedicated Buffalo Trace W. L. Weller Collection enthusiast, I attended the Weller tasting. The event featured the opportunity to sample Weller Millennium and included a presentation by Drew Mayville, Buffalo Trace's esteemed Master Blender.

This review examines four expressions within the standard W.L. Weller Collection, evaluates whether Weller Millennium's flavor warrants its pricing, and compares it to other offerings in Buffalo Trace's esteemed wheated bourbon range.

Wild Turkey has strategically reintroduced its 8-Year-Old Bourbon to the U.S. market with a competitive price point of $45, marking its permanent availability in the domestic portfolio after decades of overseas exclusivity. A high rye mash bill characterizes this offering and is expertly distilled at a lower proof to intensify its flavor profile, attracting casual drinkers and seasoned connoisseurs alike.

Penelope Bourbon has expanded its Core Series by introducing Penelope Wheated Bourbon, marking a significant addition to its esteemed collection. This latest offering enhances the Penelope range with a wheated bourbon, which is noted for its versatility owing to judicious proofing and competitive pricing. Penelope Wheated is presented at 95 proof (47.5% ABV) with a recommended minimum retail price of approximately $39.99. The designation "wheated" signifies the use of wheat as the secondary flavoring component in the mash bill, replacing Rye, which imparts a softer, sweeter flavor profile that is widely appreciated. Wheated bourbons remain a popular choice among connoisseurs. Penelope Wheated Bourbon features a meticulously crafted mash bill comprising 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley.

Kentucky Straight Bourbon is celebrated for its distinct flavor profiles, craftsmanship, and rich history. Among the myriad of expressions within this beloved spirit, the choice of grain plays a pivotal role in defining the character of the final product. Wheat and Rye are two prominent grains that significantly influence the taste, aroma, and overall bourbon experience. This blog delves into the characteristics of wheat and rye bourbons, highlighting their differences and similarities while elucidating the allure that each grain imparts to Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Today, we will explore the distinguished attributes of Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon, a Bottled-in-Bond Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey of remarkable smoothness and depth. A vital addition to any bourbon aficionado's repertoire, this offering stands out in a landscape dominated by rye bourbons, similar in appeal only to such revered wheat-based bourbons as Maker's Mark, Larceny, and Pappy Van Winkle.

Although many acclaimed wheat bourbons hail from Kentucky, Holladay Soft Red Wheat distinguishes itself by its Missouri roots, produced by the esteemed Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri. This Bourbon's mash bill, characterized by 73% corn, 15% wheat, and 12% malted barley, coupled with its aging process over six years at 100 proof, establishes Holladay as a quintessential Missouri bourbon.

The Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the country's largest and most sophisticated distilleries. It released its first estate-distilled collection of whiskies in early 2023. Bardstown Bourbon Company finally has its in-house distilled Rye. The company uses custom barrels of alternating toasted American oak and cherry wood staves to create their new Origin Series Rye.  Described as a "zebra barrel," the finishing casks from West Virginia Great Barrel Company comprise one light-toasted cherry wood stave, one medium-toasted cherry wood stave, and one American oak stave repeated until they form a complete vessel. Precise infrared light is used in place of fire for the toasting period, taking more time (about 15 minutes as opposed to several seconds) while imparting fewer tannins and a more even toast for each stave.  The finishing period varies greatly, anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, before being bottled at 48% ABV.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled in Bond is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey that's aged for six years. It's made with 20% wheat in the mash bill, along with corn and malted barley. 

Today, I'll explore the Penelope Estate Single Barrel, which has a mash bill of 60% Corn, 4% Barley Malt, and 36% rye. The Single Barrel Bourbon has a 10-year age statement and is bottled at 52.5% ABV (105°). The Single Barrel has a suggested price of $89.99 for 750ml.

First introduced in 1991, Wild Turkey Rare Breed is a more substantial, barrel-proof alternative to Wild Turkey 101. Since its introduction, the distillery has released a handful of batches with slightly different flavor profiles and strengths. Wild Turkey uses only one mash bill for all its bourbons, so Rare Breed comes from the same mix of 75 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley. This is blended with 6-year-old, 8-year-old, and 12-year-old bourbons; numerous batches have been released since its inception. The aging, blending, and, most importantly, the proof point make Rare Breed a unique whiskey.

I think everyone should drink their whiskey however they like it. I drink plenty of cocktails and whiskey neat, occasionally with some limestone water and, at times, on the rocks. Some people prefer the complex experience of a cocktail, while others enjoy whiskey's pure, unadulterated taste when drinking it neat.

The Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon is a special limited-edition release to commemorate master distiller Jimmy Russell's 70 years at Wild Turkey.

New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, shunning shortcuts and embracing traditional aging methods. A standout aspect of this Bourbon is its distinctive mash bill, which comprises 30% rye, a notably higher ratio than the typical 10-25% found in most bourbons. This choice of grains, all non-GMO, underscores a commitment to quality and sustainability.

Baker's Bourbon 7-Year Single Barrel is a single-barrel bourbon with a minimum age of seven years, known for its sweet notes and full-bodied flavor. It is bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV). Reviewers highlight its balance, oakiness, and unique characteristics compared to other bourbons in Jim Beam's Small Batch collection.

Repeal Day is celebrated annually on December 5, and 2024 will mark the 91st anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition in the United States.

The Penelope Estate Collection 9-Year Private Select Bourbon is a meticulously crafted blend representing the pinnacle of Penelope’s whiskey artistry. The mash bill consists of 74% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley, and 1% wheat. It is non-chill filtered to preserve its full flavor and mouthfeel, and has a proof of 101.2 (50.6% ABV). The suggested retail price for the 750mL bottle was $80 in 2024. The release consisted of 36,000 bottles

Weller 12-Year, the bottle I’ll be reviewing today, first hit the market in 2001 as a $20 bottle. A wheated bourbon with an undisclosed mash bill, it’s produced at the ever-popular Buffalo Trace distillery and is bottled at 45% ABV. Although the MSRP is around $49, actual sightings of a bottle more commonly come with price tags hovering around the $200-$300 range.

Master Distiller Brent Elliott selected and mingled six of Four Roses’ 10 Bourbon recipes, aged at least 6 years, to handcraft Small Batch Select. Non-chill filtered and 104 proof, 52% alcohol/volume.

Dickel recently released its second batch of Bottled In Bond, which carries an 11 year age statement rather than 13 and a promise from the distillery that the flavor profile would be decidedly different from its predecessor. Made from a mash bill that is 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley, the whiskey is chill charcoal mellowed like most made in Tennessee.