Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is well crafted with carefully selected ingredients and aged until it’s just right. Through the decades, fans of single barrel and barrel-proof bourbon have inquired about when Maker's Mark would release one of its own. And, the philosophy at the distillery was always to remain true to Bill, Sr.'s taste vision. But, after releasing Maker's Mark 46 and actually tasting this stuff right out of the barrel, the thinking on a barrel-strength release evolved. If you can imagine the caramel, vanilla and fruity notes of Maker's Mark turned all the way up, you'd have a pretty good idea of what Maker's Mark Cask Strength is like. While the higher proof delivers a bold bourbon presence in cocktails, we recommend drinking this surprisingly smooth barrel-proof whisky neat, on the rocks or with a splash. This is Maker’s Mark with nothing added to get in its way. Certainly not a beginner’s bourbon, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is for the enthusiast who’s after bolder flavours and higher proofs. After being screen filtered to remove wood pieces and char, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength goes straight to the bottle at a range of 108 to 114 proof. This wouldn’t work with just any whisky. Bottled at barrel proof, Maker's Mark Cask Strength ranges from 108 to 114 proof depending on the barrels. Surprisingly smooth, this bourbon retains the signature, front-of-the-palate flavours of Maker's Mark while amping up the vanilla and rich oak notes. The aromas begin with rich oak, followed vanilla and caramel. The palate is robust, with a warm texture, notes of caramel, vanilla and spice. The finish is long on front of tongue, harmonious with no harsh bitterness. This wheated bourbon is rumored to be aged 6 years and it is bottled at cask strength and 109.5 proof.

From still to rickhouse to bottle, a lot of things happen with Baker’s Single Barrel Bourbon. Weather, length of aging and rickhouse placement all shape the distinct notes and flavours of each barrel. See how and where your bottle was born. No two barrels of Baker’s are the same. Each is as unique as the man the bourbon is named for. Each barrel sits in its own unique place throughout our rickhouses, patiently aging for a minimum of seven years to extract the notes of vanilla trapped within the charred oak. And with Baker’s there’s no batching or mixing. Each bottle is filled from one singular barrel. Which means inside each bottle is a big, bold bourbon, full of tiny subtle details that change barrel to barrel. There’s no wrong way to drink Baker’s – whether it’s neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail, you’ll notice strong, traditional bourbon cues, like oak, caramel and vanilla. Bottled at 107 proof, the flavours inside each single barrel really shine through. This full-bodied bourbon really stands out in any cocktail. This bottle is from Batch B-90001.

As seventh-generation distillers, Minor Case have another favourite pastime: reminiscing. In 1871, M.C. Beam began his distilling career under the supervision of his Uncle Jack Beam. By 1883, he was a partner at his own operation, where he brought his son Guy — Steve and Paul Beam’s grandfather — into the business. Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey is “what might have been” in a bottle, reawakening the stills of M.C. Beam that were silenced by Prohibition. “I always felt it was an unfinished chapter in our book,” Steve says. Had master distiller M.C. Beam not been stifled by Prohibition, they imagine his straight rye whiskey would taste a lot like the mature elixir we bottle today. It’s aged in cream sherry casks for an unforgettable flavour. Minor Case Sherry Cask Finish Straight Rye Whiskey has aromas with earthy notes and sweet sherry. Hint of sweet butterscotch flavours on the palate with a smooth finish and hints of dried fruits.

A complex, powerful variety of Whipper Snapper Distillery's signature Upshot Whisky. Its warm with a long finish on the palate perfect for the adventurous whiskey drinker. Best served on the rocks. Look; Burnt golden amber. Nose; Toasted pecan, toffee, and vanilla. Taste; Warm caramel, butterscotch, macadamia, rich oily mouth feel. Finish; Long, generous with plenty of depth and vanilla.

A new Woodford that’s set to be part of the core range. This is finished in heavily toasted, lightly charred barrels.

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.

"...you can buy me a dozen of these roses any day of the week." - breakingbourbon.com Produced from a mashbill of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley, the strain of yeast used for the Single Barrel bottlings is Four Roses' version “V” which is described as being "delicately fruity, spicy, and creamy." (The distillery is unique in that it uses five different strains to create ten different whiskies). Ages will vary in this series, (a seven year minimum is cited by one source). Regardless, the aim is to bottle when the whiskeys are deemed to have reached their peak, with each barrel yielding approximately 180 bottles. Each release is individually marked with a warehouse and barrel number which is not predictable and subject to change without notice. It's also part of the fun: No two barrels create identical tasting Bourbons, thus the single barrel concept provides the opportunity to appreciate and compare whiskies from different barrels and aging locations. [Barrel RN 8-4R tasted] Bright burnished copper penny colour. A robust Bourbon sniff with a dense core of vanilla custard and caramel fudge overlaid with peppermint, balsa wood, cocoa and hints of cherry. Concentrated yet controlled with razor sharp sweet/dry balance; a burst of vanillan oak, honey and spiced peach, offset by a tangy, vibrant finish. Glace cherry is followed by late mint freshness. Text-book poise and length. As complete a Bourbon as you could expect to find in its category, this really over delivers. 50% Alc./Vol.

Gwalarn: The First Celtic Blend After creating two prestigious single malts (Kornog and Glann Ar Mor), Celtic Whisky Distillerie has developed its first blend, born from the blending of whiskies of Celtic origin. Like its single malt predecessors, this blend bears a Breton name that evokes its character, Gwalarn or “North-West Wind”. The French distillery in Côtes-d’Armor intends to bring fresh air to the world of blended whiskies. The innovative blend designed by the cellar master, Aël Guégan, and by Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, founder of Maison Villevert, unites for the best, the complexity of a Scotch whisky, the character of a German whiskey and the peat of Kornog, titled single malt from Celtic Whiskey Distillery. The result is striking in its balance and complexity. Gwalarn presents itself on the nose with elegance. The notes of cereals, ripe fruit and vanilla are clear, with a peaty background reminiscent of Kornog. The palate is energetic and fruity, with lingering vanilla notes. The peaty, salty finish is particularly full and even. Such complexity and balance distinguish Gwalarn from the best premium blended whiskies. Thus, Gwalarn takes place in the collection of exceptional whiskies created by Celtic Whisky Distillerie.