The esteemed Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbons are once again available in tiny quantities. This 107 proof (53.5%) 10 year old bottling replaced the previous 90 proof (45%) release. Back in 2009 we had an opportunity to taste a small sample from Batch #BU512. A robust sipping Bourbon with powerful, prickly, vanilla-heavy aromatics accompanied by marzipan and a touch of candied orange, it is equally concentrated and mouth-filling; Yet, for a high-strength offering, the approachability and balance at this proof were notable. 53.5% Alc./Vol.

One litre Travel retail exclusive bottling. Rare breed, as the name suggests, is a unique bourbon experience. A marriage of Wild Turkey 6, 8 and 12 year olds, Rare Breed is 'barrel proof', meaning that it is bottled at barrel strength with no water added to lower the proof or dilute the flavour. Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell follows suit even after bottling - he keeps his Rare Breed in the freezer so he doesn't have to add ice, which would melt and ultimately dilute the flavour! Non-chill filtered.

Michter's, a renowned American whiskey company, has a rich history dating back to 1753 when Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded the distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Shenk's whiskey was made from rye grain, which was a favourite local crop in the Pennsylvania Blue Mountain Valley where the distillery was located. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington purchased whiskey from Shenk's to fortify his men as they hunkered down in their camp through the long, brutal winter at Valley Forge. The Michter's Pennsylvania management would later say that Michter's was "the whiskey that warmed the American Revolution." In the mid-1800s, Pennsylvania Dutchman Abraham Bomberger purchased the distillery and it became known as Bomberger's. However, the passage of Prohibition in 1919 forced the distillery, along with other American spirits producers, to shut its doors to the public. Although the distillery did reopen after the repeal of Prohibition, it changed hands many times over the next few decades and frequently occupied a precarious financial position. In 1989, with the entire American whiskey industry suffering a prolonged downturn, Michter's then-owners declared bankruptcy and abandoned the premises, leaving its Pennsylvania operations in disrepair and the Michter's name seemingly lost to history. However, in the 1990s, Joseph J. Magliocco and his consultant and mentor Richard "Dick" Newman teamed up to resurrect Michter's. Magliocco and Newman made their first major strategic decision to resurrect Michter's in Kentucky, in the heart of the modern American whiskey industry, to ensure access to the best whiskey talent and resources available. Today, Michter's has three locations in Kentucky, including a 78,000 square foot distillery in the Shively section of Louisville, the architecturally significant Fort Nelson Building on Louisville's Museum Row and 205 acres of farm land in Springfield. Michter's is renowned for producing the best whiskey possible and they continue to honour the Michter's legacy by offering the greatest American whiskey. Michter's has come a long way since its early years in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and its resurgence in Kentucky is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Shenk's Homestead Distillery Sour Mash Whiskey honours the legacy of historic American whiskey figure John Shenk, who in 1753 founded a distillery that was to become known as Michter's in the 20th Century. It is made in Kentucky according to the traditional Sour Mash process whereby a portion of the previously distilled whiskey mash (referred to as "setback") is added into the next batch. This full-bodied small batch whiskey is 91.2 proof. This great heritage is honoured with the release of Bomberger’s Declaration and Shenk’s Homestead which comprise the Michter’s Legacy Series. Toasting and celebrating American Whiskey History with this outstanding small batch 108 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Shenk's is a Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey made with a substantial amount of rye. The unique character of this 2023 offering results from its being produced with malted rye in the recipe. Additionally, for its maturation we utilized two different and quite special barrel profiles: a portion of it was aged in 18-month naturally air-dried and seasoned wood with our signature toast and char profile and a portion of it was aged in special toasted French oak barrels that were made from 24-month air-dried wood sourced from the Vosges region of France. This is a warm and rich expression with highlights of spiced fruit, nougat, honey and spiced chocolate. It is dark amber in appearance with a nose of toffee with spice and vanilla. The palate is smooth and savoury, a whiskey to savour complimented by highlights of smooth spice, dried fruit, and honey.

Elijah Craig are another of Heaven Hill's successful brands. When a surge in popularity for the 12 year led to an inability to meet demand, it was removed from US shelves in 2016 (no surprise, age statements are now sought after). The core whiskey has since been re-labelled “Small Batch". Typically made from a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley, rumour has it this contains a fair proportion of whiskeys in the 8-12 year old range.

Originated in the 1780s by Jacob Beam, a Kentucky farmer, who operated a grain mill and ground grist for locals - a portion of which was always reserved for the families private use - to make whisky. It was in 1795 the Jacob finally began commercial production, however it was not under the Beam Label. Consistency of style has been maintained by using the same yeast cultures for over 60 years, derived from an original culture made by Jim Beam himself on his back porch. Beam Bourbon is the product of six generations of distillers with only one enforced break in production between 1920 and 1933 when prohibition was introduced to the U.S. It was following prohibition, (during which time the distillery had been shut and sold to the U.S. government) that the bourbon was named "Jim Beam" after the head of the Beam family. To drink Beam then is to taste something of its American heritage. White Label is aged for four years and appreciated for it's pleasant sweet/sour and mellow, nutty character, making it one of the biggest selling Bourbons globally. 37% alc./vol.

Note: ABV may vary from batch to batch. Tasting note: [BATCH QBC 16-25 tasted] Bright brassy copper. Dessert style opening sniffs include tea biscuits, vanilla fudge, mocha and hints of sticky date. Air contact dries and lightens the bouquet introducing liquorice root, and fresher, woody/peppery notes. Linear on entry. Mid palate is mildly bittersweet, bolder, oily, resinous, plummy, warming but keenly balanced at high ABV. Finishes with a brisk flurry of sweet baking spices and late cedary oak. 57.15% 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.