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.

"One soaring, beautiful eagle." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible We first tasted Eagle Rare in 2006 when it was labelled 'Single Barrel'. As of 2019, that changed to a multi-barrel blend with a ten year old age statement. It remains a standout value - an American whiskey with the unusual credentials of maintaining a reputation for exceptional quality while being relatively easy to come by. The profile confirms a #1 Mashbill from Buffalo Trace, which is reported to be low rye (10% or less), yielding notes of caramel, new charred oak, liquorice bullets, cocoa and peppermint rock lollies plus cinnamon in support. The complexity grows with time. Re-tasted from a 20ml sample, it's lean on entry, but fills out beautifully into a medium-bodied, chewy whiskey with muted rye spices before vanilla and Bounty Bar flood the finish, the sugars checked by balancing oak and more creamy vanillas. Ever reliable and better than many Bourbons at twice its price, Eagle Rare remains hard to beat. 45% 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.

E.H. TAYLOR Small Batch Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 50% ABV, Kentucky

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.

Originally distilled in 1795, Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an icon. Distilled using only the finest products, Jim Beam continues to be at the top of its class today.

Michters is Americas first distilling company, dating back to 1753 when they started out making rye whiskey. They take a 'Cost Be Damned' approach to the production of every barrel, using various methods including air drying their barrels for 36 months, toasting the barrels before charring them, using a low barrel-entry strength, heat cycling to encourage ageing during the frigid winters and using specific filtration types for each whiskey they make.

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.

Note: ABV will vary from batch to batch. An American Whiskey gem and a five star bargain. Highest recommendation. 2020 batch tasted... [15ml sample] A bouquet you can really get lost in... Opens like fresh rye sour dough, turns vaguely herbal (caraway / dill) and follows in a mesmerising combination of apple mint, balsa wood and heavy vanillas. Mouthcoating, oily rye on entry. Astringent and classically spiced-up at mid palate. Mints and cherry chocolate through the finish. Seamless and sophisticated. Stays with you. Fabulous rye. 54.5% Alc./Vol. Previous batch tasted: [30ml sample] Brilliant bronze / new copper penny colour. Initial pass finds aromas of cherry ripe chocolate bar, poached peaches and vanilla. Further air contact accents white pepper, applemint and oak shavings. The lusciously toasty, perfectly-rounded delivery has impeccable wood selection written all over it: Bittersweet spices challenge the sheer weight of the rye but the grain wins out in a rush of oils, dried peach, dark rye and peppermint. Remarkably accessible at natural strength, the aftertaste turns peppery, oaky, then intensely grainy and long. Some found this a 'fruitier' / more Bourbensque style compared with the 55.8% ABV bottling. Wins on length as the flavour rebounds over minutes. Highest recommendation. 54.5% Alc.Vol. 95 points

Michters is Americas first distilling company, dating back to 1753 when they started out making rye whiskey. They take a 'Cost Be Damned' approach to the production of every barrel, using various methods including air drying their barrels for 36 months, toasting the barrels before charring them, using a low barrel-entry strength, heat cycling to encourage ageing during the winter. The American whiskey is aged in second-fill bourbon casks. It has a rich, soft sweetness which is remarkable.