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Posts Tagged Single Barrel

Four Roses 2011 LE Single Barrel Coming Soon

Mar 21

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

BourbonBuzz.com just received news from Four Roses that their annual Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon will be introduced in May. The 20011 offering will have a flavor profile that has never been commercially offered by them before. Keep reading for the news about the 2011 LE Single Barrel and Small Batch straight from the Master Distiller, Jim Rutledge.

Many consumers look forward to our annual Limited Edition series of Special Single Barrel and Small Batch Bourbon offerings. (I enjoy reading the speculations of Bourbon connoisseurs across the U.S. relative to the recipe we will use for our next LE Single Barrel offering. Speculating on the formula of recipes for our LE Small Batch is too complex for speculation.) We are targeting May for the introduction of our Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon. This year we will use one of the 10 recipes that has not previously been bottled as a stand-alone Bourbon brand, and I am confident it will be a resounding success. I’m afraid the demand will be greater than our supply, and I won’t know for sure how many bottles we can fill until the barrels are actually dumped and gauged. The recipe we will use this year is OBSQ. “B” mashbill consists of: 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% malted barley. “Q” yeast generates a floral essence and when I first analyzed samples from the barrels we have selected I distinctly recall the first aroma I noticed reminded me of a “bouquet of red roses,” and it was Amazing! I believe you will have the same delight and perception.

Four Roses’ 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon is uncut and non-chill filtered with approximately 3,600 bottles to be distributed in May to markets where the brand is currently available.

We are also working on our Limited Edition Small Batch which will be introduced in September. Small Batch takes a lot longer to arrive at the ultimate formula – since various combinations of all 10 recipes may be considered. I’m not sure at this time how many of our recipes we will use to achieve “something special,” but it will probably be specially selected barrels from 2 or 3 of our ten recipes.

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Knob Creek Introduces Its First-Ever Single Barrel Bourbon

Feb 22

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

Clermont, KY (February 16, 2011) – Nearly two decades after Booker Noe, grandson of Jim Beam and sixth-generation distiller, first introduced Knob Creek®, the distillery unveils its first-ever single barrel bourbon, Knob Creek® Single Barrel Reserve. In keeping with Knob Creek’s philosophy that handcrafting superior quality bourbon is worth the effort, the new Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is naturally aged for a full 9 years and bottled at 120 proof (60% alcohol by volume).

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is carefully hand-selected, barrel-by-barrel, to be a unique expression of Knob Creek’s rich, mature flavor. Naturally aged in new, charred American Oak barrels, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is bottled at near barrel proof to maintain its strong, rich flavors and aromas. Unlike other bourbons, which are blended together from multiple barrels to create a uniform taste, each barrel of Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, once hand-selected, is cut with water and bottled individually in order to preserve its integrity and unique flavor profile. This process allows for variations in taste, color and aroma in each batch of bourbon.

“We pay close attention to the barrels we select for Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve as we want to ensure that we’re bottling an extraordinary bourbon with a complex balance of aroma and taste,” said Fred Noe, seventh-generation Beam family distiller and son of Booker Noe. “I recommend enjoying this new bourbon neat, on the rocks or cut with a bit of water in order to best appreciate its depth and fullness of flavor.”

Incredibly smooth and nuanced, this new bourbon features even more of the rich wood and signature vanilla, caramel and smoky notes that bourbon lovers have come to expect from Knob Creek, the world’s number one selling Super-Premium bourbon.

“Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is the latest innovation in our bourbon portfolio,” said Rob Mason, U.S. director of Bourbons at Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. “We are especially thrilled to introduce our first single barrel bourbon offering, and to further strengthen our already-established credibility in the Super-Premium category.”
Initial reaction from bourbon experts to the new expression has been extremely positive.

John Hansell, Publisher and Editor of Malt Advocate, wrote: “This is a stylish, big, broadshouldered bourbon with a thick, sweet foundation…peppered with spice…and dried fruit.”

Kevin Gray, editor at CocktailEnthusiast.com, notes: “Knob Creek drinkers, and bourbon fans in general, would do well to secure a bottle.”

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is available in limited quantities and retails for a suggested price of $39.99 for a 750ml bottle. For more information about Knob Creek and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, go to www.knobcreek.com or visit on Facebook® at www.facebook.com/KnobCreek.

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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Arriving Soon

Dec 24

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

Bourbon Buzz just received the following information from Knob Creek:

Knob Creek has big news, and we wanted our faithful Stillhouse fans to be the first to know: In just a few weeks, we’re launching Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, the first single-barrel offering from Knob Creek®.

Knob Creek is the only bourbon that puts as much effort into our passion as you put into yours and as a result, our new Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is a truly extraordinary bourbon. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve has been hand selected, barrel-by-barrel to be a unique expression of Knob Creek’s rich, mature flavor. Bottled at near barrel strength of 120 proof, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve will offer you a smooth, nuanced experience with even more of the rich wood and vanilla notes that have made Knob Creek the standout bourbon that it is.

You won’t have to wait much longer: We’ll be shipping our first batch early next year. We’ll send you more information in the weeks ahead, so stay tuned. And get ready to toast a deliciously rewarding new year!

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Four Roses 100th Anniversary Single Barrel Coming Soon

Mar 10

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (March 8, 2010) – Four Roses Bourbon is adding another barrel strength single barrel Bourbon to its collection of limited edition releases – this time, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the opening of the distillery building in Lawrenceburg, Ky.

The Four Roses 100th Anniversary Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon will be released in early April just in time for the Kentucky Derby. Bottled at barrel strength and non-chill filtered, the distillery will produce only about 2,300 bottles to be distributed nationally in markets where Four Roses is currently available.

Selected from one of Four Roses’ 10 Bourbon recipes, the rare, 17-year-old offering boasts an aroma of brisk cloves and candied fruits while hints of peach and cherry meld seamlessly with creamy, spiced vanilla and oak.

“Every year our goal is to select the most special recipe aged to perfection,” said Jim Rutledge, Master Distiller of Four Roses Bourbon. “A milestone anniversary deserves a milestone bourbon and we believe this release is one-of-a-kind.”

The Four Roses Distillery, on the banks of the scenic Salt River, is a special find on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail route. The facility was built in 1910 and features a unique Spanish Mission-Style architecture rarely seen in Kentucky. The distillery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A gold etching of the distillery building is featured on the back of the limited edition bottle, adding to its appeal for the Bourbon enthusiast or collector.

Four Roses seeks oldest distillery employee
Also to commemorate the anniversary, Four Roses is searching for the oldest living person to have worked at its Lawrenceburg distillery. Once found, later this year, the individual will receive the No. 1 bottle of the limited edition bourbon release autographed by Rutledge as a collector’s item, and a still at the distillery will be named in their honor.

“Over the years, we have seen so many team members who are so committed and dedicated to our Bourbon,” said Rutledge. “The Four Roses Distillery could not have reached this level of success without a dedicated, loyal and hard-working staff. I applaud our entire team, and look forward to the future of Four Roses Bourbon.”

People who would like to submit someone for consideration as the oldest former distillery employee can contact Four Roses at (502) 839-3436 or by email at info@fourroses.biz for more information.

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Be sure to check out the first review of this bourbon over at BourbonBlog.com

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Buffalo Trace Experiments with Double Barrels

Nov 12

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

Buffalo Trace Experimental CollectionFRANKLIN COUNTY, KY— It’s time for the next round! After more than twenty years of experimentation, Buffalo Trace Distillery is rolling out more of their sought after Experimental Collection. The release explores what effect “double barreling” has on bourbon whiskey. In these two experiments the bourbon was aged in new, charred oak barrels and then removed after several years, only to fill more new, charred oak barrels.  The full flavor from each of these new barrels was extracted by the whiskey, creating a very powerful result.

Here are some of this experiment’s details:

1. 1993 Double Barreled: These barrels were filled April 4, 1993 and bottled September 15, 2009. Buffalo Trace Rye Bourbon Mash Bill #2 was used and the product entered the barrel at 125 proof. The bourbon was removed from its original barrel and re-barreled December 12, 2001. At 16 years and five months of age the finished product has a deep, rich flavor that fully expresses the oak character. The re-barreling has taken it far beyond its 16 years. It has a very strong, powerful finish.

2. 1997 Double Barreled: These barrels were filled November 18, 1997 and bottled September 16, 2009. Buffalo Trace Rye Bourbon Mash Bill #2 was used and the product entered the barrel at 125 proof. The bourbon was removed from its original barrel and re-barreled December 12, 2001. At 11 years and ten months of age the finished product has a complex barrel flavor. It possesses a deep caramel color making it pleasing to the eye as well as the palette. It has a very robust start and finishes smooth.

“I really love the variety in these experimental releases,” commented Harlen Wheatley, master distiller. “The end product is so different from one release to the next. I look forward to the new information we garner from each round.”

There are more than 1,500 experimental barrels of whiskey now aging in the warehouses of Buffalo Trace. Each of the barrels has unique characteristics making it different from all others. Some examples of these experiments include unique mash bills, types of wood and barrel toasts.  In order to further increase the scope, flexibility and range of the experimental program an entire micro distillery, complete with cookers, fermenting tanks and a state of the art micro still has been constructed within the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

The Experimental Collection will be packaged in 375ml bottles. Each label will include all the pertinent information unique to that barrel of whiskey. These whiskies will be released in late October of 2009 and retail for approximately $46.35 each. Each experiment is rare and very limited. For more information on the Experimental Collection or the other products of Buffalo Trace Distillery, please contact Kris Comstock at kcomstock@buffalotrace.com.

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Woodford Reserve Releases Limited Edition Bourbon Featuring Specially-Aged Barrels

Oct 28

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

October 27, 2009, Louisville, Ky. – Woodford Reserve announces the latest extension of its acclaimed Master’s Collection which will be released on November 1. Called ‘Seasoned Oak Finish,’ it is the fourth in the series of limited edition bottlings and continues Woodford Reserve’s tradition of crafting rare whiskeys that extend the category in bold new directions.

Barrels play a key role in producing bourbon, with approximately 70 percent of the spirit’s wrmc-seasoned-oak-bottle-shot-187x300flavor and aroma and all of its color provided by the oak barrel. Woodford Reserve’s new offering, Seasoned Oak Finish, features bourbon finish-aged in unique barrels crafted with wood that has been seasoned longer than any previously used in the industry.

“Of all the distillers in our industry, we are the only bourbon company that crafts its own barrels, giving us unique knowledge and control of the process,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. “As the rough oak staves are exposed to seasonal weather changes and subsequently dried, this natural cycle develops a new range of flavors in the wood.”

This seasoning progression changes the wood by reducing tannins and ultimately creates a new range of flavor compounds. The staves for most bourbon barrels are seasoned for three to five months; however, Seasoned Oak Finish combines fully-matured Woodford Reserve with barrels crafted from wood that has been exposed to the outdoors for three to five years — the longest seasoning known in the bourbon industry.

“By ‘finish aging’ Woodford Reserve in barrels that have been crafted from oak and seasoned for several years, we created a bourbon unlike any other in the industry. It’s the most robust bourbon we have ever made,” said Wayne Rose, brand director for Woodford Reserve. “This special Master’s Collection release emboldens Woodford Reserve with ‘extra-aged’ oak character resulting in a new and complex flavor profile.”

Seasoned Oak Finish is the fourth in the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection series following the Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish and Sweet Mash products. Released periodically at the master distiller’s discretion, the Master’s Collection whiskeys are extremely limited in quantity and bottled only once in a proprietary package inspired by the copper pot stills of The Woodford Reserve Distillery.

The inspiration for the Master’s Collection is rooted in the rich history and tradition of what is today known as The Woodford Reserve Distillery. In the mid-1800s distillery owner Oscar Pepper and Master Distiller James Crow studied and recommended use of key processes like sour mashing and charred barrel maturation at the historic Woodford County distillery. These practices are still maintained in the bourbon industry and, today, the distillery receives more than 80,000 visitors annually and is the only one in America to triple-distill bourbon in copper pot stills.

Woodford Reserve Seasoned Oak Finish will be sold in 44 U.S. markets, and a limited quantity will be available in Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, New Zealand and Australia. Each bottle is individually hand-numbered and presented at 100.4 proof. Available in major metro markets, only 1,337 cases are available with a suggested retail price of $89.99 for a 750ml bottle.

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Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman

Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Fetzer, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, Tuaca, and Bonterra. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2009.

Tasting Notes for Woodford Reserve Seasoned Oak Finish

Color:  Rich mahogany.

Aroma:  Deep, complex and subtly sweet; hints of cinnamon, clove, rich caramel and pipe  tobacco, with a nutty oak character.

Taste:   Full-flavored and robust oak with layers of anise, dark berries and cherry fruit,  warming cinnamon and clove spice notes, all with a caramel nut sauce.

Finish: Velvety and long with a hint of crisp dryness.

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Four Roses Has Launched Its Private Selection

Oct 21

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in News

FOURROSESBARRELLAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (October 12, 2009) – Four Roses has launched its Private Selection – acustomized barrel selection program offering spirits retailers the option of sampling a variety of recipes in choosing a one-of-a-kind single barrel bourbon to stock on their shelves or bar back.

Four Roses is the only bourbon distillery that combines five proprietary yeast strains with two separate mashbills to produce 10 distinct bourbon recipes, each with unique characteristics.  Currently, retailers may select from eight recipes, aged between eight and 10 years, as part of the Four Roses Private Selection program. Existing barrel inventories of two Four Roses recipes have not yet aged the program’s minimum of eight years.

With the range of recipes and ages available, spirits retailers have the opportunity to stock a bourbon that has never before been bottled for distribution in America.

Four Roses invites retailers interested in selecting their own barrel to visit the warehouses and bottling facilities in Cox’s Creek, Ky.  Hall of Fame Master Distiller Jim Rutledge often leads participants through a sampling process to help determine their preferred taste profile.

“It’s always fascinating to sample the different recipes with retailers, because a particular barrel that I may think is remarkable may not be someone else’s favorite,” Rutledge said.  “With bourbon, it’s all about personal preference, and with Four Roses’ 10 recipes, we are really able to offer an incredibly wide range of options.”

Once a retailer selects a barrel, Four Roses will bottle the bourbon at barrel strength – uncut and not chill filtered.  Restaurants, bars and spirits retailers may have their name and logo added to a customized bottle label.  Each barrel produces between 25 and 40 six-bottle cases.

Retailers in Kentucky, California, Tennessee, Illinois and New York have already participated in the Private Selection program.

For more information on Four Roses’ Private Selection Program, visit www.fourroses.us or call the distillery at (502) 839-3436.

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Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition 2009 Review

Jun 4

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, Reviews

Four Roses Limited Edition SB 2009The Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition 2009 Release is starting to hit the shelves now. The bourbon is coming at uncut barrel strength and has not been chill filtered. It is running 11 years old and around 113.8 proof (or 56.9 percent alcohol by volume). The 2009 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon has combined the mashbill using 20% rye grain with yeast number 5 which is the OESQ recipe (see below for reference code info). The distillery is producing 1,836 bottles of this release, from super select barrels, and distributing it only in select U.S. markets. The price point is around $70 USD.

Master Distiller Jim Rutledge specially selected the sophisticated 11-year-old whiskey from among the 10 bourbon recipes the distillery produces.

“We’re excited to continue the tradition of releasing an exceptional, and very unique single barrel limited edition that consists of one recipe we feel exhibits various combinations of flavors and aromas pleasing to any Bourbon enthusiast,” said Rutledge.

As a member of the Mellow Moments Club, I had the privilege of tasting this bourbon at the Four Roses Distillery prior to its release. Master Distiller, Jim Rutledge, opened a barrel and drew some of the precious whiskey straight from the barrel for us to taste. He kept the pours coming all night and entertained us until we were all content! When asked how he liked to drink his bourbon, he said, “straight from the barrel!”

The first thing I noticed about my pour of whiskey was the dark, rich amber color. The nose was quite potent and told of the higher proof. The first taste had an initial edge that turned smooth and sweet. Upon taking my first taste, I immediately noticed less spice and ultimately less rye than the standard Four Roses single barrel bourbon (20 % vs. 35%). This bourbon seemed to sit very well on the tongue and was less oily than the standard single barrel. I tasted the oak, nuts, caramel, honey, a bit of wheat grass and spice. It had a very long, clean and complex finish with a nice slow burn that hung around for a bit. After several drinks, the rye started to pop out a little more, but was not overpowering and somewhat subtle. It added to the great complexity of the bourbon. I added a splash of water, which greatly opened the whiskey up and brought out more subtleties. It handled the splash of water very well and is how I will probably drink it from this point forward.

Overall the bourbon is a success. It is different from anything else I have tasted from Four Roses. I can say that it is probably not a bourbon for the beginner or average bourbon drinker. It is definitely targeted at the connoisseur with a sophisticated palette. That being said, I will definitely be buying several bottles of this for the bunker, if I can find them.

Be sure to let us know what you think!

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Four Roses Reference Codes:

10 Total Recipes

Two Mashbills:

OE             OB

Corn                        75%         60%
Rye                          20%         35%
Malted Barley         5%           5%

Five Yeast Cultures:

Yeast Codes:          V, K, O, Q, F

Basic Flavor Descriptors:
V – Delicate fruity flavor
K – Slight spicy character
O – Robust fruitiness
Q – Floral essence
F – Light herbal essence

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Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel “Sneak Peak”

May 12

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, Events

Mellow Moments ClubFour Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition 2009Dear Mellow Moments Club Member,

Shhh!  Please don’t tell!  We’re offering a “sneak peek” of the Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel 2009 only to MMC members.  Come and celebrate with us and enjoy a sip of the latest non chill filtered Barrel Strength Bourbon.  This wonderful Bourbon is another one of our unique ten recipes, aged 11 years, and never before been released as a Single Barrel.  We want you to be the first to know and taste this special release.

On May 28, we are offering you the opportunity to sample this selection before it hits the shelves.  We invite you to join us at the distillery from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for  hors d’oeuvres and a taste of this Limited Edition chosen by Master Distiller, Jim Rutledge.  During this event Jim will describe the uniqueness of this special Bourbon and answer any questions you may have about the product.

If you would like to attend with one guest, please RSVP by May 22 by calling 1.877.FOUROSE or via email to julie_crittenden@fourroses.biz

The reservations for this event are limited so reply as soon as possible.

Highly respected whiskey writer, Chuck Cowdery has already sampled it. Check out his review here.

Link: Press Release

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