A.D. Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml

"The Village" at Laws Whiskey House (as they call their team there) takes Whiskey very seriously. The founders set up shop in Colorado specifically because they recognized the potential of the Rocky Mountain terroir to grow exceptional heirloom grains. They work with two family run farms, the Cody Family Farm in San Luis Valley and the Ohnmacht’s Farm on the Eastern Plains. Rather than use commercially farmed, GMO grains, they use these heritage varieties which are lower yield and harder to grow, but produce much more flavor for the finished product. The grains are milled at the Laws distillery, combined into a sour-mash, and open-air fermented. It is distilled in a custom pot-still and then aged in American oak for a minimum of two years.

Barrell Whiskey Private Release BH32 Cask Strength Whiskey Madeira 5551%

The BH32 is a private release whiskey from the Barrell Craft Spirits team. A blend of Kentucky whiskies, with the bulk coming from 18 year old barrels, finished in a single Malmsey Madeira cask and bottled at cask strength. As with all of Barrell's micro-blends, there is not much to go around, so we were very happy to snag a few of this intensely flavored whiskey. The Madeira really comes through on the nose, notes of hazelnut, pecan, ripe bosc pear, lemon zest, and fresh wheat. On the palate the sweetness of roasted, caramelized nuts hits up front, followed by the grip of wood tannins, and finishes with a long, lingering warmth. Opens up nicely with few drops of water, but is surprisingly balanced for the high-proof. Michelle DeWyngaert

Chichibu US Edition 2020

Coppersea Hudson Valley Bourbon Whisky

A true Bourbon of New York, all of the ingredients from the grains to the barrels used come from the Hudson Valley, with much of their grains being grown on their own 75-acre organic farm. From here they malt in house, use only indigenous yeasts by employing open-top fermenters, and then distill directly over flame which creates a richer mouthfeel, and barrel at a proof of 105 to allow them use only a small amount of water when proofing for bottling. The mash bill for the Excelsior Bourbon is 60% Corn, 30% Rye, and 10% malted barley, bottled at 96 proof creating a well balanced, flavorful, and unique spirit. Michelle DeWyngaert

Coppersea Hudson Valley Straight Rye Malt Whisky

Coppersea Distilling is on a mission to create truly farm-to-bottle whiskies, because it's about time the spirits world caught up to the food and wine world! One of the few distilleries in the US to actually grown much of their own grains with a 75-acre organic farm, and sourcing the rest from other trusted farmers in the Hudson Valley area. They were also the first NY distillery to do all of their malting in house, and they by using open-top fermenters they are entirely reliant on indigenous yeasts making this spirit a true Hudson Valley product. This bottling is unique in that the mashbill is 100% malted rye. This gives it an extra toasty, caramelized flavor compared to most rye whiskies. It is twice distilled in a direct-fired, copper alembic still, and barrel aged at a lower proof of 105 to require less dilution at bottling. Rich and enveloping on the palate with notes of roasted nuts, toasty cereal, caramel softening the peppery spice of the rye. Michelle DeWyngaert 

Couvreur, Michel Overaged Malt Whisky over 12 years old

Before he passed away in 2013, Michel Couvreur was undoubtedly one of the most interesting and inventive of independent whiskey bottlers. Along with experimental cask regimes that included everything from ex-Calvados to ex-Jura Vin Jaune barrels, Mr. Couvreur was a specialist of the sherry cask, travelling extensively throughout Andalucia sourcing the very best butts to age his purchased Scotch. The Overaged 12 Year is a perfect example of that, a heavily sherried malt with an approachable price-point. Chewy and viscous on the palate due to its complete lack of filtration, it has notes of raisins, sultana, fruit cake, dried candied fruit, and leather. Perfect for a cold Christmas evening. Oskar Kostecki

Couvreur, Michel 'Pale Single Single' 10 yr

The lightest whisky in the Couvreur lineup, and quite possibly my favorite, this is a single malt, single barrel that was aged for 10 years in Fino Sherry casks. Michel allows the spirit to slowly come down in proof through evaporation before bottling for a more concentrated flavor and aroma. On the nose are notes of yellow apple, untoasted grains, pear,  and white flowers. The palate is lovely, well balanced, and finishes with a signature salted nuttiness from the Fino cask that lingers long after each sip. Michelle DeWyngaert

Couvreur, Michel Single Malt Whisky Intravagan'za

The 'Intravagan'za' is a single malt whisky distilled in Scotland and then aged in a combination of Moscatel and Oloroso casks. Right from the first pour the powerful presence of Oloroso sherry jumps from the glass. Notes of dried figs, caramel, cinnamon sugar, and toasted cereal. The palate is rich and viscous, withe notes of ripe pear, raisin, honey-drizzled pie crust, and brandied cherry; a cornucopia of stewed fruit! Bottled at 50% ABV it holds its heat well, but fully opens up with a splash of water. Michelle DeWyngaert

Deadwood American Rye Whiskey

This is a great go-to rye whiskey for cocktails and super approachable. Dave Schmier of Redemption Whiskey makes this with a mash of ~96% rye, 4% malted barley from 2-3year old barrels.Bottled at 41.5% ABV.

Deadwood Straight Bourbon 1L

A solid choice for your home bar and cocktail creations! Deadwood Bourbon is produced from distiller Dave Schmier of the Redemption spirits. It is distilled in Indiana from a mash bill of 71% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Barley, aged for a minimum of two years, then bottled at 40.5% ABV. A great value for your everyday sipper and approachable for all whiskey lovers.

English Whisky Co. Single Malt Whisky 'Classic' 750 ml

Scotland seems gets all the credit for great whiskey these days, but these days, much of the barley used its coming from England. The English Whiskey Co. Established the St. George's Distillery in 2006, 100 years after the last English distillery had closed, and now the oldest in the country. Their grain and water is all locally sourced, and their casks are aged on site, and bottled without coloring or chill-filtration (something that cannot be said for most Scotch whiskies). On the nose are notes of sweet vanilla bean, cinnamon, toasted cereal, fresh herbs, and roasted nuts. The palate has a medium-weight with notes of honey-drizzled pear, salty caramel, and toffee coated peanuts. A lovely single-malt for sipping over ice, for those who aren't a fan of too much peat. Michelle DeWyngaert 

Gortinore Distillers & Co. Natterjack Irirsh Whiskey Natterjack Irish Whiskey 750 ml

Natterjack Irish whiskey comes from the Gortinore Distillery which was founded in 2016 in a 150 year old wool mill in Kilmacthomas Waterford Ireland. It was then retrofitted with three copper pot stills. Founded by Aidan Mehigan and  his cousin Lisa Mehigan. Aidan’s interest in Whiskey started when he visited a distillery in Detroit then started studying distilling for himself. By chance he meet Jordan Via, Master distiller at Breckenridge Colorado and a vision was born. Intrigued by Irish whiskey but never having the chance to make one, Natterjack was created  to make something new combining Irish traditions and American techniques. This whiskey is made from 20% Barley and 80% corn and distilled 3 times. Aged for three years and one day in ex-bourbon Barrels then further aged for 6 months in virgin American oak charred at level 4 for another 6 months. With a light golden color and aromas of cereal, oats, vanilla, baked apple pie and slight caramel this leads way to a silky texture with baking spices a touch of oak and malt extract. I think this is a great example of what Irish whiskey should be like and its future.  Nelson Dejesus

MIC DROP Bourbon 3.0 Distilled '15/Bottled '19 750ml

Sonoma Distilling Co. Rye Whiskey

The mashbill is 80% California Rye, and 20% Malted Rye from the UK, which are double-pot distilled in the Sonoma Distilling Co. facility in the Bay Area. This operation  began as a way to highlight the incredible grains of California and the time-honored tradition of making Rye in the US. The Sonoma Rye displays notes of spicy white pepper and stonefruits, but that small percentage of malted Rye really presents itself on the palate with a richer, toastier profile than  many domestic Ryes.

Sonoma Distilling Co. Cherrywood Smoked Bourbon

This Bourbon from the Sonoma Distilling Co. is for smoke-loving spirits enthusiasts! Though typically their spirits are made entirely from California grains, for this bottling they sourced  cherrywood-smoked barley from Wyoming which gives its unique sweet, smokey aroma, like mesquite bbq. The mash bill is 67% Corn, 20% Rye, and 13% Cherrywood-smoked Barley, and is aged for a minimum of two years in  new, charred oak barrels. This is fantastic in a Manhattan, or with a cube of ice after dinner!

That Boutique-y Whisky Co. 15 Year Old Irish Whisky Batch 5

This is the 5th release of mystery-origin Irish Single Malt now 15 years aged in barrel. That Boutique-y Whisky Co. continues to select a diverse range of single malts, single grains, and bourbons from around the world and release them in tiny batches bottled in 375mL format. Masters of Malt call it "lovely" with notes of "apricot, pear and nectarine. Cereal notes and creamy vanilla broken up by fresh herbs."

Van Brunt Still House Red Hook Brooklyn Empire Rye 750mL

The designation of Empire Rye was established in 2015 to distinguish a spirit that is uniquely of New York State and made at a consistent and high level of quality. The specifications require it to be at least 75% NYS grains, distilled to no more than 160 proof, aged in charred, new oak barrels, the entire process must occur at a single NYS distillery  The Van Brunt Stillhouse sources their rye from the certified organic Oechsner Farms in Newfield, NY, and distills and bottles at their distillery in Brooklyn, NY. The Empire Rye is over 75% Danko Rye, aged for two years in #2 charred American oak barrels and bottled at 42%ABV. Notes of brown butter, bosc pear, and pumpernickel bread on the nose, and a mellow, creamy palate with notes of nutmeg, vanilla, and peppery, cinnamon Red Hots on the finish. Michelle DeWyngaert

West Cork Single Malt Irish Whiskey 12 Year Sherry Cask Finish

Three childhood friends, two used stills from Switzerland, and a dream, formed the foundation of the West Cork distillery in 2003. This bottling is a single malt first matured in ex-Bourbon casks, then finished in Bodegas Baron Sherry barrels, before bottling at 43% ABV without chill-filtering or and coloring. The Sherry cask gives this peppery Irish Whiskey a softer, sweeter side with notes of dried figs and vanilla.

Wigle Pittsburgh Organic Chambers St Rye 375mL

Wigle Pittsburgh Organic Chambers St Rye 750mL

It's always exciting for us each to select our own cask from Pittsburgh distillery, Wigle! This year we went with a Monongahela Rye that really jumps out of the glass and surprised us with how much flavor and complexity it had. A full five years of barrel aging with a mashbill of 67% Twin Parks Farm Rye, 16.5%  Weatherbury Farm Soft White Wheat, and 16.5% Briess Malted Barley, all organically farmed. This is a rich, full bodied rye with notes of dark, roasted pepper, toffee, a bit of dried lavender and clove. The palate has a bit more sweetness than the nose would imply, with notes of crème brûlée, banana, and a white peppery finish with a kick of heat. Drink this with a splash of water or use it for a powerful Sazerac on a cold winter's night. Michelle DeWyngaert

Wilderness Trail Kentucky Straight Small Batch (100 Pf)

Fermentation gurus, Shane Baker and Pat Heist, decided to put all of their best advice as consultants to work on their own line of whiskies with Wilderness Trail. This single-barrel selection is unique in the Bourbon world for a few reasons. For one, it has one of the highest concentrations of wheat in the mashbill at 24%, with 64% corn, and 12% malted barley. It's also made as a sweet mash, which means instead of using leftover mash from the previous batch to help along the fermentation a la sour mash, each batch is entirely new. The fact that their first batch out of the gate as new distillers is Bottled in Bond is also pretty remarkable because they had to age it for at least four years. This one on the less sweet end of the Bourbon spectrum, and at 50% ABV it certainly has some perceptible heat on the palate. Michelle DeWyngaert