Jim Beam Rye (2020 Pre-Prohibition Style)

”Ice Ice Baby”

Whisky Review # 893

Country: USA

Brand: Jim Beam Rye (Pre-Prohibition Style)

Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Age: NAS (4 Years)

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 40%

Maturation: New Charred American White Oak
Charcoal Filtration: Yes
Price Range: US$ 30-35 (November 2020)

Price/Quality Ratio: 😐Okay I guess.
Buying Advice: 😑 Good on the Rocks but not good enough as a sipping Whiskey.

History:

I reviewed Jim Beam Rye for the first time on June 28, 2013. Below you will find my tasting notes and score. The packaging was revived in 2016 and the whiskey gained the title of Pre-Prohibition Style. I'm pretty sure the Mash-Bill remained the same though. Last month I received a bottle of Jim Beam Rye as a gift and that's a good reason to revisit this Kentucky Whiskey.

Review 2013

Colour: Golden

Nose: Quite different from the Templeton Rye Small Batch I nosed earlier. Sure, the Rye is there and so are Saw Dust and Spices like Cloves, Pepper and Nutmeg. But I also get Corn, Cinnamon, Maraschino Cherries, Charred Oak, Glue, Vanilla, Orange, Lemon, Apple and Tangerine. A hint of Leather and Wood Polish as well. Jim Beam Rye tries to combine the Best of Both Worlds. The result is not unpleasant but a bit flat.

Palate: The Palate basically follows the Nose with lots of Spices like Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves and Cinnamon, accompanied by Honey, Citrus, Mint, Rye-Bread, Maraschino Cherries, Tangerine, Vanilla, Caramel and Oak. Some characteristics of the Jim Beam standard Bourbon have been preserved.

Finish: Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet with Cherries, Tangerine, Vanilla, Mint, Pepper and Cinnamon.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose gets more Vanilla and Maple Syrup while the Rye and Spices retreat. The Palate and Finish become a bit too thin and slightly bitter. Better sip it neat or enjoy it on the Rocks.

Rating: 81.5

Let's find out if my opinion on this Rye Whiskey has changed 7 years later!

=================================================

Review 2020

Colour:

Pale Golden with hues of Orange

Nose:

Sweet, Young, Spicy & Nervous. The Alcohol is noticeable. Lots of Grains, Caramel, Citrus & Spices.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Corn, Rye-Bread, Buttered Toast, Caramel, Mandarin, Tangerine, Saw Dust, Glue, Banana Bread, Maraschino Cherries, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves and Nutmeg.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Vanilla, Honey, Orange, Lemon, Char, Nail Polish, Blueberry Muffin, Green Apple, Cardboard Boxes, Leather, Grass and Aniseed.

Palate:

Young, Thin, Harsh, Spicy and Sweet with a few Bitter and Sour notes. This is not really a sipping Whiskey.

Main Flavours:

Rye-Bread, Grains, Caramel, Orange, Mandarin, Tangerine, Maraschino-Cherries, Peppermint, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves and Cinnamon.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Vanilla, Honey, Sour Green Apples, Banana,Floral Soap, Lemon, Varnish, Oak Chips, Licorice and Aniseed.

Finish:

Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet. A few Sour notes as well. An almost artificial dryness towards the end. It doesn't really invite you to have another sip. I find Rye, Grains, Caramel, Vanilla, Cherry-Flavoured Cough Syrup, Mandarin, Tangerine, Sour Apple, Lemon-Tea, Bread Dough, Oak, Peppermint, Licorice, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Cloves.

Drinking Advice:

I added some Water. Vanilla & Caramel advance while the Spices retreat somewhat. Palate and Finish become Thin but also a bit more smooth. I get some Nectarine as well. In 2020 I prefer this Jim Beam over Ice.

Rating: 77.5

Nose: 20 - Taste: 19 - Finish: 19 - Overall: 19.5

Drinking Experience Neat: Borderline Okay

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Good

Conclusion:

Jim Beam Rye is produced in Clermont in the state of Kentucky. It's certainly one of America's Top Selling Rye Whiskeys. It is made with 51% Rye in the Mash bill and probably also contains around 40% of corn & around 10% Malted Barley. It matures for 4 years in freshly Charred White Oak Barrels.

I assume that the mash-bill hasn't changed since 2013. I must admit though that I liked this Jim Beam Rye slightly less now than back in 2013. I now find it to be good on the rocks but not good enough as a sipping Whiskey. It's simply too Young, Nervous and Thin for that purpose. It's not overly expensive though and will serve well for cocktails. I think there's a 45% Alcohol expression around and that should be more adequate as the extra Alcohol will carry the Aromas and Flavors in a better way. I would certainly advise you to get this more potent version if you can find it. As it is I find it difficult to really recommend Jim Beam Rye though at this point in time. I certainly won't buy another full bottle of it anytime soon.

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                   November 16, 2020

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2021

“All I Want For Christmas is You"

" In 2005, Ingvar Ronde set out on a quest to try and release the perfect one- volume annual Whisky Book. In 2020 we can safely say "Mission Completed".

Hi Everybody and Welcome at Best Shot Whisky Reviews!

As you all know the purpose of Best Shot Whisky Reviews is to give my personal opinion on Whiskies from all over the world. As it's important to maintain my independent position I'm not engaged in any commercial activity. But, as I have done over the last 6 years, I would like to make an exception to be able to share with you the new edition of The Malt Whisky Yearbook by Ingvar Ronde that has been released every year since 2005. As always, the Year Book is packed with highly interesting stories, this time amongst others about The Sweet Story of Malting, The Quest For Your Own Whisky Profile, The Whisky Brain, Was Whisky Better in the Old Days, Ten Malts That Broke the Mould, & The American Revolution. The writers include Charles MacLean, Gavin D. Smith, Neil Ridley, Joel Harrison, Johnny McCormick and Ian Wisniewski.

The most important part of the book remains the detailed description of Scottish and Japanese Distilleries and slightly shorter presentations about Malt Whisky Distilleries from the rest of the world. All in all, a total of 665 distilleries are presented. 

And there's much more such as a new item about seven Whisky legends with a total of 358 years of experience between them, a presentation of 150 of the best Whisky Shops in the world, a comprehensive summary of the past whisky year and an entire chapter about the world's most important independent bottlers.

Whisky Statistics, Whisky Web Sites, Distilleries per Owner, Closed Distilleries, New Distilleries and Maps complete this Book that also contains more than 500 color photos and over 200 Tasting Notes.

Ingvar Ronde

Year after year, this book not only manages to inform you in depth about the Malt distilleries all over the world but it also gives you solid background info that gives you an idea of the state of today's Whisky market. That's basically all you need if you want to buy one book on Whisky.

On top of that, this book is certainly not expensive for what it offers and is sold in Whisky Shops, International Book Stores, Distillery Visitor Centers and of course at the editor's website:

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2021

I wish you lots of fun with the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2021!

Cheers!

Jan

Jack Daniels No. 27 Gold

All That Glitters Isn’t Gold!

Whisky Review # 892

Country: USA

Brand: Jack Daniels No. 27 Gold - Double Barreled

Type: Tennessee Whiskey
Age: NAS

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 40%

Maturation: New Charred American Oak with Finish in Maple Barrels
Charcoal Filtration: Yes (2x)
Price Range: US$ 70-100 (October 2020)

Price/Quality Ratio: 👎Too expensive for what it offers
Buying Advice: 👎 Better stay with the Old No. 7 or the Silver Select.

Colour:

Amber with shades of Orange (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Sweet and on the Dry side. A few Sour notes as well for balance. The ABV of only 40% leaves the Nose a bit underwhelming. The Alcohol is noticeable nevertheless although it's a lot less Sharp than the standard No. 7. If that's a good thing or not depends on your individual preferences.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Corn, slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Caramel, Vanilla, Honey, Bounty Candy Bars, Banana Bread, Charred Oak, slightly Bitter Orange and Cinnamon.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Resin, Glue, Rum-infused X-Mas Cake, Acetone, Green Apples, Unripe Pear, Dusty Track, Nuts, Tobacco and Pepper.

Palate:

It's quite Thin. I don't understand the logics of Double-Barreling/Filtration and then bottle the end result at 40%. If you want quality, go all the way! It's mainly Sweet with a few Bitter and Sour notes for balance. Medium Dry.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Corn, Toasted Cereals, Caramel, Vanilla, Honey, Bounty Bars, Banana, Figs, Charred Oak, slightly Bitter Orange, Cinnamon and Pepper.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Golden Syrup, Resin, Rum-Soaked Christmas Cake, Cherry-Flavored Cough Syrup, Glue, Salted Nuts, Rye-Bread, Leather and Tobacco.

Finish:

Rather on the Short Side. Mostly Sweet with a few Sour & Bitter notes for balance. Medium-Dry. A light Alcohol Burn. I find Sweet Corn, Toasted Grain, Charred Oak, Caramel, Vanilla, Honey, Golden Syrup, Resin, Green Apple, Bitter Orange, Bounty Bars, Lemon Juice, Licorice, Cinnamon, Pepper and Menthol. Once in a while I find whiffs of Kerosine.

Drinking Advice:

Added Water does not improve this No. 27 at all.

Rating: 80

Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 19.5  - Overall: 20

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Okay/Good

Conclusion:

Jack Daniels Distillery is located in Lynchburg (Tennessee). It was in fact founded by a man called Jack Daniels back in 1866. It stayed in the family until 1956 when it was sold to Brown Forman from Kentucky.

Jack Daniels No. 27 Gold is basically the standard 4-5 Years Charred American White Oak- Matured No. 7 that enjoys an extra average maturation period of around 6 months/1 Year in Maple Barrels and a subsequent second light Charcoal Filtration. The Double Barrels (2) and Double Filtration (2) explain the No. 27. It's good to remember that the No. 7 is made with 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley and 8% Rye. The 27 Gold was introduced for Travel Retail only but is more widely available in the meantime.

Packaging & Presentation of the No. 27 Gold are quite impressive but I'm not really impressed by the contents of the bottle. The main issue is the low ABV. If the idea was to create a luxurious sipping version of the Old No. 7, the 27 Gold should have been bottled at at least 46%. At the same time, the double filtration makes it a bit too soft to fully enjoy over ice although it's not bad by all means. If you prefer to take your Jack Daniels on the rocks you better stay with the Old No. 7. For sipping purposes the Silver Select remains my Jack Daniels of choice. I like the idea of making a Jack Daniels Gold but it should be a top expression all along the way.

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                       October 19, 2020

Ichiro's Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve

”Woman From Tokyo”

Whisky Review # 891

Country: Japan
Region: North of Tokyo

Brand: Ichiro's Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve - Leaf Series
Blended at: Chichibu Distillery

Type: Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
Age: NAS

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46%
Maturation: Possibly a mix of Bourbon & Sherry & Wood with Mizunara Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Average Price : US$ 230 (October 2020) - Lowest Price: US$ 160 (October 2020)
Price/Quality Ratio: 👎Quite expensive for such a Young Whisky.
Buying Advice:😔It's not bad but at this price level I find it hard to recommend it!

Colour:

Medium Amber (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Despite the fact that this Whisky is called Mizunara Wood Reserve, I don't believe it solely matured in Mizunara Wood. When nosing you will immediately get the specific Polished Sandalwood Aroma of the Mizunara Wood but I also get clear Ex-Bourbon Aromas. And there might be a few Ex-Sherry casks in the mix as well. A Mizunara Wood Finish is more likely here. On the Nose this Ichiro is Young, Sweet, Fruity, Floral and Malty. Toffee/Caramel, Honey and (Dried) Fruit lead the way. It's quite soothing and pleasant actually.

Main Aromas:

Toasted Barley, Toffee, Caramel, Honey, Dried Fruit like Plums, Figs and Bananas, Red Apple, Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Floral Tea, Sandal Wood, American Oak, Mint and Cinnamon.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Vanilla, Nectarine, Pear, Bounty Bars, Grass/Straw, Lemon, Sugared Orange, Fresh Herbs, Wet Stones, Nutmeg, Ginger and a hint of Green Vegetables. At times I got the light impression of a wine cellar.

Palate:

The Mouthfeel is on the Thin side and less elegant than the Nose. Its Youth is more clear and the Alcohol is noticeable. It is still Fruity & Malty but Wood and Spices are on the move. Mostly Sweet with a few Bitter and Sour components for balance.

Main Flavours:

Toasted Barley, Toffee, Caramel, Dried Fruit like Plums, Figs and Dates, Red Apple, Sandal Wood, Oak Shavings, Grapefruit, Lemon, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom and Ginger.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Vanilla, Honey, Salted Nuts, Pear, Orange, Bounty Bars, Grass, Floral Tea, Fresh Herbs like Rosemary, Menthol, Nutmeg, Green Vegetables and Milk Chocolate.

Finish:

Short/Middle-Long. Quite Sweet at first but showing increasing Bitterness towards the end. Its Youth is obvious and the mouthfeel is rather Thin. The Alcohol is also noticeable at this point. I find Barley Sugar, Toasted Cereals, Toffee, Caramel, Red Apple, Dried Fruit like Plums, Figs and Raisins, Grapefruit, Lemon, Sandal Wood, Oak Shavings, Bounty Candy Bars, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Ginger, Menthol and hints of Tobacco and Ashes.

Drinking Advice:

No need to add Water to this Malt. It's Thin enough as it is.

Rating: 83

Nose: 22 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion:

This Whisky is named after Ichiro Akuto, the owner and founder of the Chichibu distillery founded in 2008. He is a grandson of the founder of Hanyu, a distillery that was closed in 2004. Ichiro managed to buy around 400 casks of Hanyu Malt. Ichiro's Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve is a blend of Malt Whiskies from these two distilleries. Over the years the Hanyu part in the blend will diminish as stocks decrease.

Ichiro's Mizunara Wood Reserve is quite pleasant and almost female on the Nose. But the Palate and the Finish show its Youth. Lately I have tasted too many whiskies that simply should have matured more in order to get a chance to shine. Economic reasons seem to rule worldwide these days as supply can hardly keep up with demand. Let's hope the tide will turn as it has done a few times in the history of Whisky. As it stands this Japanese Malt is certainly not bad although the Finish is on the Short side. But it could be so much better with more cask time and a longer marriage of the Spirit with the Mizunara Wood. 

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                      October 12, 2020

Chichibu Distillery

Laphroaig 1997 (Sansibar)

”Money Money Money”

Whisky Review # 890

Country: Scotland
Region: Islay

Brand: Laphroaig 1997-2016 - Limited Edition

Bottled By: Sansibar, Germany - 241 Bottles

Type: Single Malt Single Cask Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 53.4% (Cask Strength)
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon Cask
Chill Filtration: No

Price Range: US$ 300-350 (September 2020)
Price/Quality Ratio: 👎I like it but it's really expensive.
Buying Advice: 😋 Not the best matured Islay I've tasted but very nice anyway!

Colour:

Chardonnay (Natural Color)

Nose:

Well-Matured Islay Malt. This Laphroaig still possesses most of the maritime notes of a young Islay but it presents them in a more warm and mellow way. The Nose is mainly Sweet but there are some lightly Bitter and Sour notes for balance. It's not sensational but certainly pleasant.

Main Aromas:

Toasted Barley, Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Campfire Smoke, Maritime Peat, Burnt Rubber, Cigar Ashes, Iodine, Hospital, Bacon and Pork on the BBQ, Lemon, Grapefruit, Red Apple, Damp Dunnage Warehouse, Salted Nuts and Menthol.
    
Supportive Aroma Accents:

Heather-Honey, Toffee, Biscuits, Wet Grass, Freshly printed Newspaper, Tar, Soot, Leather, Tobacco, Dark Chocolate, Dried Apricot, Herbal Tea, Pepper and Ginger.

Palate:

I really like fully matured Islay Whisky and while this Laphroaig isn't the best I have tasted so far it is certainly pleasant enough. It's probably a tad too Sweet to be a real winner but I love the coating mouth-feeling that matured peated Islay Malts offer. Only the price prevents me from sipping a dram of this type of Whisky every single day. But you should certainly enjoy one if you have the chance to go to Islay. I've been lucky enough to visit Islay in 2014 and 2017 and I can only recommend it with all of my heart.

Main Flavours:

Toasted Barley, Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Salted Caramel, Campfire Smoke,  Maritime Peat, Cigar Ashes, Iodine, Red Apple, Lemon, Grapefruit, Menthol, Pepper, Licorice, Herbal Tea and Damp Wood.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Heather-Honey, Vanilla, Toffee, Dried Apricot, Straw and Grass, Bacon on the BBQ, Salted Nuts, Tobacco, Leather, Aniseed, Cinnamon and Ginger.

Finish:

Middle-Long/Long. Sweet with a few Bitter and Sour notes for balance. Medium-Dry towards the end. I find Toasted Barley, slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Salted Butter, Vanilla, Dried Apricot, Campfire Smoke, Maritime Peat, Cigar Ashes, Soot, Rubber, Tar, Charcoal, Bacon on the BBQ, Leather, Iodine, Dusty Oak, Lemon, Grapefruit, Orange-Flavored Bitter Chocolate, Cinnamon, Pepper, Ginger, Menthol, Licorice, Aniseed and Ginger.

Drinking Advice:

No need to add Water to this Laphroaig.

Rating: 87.5

Nose: 22 - Taste: 22 - Finish: 21.5 - Overall: 22

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion:

Laphroaig is located a few miles outside Port Ellen on the island of Islay and was founded in 1815 by Alexander & Donald Johnston. It was bought by Beam Suntory in 2014. Since, the distillery has launched a number of NAS Whiskies that received mixed critics. I find this a pity as I used to consider Laphroaig one of my favorite distilleries. The 10, the discontinued 18 and the old 15 Years are some of my all time favorites. I also love to visit the place and the people. I really hope Laphroaig is not steering too much towards mainstream Whisky but at the moment it kinda looks that way.

Sansibar Whisky is a German Indie bottler founded by Jens Drewitz and others who taste and hand-select almost all casks they buy at the distilleries.

Fully-Matured Islay Whisky is probably my favorite type of Whisky. There's no other Whisky that gives me this complete feeling of well-being on the Palate. And while this Laphroaig is a little too Sweet for me I thoroughly enjoyed the tasting session. It can't be cheap of course but US$ 300 or more is a really steep price. Do as I did and try to get a sample somewhere. It's worth the investment!

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                               September 21, 2020