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As whiskey enthusiasts increasingly explore the broader world of spirits, Armagnac presents itself as a natural stepping stone for those seeking new flavors while staying within familiar territory. The Delord XO Bas Armagnac, aged 15 years and bottled at 40% ABV, offers an intriguing entry point into this historic French brandy category.

My tasting process involves revisiting each spirit three separate times, allowing the spirit to reveal different facets of its character with each pass. This method often uncovers subtle nuances that might be missed in a single tasting, while also demonstrating how our palates and perceptions can shift even within a short period.
First Pass

Nose: Green vegetal notes, fresh tomato-like fruit character, punchy and savory

Palate: Almost-but-not-quite raisin notes, suggestions of golden raisin

Finish: Burnt sugar

Second Pass

Nose: Christmas homemade hard candy, orange and grape candy with oily fruit essence

Palate: Dark raisin notes, grape skin tannins

Finish: Well-aired wood varnish

Third Pass

Nose: Chocolate covered cranberries

Palate: Sweet BBQ pork bark, charred Kansas City-style rib edges

Finish: Apple blossom tea

For whiskey enthusiasts looking to broaden their horizons without venturing too far from familiar territory, this Delord XO Bas Armagnac offers an excellent introduction to the category. It maintains enough familiar elements to feel comfortable while introducing the unique characteristics that make Armagnac special. Its wide availability makes it an accessible choice for those ready to begin their brandy journey.

Western Kentucky Distilling, though new to the scene, brings seasoned expertise through Master Distiller Jacob Call. This 7-year-old single barrel release represents one of their first offerings, utilizing select stock from Call’s transition from Green River Distilling. Each tasting note session helps uncover the layers of complexity in this bourbon.

Nose: Caramel oak, proof presence, classic bourbon notes

Palate: Leather, varnish, off-sweet with oak

Finish: Spice build, increasing wood presence, rickhouse essence

Nose: Caramel candies, dust (not dusty), red berry

Palate: Dark sugar, spice, funk, marker (pleasantly)

Finish: Sweetened double espresso film, bitter-sweet-creamy

Nose: Chocolate covered caramels, cola

Palate: Effervescent, root beer barrel candy, spicy (barrel spice not proof)

Finish: Dries to savory notes, brown sugar steak rub

This single barrel release from Western Kentucky Distilling showcases the potential of what’s to come from this new distillery. Perfect for bourbon enthusiasts who appreciate traditional Kentucky bourbon profiles with complex depth. The combination of age and expert barrel selection makes this an excellent addition to any bourbon collection.

Website:

https://westernkydistilling.com/

Instagram: @westernkydistilling

MB Roland’s experimental fill-your-own bottle program yielded this unique single barrel selection. While this specific barrel’s notes may not be replicable, it provides insight into the quality and character of MB Roland’s single barrel program, which has attracted attention from notable industry selectors.

Nose: Maple cream candy, slight dry wine finish, hay dust, sweet tea

Palate: Dry and caramel, sweet tea, barrel char

Finish: Medium spice build, mildly tannic

Nose: Banana runts (from distance), dry notes, mineral water, red wine finish, toasted Eggo waffle

Palate: Dry wood, rickhouse, black tea sweetened with agave

Finish: Spice proof, sorghum molasses, dried wood

Nose: Coffee beans, hay barn, honey

Palate: Barrel-aged coffee, quintessential bourbon flavors

Finish: Drying, spice build, cocoa nibs

MB Roland continues to impress with their single barrel program, offering unique profiles that showcase both traditional bourbon characteristics and distinctive regional influences. This bottle demonstrates why their picks are increasingly sought after by industry experts and enthusiasts alike.

Website:

https://mbroland.com/

Instagram: @mbrolanddistillery

Golden Sheaf, under David Mark Young’s guidance, crafts intentionally blended whiskeys that aim to capture historical flavor profiles.

Nose: Rich old wood smell

Palate: Nutty and caramel

Finish: Slight dry, off-sweet, savory

Nose: Old furniture, burnt sugar, dark caramel, marker

Palate: 10-year-old rye bourbon character

Finish: Mahogany, slightly smoky, more savory than sweet

Nose: Caramelized bananas, graham cracker, burnt sugar

Palate: Spice and dark chocolate, creamy banana notes

Finish: Drying, spice in mid-tongue, very full mouthfeel

Golden Sheaf succeeds in creating a whiskey that captures the essence of mature bourbon. Perfect for enthusiasts who appreciate older bourbon profiles and those interested in historically-inspired whiskey expressions.

This special release from Casey Jones represents their first five-year four-grain wheated single barrel program. Selected through a collaborative picking process, this bottle demonstrates the distillery’s evolution and capabilities in crafting unique whiskey expressions.

Nose: Chocolate glazed donut, dark cola, Dr. Pepper (23 flavors)

Palate: Dark syrup, molasses tea

Finish: Rye-like spice mouthfeel, slightly dry

Nose: Herbal, cola, caramel, slight proof

Palate: Spice, dry tea, herbal, light smoke

Finish: Dark and mildly tannic

Nose: Tea and dark seasoning notes

Palate: Increased spice presence, tea notes

Finish: Full mouthfeel, pleasant varnish note

This Casey Jones selection showcases how a wheated bourbon can deliver unexpected complexity and spice notes typically associated with rye whiskeys. An excellent choice for bourbon enthusiasts who appreciate tea notes and full-flavored wheated bourbons.

High ‘n Wicked represents an intentional approach to whiskey making, with their straight rye offering demonstrating their commitment to quality. Each tasting reveals different layers of this carefully crafted spirit, examined through three separate sessions to fully understand its complexity.

Nose: Creamy caramel, slight green note, cola

Palate: Sweet black tea cola hybrid

Finish: Herbal candy residue, sassafras notes

Nose: Savory herbal spices, beef seasoning

Palate: Drying rye spice, tannic leather

Finish: Slow fade to effervescent, savory-forward

Nose: Baking spice, herbal cookie, bready notes

Palate: Off dry, savory, mild rye spice, sandwich-like

Finish: Pop rocks effect, strong herbal tea, thick viscous feel

High ‘n Wicked’s straight rye offers excellent value, delivering a complex experience that exceeds its price point. Perfect for rye enthusiasts who appreciate herbal and savory notes in their whiskey, as well as those looking to explore quality ryes at an accessible price point.

Boulder’s entry into the American Single Malt category brings a peated expression that bridges Scottish tradition with American innovation. Through three careful tastings, this unique spirit reveals its complex character and smoky nuances.

Nose: Green/dry fruit wood smoke

Palate: Smoked Old Fashioned, bourbon notes, peat

Finish: Tobacco spice, pipe tobacco mouthfeel

Nose: Cranberry honey, green wood smoke

Palate: Light profile, grilled pear/apple over propane

Finish: Subtle barrel spice, mildly dry, effervescent, delayed salinity

Nose: Grilled pears with caramel, chocolate-covered strawberry

Palate: Smoky caramel, mint, green apple, black pepper on tongue sides

Finish: Mild spice, smoke, dry

Boulder’s Peated American Single Malt offers an intriguing entry point for bourbon drinkers curious about peated whiskey, while providing enough complexity to interest experienced single malt enthusiasts. The balance of familiar American whiskey notes with subtle peat influence makes this particularly accessible for those new to peated spirits.

Blue Note’s return to rye whiskey production marks an interesting evolution for the brand. This expression demonstrates their ability to craft unique flavor profiles while maintaining the essential character of rye whiskey.

Nose: Off-sweet, herbs-not-herbal, creamy dill, nostalgic perfume

Palate: Off-sweet, slightly bitter floral, herbal backdrop

Finish: Artificial sweetener, short, unsweetened tea, mild spice

Nose: Red rope candy Twizzler

Palate: Red hots with wax, black tea, caramel wood

Finish: Perimeter tongue spice build, pleasant bitterness

Nose: Traditional hard candy, sweet and spicy steak marinade

Palate: Off-sweet, black coffee notes

Finish: Short duration, slight spice, coffee-like bitterness

Blue Note’s Rye offers an interesting take on the category, balancing traditional rye characteristics with unique candy and spice notes. This would appeal to both rye enthusiasts looking for something different and newcomers to the category who appreciate a balance of sweet and spice notes.

New Riff’s 8-year bourbon represents an important milestone for this relatively young distillery. As one of their oldest releases to date, this bourbon demonstrates their maturation capabilities and commitment to age-stated whiskey. Each tasting reveals different aspects of this well-aged bourbon.

Nose: Graham cracker, oak, herbal tea, honey

Palate: Drying, graham notes, honey presence

Finish: Medium length, understated

Nose: Coconut-oiled leather, savory, thicker

Palate: Brown sugar, baking spice, black tea

Finish: Barrel spice, mocha, pronounced side tongue notes

Nose: Cherry bread, cooked cherry notes

Palate: Savory, cherry syrup

Finish: Cordial-like with wood spice

New Riff’s 8 Year Bourbon stands as one of 2024’s most interesting releases, offering complexity that should appeal to experienced bourbon enthusiasts while remaining approachable enough for newer whiskey drinkers who appreciate aged expressions. The balance of traditional bourbon notes with unique cherry and tea characteristics makes this a worthy addition to any bourbon collection.

Barrel Bourbon Company’s Mizunara Cask Finish represents their exploration into Japanese oak finishing. Part of their Cask Finishing Series, this expression showcases how this rare wood type can influence their carefully selected bourbon. Three separate tastings help unpack the complexity of this unique finish.

Nose: Light red fruit, small oak, slight spice

Palate: Warming, oily, cinnamon notes

Finish: Canned peaches, slight effervescence

Nose: Sourdough (from distance), cinnamon apple slice, savory butterscotch

Palate: Spice build in mid-palate

Finish: White peppercorn

Nose: Sweet syrup, spiky ethanol, barrel funk

Palate: Very soft, dry, sweet wine finish, floral mid-palate

Finish: Soft, very slight dryness

Barrel’s Mizunara finish offers an intriguing twist on their bourbon, creating a unique expression that should interest both Japanese whiskey enthusiasts and bourbon drinkers looking to explore finished whiskeys. The varying flavor profiles across tastings suggest a complex pour that rewards repeated exploration.