Never Say Die Small Batch Bourbon - Review

The Details

Never Say Die

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Small Batch - 2750 Bottles per run

Serial No. NSDUS0002726

Aged at least 5 Years

Distilled in Kentucky

Bottled by NSD Spirits - United Kingdom

47.5% ABV / 95 Proof

Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

Barrels Used: American Oak - Char 4

Price: $60-70 (700mL)

Poured Neat in a Glencairn Glass

Appearance: Deep Gold

Nose: Spiced Citrus, Salted Caramel, Touch of Nutmeg, Vanilla Bean

Palate: Seared Orange Peel, Sweet Cream, Salted Brown Butter, White Pepper

Finish: Light, Sweet Heat to a Lingering Spice

Overall: We all know about the Jefferson's Ocean Voyages and how barrels are aged at sea on barges and sail from port to port. This entertains a very similar approach, but that's only a part of the process. "Kentucky Straight Bourbon" is the clear indicator that this whiskey produced follows all the requirements to be called "Bourbon". In fact, because the label reads "Kentucky Straight", means it was produced and aged for at least 2 years in the Blue Grass State. Huge climate fluctuations between summer and winter and plenty of expansion and contraction happening with each barrel. The "ins and outs" of the distillate in the barrel does something magical...it produces flavor from the wood sugars. But what happened the other 3+ years? Well, these barrels took a bit of a "holiday" across the pond to the United Kingdom. I for one am fairly certain I can pick out some extra "salty" or briney undertones while sipping this Small Batch. The excursion on a vessel does something else to these barrels that isn't very common, they're constantly being agitated. More interaction with the surface of the charred oak which creates a washing machine of flavor and color. The final step is resting the barrels in England. The weather in England is clearly different than Kentucky. A typically cooler and more consistent climate means the whiskey "slows" down its aging while still soaking in the flavors from the charred barrel. These barrels are then batched and bottled. In the case of Never Say Die, the Small Batches consist of only 2,750 bottles per run.

Stories of brands, labels and products always fascinates me. Never Say Die is a brand that really piqued my interest based on the back story. "Never Say Die" is the name of a horse, for all that aren't aware. Now, before your eyes start rolling about another brand with a horse, check out the story that brings together the USA, the UK, The Epsom Derby, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill and The Beatles. Click HERE for more info and the full story.

Finally, you want to know about the whiskey, right? I like it. I feel it has a delicious overall experience and can be a great everyday sipper. The true bourbon flavors are there with a touch of salted coastal aging and some great high-rye spices. I love the story behind the brand and the history that stems from one event to the next.

Neat - absolutely.

On the Rocks - sure.

In a cocktail - light but worth a "shot"

With a Cigar - I'd pair this with a medium to full-bodied smoke to enhance the experience

Library Rating: 7.8 / 10

Broad Branch Barrel Finished Series - Big Winston Bourbon Finished in Port Barrels - Review

The Details

Broad Branch

Big Winston

Barrel Finished Series

Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels

Single Barrel - Barrel 0147

Non-Chill Filtered (NCF)

Aged 6 Years

Barreled: 7.27.17

Dumped: 9.25.23

Distilled, Aged & Bottled by Broad Branch Distillery

Winston Salem, North Carolina

55% ABV / 110 Proof

Mashbill: 86% Corn, 6% Rye, 8% Barley

Price: $74.95

Poured Neat in a Glencairn Glass

Appearance: Old Oak / Dark Ruby

Nose: Dark Cherry, Ripe Plum, Flaky Pie Crust, Hint of Vanilla

Palate: Warm Dark Fruits, Holiday Spices - Clove & Cinnamon, Buttery Pastry, Sweet and Savory

Finish: Sweet and Smooth to a Warm Sweetly Spiced Hug. Long Lasting Warmth

Overall: It's Warm Cherry Pie, folks. I don't know any other way to describe what's going on here. I love it when jotting down notes and I turn the bottle around to see most of the same notes on the label. I swear that happens more often than not. The amazing team at Broad Branch nailed the notes down on this one: "...an impressive range of mature flavors including notes of cherry pie, stewed fruit, clove, plum and cherry cola."

What a delicious second release in this Barrel Finished Series. Now, if you know me, you know I love the details when it comes to the production, the finishing and obviously, the outcome of everything I try. Well, Don Jenkins and I can "geek out" all day long on these details and the entire process. He graciously provided a "few" steps y'all might enjoy and really open your eyes to what is happening with each of these bottles.

It all started with 24 month air dried staves that became a Medium Toast, Char 4 Barrel. The Big Winston entered the barrel in 2017 at 123.2 Proof where it rested until being moved to a freshly dumped Ruby Port Barrel from RayLen Vineyards here in North Carolina for another 3 months. That barrel was then dumped 9.25.23 at 133.7 Proof and was proofed down to 110 using reverse osmosis water for a period of one week. The slow addition of water during proofing is quite vital and also shows the passion and quality of Broad Branch. As you know, there's no rushing whiskey!

If you'd like to learn more about Broad Branch, check them out HERE.

I'd like to personally thank Don and the amazing team at Broad Branch for always keeping me in mind when it comes to these fantastic releases. Keep up the amazing work!

Library Rating: 8.1 / 10

Lucky Seven The New Yorker - Review

The Details

Lucky Seven

The New Yorker

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Finished in Toasted Virgin Amburana Casks

Barrel 01

Distilled in Kentucky

Bottled by Bardstown Bourbon Company

For Lucky Seven Spirits - Bardstown, Kentucky

Full Proof 58.6 ABV / 117.2 Proof

Mashbill: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, 9% Malted Barley

Price: $79.99

Poured Neat in a Glencairn Glass

Appearance: Burnt Umber

Nose: Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Coffee Cake

Palate: Cinnamon, Toasted Brown Sugar, Baking Spices, "Oatmeal Raisin Cookie"

Finish: Viscous with a Long, Warm Lingering Hug

Overall: Amburana finishes are all the talk right now. But with flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies finishing a delicious base bourbon, the hype is quite real. This time of the year also plays into this finish just as Lucky Seven's Holiday Toast did for me a couple years ago. Something about those baking spices on a cooler crisp day that hits right. The New Yorker is a gem. Immediately the smell of Oatmeal Raisin Cookies filled the Library upon popping the cork. Warm and inviting, the amburana finish is perfect and without any sharpness or off-putting tanins. A beautiful compliment all the way around and a great tip of the cap to Master Blender, Ashley Barnes. A lighter, creamy cigar is next in line with this tasty pour.

How Lucky Seven Started: "Co-founders Michael Lahalih and John Pals have been best friends since their college years and share a common bond of bourbon and cinema. In fact, the Lucky 7 namesake is derived from the infamous Stage 7 in Hollywood, CA, where some of the greatest movies in cinema history were filmed. The warehouse-sized stage produced so many award-winning films that the industry started calling it “Lucky Stage 7.”

Lucky 7 Spirits brings together a complex mix of qualities; each flavor highlighting our unique tone of voice. We are classy, confident and curious. We always tip our hats, invite the outsider to join our table and embrace the notion that life is a precious gift. We are quirky, fun and relaxed yet we know our stuff, inside and out. We are professionals, connoisseurs, fanatics, friends and ultimately family. We love good bourbon, good people and good times." - Lucky Seven Website

Interested in The New Yorker or other Lucky Seven offerings? Check them out HERE

A huge thank you to Jordan and the team at Lucky Seven for this delicious bottle to genuinely review in The Library.

Library Rating: 8.4 / 10