Wild Turkey Master's Keep One - Review

Stats

Wild Turkey Master's Keep "One"

Toasted Oak Finish

Kentucky Straight Bourbon

NAS (9-14 Years)

Wild Turkey Distilling Co. - Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

101 Proof

Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Retail Price: $175

Poured Neat in a Rocks Glass

Color: Amber

Nose: Vanilla, Toasted Caramel, Brown Sugar, Burnt Sugar

Palate: S'mores. Chocolate, Marshmallows, Honey Grahams, Toasted Oak and a slight touch of Tobacco

Finish: A Warm, Medium-Linger Oak Spice

Overall: Let me tell you, this one ranks up there in my Top-5 of Toasted Barrel offerings without question. Some may think bourbon loses its complexity when finished in secondary casks, well, let those folks think what they want. This guy right here (me), is blown away by how well everything works from start to finish. I honestly don't believe Wild Turkey would have added this to the Master's Keep Collection if they didn't think the same. I can picture the commercial for "One". A group of friends hanging outdoors around a campfire with tin cups and probably too much flannel, passing around this bottle and getting the s'mores started on the fire. Laughter fills the scene along with the clanking of tin on tin as they cheers to the good life and the outdoors. Can you picture it?

As I mentioned, this one ranks pretty high on my list of Toasted Barrel Finishes and I stand behind my assessment. I could sip this all day long. A hefty price tag, but some bottles are just worth it. I'd gladly pick up another at retail if I were to come across "One".

Library Rating: 8.8 / 10

Sagamore Spirit Double Oak - Review

Stats

Sagamore Spirit Double Oak

Straight Rye Whiskey

NAS

Sagamore Spirit - Baltimore, Maryland

Distilled in Indiana

96.6 Proof

Mash Bill: Undisclosed (At least 51% Rye)

Retail Price: $60

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Color: Copper

Nose: Vanilla, Toffee, Caramel, Baking Spices, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon

Palate: Honey, Graham Crackers, Molasses, Almonds and Nutmeg

Finish: Oaky, Warm, Long-Lasting and Viscous

Overall: The extra oak finish creates all the fun here. The sweetness cuts off at the perfect time allowing the rye spices to kick in. I’m all about comparing what I taste to other things I’ve tasted. Palate association, if you will. Sagamore Double Oak is no exception. The best association I could make with this pour is: Almond Roca.

It’s no secret that I gravitate towards Double Oak, Toasted Barrels, Charred Oak, etc. The extra vanilla, caramel and brown sugars seem to shine through and stand tall.

Library Rating: 8.6 / 10

Templeton Rye Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish - Review

Stats

Templeton Rye Whiskey Finished in Oloroso Sherry Barrels

Limited Release

NAS

Templeton Distillery - Templeton, Iowa

Distilled in Indiana

92 Proof

Mash Bill: Undisclosed (At least 51% Rye)

Retail Price: $50

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Color: Red-ish Amber

Nose: Fruit Forward, Orange Zest, Caramel and Black Pepper spice

Palate: Creamy Milk Chocolate, Roasted Almonds, Clementine, Sweet Red Grapes, Black Pepper

Finish: Viscous with a Medium-Long Finish. Warm and Lasting.

Overall: I'm going to put this out there early, I'm not a fan of Sherry. However, I will always give something a try before passing judgement. Boy, am I glad I didn't pass this up. Probably one of my favorite Sherry Cask Finish expressions I've tried. The flavors do-se-do from the Nose all the way to the Finish. The big takeaway and biggest flavor that hits me is the Milk Chocolate and Roasted Almonds. A Hershey bar. I was already blown away by the Nose, but throw some chocolate bars at this guy and I've found something to relate to. Sure the Sherry has an influence, but nowhere near the negative association I have with the Spanish Wine. The Sherry creates that Citrus zest that rounds things out beautifully.

Library Rating: 8.5 / 10