Highline Spirits - Straight Whiskey, Triple Rye and American Whiskey - Review

The Details

Highline Spirits

Straight Kentucky Whiskey

Aged 8 Years

Distilled in Kentucky

Highline Spirits - Dexter, Michigan

100 Proof

Mashbill: Undisclosed - Higher Malt Barley Content

Price: $50

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Gold

Nose: Subtle Cocoa, Light Fruits, Sweet Cream, Corn Flakes

Palate: Vanilla, Caramel, Cream

Finish: Lengthy, Sweet and Velvety

Library Rating: 7.7 / 10

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The Details

Highline Spirits

Triple Rye

Aged 5, 5.5 and 10 Years

Blended

Highline Spirits - Dexter, Michigan

97 Proof

Mashbill: Undisclosed - Blended

Price: $80

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Light Amber

Nose: Mint, Cream, Vanilla

Palate: Creamy, Chocolate, Slight Mint, Slight Dill, Sweet Spice

Finish: Easy Medium Linger with a nice Viscosity

Library Rating: 7.6 / 10

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The Details

Highline Spirits

American Whiskey

Aged 5, 6, 7 and 8 Years

Blended Bourbon & Wheat Whiskey

Finished in New American, Hungarian and French Toasted Oak

Highline Spirits - Dexter, Michigan

112 Proof

Mashbill: Undisclosed - Blended

Price: $140

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Light Amber

Nose: Toasted Almonds, Walnuts, Vanilla, Caramel and Nutmeg

Palate: Creamy Vanillas and Caramels, Touch of Honey, Sweet Cream and Nutmeg

Finish: Warm, Lingering and delighfully Viscous

Library Rating: 8.1 / 10

Overall: Let me just put this out there, there's far more whiskey blending going on in this country than most realize. It's an art and a true craft. I've had the honor of trying and reviewing many new brands throughout the past few years and I'm grateful for that honor. I am quite impressed with what's going on here at Highline Spirits out of Michigan. Higher age-statements and superb blending creates some flavorful and well rounded whiskies. While all three were delicious, the American Whiskey was my clear-cut winner of the trio. Some incredible complexity and flavors dancing around the palate from start to finish. Unfortunately, The Bourbon sample leaked in transit so I was unable to give it a review.

I strongly recommend checking out what's happening at Highline Spirits. As Founder, Christi Lower says, "Every bottle we craft is a labor of love..." and it most certainly shows.

Thank you, Christi and team for sending these to The Library for a chance to try. I appreciate the opportunity and the dedication and passion to the craft! Cheers ~Anthony

Blackened X Rabbit Hole Collaboration - Masters of Whiskey Series 2023 - Review

The Details

Blackened X Rabbit Hole

A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

Finished in Calvados Casks

No Age Statement (NAS)

Distilled in Tennessee & Kentucky

Bottled by Sweet Amber Distilling Co.

Columbus, Ohio

Non-Chill Filtered (NCF)

106.59 Proof

Mashbills:

Tennessee: 64% Corn, 36% Rye

Kentucky: 70% Corn, 25% Malted Rye, 5% Malted Barley

Price: $140-150

Poured Neat in a Copita Nosing Glass

Appearance: Amber

Nose: Apricot, Baking Spices, Vanilla and Honey

Palate: Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, Dried Apricots, Buttercream and Walnuts

Finish: Medium to long finish with a peppery spice

Overall: The Masters of Whiskey Series from Blackened continues with this 2023 release. Crafted from a 13-Year Tennessee Bourbon and Rabbit Hole's Heigold High-Rye, Double-Malt Kentucky Straight Bourbon, then finished in Calvados Casks.

The first thing that comes to mind with this impressive collaboration is Warm Cinnamon Rolls with walnuts. It immediately brings me back to walking through the mall and stopping at Cinnabon for a fresh cinnamon roll and a Mochalatta Chill. It's quite funny how a scent or a flavor can spark these memories. Because, just across from Cinnabon was Sam Goody. I purchased my very first Metallica cassette tape from that very store. Coincidence? I think it was meant to be.

I've always been a fan of Rabbit Hole as well. I had the unique opportunity to go to the distillery a few times and select a delicious Dareringer Cask Strength Single Barrel. The notes from the PX Sherry were something special. A state of the art distillery with some great folks running the show, it's hard not to fall in love with what they're doing in Louisville. Sure, this is a different finish, but the baseline is set and hits just right.

Do you know the story of Blackened? Do you happen to be a fan of Metallica? Check it out HERE

I'd like to thank the great folks at Blackened for shooting me this sample. It truly is delicious. Rock On!

Library Rating: 8.0 / 10

Wolves Malted Barley Series - Lot 2 - Review

The Details

Wolves

The Malted Barley Series

California Single Malt Whiskey

Lot No. 2

11 Years Aged (Distilled in 2012)

9 Barrel Blend

Distilled, Produced and Bottled by Wolves

Ukiah, California

55% Alc/Vol / 110 Proof

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Limited to 2100 bottles

Price: $305

Poured Neat in a Glencairn Glass

Appearance: Deep Gold

Nose: Honey, Vanilla, Milk Chocolate, Barley Wine

Palate: Warm Chocolate, Plum, Raisin, Honey, Vanilla Bean

Finish: Warm powerful Linger with White Pepper tones

Overall: First sip will make you take a step back. Not in a negative way, but in a very unique way. A profile that not many will associate with whiskey, but rather with beer. Barley Wine, creates a super fun profile and experience throughout this entire pour. It's always a great time when you're able to step away from the "norm" and get into something like this. As most know, I want to try it all. This is another winner in my book. Lot 1 was delicious, but I think this Lot 2 takes it to a whole new level.

"The price of being a sheep is boredom.

The price of being a wolf is loneliness.

Choose one or the other with great care."

I urge you to give a look to what Wolves is doing in California. Check out their website HERE One of their previous releases took my Number 1 spot in the Rye Category last year (2022). An incredible collaboration with Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

I'd love to take a moment to thank the folks at Wolves and to Life of Lux for providing this bottle. As most are aware, all of my reviews are unbiased and I take great pride in being able to try so many different variations on whiskey.

Library Rating: 8.8 / 10