Best Bourbons of 2021 - List Roundup

Picture from Gearmoose [https://gearmoose.com/]

As 2021 draws to a close, we are once again inundated with yearly roundups of the best of 2021 lists. It seems everyone and their brother has come out with some version of the Best Bourbons of 2021. Below are a few of these lists.

Our first list comes from Liquor.com. 

 

• Best Overall: Henry McKenna Single Barrel 
• Best Value: Maker’s Mark
• Best for Sipping: Widow Jane 10 Year
• Best Kentucky Bourbon: Evan Williams Single Barrel
• Best Tennessee Bourbon: Heaven’s Door
• Best Under $50: Four Roses Single Barrel
• Best Under $100: Willett Noah’s Mill
• Best High-Proof: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
• Best Barrel Strength: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
• Best Wheated: Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch

 

Digital media website VinePair brings us our second list.

 

1. Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series FAE 01
2. Old Forester The 117 Series “High Angels” Share
3. Knob Creek 12-Year-Old
4. 1792 Single Barrel
5. New Riff Single Barrel
6. Pinhook Vertical Series “Bourbon War’ 5-Year
7. Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
8. A. Smith Bowman “John J. Bowman” Pioneer Single Barrel

 

Our next list comes from Wine Enthusiast and is based on price and overall satisfaction. (Highest price to lowest).

 

• Angel’s Envy Finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak Casks Bourbon; $350.
• Four Roses 2020 Limited Edition Small Batch Barrel Strength; $150.
• Barrel Private Release A01A Bourbon; $110.
• 18th Street Distillery Spirit Thief Selection Bourbon; $100.
• Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Spring 2020 Edition; $90.
• Kuiper Belt Aged 8 Years Straight Kentucky Bourbon; $85.
• Peerless Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon; $70.
• Milam & Greene Single Barrel Straight Bourbon; $55.
• Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon; $45.
• George Remus Bourbon; $40.
• Navigator Straight Bourbon; $40.
• Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon; $30.
• Winchester Double Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished With Sherry Cask Staves; $30.

 

Digital media website Mashed.com brings us our next list based on price and overall satisfaction.

 

1. Maker’s Mark 46
2. Noah’s Mill Bourbon Whiskey
3. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
4. Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
5. Four Roses Small Batch Select
6. Black Bourbon Society’s Maker’s Mark Private Selection: Recipe 2
7. Knob Creek 12-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon
8. W.L. Weller 12-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey
9. W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B
10. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year

 

Whiskey blog Whiskeybon.com supplies the next list. This is "a list of [their] personal preferences for what [they] enjoy the most but many of the choices do correlate positively with popular opinion."

 

Seven best bourbons that are not easily obtained:

 

1. W.L. Weller
2. George T Stagg
3. Pappy Van Winkle 15
4. Pappy Van Winkle 23
5. Four Roses Al Young
6. Michter's 20
7. Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel

 

Nine best bourbons that are obtainable:

 

1. Weller 12
2. 1792 Full Proof
3. Rebel Yell 10
4. Smooth Ambler Old Scout 10
5. Old Forester 1920
6. Blanton's Gold
7. Blanton’s SFTB
8. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
9. Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition

 

Two best budget bourbons:

 

1. Four Roses Single Barrel
2. Eagle Rare 10

 

Individual Awards:

 

Best Overall: W.L Weller (BTAC)

Best High Age (15 years +): Pappy Van Winkle 23

Best Pound for Pound: Weller 12

Best Value Budget Bourbon: Eagle Rare 10

Best Barrel Proof: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Best for First-Timers: Buffalo Trace

Best from Small Craft Distillery: Kings County Distillery Barrel Proof

Best Single Barrel: Four Roses Single Barrel

Best Small Batch: Elijah Craig 12

Best Bottled in Bond: Colonel EH Taylor Bottled In Bond

Best Wheated: Rebel Yell 10

Best High Rye: Wild Turkey 101

Best Smooth Bourbon: Blanton’s Gold Edition

Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon: Balcones Baby Corn

Lots of differing opinions but I've always said the best bourbons are the ones you enjoy.  

Motörhead Ace of Spades Straight Bourbon

Brew Pipeline recently announced the launch of Motörhead Ace of Spades Straight Bourbon, its latest collaboration with rock legends, Motörhead. This 90 proof, high-rye bourbon was aged four years on charred oak and is produced and bottled by award-winning small-batch Proof Artisan Distillers from Fargo, ND. While receiving a limited release last august, popular demand now has Brew Pipeline fulfilling orders across the U.S., including online orders via Craft Shack, shipping to 41 states. 

The following tasting notes are provided at drinkmotorhead.com.

Nose:

An initial distinctive “In-Your-Face” punch of high rye bourbon, quickly evolves to a rounded balance of sweet notes including butternut, vanilla, and toasted oak. A balanced combination of spicy-sweet, which is in contrast to the predictable dessert-like sweet.

Palate:

Spice and grains take the lead with cinnamon, rye, black pepper, and a hint of mint. The 90 proof warmth quickly eases into full-bodied bourbon notes of oak, caramelized brown sugar, tobacco, and cocoa. Complex waves of spice and sweetness take alternating turns with each approach of the tasting.      

Finish:

The waves gradually subside from full-bodied bourbon to sweetness, to wax walnut, and ultimately ending in a single note: Cinnamon. A single note that lingers and resonates – like echoes from the amplifier – ACE OF SPADES. 

The full article can be found at Craft Spirits Mag here.

 

Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof Bourbon

 

According to a recent article at CraftSpiritsMag.com, San Antonio distillery Maverick Whiskey is releasing their limited-edition Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This Certified Texas Whiskey is pot-distilled from a mash of 72% Texas grown corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. After being aged a minimum of two years in new charred White Oak barrels, the whiskey is non-chill filtered and hand-bottled at 114 proof (57% ABV).

Tasting Notes (per CraftSpiritsMag.com)

A nose of deep earthiness with notes of vanilla and caramel gives way to a palate that is delightfully smooth with notes of sweet caramel, cola, and spices. The silky finish has the peppery bite of rye and a touch of mint. Best served neat or with one large ice cube in a Glencairn.

The full article from Craft Spirits Mag can be found here. 

Four Roses Press Release Announcing New 50ml Bottles

50 ml options of award-winning Small Batch and Small Batch Select available now

Luxco rebrands Indiana home of its branded spirits to Ross & Squibb Distillery

PRESS RELEASE

LAWRENCEBURG, IN (Sept. 29, 2021) – Luxco will rename the 174-year-old, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distiller of its branded spirits Ross & Squibb Distillery™ as it joins the Luxco family of brands. Effective immediately, the distiller of George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey will go by its new name.

Like the brands it produces, Ross & Squibb Distillery pays tribute to Indiana’s distilling history and the pioneers who transformed Lawrenceburg, Indiana, into “Whiskey City USA” and helped make Indiana the rye capital of the world. The Ross & Squibb name is a celebration of two such stories:

“Ross” is inspired by the legacy of George Ross, who in 1847 founded the Rossville Distillery, located on what is now the Ross & Squibb Distillery campus. Considered one of Lawrenceburg’s original distilleries and one of America’s last Prohibition-era distilleries, Rossville Distillery produced some of the finest rye whiskeys in the world and was the inspiration for the Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey brand.

“Squibb” calls back to the historic Squibb Distillery, founded in 1869 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and later purchased in 1921 by George Remus, King of the Bootleggers^® and inspiration for the George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey brand.

“In rebranding our Lawrenceburg distillery, we sought to celebrate Indiana’s rich and important distilling history, particularly as it involves the inspiration behind our branded spirits,” said David Bratcher, COO and president of branded spirits for MGP. “All Ross & Squibb brands find their inspiration in Indiana distilling history, so it is fitting the distillery itself now does as well.”

MGP will continue to produce bourbon, rye, whiskey, gin and grain-neutral spirits from this facility under its current name:  MGPI of Indiana, LLC, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, for its customers.

 

About Luxco

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from five distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; Ross & Squibb Distillery, where George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced; and the Washington, D.C.-based Green Hat Distillery, producer of the Green Hat family of gins. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

 

Heaven Hill Press Release: Elijah Craig announces new Toasted Barrel Bourbon

Here is today's press release from Heaven Hill announcing the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel release:

New expression finished in custom toasted new oak barrels continues Elijah Craig’s spirit of innovation
Elijah Craig, a leading premium Kentucky Bourbon, today announced the launch of Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The latest line extension from the award-winning Elijah Craig family, Toasted Barrel adds an extra layer of sweet oak complexity to the traditional Bourbon.

The process begins with fully matured Small Batch, which is dumped and then re-entered at barrel proof into a second, custom toasted new oak barrel designed in partnership with Independent Stave Company. Made with 18-month air dried oak, the finishing barrel is first toasted and then flash-charred using a moderate toast temperature and toast time. An extensive research and development process resulted in a final barrel toast profile bringing forward dark sugar flavors within the wood to create a balance of smokiness and sweetness after months of finishing. The resulting taste is big, rich and complex with spice and pepper notes that fade into milk chocolate with a hint of smoke as the finish lingers with chocolate and baking spices. Only charred new American oak barrels are used throughout the process to maintain the standards of identity class and type designation for Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

“Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel pays homage to our namesake’s pioneering spirit as the first to char oak barrels through thoughtful innovation in the barrel-aging process,” said Max Stefka, Elijah Craig Senior Brand Manager. “It was a pleasure partnering with Independent Stave Company to create a custom toast profile and char level designed to best complement fully matured Elijah Craig. Twice barreled for nuanced flavor, Toasted Barrel showcases a Straight Bourbon process unique in the marketplace.”

In 1789, Elijah Craig was the first to char oak Barrels to make Bourbon, earning his place in history as the “Father of Bourbon.” Toasted Barrel celebrates this pioneering spirit by pushing the Bourbon barrel-aging process a step further. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel is bottled at 94 proof, consistent with Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, and joins the rest of the award-winning lineup of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Packaged in the iconic Elijah Craig bottle, Toasted Barrel is distinguished by new bottle decoration, face, side and neck labels with smoky blue features. With an SRP of $49.99, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel will launch nationally on an allocated basis this September.

About Elijah Craig Bourbon
Elijah Craig Bourbon bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the family of whiskeys includes Elijah Craig Small Batch, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
First brought to market in 1986, Heaven Hill Distillery’s Master Distillers were selecting a small number of barrels of the finest Bourbon to make Elijah Craig Small Batch long before the term “small batch” even existed. It is this attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that give Elijah Craig an ideal balance of age, robust body and rich flavor. Elijah Craig accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.7 million barrels aging in 60 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Superstition Meadery releasing 4 new meads

Prescott, Arizona-based Superstition Meadery has just announced, via email, the upcoming release of four brand new meads. 

First is Electric Sunrise, which is a pyment made with Sangiovese grapes and wildflower honey. This is only the second canned session mead for Superstition and will basically be a one-off for when it’s gone, they will not make more. This carbonated mead comes in 16 ounce cans and is packaged at 6.5% ABV. 

Secondly, Superstition announced the first release of their brand new Contingency Series. Le Fey, a hopped pyment is bottled at 16% ABV in 500 ml bottles. Le Fey combines Arizona wildflower honey, white Zinfandel grapes and Barbe Rouge hops. As previously stated, this is the first release in Superstition’s new Contingency Series which continue monthly and “will be releasing small-batch products of curated creativity direct from the imaginations of [their] Superstition Mazers!”

Next is Barrel Aged Peanut Butter and Jelly Crime which will be bottled at 13% ABV in 375 ml bottles. Superstition took their Peanut Butter and Jelly Crime (blueberry mead with peanuts added) and aged it for 12 months in Double Barrel Aged Aphrodisia barrels. This is also a limited release so you need to act fast before it’s all gone.

Finally, we have Cha-Cha Shake. Bottled at 14.5% ABV in 375 ml bottles, this collaboration with Great Notion Brewing from Oregon is a mango, coconut, vanilla, and lactose mead with a silky and decadent expression of tropical flavors. 

All of these releases will be available at Superstition’s tasting room this Saturday, 2/29 (Leap Day). It appears that all but Electric Sunrise will be available in their online store on 3/3.

So make sure to swing by the tasting room or hop online and grab some of these meads while you can. Until next time,