My Oh My! Three New Bourbons (And A Rye)!

I could make up some reasons why March is the best time of year to drink whiskey. It's nice to have a bourbon while watching Kentucky play during March Madness? An Old Fashioned is a great way to celebrate the first day of spring? A rye Manhattan is just what small business owners need after they've finished filing their corporate tax returns on March 15?

All of the above are true, but really, any time is a good time to drink whiskey. And since several new brands have hit the market in the last couple of months, there's yet another excuse to sip the amber nectar -- research. If you don't have the time, money or inclination to tear yourself away from your tried-and-true favorites, I've selflessly researched a bunch of them myself. Hey, it's the least I can do for fellow whiskey lovers.

Here are four of the more exciting whiskeys (three bourbons and a rye, to be precise) that are new to the shelves of your local booze emporium.

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Early Times 354 Bourbon

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EARLY TIMES 354 BOURBON (40% alcohol by volume, aged at least 4 years, suggested retail price $16). Early Times has been around since Jack Beam (Jim Beam's uncle) started the distillery in the 1860s. In the 1950s its bourbon was, according to their website, the best seller in the world. For the last thirty years, however, Early Times has been a bourbon-free distillery. Now they've re-entered the market with a splash with their 354 bourbon, which refers to the number of the distillery's federal permit, the oldest in Kentucky. I have no idea how it tastes compared to the vintage stuff. Regardless, I like it a lot. It's a great starter bourbon if you're just getting your feet wet, as it were. It's very sweet, with a lush, almost syrupy mouth feel; there's lots of vanilla, honey and caramel notes along with an interesting touch of candied orange peel. It's quite mild, with hardly any alcoholic burn on the finish. Add a little water or an ice cube and it opens up a bit, revealing a more refined nature. I find it goes great in a Perfect Manhattan (where equal proportions of sweet and dry vermouth are used; a standard Manhattan only uses sweet vermouth). You can buy better bourbons, but you'll have a hard time finding a better one for 354's suggested retail price of $15.99. A heck of a value.

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EARLY TIMES 354 BOURBON (40% alcohol by volume, aged at least 4 years, suggested retail price $16). Early Times has been around since Jack Beam (Jim Beam's uncle) started the distillery in the 1860s. In the 1950s its bourbon was, according to their website, the best seller in the world. For the last thirty years, however, Early Times has been a bourbon-free distillery. Now they've re-entered the market with a splash with their 354 bourbon, which refers to the number of the distillery's federal permit, the oldest in Kentucky.

I have no idea how it tastes compared to the vintage stuff. Regardless, I like it a lot. It's a great starter bourbon if you're just getting your feet wet, as it were. It's very sweet, with a lush, almost syrupy mouth feel; there's lots of vanilla, honey and caramel notes along with an interesting touch of candied orange peel. It's quite mild, with hardly any alcoholic burn on the finish. Add a little water or an ice cube and it opens up a bit, revealing a more refined nature. I find it goes great in a Perfect Manhattan (where equal proportions of sweet and dry vermouth are used; a standard Manhattan only uses sweet vermouth). You can buy better bourbons, but you'll have a hard time finding a better one for 354's suggested retail price of $15.99. A heck of a value.

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AND COMING SOON...

There are plenty of new whiskeys on tap for the coming months (wait, can a whiskey be "on tap"?). I've had a chance to try two. May promises the release of Jim Beam's Devil's Cut bourbon. Apparently, the folks at Beam have figured out how to remove the bourbon that's been absorbed by the oak barrels in which it rests during the aging process. No idea how they do it, but I can tell you this -- it tastes mighty woody, and quite smoky for a bourbon as well. Interesting stuff.

And the folks at Ransom Spirits (helmed by mad genius distiller Tad Seestedt) are working on a new whiskey, wisely dubbed Ransom Whiskey, based on a mashbill for Irish whiskey dating back to 1871. It's an interesting mix of barley, rye, and a little bit of oat, which you won't encounter much in whiskey nowadays. The mix is delicious and, thanks to the oats, quite unlike anything I've had before. The whiskey hasn't finished aging (it's only been in the barrel for a few months), but even at this tender age you can tell it's going to be special.

Have you tried any exciting new bourbons, ryes, or any other spirits that strike your fancy? Had a sneak preview of upcoming editions? Disagree with the reviews here? Chime in at the "Comments" section -- your two cents are encouraged.

 

Follow Tony Sachs on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RetroManNYC

Comments

[calicanuck]

07:58 PM on 03/15/2011

There was a really good rye for about 20 dollars that I used to buy when I was drinking hard alcohol, but I can't remember what it was.

[calicanuck]

08:01 PM on 03/15/2011

Ah yes...Rittenhouse. Short and long term memory suddenly coming back...

How embarrassing.

[Jake Gittes]

11:55 PM on 03/08/2011

Early Times' regular whiskey is so bad that I'd have serious doubts about picking up their bourbon.

[Grandma Koolfinger]

07:13 AM on 03/08/2011

New Tequila - Roger Clyne's Mexican Moonshine. 100% pure agave.

[GerryS]

11:54 PM on 03/06/2011

Try downslope distilling from denver's, Double Diamond whiskey, if you can find it..................

it has a bit more rye than the big dog from denver, but is half the price and tastes better-----------------

[dwill123]

12:18 PM on 03/06/2011

Maker’s Mark is high-end enough for me.

[zest]

10:34 AM on 03/06/2011

I use the bargain priced Seagrams 7 to make my beloved Old Fashions.

[fredvh]

09:14 PM on 03/05/2011

i will stick with the stuff close to home.

templeton rye!

[acidfree]

11:04 PM on 03/09/2011

Agreed, nothing wrong with Templeton...except that it is hard to find.
Fav'd.

[fredvh]

07:08 PM on 03/10/2011

well, i cheat. i know they owners.
but i also know some farmers who have been making it for 50 years

[PaulCircharo]

08:21 PM on 03/05/2011

good article

[Oceras]

08:28 PM on 03/04/2011

My wife will kill me for buying the Knob Creek, if I can ever find a bottle. She hates bourbon. I don't get it. What's not to love?
If you're ever in Seattle, have an Old Fashioned (my bourbon drink of choice) at the newish restaurant Petite Toulouse near the Seattle Center.I thought it was fabulous.

[PaulCircharo]

08:21 PM on 03/05/2011

its an acquired taste.....love it

F&F

[JFaye]

08:09 PM on 03/04/2011

Redemption is quite redeeming... from whatever you might need redeeming from... certainly grabs you and changes you if only for the moment. Enjoyed it immensely.

Knob Creek... Hopefully it is being stocked as I've read good reviews. Will likely pick up a bottle of the single malt in the next few days.

Bourbon is just special ...

[Woods-shade]

06:26 PM on 03/04/2011

I know I'm pushing my state a bit here, but this is worth mentioning... For great bourbon, barbeque and music... y'all come. : ) (It's festive like the Derby, but without losing money)

http://www.kybourbonfestival.com/

[GerryS]

11:58 PM on 03/06/2011

nice,

I went to the derby years ago,,,,, and your state is beautiful, and y'all are way fun-----

;-)

[robbor]

04:56 PM on 03/04/2011

Early Times, " I have no idea how it tastes compared to the vintage stuff. Regardless, I like it a lot. ".....
how is that possible, do you have psychic tastebuds?

[MuchMadness]

06:03 PM on 03/06/2011

He means that he has tried the new Early Times bourbon and likes it, but he never tasted the stuff that Early Times made back in the 1950's and 1960's before discontinuing their manufacturing of bourbon.

[exigent]

01:35 PM on 03/04/2011

BTW -- Basil Hayden's is my favorite bourbon and is quite under the radar

[exigent]

01:33 PM on 03/04/2011

Bourbon is my favorite thing in the world and I will definitely try these out

[Henk]

01:29 PM on 03/04/2011

I should not have clicked on this story. That Knob Creek is just too tempting.