American Freedom Distillery’s quartet of bourbons speak to the American bourbon drinker’s palate like no other spirit on the market today. American Freedom’s signature bourbon, Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon Whiskey, is perhaps the best offering of the four, and is currently a feature spirit at Payless Liquors.
Origin of Horse Soldier Bourbon Whiskey
In the dark days after September 11, 2001, the US Military made the bold decision to send mounted teams of US Army Green Berets into the heart of Afghanistan. These “Horse Soldiers,” as they came to be known, were the tip of the spear and the carriers of the torch in what became the United States military campaign in Afghanistan. Today, these same soldiers that bravely ventured into Afghanistan distill one of America’s finest bourbons.
About Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon Whiskey
In order to be considered bourbon, a whiskey must be produced in the United States and its composition must be at least 51% corn. Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon whiskey is produced in the American South, of 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% barley, featuring American soft red winter wheat. American Freedom ages its bourbons for at least two years in charred, new oak barrels. The resulting bourbon is an 87 proof, non-blended – or “straight” – American bourbon whiskey.
Tasting and Nose
The essence of Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon Whiskey gives the drinker a preview of the sweet and savory notes to come – the nose includes caramel, cinnamon and dark fruit notes with toasted corn and oak to follow. At first sip, the warm vanilla and mild hints of black pepper give way to the light nutmeg and honey that linger on the palate. Warm oak notes round out the tasting experience.
Although Horse Soldier was born to be sipped neat or over ice, this bourbon gives a warm, spicy character to any favorite whiskey drink. The Manhattan – a classic whiskey cocktail that features the sweet notes of the spirit – is elevated with the addition of Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Sazeracs and Old Fashioneds are similarly boosted by the inclusion of this elegant bourbon.
About American Freedom Distillery
American Freedom Distillery began in 2015 when a group of friends that had served together on various tours of duty with the United States military, fulfilled a lifelong dream of serving America’s people and distilling some of America’s best spirits. Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, American Freedom boasts another flagship spirit honoring America’s finest; Rekker – Norse for “warrior” – Rum, dedicated to warriors everywhere.
Within the Horse Soldier line, American Freedom Distillery features Horse Soldier Small Batch, Horse Soldier Signature Barrel Strength, and a limited-edition Commander’s Select. Commander’s select bottles bear signatures by commanders of the actual Green Beret horse soldier campaign and feature a numbered military challenge coin and description of the unique mission fulfilled by the horse soldiers. Each bourbon and rum epitomizes the American Freedom Distillery motto – “Legendary Men, Legendary Spirits.”
Payless Liquors features 750 mL bottles of Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 87 proof/43.5 ABV.
Eastside Distilling has teamed up with country music singer and songwriter John Rich to create a unique “American blended” whiskey that is unlike anything else available. The partnership ultimately resulted in Redneck Riviera Whiskey, a spirit that is part of Rich’s Redneck Riviera brand and is now available at Payless Liquors.
What Is Redneck Riviera Whiskey?
Redneck Riviera Whiskey is an American whiskey that is a blend of two premium whiskeys, both aged for at least two years in oak barrels. One of the whiskeys contains sweet grain and malted barley, while the other features Midwest corn that provides a smooth flavor that evokes caramel corn from a county fair. The overall whiskey blend contains at least 20% whiskey, which means the spirit has gone through the minimum aging requirement and is composed of around 51% grain.
Origin of American Blended Whiskey
Co-creator John Rich first came up with the concept for Redneck Riviera Whiskey in the middle of a tour while consuming Crown Royal, a Canadian blended whiskey. Rich asked himself if there was such a thing as an American blended whiskey. When he noticed the lack of this specific, all-American spirit, the country star teamed up with Eastside Master Distiller Mel Heim, throughout 2017, to create a smooth easily approachable whiskey. Rich dedicates the Red Riviera Whiskey to the hard-working American, which is consistent with the brand’s motto of “Work Hard, Play Hard.”
Tasting Notes
The aroma of Redneck Riviera Whiskey foreshadows the sweetness of the spirit, a combination of butterscotch, light vanilla, and caramel, all complemented with a touch of honey. Every sip of this whiskey introduces a rich, complex combination of honey, dark stone fruit, oak, and vanilla to the consumer’s palate, a blend that the earthy grains later round out. The whiskey tasting experience finishes with smoother, more subtle tastes of vanilla, honey, and oak.
Redneck Riviera Whiskey is the perfect companion to any cocktail of your choice. It is equally delicious with a splash of your favorite mixer or as the base for an Old-Fashioned cocktail recipe. The versatility of the smooth spirit makes it a great choice no matter how you like your whiskey, whether you prefer yours on the rocks, or neat in the glass. Its versatility and smooth flavor make this whiskey stand out and embody hard-working American values.
About Eastside Distilling
Eastside Distilling is the nation’s first publicly-traded distillery, located in Portland, Oregon’s distillery row. Since its founding in 2008, Eastside has been producing award-winning craft spirits using natural ingredients to guarantee both taste and quality. Some of Eastside’s notable products include Redneck Riviera Whiskey, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum, and Portland Potato Vodka.
Experience the Redneck Riviera Whiskey now at Payless Liquors, with a measure of 40% ABV or 80 proof, per 750 mL bottle, costing $29.99 each.
In addition, look out for the upcoming Redneck Riviera Tasting event featuring John Rich himself. John will be at Payless Liquors, at Uptown Drive on April 27th from 2:00 – 3:30pm. Get your engines revving Indy!
Peach and whiskey lovers alike can celebrate the latest limited-edition whiskey from Crown Royal, one of the leading producers of fine Canadian Whiskey, available from Payless Liquors. Crown Royal is renowned for its smoothness and unique flavor, and the master blenders at Crown Royal have successfully extracted the best bits of juicy Georgia peaches to create a vibrant and delicious new limited-edition whiskey.
Tasting Notes for Crown Royal Peach Whiskey
Whiskey connoisseurs know to spot great whiskey. Crown Royal Peach has a scent of fuzzy peach skins, oak, and hints of warm spice. On the palate you’ll enjoy the sweet tang of fresh Georgia peaches and creamy vanilla with the bold taste expected from one of the world’s most reputable whiskey manufacturers. The finish is sweet and smooth, and you can easily enjoy Crown Royal Peach Whiskey neat, on the rocks, or mixed with iced tea for a delicious and refreshing cocktail.
A Fantastic Addition to the Crown Royal Family of Fine Whiskeys
Crown Royal lovers will appreciate the newest addition to the line of flavored whiskeys from Crown Royal. If you enjoyed Crown Royal Apple, Vanilla, Texas Mesquite, or Salted Caramel, be sure to try Crown Royal Peach at your next opportunity. The delightful sweetness and rich, flavorful notes play well with the bold Canadian whiskey taste you expect from Crown Royal. Every batch is handcrafted and patiently aged to create the bold, yet smooth, flavor that has become the trademark of Crown Royal whiskey.
Established in 1939, Crown Royal has a nearly 100-year history of crafting some of the finest whiskey blends to ever leave Canada. Crown Royal is well-known for an unmistakable smoothness unmatched by other whiskey makers.
All Crown Royal varieties are fantastic on their own or mixed into cocktails. Enjoy your favorite whiskey cocktails with the signature smoothness of Crown Royal. The newest Crown Royal Peach Whiskey edition is sure to inspire some new creations. Customers can expect the same finely-crafted signature Crown Royal bottle in the usual cloth pouch, but the Peach edition fittingly comes with a peach-colored cloth pouch in lieu of the traditional purple.
Why Peach Whiskey?
Peaches are one of the most popular fruits in the country, and our Canadian friends to the north decided to blend the signature sweetness and flavor of fresh Georgia peaches with some of the finest-crafted Canadian whiskey for a remarkable new experience. Both whiskey aficionados and casual whiskey drinkers will enjoy Crown Royal Peach.
While most whiskey drinkers do not enjoy super sweet whiskey blends, Crown Royal Peach manages to capture the deliciousness and intensity of Georgia peaches without erring on the side of being too sweet; whiskey lovers can sip it neat or on the rocks for a delightful twist on the usual whiskey drink. Flavored spirits are growing increasingly popular across the country, and Crown Royal Peach is sure to turn heads and create new whiskey lovers.
Visit Payless Liquors to find out more about Crown Royal Peach and try some for yourself. Experiment with this delightful limited-edition whiskey and find a new cocktail that’s perfect for relaxing in the summer months.
Martell returns to its humble roots with the release of the new flagship product: the Martell VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) Aged in Red Barrels. A cognac defined by its elegance and perfect balance of flavor, this recent Martell VSOP is available at Payless Liquors.
What Is the Red Barrels VSOP?
The Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels is a cognac that sports the distinguished title of VSOP, which Martell reserves for cognacs aged for at least five years. According to the cognac house, this specific VSOP originates from cognac aged in a fine-grained oak barrel that features a red hue, a result of the barrel’s aging process. These red barrels are also known as the “futs roux.” The spirit remains in the barrel between four to eight years, which creates the perfect amount of aging between the cognac and the barrel.
A Worthy Successor
According to Martell Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud, he chose the VSOP Aged in Red Barrels as the new signature product to replace the previous title holder from 1960, the Martell VSOP Medallion. Valtaud wanted a cognac that is closer to the house’s iconic style, a sweet, balanced drink that holds mass appeal, especially among the younger demographic. Valtaud deliberately avoided the Medallion’s heavy, spicy notes, which originate from using a combination of older and newer barrels. The Red Barrels cognac is an attempt to pay homage to the iconic Cordon Bleu, while also moving the brand forward with something new and with its own mark.
Tasting Notes
The Martell Red Barrels VSOP has the perfect combination of pleasing fruit flavor and aged wood overtones. The aroma of the Red Barrels cognac teases soft fruits such as cherry, plums and red grapes, alongside wood notes. A stronger scent of apricot follows, which sets up the spirit’s overall flavor. The taste of the cognac is a delicate blend of apricots, peaches, dried flowers, and red grapes, boosted by the sweet spices and oaky flavors that originate from the old, red barrels.
The balancing act of this cognac complements any type of food, from Western Asian, to spicy and non-spicy. Martell recommends this versatile spirit to create cocktails such as Le Voyage Des Amants and Maracuja Crush, though with the risk of diluting the gentle flavor of the VSOP.
About Martell
One of the first cognac houses, Martell started in 1715 as immigrant Jean Martell’s trading business in the Cognac region of France. Martell’s use of grapes from the Borderie region and casks made from Troncais oak created the smooth cognac the house is known for. After Martell passed away in 1753, his widow and children greatly expanded the business to where it currently is today. The cognac house’s most famous product is the Cordon Bleu, to which the Red Barrels VSOP pay a tribute.
If you are interested in a cognac that strikes a perfect balance of fruity flavors and refined oak that is closer to Martell’s signature style, try out the VSOP Aged in Red Barrels. This spirit has a measure of 40% ABV and is available at Payless Liquors for $42.99 per 750 mL bottle.
Looking for a perfect bottle of wine for Valentine’s Day? Why not consider a Rosé. Whether it’s just the two of you toasting your special connection or you and your gal pals raising a glass to the fabulous bond you share – Rosé is the perfect wine to celebrate the occasion. Copain’s Tous Ensemble Rosé 2017 is just the bottle you need and we have it available at Payless Liquors.
Tous Ensemble Rosé 2017
Produced by the winemakers at Copain of Mendocino County, California, this rosé is made from pinot noir grapes. Copain’s wine making philosophy is evident in this French style wine, which means lower alcohol and higher acidity. The Tous Ensemble Rosé of 2017 has 13.5% alcohol and is aged in stainless steel, according to the saignée method.
The 2017 season was marked by significant rainfall, ending the five-year drought that California had been experiencing. When temperatures rose, the fruit ripened quickly, but an expeditious harvest allowed the winemaker to gather all the grapes at their peak ripeness.
Tasting Notes
The Tous Ensemble Rosé of 2017 boasts a beautiful pale salmon hue. The nose is filled with hints of spring with aroma of crisp red fruits and white flowers. The wine has a resounding freshness and enticing crispness. Notes of honeydew and fresh white strawberries carry through to a long, appealing finish. A versatile wine, this rosé can be enjoyed alone or with lighter foods. It pairs well with salads, grilled fish and many Mediterranean plates.
The Growing Popularity of Rosé
All over the world, and especially in the U.S., sales of Rosé wines have exploded over the past few years. Millenials and social media are driving the upward trend with catchphrases like “yes way, Rosé” and “Rosé all day.” Traditionally thought of as a summery wine, Rosés can now easily be found and enjoyed year-round.
Not just your grandma’s White Zin, Rosés come in a wide range of enticing varietals, made from the same grapes that make pinot noir, roussane, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, or merlot. Wine grapes come in white and red varieties, but not pink, and Rosé is not made by mixing the two. The unique hue of a rosé comes from the method of its fermentation. Red wines take their color from the juice of the grapes soaking, or macerating, in the red skins of the grapes. White wines do not go through this prolonged period of maceration. Rosés navigate a middle course: the juice macerates in the skins but only for a short time, just enough to give it its color.
There is no standard length of time of maceration for a rosé, and this means there is no standard color. The longer it is allowed to soak on the skins, the darker the color. With its enticing range of pink shades, Rosé provides a celebratory vibe for any day – and Instagram-worthy photo ops.
Copain Wines
Copain was founded in 1999 and means ‘buddy’ in French. The vineyard sits on a hill overlooking the Russian River Valley and specializes in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Copain takes inspiration from the Rhone Valley of France, producing elegant yet restrained wines.
Come taste why the Copain’s Tous Ensemble Rosé 2017 is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day or any other day for that matter! Stop by Payless Liquors and find your perfect match.
Payless Liquors is proud to feature Joel Gott’s 2017 Central Coast Rosé. Among the many rosés we offer at Payless Liquors, Gott Central Coast Rosé stands out for its exquisite flavor at a reasonable price.
The Joel Gott’s 2017 Central Coast Rosé opens with aromatic notes of strawberry, cherry, rhubarb and white peach. Once the wine hits your palate with flavors of bright red fruit, it follows with a crisp well-balanced clean finish.
Matt Kettmann, a contributing editor at winemag.com, reviewed the Gott Rosé and declared it to be the perfect beach wine, due to its clean flavor and lightness on the palate. Kettmann noted that it had a flash of cherry sweetness mixed with aromas of strawberry and raspberry. He gave it 88 points out of a hundred.
What Is a Rosé?
A rosé wine is a wine intermediate in color between a white and a red wine. When juice is extracted from grapes, it is always clear in color, whether the grape is red, green or dark purple. Red wines get their color when the juice soaks in the skins of the grapes they came from, a process known as maceration.
There are, however, no pink grapes. Rosé is made by macerating the juice of red grapes for only a brief period of time, which makes the final product more of a pink color. The final shade will depend on how long the juice has been allowed to soak up the color from the grape skins.
Provence, a region in southern France, is the region most recognized for producing rosé wines, although a rosé can come from anywhere. There are many different varietals and shades of rosé, so you are sure to find one that suits your tastes and your budget.
The Tastes of the Rosé Family
The tastes of rosé wines are quite diverse, as are the regions they come from. While berry flavors and crisp finishes are common, there are heartier, earthier elements, too, like tobacco hints and leather. Some rosés are light in color while others have darker, stronger hues. They use a wide variety of grapes and macerate for different lengths of time. Some rosés are even sweet, though more commonly they are dry.
Most wine lovers can find a rosé they can appreciate, given the range of dry and sweet, hearty and light, earthy and citrus. Joel Gott’s Central Coast Rosé falls in the lighter, crisper category. If you are looking for that perfect rosé to take you back to the beach, or a nice light wine to pair with appetizers for a night in, grab a bottle of Joel Gott’s 2017 Central Coast Rosé.
Gott Wines
Joel Gott Wines was founded in 1996. They source their fruit from the best regions of the West Coast and blend them to create wines noted for their balance, cleanness, complexity and elegance. Their goal is to give their customers food-friendly wines at reasonable prices.
Payless Liquors
Payless Liquors, from Indianapolis, Indiana, serves the central Indiana area from multiple locations. They carry the Central Coast Rosé in 750 ml bottles. The Rosé is 13.6% alcohol and sells for $9.99 a bottle. You can stop by and pick some up today.
Canadian Club Chronicles 41-Year-Old whiskey is the oldest bottling of Canadian whiskey on the market. It is Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2019’s Whiskey of the Year. It is a sought-after limited-edition whiskey, with hints of caramel, toasted oak, vanilla, spice, dark plum, and subtle rye. It comes from a proprietary mash that has aged since 1977 in Canadian oak barrels. It is liquid gold, boasting a complex taste that’s both smooth and satisfying.
What Is Canadian Whiskey?
Canadian whiskey is a unique type of liquor. One of the factors that distinguishes Canadian whiskey from other types of whiskey is that it doesn’t have nearly as many legal requirements as bourbon or Irish whiskey. While bourbon must come from the United States and consist of a grain mixture with at least 51% corn, Canadian whiskey has no such legal requirements. Corn is still the majority grain, but it does not have any requirement based on percentage. The requirements of Canadian whiskey are as follows:
Aged a minimum of three years in its native country
Wooden barrels must be no larger than 700 liters
Manufacturers must mash and distill the spirit in Canada
Alcohol content can exceed 90%, so blends are allowed
May add caramel coloring and artificial flavoring
Must have alcohol content of at least 40% when finally bottled
Unlike bourbon, which manufacturers must age in new, charred oak barrels, the type of barrel does not matter for Canadian whiskey. The barrel can be charred, uncharred, new, or old. Canadian whiskey consists of several different grains, but (again, unlike bourbon) each grain goes through fermentation, distillation, and aging separately. Manufacturers do not blend the grains together until the very end of the process. This means the amount of rye whiskey creators add to each blend can vary significantly.
History of Canadian Whiskey in the U.S.
During the Civil War, the shutdown of American distilleries moved much of the business to Canada. That shut down sent many early distillery pioneers to Canada to continue to hone their craft. By 1900, Gooderham & Worts had grown to one of the greatest distilleries in the world. It produced around two million gallons of Canadian whiskey annually at the time.
Canadian whiskey entered the United States for the first time during the Prohibition. At first, it was far from a hit – American distillers could purchase Canadian whiskey distilleries for cheap, showing the lack of demand for the product. One liquor salesman at the time, Harry Hatch, bought four of the five largest distilleries in Canada at once: Gooderham & Worts, Corby, Wiser’s, and Hiram Walker. The fact that just a salesman could buy the majority of industry leaders is a testament to Canadian whiskey’s initial lack of popularity. Eventually, the blended whiskey gained popularity and has continued to hold a special place among whiskey drinkers.
In 2017, Canadian whiskey generated almost $2 billion in revenue in the United States, with over 17.5 million nine-liter cases sold. Canadian whiskey is the largest imported whiskey type in the United States, worth around $4.8 million retail. Recently, consumers have been experimenting with a wider range of Canadian whiskies. Both high-end premium and super-premium Canadian whiskey brands saw sales growth in 2017 (38% and 48%, respectively).
Tasting Notes on Canadian Whiskey
Canadian whiskey is not “brown vodka,” as a common misconception goes. It has a dynamic and complex taste, with a variety of selections aged in many types of barrels with varying recipes. Canadian whiskey is one of the most interesting types of spirits thanks to the leniency of the legal requirements. Makers can craft different flavors and tastes by varying the recipe and barrel used for aging. Each bottle can taste brand new.
Despite the almost limitless taste options, most Canadian whiskey distilleries stick to age-old recipes and production processes. Canadian distillers offer quality products they’ve made the same way for decades. Most Canadian whiskies have a majority of corn spirits, along with rye grain. Flavorful rye grains became so popular in the recipe that many people began referring to Canadian whiskey as “rye whiskey,” and today the two terms are still interchangeable.
Canadian whiskey is generally lighter and smoother in taste than other types of whiskies. Most distilleries use majority corn and rye grains, but some recipes also incorporate triticale, barley, or wheat grains. Canadian whiskey tastes delicious straight, but it is also a preferred spirit for mixing into cocktails and highballs. It is a versatile drink with a rich history and a bright future. The recent popularity of brand-new Canadian whiskies – straight rye, spiced, and small-batch – is proof of the drink’s longevity.
The Silky-Smooth Canadian Club Chronicles 41-Year Whiskey
Canadian Club Chronicles has been distilling spirits since 1858. Hiram Walker, an American entrepreneur, initially founded the company as a way to continue his whiskey business during the U.S. Prohibition. Soon, however, the brand turned into one of Canada’s top choices. It has been distilling spirits for over 160 years. The 41-Year Whiskey is the oldest whiskey Canadian Club has ever released. The bottle’s other name pays homage to the company’s headquarters in Windsor, Ontario: “CC Chronicles Issue No. 1: Water of Windsor.”
Canadian Club Chronicles 41-Year Whiskey hit the market in November 2018. It is the very first limited-edition release from the “CC Chronicles” line. It has a 45% ABV, and was blended with small portions of rye, cognac, and sherry. Those lucky enough to have enjoyed a taste of this special whiskey have described it as complex and deep. The aroma is a delicate blend of caramel and toasted oak, with a hint of vanilla and spice. The palette boasts more vanilla, caramel, and oak, along with notes of dark plum, tobacco, and rye spiciness. It leaves behind a warm, lingering finish of caramel and spice.
Experts have called this whiskey, “silky smooth,” “exceptionally balanced, “harmonious,” and “extraordinary, yet subtle.” The 41-Year Whiskey taps into the burgeoning market for high-end and premium whiskies in the United States, and comes in a special-edition decanter-style vessel. Each bottle holds 750 milliliters. It is a very limited-edition whiskey, and one consumers are sure to reserve for only the best occasions and once-in-a-lifetime achievements. Treat yourself or surprise a loved one – get your bottle today before they’re gone forever.
Since 2013, Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company has offered an annual limited release of bottles from its Rhetoric Line. The tradition began five years ago with the release of Rhetoric 20. The line continued to grow more sophisticated, complex, and luxurious with each additional annual release. Sadly, this is the last of the Orphan Barrel Rhetoric line. With an additional five years of age and sultry new taste notes – Rhetoric 25 is here for a limited time. This line of bourbon retires with the refined dignity that gets better with age. Don’t miss the chance to take home a bottle.
About The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co.
The Orphan Barrel was born from a mission to share the country’s lost, great whiskeys, found or abandoned in the backs of distilleries and rickhouses – hence the name “Orphan Barrel.” When the company recovers these rare and spectacular barrels, every batch is bottled by hand to ensure quality control and a perfect product. Bottling and distribution take place in The Orphan Barrel distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
The location and culture of the company speak of Smoky Mountain roots, mixed with the tradition of Kentucky distilleries and the hip edge of neighboring Nashville distilleries. Though this is the last edition of Rhetoric for the small enterprise, they continue to release many special whiskeys and bourbons. The nature of bottling, sharing, and preserving these limited forgotten barrels, means that once Orphan Barrel releases are gone – they’re gone forever.
About Rhetoric
The Rhetoric line is mature, complex, and a little bit of fun. Orphan Barrel is rumored to have come upon the barrels in an old Bernheim Distillery in a warehouse for Stizel-Weller. That can’t be confirmed by our sources, but it is certainly clear that the whiskey has a complex and dignified pedigree. The barrels were certifiably distilled in the early 90s.
Rhetoric is a real hidden gem of a true Kentucky bourbon whiskey, and hits hard in all the ways that one expects from a straight bourbon whiskey. Velvety, rich notes of flavor help it go down smoothly, softening that edge and sting. Over five years of releases by The Orphan Barrel, have allowed those lucky enough to purchase the limited bottles a chance to witness the evolution of this vertical release.
In 2013, The Orphan Barrel released the first batch of Rhetoric after discovery – Rhetoric 20. After 20 years of maturing, the flavors proved to be quite profound. The first notes of Rhetoric 20 are leathery and smoky – reminiscent more of sweet tobacco pipe smoke, rather than peat-heavy scotch. The smokier, more masculine notes give way to toasty, oaky, and vanilla sweetness. The full finish hints to chocolate and cherry.
The subsequent releases of Rhetoric 21, 22, 23, and 24 have met mostly positive reviews. The greatest criticism of the latter two whiskeys is that the tannins are stronger due to the advanced age. However, some tasters love the slightly more complicated flavor and stronger proof. For most bourbon aficionados, the qualities that make the first releases great are only enhanced by the passing of time.
Nevertheless, there is a limit on how long vintages of this nature are viable. Most whiskeys peak around 20 years, and must meet certain parameters to age well beyond that. Rhetoric has enjoyed more years of great flavor, but every good thing must come to an end. That is part of what makes this vintage so special and valuable – it is the last of a set that tells a rich story of flavor and discovery.
Rhetoric 25 – The Details
Rhetoric 25 is set for release with the New Year. It will come in the customary 750ml trademark Rhetoric bottle. It is a stout 91 proof. While some flavor notes have stayed constant throughout the years of release, this edition is said to have more spice, dark caramel, and cocoa flavor. The high proof is detectable in the nose, but the taste is as silky, chocolaty, and toasty as ever. For inquiring minds, the company released a mash breakdown.
86% corn
8% barley
6% rye
Rhetoric’s low rye composition results in a smooth easy drinking whiskey with just enough bite to remind you of its roots. The retail cost of a bottle varies, but the market is competitive because many die-hard enthusiasts hope to complete a set. For those in the market for a bottle – know that supplies will not last.
Rhetoric 25
This is a Kentucky bourbon with a mysterious pedigree, and a story of salvation in the Tennessee hills. After a long run of satisfying libations, this batch is the end of an era. Enjoy the last Orphan Barrel release of Rhetoric 25 while it’s here.
Do you remember the Crown Royal “Bourbon Mash” to “Blender’s Mash” incident earlier in the year? The Crown Royal Noble Collection 13 Year Old Blender’s Mash is the end product in all this confusion. Though it wasn’t Crown Royal’s fault that the U.S allowed Crown to use the name but later changed it’s mind.
In essence, The 13 year old Blender’s Mash from the Noble Collection is the most bourbon like Canadian whiskey you’ll find. This is the third installment in the Noble Collection, which is an annual, limited release series by Crown Royal.
This blend is 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% barley malt, and has been aged in New American Oak barrels for at least 13 years – making this the oldest age statement released from Crown Royal to date.
Nose: Starts with sweet vanilla, notes of orange, and nutmeg with hints of oak undertones.
Palate: Mellow and creamy, yet rich vanilla that is not overly sweet. There is a mild tartness from green apple flavors. This gradually transitions into a spicier, oak and rye-forward flavor.
Finish: As the spices go down the back of your mouth you can taste undertones of caramel. Once that passes your mouth is filled with the flare of rye spice and that gradually eases into another wave of smokey caramel.
The recently awarded 13-year old Blender’s Mash is available at Payless Liquors for $69.99. Perfect for those looking for a more premium Crown Royal or those interested to try the most bourbon like Canadian Whiskey!
Have you ever come across a case of Shiner Bock or anything out of the Spoetzl Brewery and thought to yourself where it came from? To answer that – a tiny town in the middle of Texas occupied by 2,069 residents. This little Texas town ships around 7 million cases of Shiner Beer to 49 states every year and has been around since the turn of the twentieth century and continues to grow.
History of Shiner
Spoetzl Brewery (Shiner), the oldest independent brewery located in Shiner, Texas, was founded in 1909 by German and Czech immigrants. Originally named “The Shiner Brewing Association,” Shiner was a conglomeration of German and Czech immigrants who had settled around the central Texas town and who were looking for the types of beer they had at home. Unable to find anything, the German and Czech immigrants set about making their own which boiled into the Shiner Brewing Association.
By 1914, Shiner was gaining traction throughout its Texas community and was looking for a brewmaster. Enter Bavarian-born Kosmos Spoetzl, a one-time soldier who had trained as a brewmaster in his native Germany. Part of the package that lured Spoetzl to Shiner was potential ownership of the brewery. In 1914, he co-leased it with Oswald Petzold with an option to buy in 1915, which he did, giving the brewery his own name but continuing to call the brews Shiner Beers. Spoetzl had attended brewmaster’s school and apprenticed for three years in Germany, worked for eight years at the Pyramids Brewery in Cairo, Egypt, and then worked in Canada. He had moved to San Antonio in search of a better climate for his health, bringing with him a family recipe for a Bavarian beer made from malted barley and hops.
Shiner’s Beer of Choice
The most popular Spoetzl beer? Shiner Bock, hands down. Brewed since 1903, its crisp, clear taste and deep amber color combined with its light hop make it an ideal choice for any weather, but especially summer days. Crazy as it seems, Shiner Bock was only made during Lent for its first few years, produced seasonally. The people demanded the Bock year-round, and lifetime production was born.
Favorite of the Music Scene
Shiner has lots of ties to the Texas music scene. They hosted a major music festival dubbed “Bocktoberfest” from 1994 to 2006 and have dominated TX concerts since the ’70s. That domination started when the then-struggling company started up Austin distribution — initially by loading up some Austin-bound vans with Shiner and literally selling them out of the back to local beer enthusiasts. The brand blew up and became available for $1.50 at the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters, where acts ranging from Willie Nelson to Bruce Springsteen played.
To conclude, Shiner, though not the oldest family-owned brewery in the U.S. is a staple throughout America’s beer scene. Stop in today and pick up a case and throwback some good ole Texas brews.
In celebration of the final season of the critically-acclaimed HBO series, Game of Thrones, Johnnie Walker is proud to introduce White Walker by Johnnie Walker. The single malt whiskey takes its name from the feared supernatural creatures who inhabit the frozen lands north of The Wall on the fantasy megahit.
This new blend perfectly reminds Johnnie Walker and Game of Thrones fans alike that “Winter is Here.” The limited-edition bottle utilizes thermochromic ink to give fans a frosty surprise message when frozen. With flavor notes like caramelized sugar, vanilla, and fresh red berries, White Walker by Johnnie Walker makes for a delicious serve. The new blend is best-served ice cold, inspired by the White Walkers beyond The Wall.
The limited-edition whiskeys are inspired by the iconic characters and the creative world of Westeros and beyond and are here to tide fans over during their wait for the eighth and final season. Even the most revered Maester couldn’t have predicted a collaboration of this monumental proportion.
“Groundbreaking partnerships continue to be a strategic initiative for Diageo as they foster exceptional creative collaboration and help showcase the breadth of our portfolio. We are very proud to have our collection of single malts and Johnnie Walker, the number one Scotch whiskey brand in the world, collaborate with HBO’s most successful TV franchise to develop these limited-edition offerings for fans to collect and celebrate the final season of Games of Thrones,” said Dan Sanborn, Senior Vice President, Culture and Partnerships at DIAGEO.
“We knew there was fan appetite for a Game of Thrones whiskey and once we saw Diageo’s vision for a way to collaborate together we knew the idea was perfect and the time was now. From the beginning, they understood that we wanted to create something special, and they’ve accomplished that with both White Walker by Johnnie Walker and the single malt collection. We’re confident fans will enjoy sipping these delicious whiskeys as they wait for season eight and beyond,” said Jeff Peters, Vice President, Licensing & Retail at HBO.
Be sure to come in and grab your very own bottle to celebrate the final season!!
The fourth and final version in Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series has been released. The 1910 Old Fine Whiskey, a double-barreled whiskey, represents a specific point in Old Forester’s storied 150-year-old history. A fall fire that happened at the distillery in 1910 spurred a happy accident that led to the casking process that led to the Old Fine Whiskey.
Whiskey Row Series
Started in 2014, the Whiskey Row series tells the story of Old Forester’s one-of-a-kind history, highlighting significant milestones and innovations in production along the way. This series includes the 1870 Original Batch, a small batch bourbon pulling from three distinct warehouses, meant to reference founder George Garvin Brown’s original batching process; the 1897 Bottled in Bond, a small batch of barrels from one distilling season, in the same year, aged in a federally bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years; and 1920 Prohibition Style, which represents a barrel strength of the prohibition era when Old Forester was granted one of just ten permits nationally to continue being sold as a medicinal whiskey. The last of the series is the 1910 Fine Old Whisky.
Thanks to a Fire
On one October day in 1910, a fire caused the bottling line to be shut down at Old Forester’s distillery for an extended period of time. To make things worse, there was a vat of mature whiskey waiting to be bottled. Instead of pouring out the whiskey or letting it sit until ruin, the distillers at Old Forester decided to store the vat in new, charred oak containers until the line could be repaired. This resulted in the first documented double-barreled whiskey, which was new for Old Forester and remarkable enough to become a new barreling method.
Today’s Bourbon
In order to replicate the 1910 methods, the distilling team took mature bourbon from their inventory and had it go through a second barreling process in a lightly toasted, heavily charred barrel. I was then bottled at 93 proof. At 93 proof, this whiskey is at the right weight to challenge the other Whiskey Row Series. Popular opinion has the Prohibition 1920 series as the favorite, but with 1910 coming out, there could be a new favorite of the series.
The finished product has aromas of buttercream, sticky toffee, cedar, and apricot, with smooth, well-rounded taste mingling sweet oatmeal raisin cookie and milk chocolate, leading into caramel corn and evolving spice, according to Old Forester’s tasting notes.
Reserve Yours
We have a limited supply of this limited-edition whiskey. Be sure to call us and reserve your bottle of this one-of-a-kind series.
Tequila is a staple for warm-weather cocktails, but that doesn’t mean you need to put this spirit away just because the weather is starting to cool down. Patrón is a very versatile liquor that is made from the finest 100% Weber Blue Agave and is distilled in small batches at Hacienda Patrón distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. Tequila isn’t just for shots; it can be mixed into classics like Mojitos, Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and Mules.
The Origin of Patrón
John Paul DeJoria and Martin Crowley founded Patrón in 1989. They started the production in Jalisco, Mexico, and later moved into a different distillery in 2002. The name, Patrón, means a charitable or financially supporting person, but the meaning John and Martin preferred for their brand name was “big boss”. The bee symbol on the bottles represents the strong attraction bees have to the blue agave plant.
How is it made?
By law, tequila must be made from Blue Weber agave in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, and Guanajuato. Since the production process is strictly regulated, tequila can only be labeled and sold by that name if blue agave constitutes over half of the fermented sugars in the drink.
When the agave has ripened they are hand-chopped and the piña, the heart of the plant, is baked in brick ovens. This cooking process softens the piña, making the process of sugar extraction easier. The piñas are then transported to the milling area where they are crushed by a volcanic stone Tahona wheel and a roller mill. This mixture is then fermented for three days, distilled and sometimes aged in handmade barrels. The longer the tequila ages, the more color, and tannins the final product will have.
What are the different types?
There are different classes of tequila but there are only two varieties: 100 percent agave and mixto. Mixto is roughly 51 percent agave, and the rest is made up of water and different sugars during distillation. The general five classes of tequila are Blanco (slightly aged silver or white tequila), Oro (aged for a few months in oak barrels and is gold in color), Reposado (aged at least two months, but no more than a year in white oak barrels), Añejo (aged for a year, but no more than three) and Extra Añejo (aged for three years).
Patrón is great on its own, but with such a wide variety it’s the perfect tequila for almost any mixed cocktail. These flavorful drinks are guaranteed to expand your agave horizons.
Vampiros Cocktail
1 ½ oz. Patrón Reposado
3 oz. Sangrita
1 ½ oz. Citrus-flavored soda
½ Lime, juiced
1 pinch Mexican-style chili powder with lime (such as Tajin fruit seasoning)
Fill a highball glass with ice; pour tequila, sangrita, citrus soda, lime juice, and chili powder. Stir to mix well.
Blackberry Sage Paloma
2 oz. Patrón Silver
grapefruit juice
4 blackberries
6 sage leaves
2 cane sugar cubes
In a large cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries, sage and sugar cubes. Add tequila, grapefruit juice, and crushed ice. Shake well pour into a cocktail glass garnish with sage.
Smoky Harvest Margarita
1 ½ – 2 oz. Patrón Añejo
4 oz. Apple cider
1 oz. Lime juice
1-2 tsp. Agave nectar
Cinnamon powder, Sugar, and Kosher salt for the rim
Cinnamon sticks and Apple slices for garnish
In a bowl mix equal parts cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and coat in the sugar mix. Combine tequila, apple cider, lime juice and agave in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until combined and strain into glass. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
Reposado Old Fashioned
3 oz. Patrón Reposado
1 tsp. Agave nectar
2 slices Blood orange
1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
Muddle agave and orange slices in a cocktail shaker then add tequila and ice. Stir and strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Add bitters and garnish with orange peel
Añejo Manhattan
2 oz. Patrón Añejo
1 oz. Carpano Antica Formula sweet vermouth
2 dashes Mole bitters
Combine everything in a mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain into an old-fashioned glass over a large whiskey cube. Garnish with an orange twist.
The most popular Spoetzl beer? Shiner Bock, hands down. Brewed since 1903, its crisp, clear taste and deep amber color combined with its light hop make it an ideal choice for any weather, but especially summer days. Crazy as it seems, Shiner Bock was only made during Lent for its first few years, produced seasonally. The people demanded the Bock year-round, and lifetime production was born.
