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.

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!

Are you a rare bottle collector? Snag a bottle of our Payless Liquors Hand-Selected Eagle Rare  Single Barrel Bourbon. You won’t find the same bottle anywhere else. Eagle Rare has won numerous awards including Gold Outstanding for it’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Masterfully crafted and carefully aged for no less than 10 years, this bottle is a rarity and a great breed of bourbon.

It has a complex aroma, as well as a smooth and lingering taste that lives up to its name with its lofty and distinctive experience. Some of the major flavors in this batch are toffee, hints of orange peel with dry oaky notes and almond on the palate. “Easily one of the most tactile yet assertive and expressive bourbons I’ve tasted in the last two years; fasten your seatbelts.”

There is just something special about Eagle Rare which has been blindly selected as a top bourbon choice in various restaurants and bars. We here at Payless had the pleasure of participating in the distilleries single barrel private selection program. Stop by our the Father’s Day Rare Drawing & Tasting event on the 16th off East Street for a chance to purchase your bottle of Payless Liquors Eagle Rare Single Barrel selection.

The Macallan Distillery was one of the first legal distilleries in Scotland almost 200 years ago. The roots of their founding are still prevalent in the brand today including natural raw materials, traditional distilling methods, and quality of craftsmanship. It is no surprise that Macallan single malt whiskeys are a favorite of father’s everywhere.

The Macallan distillery truly embodies a father’s relationship with his child, because after all, a solid foundation is the key to development in all areas of life. The six pillars of The Macallan encompass the strong sense of place at the heart of the distillery and its estate. In order to produce quality whiskey every time, the wood casks need to be of quality as well. In order to achieve this quality, Macallan takes the long journey of time, from a tree all the way to finished oak cask.

Celebrate the past, present, and future with the man who molded you into you. This June, Macallan is focusing on gratitude and wants to show dads everywhere how thankful we are for their love and support. Come to taste Double Cask and Rare Cask Father’s Day weekend in Zionsville or Indianapolis and get a special gift bag with every Rare Cask bottle purchased!

Double Cask Gold is the perfect partnership of American and European Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks. This intriguing single malt celebrates the coming together of two styles. Burnished gold in color, the main aroma on the nose is lemon citrus with orange peel and an interlacing of vanilla sweetness and dark chocolate. The palate is medium sweet, malty and slightly dry. A long finish full of dried fruit, wood smoke and spice delights on the way down. Bottled at 40% ABV.

A few extra years goes a long way in the whiskey world and it’s apparent with the 12-year Double Cask. With the color of a harvest sun and a creamy butterscotch nose, this 12-year double cask marries the classic Macallan style and the unmistakable sweetness of American oak. With a deliciously honeyed palate with hints of wood spices, citrus, raisins and caramel, the oak lingering finish leaves a sweet warm feeling. Bottled at 43% ABV.

Ruby red in color, Rare Cask is a mastery with wood at its heart. This rich mahogany-red whiskey showcases two of The Macallan’s greatest and most defining strengths – sherry seasoned oak casks and natural color. Soft vanilla and raisin notes on the nose lead into a unwaveringly spicy palate. The citrus zest finale starts with vanilla and chocolate and the finish is warm and woody. Bottled at 43% ABV.

From The Crown Royal Blender’s Series, Bourbon Mash has been all the talk around town. This Blended Canadian Whiskey is aged in a combination of ex-Bourbon and new charred American Oak Barrels. The result? A richly layered, perfectly balanced whiskey with the complexity of a bourbon and the signature smoothness of Crown Royal.

This bottle is a great gift for a Crown Royal Collector though. Why? Well if you’re keeping up than you would know that technically, they can’t call this a bourbon. Even though promotional materials clearly stated “This is NOT a bourbon,” the bottle’s label say’s Bourbon and that’s an infringement.

Crown Royal was forced to pull the bottle and re-label it; however, a couple states including Indiana, we’re fortunate enough to receive a shipment of the Crown Royal Bourbon Mash with the original label! Meaning this bottle is a rarity.

Bourbon is a distinctive product of the US and declared by US Congress in 1964 and signed by President Lyndon B Johnson. NAFTA contains a section where Canada agreed to recognize Bourbon Whiskey as a distinctive product of the US. The law states that the word “bourbon” shall not be used to describe any whiskey-based distilled spirits not produced in the United States.

If you’re a Crown Royal collector or just have a thing for the rarities, stop by Payless Liquors and get your bottle of Bourbon Mash before we run out! You can also reserve a bottle here.

There aren’t many spirits as unique as this one. Henry McKenna is the longest aged, bottled-in-bond, single barrel bourbon out there to date! It all started when Henry McKenna, an Irish immigrant, adapted his family’s traditional recipe to work with the grains he found in Kentucky around 1837. The result? A PERFECTLY balanced bourbon.

The mash bill of this product is 75% corn, 13% Rye and 12% malted barley.This 10-year-old single barrel bourbon has won numerous awards and accolades including Double Gold in the 2014 WSWA Spirits Tasting Competition. As well as, Double Gold in the 2015 SF Spirits Competition and Gold in the 2016 World Whiskey Awards.

To be considered a Bottled-in-Bond whiskey must be a product of one distillation season and one distiller at a single distillery. The product must also be aged in a federally bonded warehouse under the supervision of the government for at least four years, and it must be bottled at exactly 100 proof. Additionally, the bottled-in-bond label must clearly identify the distillery where it was distilled and where it was bottled.

Tasting Notes:

• Color – Warm, Golden Amber
• Aroma – Vanilla, Caramel, Oak & light Herbaceous notes
• Taste – Smooth Oak, Sharp Spices, Honey & Sweetness
• Finish – Long, Sweet & Spicy

Featured Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon Recipe: Bourbon & Branch

• 2oz Henry McKenna Single Barrel
• 4oz Chilled Mineral Water
• Pour bourbon, add water. Stir in a highball glass half filled with ice. Enjoy!

Peggy Noe Stevens has achieved no small feat. Bridging the gap for women in a gentleman’s world of bourbon, she has worked her way up as the first female master bourbon taster in the world, the founder of Bourbon Women’s Association and first and foremost, an expert in hospitality and global marketing.

You hear these titles, but do you know what it takes to get there? How does one become a master bourbon taster? It requires more than just a taste for bourbon. One has to be able to recognize the little nuances between brands, identify precise proofs, hundreds and hundreds of different flavors, and of course, defects. Her taste palate is just one touch point on a list of impressive achievements.

Peggy founded the Bourbon Women’s Association. This membership group was designed for educational, networking, and charitable purposes that strive to preserve the heritage that surrounds the making and responsible enjoyment of bourbon. She noticed that among her friends, many have a genuine interest in bourbon and she made it possible for women in 22 states, Canada and Australia to explore their interest and connect with like-minded women. Read Peggy’s full biography here.

We’re extremely excited to have Peggy Noe Stevens join the Indiana Historical Society and us at Indy’s Premier Bourbon Celebration in February. Join us for an extraordinary night of bourbon tasting and learn more about the fine art and nuances of distilling and more. Check out our working list of distilleries attending Indy’s Premier Bourbon Celebration below and Get your tickets here.

There are more ways to get high-quality moonshine than that local guy at the bar in the middle of nowhere. Believe me when I say that, i’ve come across moonshiners in country bars that make and sell it out of there home. Thanks to Ole Smokey Distillery getting your hands on the authentic stuff is as easy as heading to your local Payless!

Ole Smoky was actually the first licensed distilleries in East Tennessee, and is now one of the most frequented tourist spots in the Smoky Mountains. When it comes to moonshine, there’s a plethora of flavors to choose from. Ole smoky produces a wide variety of different flavors and proofs. Some of their most popular products include: Original Moonshine (100 Proof), White Lightnin (100 Proof), Moonshine Cherries (100 Proof), and Apple Pie Moonshine (40 Proof). You can view a complete list of their flavors and proofs here.

The Original Moonshine is for those wanting the authentic moonshine experience. This product is a combination of 80% corn and a top-secret ingredient. The result is a high-octane and extremely bold flavored moonshine! Some of the flavored Ole Smoky products make for great cocktails and they even shared a list of recipes on their site for inspiration.

We are offering a number of Ole Smoky tastings across various locations in Indianapolis through December. Be sure to check out our events calendar to find the most convenient location for you! And, there’s another thing we are extremely excited about and thats Moonshine Minis! If you aren’t sure what flavor is for you, you can pick up a few different 50mL jars to decide. Moonshine Minis also make the best stocking stuffers and gifts for co-workers and bosses. Go on now, get yourself a Party in a Jar!

“If you are looking for moonshine that tastes great, but is capable of sterilizing hospital equipment, you need Ole Smoky in your life.” 

What the key to a great anything? A true commitment to craftsmanship and artistry. That’s what Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is all about. The story of this bourbon is one you’ll have to pull up a chair for. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of this iconic bourbon?

Stitzel-Weller Distillery

Blade and Bow is manufactured under the Diageo umbrealla. Diageo dedicated this bourbon to the craftsmanship of the historic Stitzel-weller Distillery, where Blade and Bow is aged and non-traditionally blended and partially distilled from. The Stitzel-Weller Distillery encompasses a lot of bourbon history. In fact, this is the site where legendary Julian (Pappy) Van Winkle made his mark.

Stitzel-Weller was originally owned by the company that owned and operated Guinness, United Distillers. They shut the distillery down in 1992. Eventually Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to form Diageo and Diageo reopened the facility in 2014 to keep it’s legend alive. Each bottle of Blade and Bow contains actual distilling history of Stitzel-Weller.

Solera Style Aging System

At the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, Blade and Bow uses a unique solera style aging system. Another name for this process is fractional blending. This aging involves a pyramid or tier system of barrels that always feed to the bottom barrels.

Blade and Bow is made using a five barrel solera system. The bottom or #5 barrel contains some original bourbon distilled in the early 90s. They say the trick is to never dump more than half of the barrel. So when barrel #5 is dumped for bottling, barrel # 4 is used to refill barrel #5. Then barrel #3 fills up #4 and so on until barrel #1 is used to fill barrel #2. That’s when a whiskey that is not currently in the system is used to fill barrel #1.

Diageo says all of the bourbon used to produce Blade and Bow is at least 6 years old.

The Five Key Symbol

The true symbol of Blade and Bow, from its name to is bottle, is a key. This bourbon was named after the anatomy of a key. Blade refers to the long section and Bow is the end or ornamental part. Originating from Stitzel-Weller is their five key symbol, which always had a strong presence at the distillery.

The five key symbol stands for the five steps of making bourbon: grain, yeast, fermentation, distillation, and aging.

The design of the Blade and Bow bottle encompasses the five key ways of doing things. with six sides, five are dedicated to the bourbon making process and one is left for labeling.

Tasting Notes

Nose: You can easily identify the grain, oak, and dominating vanilla aromas. There are small hints of toasted coconut and “alcohol punch”.

Taste: The first thing one notices is a sweetness described as vanilla fudge and coconut macaroon. Then you’ll taste secondary notes of cinnamon and baking spices. But wait, thats not all. As the dominating flavors subside, you’re left with flavors of oak, toasted almonds, apricot preserves. Peppermint and milk chocolate also appear.

Finish: Despite the intense taste, the finish is short and abrupt.

An expert review on Distillers.com said, “This bourbon packs a surprising amount of flavor into an approachable and easy drinking whiskey.”

You can taste Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at our Holiday Tasting Saturday, November 4th between 1:00 and 4:00pm! 14580 River Road, Carmel, IN 46033. 

If you’re familiar with Bulleit Frontier Whiskeys than you know how great of an Old Fashioned it makes. This bourbon is made from a unique blend of rye, corn, and barley malt with special strains of yeast and pure Kentucky limestone-filtered water. This already delectable bourbon was made even better for those who like it a little stronger. Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength is indeed a real thing and “it’s not for the faint of bourbon heart”.

Bet you didn’t know that this barrel proof bourbon scored a gold medal at a San Francisco Spirit Competition. So, if you can’t take our word for it how impressive this bourbon is then that alone should do it. “Out of the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, this whiskey delivers unrivaled boldness and complexity.”

When creating Bulleit Barrel Strength they emptied and combined select barrels into a single batch. There was no additional water put in after the whiskey was removed from the barrels. So you certainly don’t have to worry about if this whiskey is watered down or not. It’s tough stuff.

Packaged in the iconic Bulleit bottle and medium-amber in color, Bulleit barrel strength comes with gentle spiciness and sweet oak aromas. The proof ranges at a high 118 to 125. For as strong as this bourbon is, it comes off comfortable and not too strong.

NOSE: The nose is mostly compromised of pepper and cinnamon with subtle hints of vanilla and caramel interwoven within. Some can taste subtle and sweet flavors like butterscotch and custard.

TASTE: The barrel strength bourbon lets you taste flavors that don’t stand out in the regular bourbon. The same flavors of pepper, oak, and spicy cinnamon are still there; however, other fruity flavors also show up.

FINISH: It starts hot than calms down into a long creamy dry finish. You would expect extra proof points would add roughness, but here it just pulls out the spice and flavor ultimately making this a very enjoyable whiskey.

Bulleit Barrel Strenght Bourbon was only sold in Kentucky for a while and is just making its way out of its distillery zone. If you’re a bourbon buff or if an Old Fashioned is your go to, this is something you should try. Pick up a bottle at your local payless or order it next time you’re at the bar to start your night. Cheers!