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Resonate with Hibiki Whisky for the Holidays

From the deep Japanese forests arises a blended whisky that embodies the craftsmanship and soul of the people. The legendary Hibiki Whisky represents true harmony. Some even consider if to be the ideal of perfection. Here at Payless Liquors, we are fortunate to be one of the few carriers of this sophisticated seventeen-year-old whisky.

In Japanese, Hibiki means resonance. This is fitting because it speaks to the soul and emotions of the most perceptive whisky lover. Hibiki echoes all 24 seasons of the Japanese lunar calendar. This aging process is noticed in the earthy tones one can taste throughout the whisky.

We like to describe Hibiki in three words: elegant, poised and balanced. Coming from the Suntory Distillery, Hibiki provides a fantastic blend of aged malt and grain whiskies. The barrels used for aging are made from extremely rare oak. This offers a more complex flavor to the blended whisky. Hibiki is bottled at 86 proof and is jam packed with sweet oak flavors.

The Nose

Quite full, with notes of honey, wax and oak. Hints of gentle rolling smoke, cocoa, and cooked, dark fruits. The whisky is light amber in coloring.

On The Palate

The palate is sweet and rich. Flavors of toffee, black cherry, and warm vanilla are present throughout the first sip. You might also taste notes of crisp apple, raisin, citrus peels, and the notorious Mizunara, a Japanese oak varietal.

The Finish

A long sweet finish with lingering notes of oak, cocoa, and a lychee aftertaste.

Notable Mentions

In 2012, Hibiki was recognized as the “Best Japanese Blend 13 to 20 Years” by the World Whiskies Awards. Also in 2010, it was given a Gold “Editor’s Choice” award from Whiskey Magazine, and also received the award in its category.

This holiday season we invite you to purchase Hibiki, either as a gift for a loved one, or to share amongst friends and family. To get your hands on one our most sought-after products, reserve a bottle of Hibiki on our website.

Bourbon Season: Mitcher’s Toasted Barrel & Jim Beam Harvest Collection

Another week in November so soon? Time to talk about more bourbon releases at Payless Liquors! This week we will be highlighting two great buys from Mitcher’s Whiskey and Jim Beam. The Mitcher’s Toasted Barrel is a new release from one of America’s oldest whiskey brands. It offers a unique taste provided by an extra step in the aging process. The Jim Beam Harvest Collection is a made up of bourbons that use the namesake grain as the secondary ingredient. So kick back, relax and let us take you on a journey to all things bourbon.

Mitcher’s Toasted Barrel

Bourbon fans can now rejoice with the release of Mitcher’s Toasted Barrel. Mitcher’s has a long legacy of producing traditional American whiskey, and there is no doubt Toasted Barrel will aim to please. Toasted Barrel is made with Mitcher’s standard US*1 Bourbon, but instead of bottling after the normal aging time period, it is then transferred to a custom barrel for time to finish.

The custom barrel is made of wood staves that have been cured with months of drying. This transfer into the custom toasted barrels offers a unique flavor to this ever-so-popular brand of bourbon. Mitcher’s Toasted Barrels are lightly browned, unlike typical bourbon barrels, which are charred. This process provides the “toasted” aspect.

Jim Beam Harvest Collection

Next up is the Harvest Collection from the folks at the Jim Beam Distillery. The idea behind the collection was to offer fans a line of innovative expressions, in the form of small batch bourbons that showcase some of Jim Beam’s finest hand-crafted products. So far, Jim Beam has only released the Soft Red Wheat and Brown Rice members of this series of six. The remaining four, Whole Rolled Oat, Triticale, High Rye and Six Row Barley, are expected to be released throughout 2015.

Soft Red Wheat is a light-bodied bourbon that has been aged 11 years. Wheat from Kentucky and Indiana gives the bourbon an approachable spice, with a hint of brown sugar sweetness. An aroma of oak, honey and amber gives it a warming welcome. The light-bodied finish can best be enjoyed straight on the rocks.

Brown Rice Bourbon is bottled at 90 proof and gives a long lasting, full-bodied flavor. The aroma is reminiscent of sweet potato and sweet brown sugar, with a slight oak spice. Enjoy tastes of tasted grain with rich vanilla notes. Just like Soft Red Wheat, we recommend drinking Brown Rice straight, either on the rocks or neat. The deep amber color of the bourbon resembles that of fresh brown rice.

Don’t miss out on these great bourbon buys at Payless Liquors. You can find these products at your local store, or you can reserve the bottle of your choice online.

Look forward to more bourbon releases and reviews next week on our blog!

New Arrival: The Boss Hog by WhistlePig

Bourbon season is absolutely here! This week at Payless we welcomed a new arrival, The Boss Hog from WhistlePig. It may not be at the top of your list of bottles to buy this year, but it’s for sure a must try for any bourbon lover.

The recent release of Boss Hog is a combination of 24 of the oldest and finest barrels from the WhistlePig Dstillery. After fermentation, it’s aged for ten years in new American oak casks then second-use bourbon casks. This is where the hint of sweetness occurs from the rye flavors. Once the aging process is complete, Boss Hog is bottled by hand in Vermont at 100 proof. The most characteristic flavor to come from Boss Hog is the signature balance of rich, intense rye spice and smoothness. Some might even call it one of the best ryes on the market today. In fact, it’s one of the few 100% rye whiskies available today.

Have we piqued your interest? Read below for our aroma, taste and finishing notes.

The Color

Boss Hog is gold in color, which is a bit lighter than one would expect for a barrel proof, but is still a rich color nonetheless.

The Nose

A sweet scent of rye toast and baking spices is present on the nose.

On the Palate

Enjoy a warm taste of honeyed oak, caramel, gingerbread and vanilla on the palate. Notes of fresh mint and winter fruit are also present.

The Finish

The rye whisky finishing long and hot with the lingering spices of ginger and wood.

The Boss Hog by WhistlePig is an exclusive product. Only 50 barrels were hand-selected by the Master Distiller, Dave Pickerell to put out on the market. Get an exclusive bottle at your local Payless Liquors store or reserve a bottle on our website.

Have you had a chance to try Boss Hog? What did you think? Leave us a comment below!

Wild Turkey Honors Legend With Diamond Anniversary Bourbon

The Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary release commemorates the 60th anniversary of Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell. Russell has been working since 1954 and hasn’t quite yet. And with bourbon currently on the rise, there is no better time to celebrate a great legend in the industry. He has single handedly defined the Wild Turkey brand for decades. To also mark the occasion, Wild Turkey has dedicated this year, the “Year of Jimmy Russell.” Such an honor for a man who has used his abilities to help grow the bourbon industry.

Jimmy Russell has always been persistent on keeping bourbon to its original roots of higher proof with a spicy profile and his son, Eddie did an excellent job of paying homage to his father with the Diamond Anniversary blend. Wild Turkey Diamond has been aged for 13 and 16 years in contrast to the standard, which is aged for 6 to 8 years. It’s bottled at 91 proof and comes in a special commemorative anniversary bottle.

The Nose

The nose has a fruity aroma, with hints of apples, caramel, oranges and spearmint. The aging also gives a woody vibe, but it isn’t too overpowering for those who don’t enjoy a wood flavor.

On The Palate

A gentle bourbon at first sip, with a creamy, round body. A little on the sweet side, there is also a nice mouthful of caramel and dark chocolate.

The Finish

It finishing a long, light woody taste. Don’t be surprised if you go back for more!

How to Enjoy

We recommend drinking Wild Turkey Diamond neat, with just a few cubes of ice, or drops of water. And of course, remember to toast to the great Jimmy Russell!

The Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary bottle is meant for anyone who enjoys a great bourbon. Reserve a bottle today here on the Payless Liquors website.

Have you gotten your hands on a bottle of the Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary? What are your thoughts?

Larceny: A Lawless Bourbon

Let us travel back in time to the year 1870, shortly after the Civil War. John F. Fitzgerald, a simple man, built a distillery on the banks of the Kentucky River, where he sold his bourbon to passengers on rail lines and steamships and to members of private clubs. Fitzgerald then made the decision to sell his brand to the one and only Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle for a small fortune of $10,000.

But more to this story has been uncovered in recent years. In 1999, a member of the Pappy Van Winkle family revealed a different side to Fitzgerald. It seems he wasn’t the man or the distiller he claimed to be — he was actually a bonded treasury agent, which meant that as a member of the Treasury Department, he was one of the only people allowed to carry keys to the barrel storage warehouses. As a man with a taste for fine bourbon, he used this luxury as an advantage to swipe the best barrels from all around as they aged and add them to his own “Fitzgerald barrels.”

Thus, the Old Fitzgerald Bourbons were a combination all the best barrels around. With the pick-up from Van Winkle’s, Old Fitzgerald was immortalized. What made it unique was the mash bill that contained wheat, rather than the other grains which were used in recipes at the time. This provided a softer, rounder profile to the bourbon.

Today we recognize Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon as a tribute to the lawless John E. Fitzgerald and his impeccable taste in bourbon. Larceny is made of corn, wheat malted barley and rye mash. Once the grains are milled, they are cooked in the Kentucky limestone water. After fermentation, the bourbon is aged in honey barrels for six to twelve years. Once the aging process is complete, the bourbon is bottled at 92 proof. Below you will find color, aroma, tasting and finishing notes.

Color

Bright copper coloring.

The Nose

The aroma is a blend of buttery bread, honey, vanilla and toffee. You may also notice hints of butterscotch and honeysuckle.

On The Palate

Enjoy a velvety taste on the tongue with a pleasant hint of spice. The taste also includes a rich mouthful of caramel and cinnamon.

The Finish

A tad short, but the finish embodies an even warmth and notes of honey sweetness.

Larceny has received high ratings from the following:

  • Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2013: 93 points
  • Wine Enthusiast: 93 points
  • Named in Top 20 Spirits by Spirit Journal
  • Best Buy by Whiskey Magazine

Have you had a chance to try the unruly Larceny? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

Welcome Stranahan’s to Indiana

Yet another wonderful whiskey hailing from Colorado is making its way to Payless stores. This time it’s Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. The story of Stranahan’s starts back in 1998, when firefighters answered the call at liquor connoisseur, George Stranahan’s burning barn. Volunteer firefighter, Jess Graber and George were inspired by the roaring amber color of the fire. They also discovered they shared a passion for the Colorado landscape and fine whiskey. And thus, Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey was born. Not only did they create Colorado’s first micro distillery, but also the first legal distillery in Colorado since Prohibition.

Graber and Strananhan developed a recipe for their product that was the smoothest, yet most potent whiskey of its kind. The 94 proof, straight small batch whiskey is aged in new charred oak barrels, just like bourbon. The final product turns out to be a blend of 2, 3 and 5 year old whiskeys. Stranahan’s is distilled from 100% malt barley with four of the barleys coming from the local Colorado area. The water used in distilling comes from the Eldorado Spring just outside of Boulder. You could say Stranahan’s evokes a delicious combination of the Colorado outdoors.

Stranahan’s comes in a sleek, glass bottle with minimalistic packaging. Each bottle has a yellow label draped across the middle with a tin cup top that covers the cork. What is most unique about the packaging is the almost sentimental notes describing what that person was doing at that exact moment while they bottled the product, for example “listening to Christmas carols” and “drinking coffee”. The label also includes the distinctive signature of the distiller. Did we also mention the bottling process is done by volunteers? People can simply sign up online to be a volunteer in the process. Volunteers are then are chosen from a random lottery. Currently the waiting list to volunteer is approximately 20,000 people long!

The Nose

Stranahan’s has strong hints of coffee, oak and oatmeal along with some strong undertones of vanilla and caramel. The coffee scent and taste can be accredited to the roasted barley.

The Taste

On the palate, it provides a full, thick richness that leaves you wanting more. Stranahan’s has an interesting, yet unique flavor that can’t really be compared to any other whiskeys of its kind. The sweet coffee flavor includes notes of more vanilla and caramel.

The Finish

The finish is nice with a slight spicy kick. A lingering touch of mint taste will leave your lips tingling.

Don’t miss your chance to get your hands on one of these limited release bottles. You can pick up Stranahan’s at select Payless Liquors stores, or you can reserve one here on our website. http://goo.gl/istNXG

For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow: Old Forester 13th Birthday Edition

The Brown Forman Distilling Company has been producing quality Old Forester Kentucky Bourbon for over 140 years. In fact, “Old Forester is the only bourbon still in existence today that was produced before, during and after Prohibition by its original distiller,” says Chris Morris, the Master Distiller. Now that is an accomplishment! In commemoration of founder George Garvin Brown’s birthday on September 2nd, each year Old Forester releases a special Birthday Bourbon. This year will mark the 13th year for the much anticipated, limited-edition Birthday Bottle.

The Birthday Bottle release is selected from a single day of production and handcrafted by Chris Morris. It’s a small batch bottled at 97 proof and provides a one-of-a-kind vintage-dated flavor that can’t be replicated. It’s no coincidence that the bottle also embodies a decanter-esque style. This style of bottle dates back to the 1800s when Old Forester first started producing their highly-acclaimed bourbon. Each bottles has its sign of approval from George Brown featured on the label, along with the barrel and bottling date. This touch gives each bottle a personality and individuality.

The Nose

The nose of the 13th edition lends a creamy soft vanilla beam aroma, with hints of cinnamon spice, maple syrup and orange peel.

The Taste

A bit dry in the beginning, the bourbon opens to a sweet, oaky complex flavor. Notes of caramelized citrus are also present.

The Finish

The finish is warming on the palate with a yeasty yet cake-like feel.

Morris adds that, “The complex flavor and warm finish with just a hint of sweetness make this year’s batch a must-have release.”

This year, The Old Forester’s Birthday Bottle 13th Edition will be available at Payless Liquors’ stores the first week of October. Don’t miss out on your chance to own a piece of history. Once these bottles are gone, they are gone.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about when Birthday Bottle will be in stores. We also recommend subscribing to our email list for more information on the release date.

From Indiana to Colorado: Tincup American Whiskey

This week Indy and Denver fans may be at odds, but this whiskey collaboration proves that when Colts and Broncos get together they can make something great. What am I talking about? I’m talking about Tincup Whiskey and it’s a beautiful blend.

Tincup American Whiskey is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana at the MGP Ingredients facility. The whiskey mash is 65% corn, 32% rye and 4% malted barley distilled in copper stills, then aged for four to five years in new charred white oak barrels. After the aging process, the whiskey is batched and blended for consistency.

Once the distilling and aging processes are complete, Tincup is shipped to Denver for the final touches. In Colorado, authentic Rocky Mountain water is used to cut the whiskey. The mineral-heavy water adds a nice crisp clarity to the product. Then it’s bottled at 84 proof and labeled for purchasing.

The package appearance is very unique among the various whiskey and bourbons out there. The top is an actual tin cup, which turns out to be quite useful for sipping and sharing. The rugged hexagon-shaped box mimics the iconic Rocky Mountains. The name Tincup comes from an old mining town in Gunnison County, Colorado where tin cups were used by the miners.

The Nose

Tincup gives off a delicious spicy aroma with strong notes of cinnamon and butterscotch.

The Taste

On the palate you can taste a warm apple cinnamon flavor as well as a bold rye, vanilla and oak with hints of chocolate and caramel. It’s a full-flavored whiskey that is certainly a pleasure on the palate.

The Finish

The finish is long with the lingering cinnamon flavor. Tincup has a surprisingly smooth and sultry taste for such a robust whiskey.

Tincup American Whiskey is the perfect beverage if you are looking for an easygoing drink with a little spice. We recommend enjoying it neat for the full experience.

If you would like to try Tincup Whiskey for yourself, be sure to join us for our Indy vs. Denver tasting Friday, September 5th from 5-7 pm at our Greenwood Mall location. We will be tasting various beers from both Indiana and Colorado, along with Tincup. We will also have samples from the local restaurant, Between the Bun! Come enjoy these great products from both Indiana and Denver to help kick off the start of the NFL season.

Hidden Whiskey Gems at Payless

You know that feeling you get when you find $20 in your pants pocket? Well, that same feeling is the one we get when we find one of our hidden-gem items tucked away in one of our many closets. This week we are featuring two hidden whiskey products: Jefferson’s Chef’s Collaboration and a 17-year Balvenie Doublewood.

Jefferson’s Chef’s Collaboration

From the Castle Brands’ whiskey brand, Jefferson’s is a collaboration whiskey with Top Chef alum, Edward Lee. Lee and Jefferson’s Master Blender, Trey Zoeller, set out to make the perfect whiskey that would pair with any hearty meal. After nine months of developing their collaboration, the men still couldn’t find the right taste. It was then that they decided to try a bourbon/rye blend.

Bottled at 92 proof, Jefferson’s Chef uses whiskey that is 14 years old. The nose is very nice and light, yet at the same time has hints of explosive rye. The marriage of very rare barrels of bourbon and rye gives the whiskey a harmonious blend of smoke and spice flavors. Notes of oak, cherry and cinnamon are also present. The finish is fairly long and fruity, but mellow.

We recommend a glass of straight Jefferson’s Chef to pair alongside tonight’s dinner. Chef Lee also includes various couplings in his cookbook, Smoke and Pickles. This exclusive collaboration is an extremely small batch that was offered at limited supply.

Balvenie (17 year) Doublewood

After their wildly popular 12-year-old Doublewood, Balvenie decided to let it mature for an additional five years in their traditional ex-bourbon oak casks. The result was the 17-year Doublewood, which was also matured in an ex-sherry European oak. The sherry-oak gives it a perfect balance of oak, malt and fruit. This extra aging adds a subtle elegance to Doublewood.

The nose emulates flavors of juicy black cherry, honey, apple cider and light floral. It is certainly pleasing to the nose with the many layers of fruit and airy malt. The flavor is medium-bodied with notes of tart apple, cherries, sherbet spice, toasted almonds creamy toffee and deep vanilla. On the finish, it is slightly short, but very nice with sweet-honey and hints of vanilla. Doublewood leaves a lasting impression of elegance and finesse.

When first produced, the 17-year-old edition was produced in small batches and went quickly. We recommend purchasing it now to save for the holiday season. Don’t miss out on your chance to indulge in a fantastic single malt whisky.

Just like that $20 bill in your pocket, these products are bound to go fast. Reserve the Jefferson’s Chef or Balvenie Doublewood today through our Payless Liquors reservation page.

Green Spot Irish Whiskey Makes its Way to the U.S.

For the first time ever, Green Spot Irish whiskey is now available in the U.S.! And this sought-after Irish whiskey has not only made it to the United States, but it has also made its way to your nearest Payless Liquor Store location here in Indianapolis.

Green Spot is one of the rarest and finest whiskies in the world today. In fact, it’s so rare that the Midleton distillery in Dublin only produces 500 cases each year. Its rarity is contributed to by the fact that it’s one of the few single pot still whiskey brands to be produced today.

Single pot still whiskey is a term that refers to the style of whiskey. It is comprised of a mixture of malted and unmalted barley, which is triple distilled in traditional Irish copper pot stills. As one of Ireland’s oldest spirits, Green Spot can trace its roots back nearly 12 decades, to the 20th century. Back then, it was even harder to come by, because only 12,000 bottles were produced each year.

As a single pot still, this Irish whiskey is very complex in its main characteristics. A honey flavor offsets its innate spiciness. Green Spot is a light amber color, which comes from it being aged in sherry and ex-bourbon barrels.

The Nose

The nose has hints of peppermint, malt and sweet barley. Flavors of sugary porridge, creamy vanilla and citrus are also present. Some tasters even recall a dusty aroma in Green Spot, which is attributed to the sherry cask aging.

The Body and Palate

On the palate, one can taste a combination of gentle bourbon oak, green wood, menthol and potpourri. Green Spot has a balanced spicy, yet soft, flavor. It has a very pleasant and light body.

The Finish

Finally, Green Spot finishes long and creamy. Punches of vanilla, warm fruit and hazelnut are also present in the finish. It is known to leave one craving more.

Since Green Spot is so hard to come by, especially here in the U.S., it’s perfect for the whiskey collector, or really just anyone who enjoys an authentic Irish whiskey. This whiskey has received several acclamations and some even say it’s the best Irish whiskey they’ve ever had!

Don’t miss out on your chance to have a piece of Irish whiskey history. It’s available in Payless Liquor Stores now for $59.99, but to ensure you get your hands on this iconic whiskey, we recommend reserving a bottle through our website here.

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