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Last fall we created a list of special or limited edition bourbon/whiskey releases. While most LE releases are done in the Fall there are still some great bourbons coming out this Spring (late Winter depending on your state) of 2014.
Booker’s 25th Anniversary – 10-11 years, 125-130 proof, $100 – Released across the country
As Bourbonr continues to grow and the bourbon review database builds there is a need to standardized the whiskey rating system. For instance, a rating of 80/100 for Wild Turkey 101 to one member may mean something completely different to other members interested in buying a bottle of WT101. Standardizing ratings makes the information more reliable and credible. This doesn’t mean every bottle will have the same rating. Everyone has different taste and preferences. However, with standardized ratings, if you see I’ve rated Wild Turkey 101 an 80/100 you know I mean it’s a good whiskey to bourbon for the price but not something you will hoard by the case load.
Today’s whiskey is brought to you by guest reviewer Charles Hetzel. Charles is a Founding Father of The Bourbon Mafia. If you haven’t heard of The Bourbon Mafia you’ve got to check out their site.
Enter Charles:
What many don’t realize is that General George Washington purchased Michter’s Whiskey to help fortify his men during the brutal winters at Valley Forge. With over 60 inches of snow so far in Chicago, I decided why not follow Washington’s strategy and fortify myself from the Polar Vortex of 2014. On my 44th birthday, I had a generous glass of the Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey to cap off a fantastic evening. I enjoyed this glass at Chef Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas’ speakeasy The Office at The Aviary. Surrounded by family and friends we enjoyed this great whiskey which given its heft price tag is considered one of the finest whiskeys in the world.
Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey is the brainchild of Master Distiller William Pratt who has been in the whiskey industry his entire life. Michter’s Celebration is a culmination of several select casks of 20 year-old and 30 year-old whiskey mixed by Pratt personally with a few other additional barrels he selects. After the barrel blending, they are bottled by hand behind a label with 18 karat gold lettering and boxed in a nice gift box. Only 273 bottles of this limited edition gem exist.
George Washington’s Distillery: Making Whiskey from Mount Vernon on Vimeo.
Disclaimer: The resale of alcohol is illegal, without proper license, and I am in no way encouraging it. I also have no problems with the current market, buyers, sellers or prices. This article is just an observation of a free market at work which I find fascinating.
Edit: The owner of bottle spot read the article and emailed me this
Booker Bourbon 25th Anniversary now available at the Beam Distillery and select KY stores
This special edition is going to be a 9 – 11 year old barrel proof bourbon. I can’t wait to try this unfiltered uncut release! We should start seeing this limited edition Booker’s bourbon around March of 2014. This bottle will cost you about $100 but I’m sure it will be worth every penny
UPDATE: It’s finally official
Wednesday we learned that Diageo would be investing $2 million to renovate the original administrative building at the distillery, “to bring to life the history of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery through artifacts from the site’s archives; a whiskey education section; an homage to the people, land and water of Kentucky; and a celebration of the heritage, brands and people behind Diageo’s award-winning collection of American whiskeys.” That would be Bulleit and what Diageo is calling their “evolving craft whiskey portfolio,” which includes the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Project.
The commemorative bottling of Elmer T. Lee Bourbon will start arriving in stores
this April. Quantities of this one-time offering are very limited. Suggested retail pricing
is $34.99. Production of the standard Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon will continue
as barrels come of age and are deemed worthy of Elmer and his legacy.
Every fall since 2002 Buffalo Trace has released their Antique Collection. While the Antique Collection has evolved over the years there are three staple barrel proof whiskies (2 bourbons and 1 rye) in the collection: George T. Stagg, William LaRue Weller and Thomas H. Handy. Every year these three whiskies are crafted by selecting barrels from three of my favorite Buffalo Trace mash bills (mash bill #1, wheated mash bill and the rye mash bill).
Back in September we listed the Fall Bourbon Releases and then asked you to vote for your favorite.
Here are the top 3 Fall Release Bourbons based on your votes:
Have you tried one of these fine bourbons?