Wise Men Distillery Bottled In Bond Bourbon

 

Three friends - Tom, Jason and Zack - had a dream like so many spirit enthusiasts do.  They wanted to create a product that they could not only call their own, but own it from beginning to end.  A 100 gallon still helped them realize this dream, allowing them to create a line of flavored moonshines, gin, vodka, award-winning rum and now whiskey and bourbon in small batches.

This is the Wise Men Distillery Bottled in Bond Bourbon out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Most of you know the requirements for a bourbon to be labeled "bottled in bond", but if you're new here, we're going to share that with you.  For a whiksey to be labeled Bottled in Bond (or better known as the acronym BiB), it must meet the following:

• The whiskey must be produced during a single distilling season (January - June) or (July - December) and it must be made from a single distiller at a single distillery.
• The whiskey must be aged for a minimum of 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision.
• The whiskey must be bottled at exactly 100 proof, or 50% ABV.
• The bottle label must clearly identify the distillery where the whiskey was distilled and, if different, where it was bottled.  The label must also include the Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) number.

So, if making distilled spirits didn't require a ton of laws and red tape to begin with, it always impresses us when any distillery of this size puts for the effort to create a BiB selection.  It's an "easy" undertaking for the behemoth distilleries, but more of a challenge for the craft distillers.

This bottle has a medium chestnut color and isn't your typical 4 year bourbon offering.  Great fall forest aromas with inviting butterscotch and dried fig candies.   In the mouth is a satisfying and surpirising basket of dried spices, toasted mixed nuts, orange liqueur and caramel syrup, all creating a very palatable finish.  Well done!

ABV:  50.0% (100 proof)

Distillery:  Wise Men Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $64.99

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

Bells Up Winery: Fine Oregon Wines and Amazing People

 

If you've visited our website before, you already know that we are big fans of Bells Up Winery of Newberg, Oregon.  Our "wino" crew recently sat down virtually with owner and winemaker Dave Specter to taste through six of his micro-boutique, unique and delicious wines.  The other half of the winery and Dave's boss (and wife) Sara Specter made the arrangements and we were off to a beautiful evening!

Like every winery, there is a good story behind this one.  We guess "good" may not be the best way to describe how the winery came to fruition, but it does have a happy ending.  Dave and Sara began making wine in their basement in 2006.  Dave was a corporate tax attorney who was not enjoying (to put it lightly) his profession and wanted to pursue a passion of not only becoming a winemaker but eventually owning and operating his own winery with Sara.  While visiting the Willamette Valley in 2008 on vacation, they both fell in love with the area and there was, as they say, no looking back.

One really interesting connection we had during our virual tasting was the musical relationship between our tasting crew and Dave.  Dave was a French Horn player in high school and college and has been virtuoso of sorts for 20 years.  The name "Bells Up" refers to a maestro's instruction for French Horn players to lift their bells in order to project maximum sound.  And that's what Bells Up is for Dave and Sara.  Two members of our tasting crew, composer Richard Saucedo and Scott McCormick, former CEO of Bands of America, enjoyed going down memory lane and comparing notes/names of the music world almost as much as they did the wines.

Our lineup for the night consisted of:

• 2023 Rhapsody (100% Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley AVA)
• 2022 Prelude (Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA)
• 2021 Titan (Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley AVA)
• 2021 Jupiter (Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA)
• 2021 Maestro (Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA)
• 2021 Candide (Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA)

Dave started off by telling us the background of the dream, how it became a reality and how things are going.  When asked about their employees, Dave told us about the grower, winemaker, barrel filler, tour guide, tractor driver, taster, marketing director, social media/public relations lead, cashier, banker and welcoming committee they have.  And it is ALL done with two people - Sara and Dave.  You have to understand that with 600 cases produced annually on 7 planted of their 10 acres, they are considered a micro-boutique winery and the fact that they do all of this and produce such a high quality of wines is really mind blowing.  Normally when you have such a small operation, something is going to suffer.  99% of the time it is the website that will suffer and be out-of-date, the tour/tasting will be unmemorable or (God forbid) the wine will be sub par.  Not here.  Not by a long shot!

Named for George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, this wine actually renews our hope in white wines.  We tend to view many (most?) white wines as esophageal demons that produce heartburn and a bad aftertaste.  In fact, most of the wines that our tasting crew gravitate to are medium to full bodied reds.  Everyone (E V E R Y O N E) of us were very pleased how this wine tasted from start to finish.  The lack of oak was suprising, but the 6 months of lees stirring helped create a full bodied white wine with citrus fruits, spring rain, wet rock minerality and spice.  It was surprisingly mouth coating and left a very crisp but not overbearing finish.

ABV:  12.7%

Willamette Valley AVA

47 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $38.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

The 2022 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir was another pleasing stunner.  Luckily for us Rosé of Pinot Noir usually hits on all cylinders with us and this one was extremely inviting!  Baking spice, fruit basket and sweet cherries on the nose and palate.  This one is very fruit forward and a wine that loves the company of salty cheeses.  Presents a lighter finish with acidity that is in check.

ABV:  12.8%

Chehalem Mountains AVA

108 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $30.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

Dave started our first of four Pinot Noir selections with the 2021 Titan.  We feel like we jumped in with both feet first with this bold and smoky Pinot, presenting scorched earth and asphalt on the nose, dark fruits, cherry, and spice cabinet on the palate.  Our group actually noted about eleven different flavor profiles and agreed that this felt more pronounced than expected for a Pinot Noir.  You would almost swear there was a bit of Petite Syrah in here.

ABV:  13.8%

Willamette Valley AVA

111 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $46.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

The 2021 Jupter Estate Pinot Noir was yin and yang to the Titan.  This one had more fresh red fruits, strawberry preserves, floral notes and less smoke than our first Pinot Noir.  It starts off softer and then really becomes more powerful and full of black cherry and spice cake flavors that trail off to a very satisfying and lightly spicy finish.  This one is drinking beautifully!

ABV:  13.5%

Chehalem Mountains AVA

154 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $50.00

 

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

When we asked Dave about picking his favorite Bells Up wine, he wouldn't do it.  We compared that akin to picking your favorite child.  But for our team collectively, the 2021 Maestro Estate Reserve Pinot Noir was the northern light for us during this tasting.  Beautiful, haunting, deep dark red color with soul-reaching aromas of black cherry, hibiscus, dried flower pedals, and country gravel road in the spring.  The flavors of elegant red fruits, nutmeg, cherry tobacco and cocoa powder challenged each other for dominance, all while dancing on the tongue.  This wine did not jump out at you, but rather pulled you in slowly and methodically, similar to the Jurassic Park theme song by John Williams.  This wine is named in honor of Williams and to us, it is an exquisite fit.  This is one of those wines that instinctively makes you throw your hands to the side of your face and simply exclaim, "Wow!".  Drink this now or cellar it for 5+ years.

ABV:  13.3%

77 cases produced

Chehalem Mountains AVA

Suggested retail price:  $56.00

Drink The Bottles score:  97/100

Our final wine of the evening (insert crying emoji here) was the 2021 Candide Estate Reserve Pinot Noir.  It was the highest alcohol content of the selections we enjoyed, but still well within a respectable check of only 13.6%.  This wine had more of that mouth-watering smokiness that you generally expect from Oregon Pinot, alson with dried rose petals, plum and damp earth.  It was also the "spicy" wine of the evening presenting a full complement of backing spices, book leather and baked berry pie.  The finish was similar to the 2021 Maestro, lingering for moments after the last sip and drawing you back for more.  It's quite amazing!

ABV:  13.6%

Chehalem Mountains AVA

64 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $56.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

We could have spent all night listening to Dave talk about his passion, his story and what lies ahead for Bells Up Winery.  It's abundantly clear that Dave and Sara strive to make a connection with every customer.  With over 1,000 wineries in Oregon, Team Specter knows that creating memorable wines and intimate experiences will result in lifelong fans and ultimately friends.  One of the biggest compliments Bells Up Winery can receive, according to Dave, is when someone simply says, "Wow, that's nice" or "Yummy".  As an UN-domaine winery, you receive a very personal experience from Dave and Sara, making you feel as if you are the only people on the planet.  And, at that moment, you are to them.

Bells Up Winery checks off all of the boxes for us:  delectable and memorable wines, incredibly friendly and down-to-earth people, affordable, low production, and a place we will visit in person one day.  

Penelope Bourbon Toasted Rye and Rosé Cask Finish

We have been big Penelope Bourbon enthusiasts since we tasted several different bottles at an informal tasting about 18 months ago.  These MGP-distilled products have been a huge hit for bourbon fans and their vast selection of offerings is pretty mind blowing!  Today we are tasting and discovering what two of their latest releases are all about. 

First up is the annual, limited release Penelope Toasted Rye.  This gem is a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley in #2 heavy char toasted barrels.  If you were camping with friends and toasting marshmallows in the crisp fall air in an apple orchard and you could bottle that, then that's what you have here.  The aromas are quite literally mouth-watering and the rich mohagany color with hints of copper only add to the appeal.  Tons of sweet butterscotch dance on the tongue with a zesty ginger, sweet nutmeg and subtle peppery note that lead to a finish that feels like it lingers for minutes.  We wouldn't consider this a dessert bourbon necessarily, but it would be a wonderful digestif after a special meal with friends.  This is definitely one of our favorite Penelope spirits we have tasted to date.  

This is batch 24-304 and it is limited to only 9,000 cases.  While Penelope is distributed in 47 states, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for this one because it won't last long!

ABV:  50.0% (100 proof)

Distillery:  Penelope Bourbon (MGP)

Suggested retail price:  $74.99

Drink The Bottles score:  96/100

 

Moving onto to the Penelope Rosé Cask Finish, this is the 8th release of this Cooper Series stunner.  This is a four grain bourbon with a mash bill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye and 3% malted barley, finished in French Grenache Rosé wine casks.  Daniel Polise, the master blender at Penelope Bourbon, has become a bourbon poet with his fine palate and masterful skills that fans of blended bourbons come to love.  

Golden orange in color and tasted neat, we were introduced to aromas of vanilla bean, tomato leaf, green tea, young Spring flowers and strawberries.  We were surprised how layered this was with strawberry creme saver candy, vanilla pudding, herb garden and passion fruit flavors that carried through from start to finish.  The finish is direct and pleasant and we feel this is a great late summer-into-fall sipper.  While we don't typically eat any food with bourbon, this one would be an exception and would pair well with some lighter Asian cuisine.  Well done!

ABV:  47.0% (94 proof)

Distillery:  Penelope Bourbon (MGP)

Suggested retail price:  $49.99

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

Jeptha Creed Straight 4-Grain Bourbon

 

In Shelbyville, Kentucky sits a farm distillery of just over 60 acres that is operated by Joyce and Autumn Nethery, a mother daughter team who are creating unique flavor expressions in the world of distilled spirits.  Jeptha Creed has been around for about 8 years now, and they are currently produding four different bourbons, vodka, moonshine and brandy.  Today we look at the Jeptha Creek Straight 4-Grain Bourbon, which encompasses a mash bill of 70% Bloody Butcher Corn, 15% malted rye, 10% malted wheat and 5% malted barley.  Why 3 malted grains you ask?  The legend is that prior to having their own facility, the Jeptha Creed team would distill many of their grains at a midwest distillery and when they received their shipment, all of the grains were malted.  So what do you do when you get lemons?  You make lemonade.   Well, you know what we mean...

First of all, we love the look of this bottle and label.  It's not over the top, but it's classy looking and stands out amongst its peers.  Dark rust color, we tasted this neat in a rocks glass and were welcomed with aromas of spring meadow, forest floor, tobacco, floral boquet and dark fruits.  The earthy aromas were dominant and some air time really took you own a sensual journey.  The earthiness carried over to the palate forefront, but also brought in flavors of clover honey, vanilla, warm salted nuts, nutmeg and a lovely mint finish.  We don't know the exact age statement on this (aged at least 2 years per the label) but would love to see how their Bottled-In-Bond or 6 year wheated bourbons compare to this one.  If you're one who likes to stray from the mainstream bourbon scene and try something totally unique, we definitely recommend this one!

ABV:  49.0% (98 proof)

Distillery:  Jeptha Creed Distillery

Suggested retail price:  $52.99

Drink The Bottles score:  88/100

Dark Arts Amburana Oak Stave Finished Small Batch Rye

If you know anything about whiskey, you know that blending the spirits is nothing new.  However, it truly takes an exceptional talent to have the senses needed to make this work successfully.  Nearly anyone can blend whiskey.  But only a handful of folks can turn blended whiskey into amazing products that blend seamlessly and like magic.  Chief Alchemist Macaulay Minton is completely dialed in when it comes to producing a product that is unique and also makes you as giddy as a school girl.

Today we taste and share the Dark Arts Amburana Oak Stave Finished Small Batch Rye which has a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% barley.  While each batch is naturally different, the blends are from six to eight year age statements and contain three barrels for each small batch.  The whiskey is distilled in Indiana (most likely MGP) and the finishing and bottling happens in Lexington, KY.  We tasted this sweet treat neat in our favorite mini Belgian beer glass - again and again - from sample.

If you were tasting this blind, you might be surprised that this is a rye whiskey, depending on your tasting skills.  Light chestnut in color with sweet aromas of cinnamon, brown sugar, baked apples, baking spices and cinnamon.  Did we say cinnamon twice?  Yes.  Yes, we did.  The first and subsequent sips immediately greeted us with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and we will die on that hill all day long!  As stated previously, all batches are different but this one was incredibly reminiscent of the popular cereal.  There is a savory sweetness to this, but not overly sweet.  Sugar cream pie, warm apple cobbler, hints of pumpernickel and baking spices all lead us down a path to a persistent finish.  Dark Arts Whiskey House is doing some really cool things and we're glad to start seeing it on the shelves at stores when we travel.  Check them out!

ABV:  54.0% (108 proof)

Distillery:  MGP for Dark Arts Whiskey House

Suggested retail price:  $89.99

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

 

Redemption Rye and Redemption Bourbon

The folks at Redemption Whiskey take their spirits very seriously.  We should emphasize that they are very passionate about what they do and they are obsessed with Rye whiskey in particular.  Their heavy Rye spirits celebrate the history of Rye being distilled as far back as the 1600's.   Many times when you run across someone who considers themselves "a bourbon guy or gal" they might quickly follow up with, "but I'm not big on Rye whiskey".  We get it.  There have been countless horror stories of Rye being too spicy or too hot.  But you'll never find this with Redemption Whiskey!

The Redemption Rye is a serious mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, resulting in a medium golden whiskey with mouth-watering, bold aromas of spring garden, spices, white pepper, toasted sourdough bread and citrus fruits.  Those aromas carry over to the palate and also carry hints of spring boquet and delicious grilling spices.  While this spirit comes in at 92 proof, it can certainly rest on its laurels, providing a very satisfying and lingering finish.  For those who "don't like Rye", they surely haven't tasted this one yet!  No wonder this is America's #1 favorite Rye whiskey.

ABV:  46.0% (92 proof)

Distillery:  Redemption Whiskey

Suggested retail price:  $29.99

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

Master Blender Alan Kennedy continues to knock it out of the park with Redemption Bourbon.  The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley allowing this to be considered a bourbon but paying homage to the subtle rye spices that Redemption is known for in their spirits.  It's has a golden candy color in the glass with wafting aromas of plantains, caramel chews, toasted nuts and vanilla.  We tasted this neat, but there is no doubt that this 88 proof selection would be fantastic in a whiskey sour or whatever your favorite bourbon-based cocktail may be.

Hints of licorice are on the palate and carry through the medium spicy finish.  There's just enough peppery goodness to keep your tongue in check, combined with nutmet, allspice and butterscotch.  This is a bottle that should be on every bourbon bar in America as well as your home bar.  A bonus to this bottle is that is priced right and perfect for the amateur mixologist who wants to experiment with whiskey drinks!

ABV:  44.0% (88 proof)

Distillery:  Redemption Whiskey

Suggested retail price:  $24.99

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

 

Two Souls Spirits Doubled Barreled Bourbon

The easiest way to explain what founders James Estrada and Chad Civetti do at Two Souls Spirits is they take already very tasty bourbon, sprinkle some magic on it, and make it better.  Ok, we know it's not that easy, but that's the Cliff's notes version of what this Florida whiskey house is doing with distinct and some of the finest whiskey barrels from distilleries across the US.

What we have today is the Two Souls Spirits Double Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, coming in a a whopping 128.58 proof!  The base of this palate pleaser is a bourbon from Watershed Distillery out of Columbus, Ohio.  We were already fans of Watershed and this double barrel bourbon shares the same mash bill as their 4 year offering:  72% corn, 21% rye and 7% malted barley.  A #4 heavy char barrel was used for this offering and this bourbon (tasted neat and from a sample bottle) immediately grabs your attention.

Medium hazelnut color, we were surprised that this was as light as it was.  But the aromas and flavors stole the show on this one!  Completely mouth coating with aromas of caramel sauce, dusty country road, vanilla extract, asphalt and herbs.  It's big and bold but not offensive and over-the-top.  Restrained goodness is a representation of this spirit.  Medium oak, citrus, tobacco leaf, orange peel, sweet baking spices and a suggestion of clove near the finish really makes your mouth water.  It's unapologetically long in the finish and on the sweeter side.  It is ohhhhhh, so good!  This was a limited production, like all of the Two Souls catalog with less than 200 bottles available on release.  

ABV:  64.29% (128.58 proof)

Distillery:  Watershed Distillery for Two Souls Spirits

Suggested retail price:  $94.99

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100