Buzzard's Roost Ambuzzadors Select Single Barrel Rye 2025

 

We have been enjoying multiple bottles from Buzzard's Roost for a couple of years and we were recently introduced to the fan club - Ambuzzadors - that was started in 2022.   Twice a year these die hard fans are invited to Whiskey Row to the Buzzard's Roose headquarters for a barrel pick.  The cool thing about these bottles is that they are extremely exclusive; they do not go into distribution and they are available only online at at Whiskey Row.

We recently received a 100mL sample bottle of the Buzzard's Roost Ambuzzadors Select Single Barrel Rye 2025 to taste, and this one.... is a HIT!  Caramel-gingerbread in color, this has concentrated and defined aromas of peach, apricot, coffee bean, chocolate bits and dried earth.  For a bottle that has a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, we were really taken back by the citrus flavors that held on from beginning to end along with rich, butter cream icing and toasted nuts.  The finish sticks around and reminds you that your next sip if just moments away.  Aged for 5 years and finished for 18 months in a lightly charred custom toasted barrel.   This bottle convinced us to sign up for Ambuzzadors and who knows, maybe we will be on the next barrel pick!

ABV:  57.5% (115 proof)

Distillery:  Buzzard's Roost

Suggested retail price:  $85.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2021 Maldonado Family Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine

 

Located in the Jamieson canyon region of Napa Valley are some vineyards producing some very tasty and affordable wines under the Maldonado Family Vineyards label and also a second label dubbed Farm Worker.  Owner and winemaker Hugo Maldonado created this Mexican-American family owned winery was previously a vineyard manager at Newton, providing him the tools of the trade to eventually leave his footprint in the valley.

The 2021 Maldonado Family Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine is a secret blend of reds and it provides a satisfying and extremely approachable expression for those who tend to shy away from a 100% bolder Cab.  This one suggests that it is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, but the important thing here is how this wine makes you feel. 

Scarlet red in the glass with shades of plum skin, the aromas of juicy plum, marzipan, petrichor, flower boquet and spice dance together wonderfully.  We gave this some time in the glass without decanting to bring out the aromas and flavors of blueberry pie, cocoa powder, English breakfast tea, raspberry compote and scorched earth.  The finish is straight forward but this could definitely be a daily drinker for someone who loves a red blend.  

ABV:  15.3%

Napa Valley, CA

Winery:  Maldonado Family Vineyards

Suggested retail price:  $48.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

High Bank Distillery Co Whiskey War Barrel Proof Whiskey

Adam Hines and his dad turened a motorcycle ride through Kentucky and Tennessee into a dream, which eventually became an award-winning and groundbreaking distillery..... in Ohio!  After tons of blood, sweat and tears, High Bank Distillery Company has found its foothold and Hines is dubbed the most awarded Master Distiller in Ohio.   For those of you who only believe that good whiskey is born in Kentucky, you are sorely wrong.

We tasted the High Bank Whiskey Company Whiskey War Barrel Proof expression, which is a blend of small batch handcrafted straight whiskeys.  This is batch number 107 and according to the ditillery, has an age statement of at least 5 years.  This was actually honored as the Best Blended Whiskey in America a few years ago at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  No pressure here, but this bottle need not rest on its laurels.  We gave this the once over and admittedly......  it is deserving of all the praise.

The color of the whiskey is sunflower disk florets with streaks of gold.  The nose presents some abundant mixed fruits - think Apple Jacks or Fruit Loops cereal!  Joining in are aromas of cinnamon, vanilla bean, carmelized sugar and tanned leather.  In the mouth is more of the same but adding drops of soy sauce and dustings of white pepper on a very memorable finish that you immediately want to go back and re-visit.  There's a nice viscous coating and despite the nearly 119 proof on this batch, you only get a suble hug and not a searing burn, which can happen with higher proofs.  

We hope that this is only the beginning of a beautiful friendship with High Bank Distillery Company.  It is easy to see why they are awarded so many accolades.  This is a beautiful bottle!

ABV:  59.43% (118.86 proof)

Distillery:  High Bank Distillery Company

Suggested retail price:  $60.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

 

Bardstown Bourbon Company Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish Whiskey

Bardstown Bourbon Company is known for their unique offerings that set them apart from every other distillery in the United States.  It seems that there isn't anything they won't try and if you're a finished whiskey fan, BBC is definitely in your wheelhouse!  Once in awhile, this innovative and forward-thinking company issues a distillery-only release, which is the case with this Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish blend of whiskeys.

Mizunara Oak trees grow twisted in the hardest-to-reach corners of Japan.  The wood is incredibly rare and highly acclaimed for many industries.  This incredibly rare whiskey was comprised of just SIX barrels of Mizunara Oak, aged for 28 months to provide the unique and unforgettable flavors in this 375mL bottle.  The whiskeys that make up this incredible blend carry age statements from nine to fifteen years, each with it's own unique mash bill.

Blend            Origin            Age            Mash Bill

47%               KY              15 Yr           75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

33%               KY              14 Yr           78% Corn, 10% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

15%               IN                9 Yr             45% Corn, 51% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

5%                 TN              18 Yr            84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley

We lept at the opportunity to taste and share our thoughts on such a small batch, highly anticipated release.  Saddle brown color with flashes of ripe berries when touched by light, this bottle is oozing with aromas of toffee, roasted nuts, Kentucky butter cake and oak.  Unique and mouthwatering, flavors of brown butter, vanilla, Three Musketeers candy bar, toasted S'mores and baking spices round out the evolving and changing flavor profile.  On the sweeter side from beginning to end, this has a rich mouthfeel that quickly puts a satisfying smile on your face.

If there was a down side to this bottle, it is that it can only be found at the Bardstown Bourbon Company  distillery gift shop and Louisville tasting room while it lasts.  But the hunt is half of the fun, isn't it?  This bottle was absolutely exceptional!

ABV:  54.65% (109.3 proof)

Distillery:  Bardstown Bourbon Company

Suggested retail price:  $99.99

Drink The Bottles score:  95/100

 

Green River US Army 250th Anniversary Commemorative Bourbon

 

In case you haven't heard by now, we are HUGE fans of Green River Distilling Company.  In fact, we voted their Rye the Best Rye of 2024!  A couple of weeks ago, the U.S. Army celebrated their 250th birthday and Green River showed them some serious love - in style!  How cool is it to get your own commemorative bottle and to have a portion of the proceeds be donated to various non-profit groups that support US soldiers.  This particular bottle comes in at 111.1 proof, which is an honor to Veteran's Day on November 11th.  

We can tell you this.  This bottle IS available across the US in many markets.  We just returned from Scottsdale and saw this sitting on the shelf.  If you're a Green River enthusiast, an Army veteran or want to provide a special gift to the soldier in your life, we highly suggest this bottle.

Carmel color to the rim, this bourbon is comprised of barrels in the four-to-seven year age statement.  The mashbill is 77% corn, 14% rye and 9% malted barley, presenting aromas of cinnamon stick, red fruits, pomegranate, cedar and book leather.  On the palate is a very warm and welcoming blend of caramel syrup, nutmeg, vanilla sponge cake and baking spices.  The finish is pleasantly lingering and you'll immediatley want to "try that again" as soon as the glass is empty.  The special packaging and label are just a bonus to the appeal and this bottle is all around solid!  Hooah!

ABV:  55.55% (111.1 proof)

Distillery:  Green River Distilling Co.

Suggested retail price:  $49.99

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled in Bond Bourbon

 

In beautiful San Antonio, Texas, sits a former bank and mint building in the heart of downtown, just a stone's throw from the Alamo.  If you aren't careful, you'll just assume it is indeed another bank building and you may have to re-trace your steps.  The property at 115 Broadway used to be part of Samuel Maverick's family estate and it has a rich history as the former Lockwood Bank.  Although the building saw various tennants throughout the years, it is now the proud home of Maverick Whiskey.

The distillery's namesake, Samuel Maverick, has a long and colorful history in the southwest United States.  Maverick served in many political positions, was a Texas land magnate and he cheated death more times than most people should.  He made the most of his adventurous life and it makes perfect sense to honor him with a whiskey brand.

The Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled in Bond Bourbon is our first look at any selection from Maverick Whiskey.  Burnt umber in the glass with hues of maroon peeking about, this bourbon is created in small batches and aged for more than five years in actual bank vaults under the distillery!  Maverick uses Char #3 barrels and a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% Wren's Abruzzi rye and 10% malted barley, resulting in a very aromatic introduction that includes mesquite smoke, clove, honeysuckle and brown butter.  Incredibly silky-smooth mouthfeel with Crème Brûlée, caramel corn, allspice, nutmeg, marry very well here with a finish that is framed by the toasted nut flavors that bring this all together.  This was a fantastic introdution to Maverick Whiskey for us and we will keep an eye on what is next for this distillery!

ABV:  50.0% (100 proof)

Distillery:  Maverick Whiskey

Suggested retail price:  $56.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

John Emerald Distilling Company John's Alabama Single Malt Whiskey

 

In east central Alabama lies an unassuming distillery that has been slowly and steadily making a name for itself for the past decade.  They're producing whiskeys, rums, vodka, gins and other liquers that you won't find anywhere else in the country.  Today we are taking a look at John's Alabama Single Malt Whiskey, the namesake spirit from John Emerald Distilling Company.

This small batch craft distillery honors one of their forefathers, John Emerald Sharp, by offering a 100% malted barley single malt whiskey.  This whiskey speaks volumes of the locale, boasting that it was the first legal whiskey to be produced in Alabama in 100 years.  The malted barley is smoked with local peach and pecan woods, further identifying the uniqueness of this brand while adding to the overall enjoyability of this spirit.

Copper color with light hues of chocolate bar, this single malt whiskey has as subdued nose initially that is slightly reminiscent of a single malt Scotch with the earthy notes and toasted nut aromas.  We let this one sit in the glass for a bit, allowing some air to touch the liquid as we thought there would be more to this - and we were right.  Additional aromas of cooked apples, vanilla and clove present themselves, leading us to flavors of tropical fruits, dried field grass, nutmeg, vanilla and caramel candy.  This is very smooth, which you would expect in part from the proof point, but also because of the attention to detail in the overall distilling process.  The finish is a touch short, but we aren't hung up on the finsih since this one is so unique.  And we are fans!

ABV:  43.0% (86 proof)

Distillery:  John Emerald Distilling Company

Suggested retail price:  $49.99

Drink The Bottles score:  87/100