New In-House Selections to Ward Off the Autumn Chills

High West Silver OMG Pure Rye | Park City, UT

OMG here means - Old MononGahela rye. The Monongahela is a river in western Pennsylvania, the name means "falling banks" in reference to the geological instability of the river's banks, which are high, get washed out and therefore collapse. PA became the epicenter of American distilling when whiskey production boomed in the 1800's. Before Prohibition most of the known stills were in PA, primarily using rye where as Kentucky used corn. Old MononGahela rye was considered some of the best there was. However, the distilleries in Pennsylvania all went out of business and the industry there never recovered to the extent the bourbon distilleries in Kentucky did. High West painstakingly researched the recipe for their OMG Pure Rye, made from 80% rye and 20% malted rye and has brought back a true American product.

Tasting Notes:
Packs a unrefined sweet heat and spice, notes of deep red fruits at the start, then mellows to an alluring crisp citrus and smooth finish. A favorite for it’s unique complexity.



High West Bourye | Park City, UT

Bourye is a combination of “Bou” for bourbon and “rye” for rye whiskey. A 50/50 blend made with three whiskies: a 10-year-old bourbon with a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 5 percent barley malt; a 12-year-old straight rye whiskey that's 95 percent rye and five percent barley malt; and finally a 16-year-old straight rye with 53 percent rye, 37 percent corn and 10 percent malt.

Tasting Notes:
Balanced yet complex with notes of molasses, coconut and caramel, rye bite at the finish.



Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel | Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky
This is the second limited edition Bourbon in the Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon collection. Aged 11 years and 7 months years in Warehouse C, built by Col. Taylor in 1881 as well as bottled in bond.

Tasting Notes:
This is one for Scotch fans. Starts sweet and buttery, goes to a mild zesty citrus character and then an expected smokiness kicks in, reminiscent of a Scotch.


And now for a little love from overseas....

Bushmill’s 1608 Anniversary | Ireland

The bottled 1608 Anniversary is a homage to the last 400 years of perfecting the art form of distilling. The 1608 is a blend of Bushmills malt whiskies (a selection from those aged in either American oak or Spanish sherry casks), a small amount of Irish grain whiskey and the crystallized malt.

Tasting Notes:
Toffee-like smoothness with vanilla, honey and dried fruit notes. Mild and smooth all the way though. A bar favorite.

Upcoming October Events

VIP Wine Taste
& Buy Event

Thursday, October 27th 2011 7-9pm.

Featuring selections from the Authentique Vin portfolio

Please join us for an evening of fascinating fun and flavors from France as
we explore French winemakers and their far and fetched fares. Special orders
(with very special pricing!) will be taken during event for delivery the
following week.
$55 / Club Room Members $70 / Non-Members

Sound Fabulous? RSVP at whiskeydurham@gmail.com

PS: This event is limited to 35 attendees so respond quickly for a spot!


Cheers!!

Fear not the Golden Nectar from the Land of the Rising Sun!

The future of one of our favorite whisky regions has been a concerning topic of discussion as of late. After the devastating earthquake, tsunami and radiation exposure, it is wondered what will become of our beloved Japanese whiskies? After researching numerous resources, the outlook is surprisingly good. Most distilleries did not receive much structural damage other than a few bottles broken and disruption in transportation. Overall, the recorded levels of radiation in the areas of whisky distilleries is less than the radiation a R/T flight from NYC to LA causes.

More so, Japanese Distilleries elected to voluntarily submit samples to a Government-approved testing center in Japan starting at the beginning of April 2011 and tested over the following few days. The results conclusively show that these products have been unaffected by radio-nuclides.

So....drink up, we've got at least 20 yrs' worth before the concern of new materials, water, etc, comes into the picture!

And with that being said, we have a new lovely specimen on our shelf-

Suntory Hibiki 12Y. This offering has been aged in numerous oak barrels of varying size, shape and wood type, including the rare Mizunara oak. The 12 year is pure and clean, with a fruity palate and a soft, mellow and slightly sweet body.

We also have on hand the 12Y and 18Y Yamazaki from Suntory. Both made with malted barley, special yeast strains and aged in American, Spanish and Japanese oak casks. The 12Y lends itself to the Bourbon fan with its medium-bodied sake smooth and creaminess with notes of nuts, apricots and oaky vanilla. The 18Y version is matured in sherry casks with a woody nose. Maintains a beautiful balance with soft tannins, with lots of spice, oranges, and apples. The finish is exceptional as it lingers away.

And you thought Utah was just for Mormons....

This week we shed light on a little ol' distillery highly rated, regarded and awarded, out West in the high country of Park City, Utah, right at the bottom of the Quittin' Time ski run. Relatively new on our shelves, this brand encompasses the creativity and pure passion for straight American Whiskies as Compass Box does for their single malt scotch blends.

So far there are 3 High West options in house to sink your taste buds into:

High West Double Rye: This rye combines 2 straight-ryes, one aged 2 yrs (95% rye/5% corn), the other 16 yrs (53% rye/37% corn) to produce a truly unique rye with gin-like juniper qualities and a pronounced spiced honey flavor and body to bring it all home. The addition of the elder rye helps to curb the bite of the youngn' and therefore create a match made in Cradle-robbin' heaven.

High West Silver Western Oat Whiskey (85% oats/15% barley malt)is an Un-aged (white-dog if you will) American oat whiskey of the finest sipping quality. Young yet delightfully complex, with hints of anise, apple and pear and a lightly delicate body. 2010 ADI Craft American Whiskey Competition Best Un-Aged Whiskey winner.

High West Rocky Mountain 21Y Rye (53% rye/37% corn/10% barley malt) This rye is of a very remarkable sort. By aging in used oak barrels, it's taste is less influenced by the wood resulting in a softer, smoother rye chock full of warm spice, candied corn, vanilla and caramel. This is one to pour your whole heart into!

We've Got the Goods...

There's lots of new spirits in house right now, both upstairs in the Club Room and downstairs, in fact too many to list! You should stop by soon and get you some, because, as you may already know- what's here today maybe gone tomorrow! Salut!

4/20 Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess plays again!

9pm - 12pm: Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess

If you missed this fabulously talented band from NYC the first time, here's your chance to redeem yourself. Jessy and her boys stop by next Wednesday April 20th at 9:00pm. Come out, dress up and cut a rug to this mess of a good time!!
http://jessycarolinahotmess.com/

LISTEN@ http://www.reverbnation.com/jessycarolinaandthehotmess

Now Open!

The awaited Club Room at Whiskey is now offically open and taking Membership applications. Wednesdays are 'Preview' nights as to get a taste of what being a Club Room Member is all about. Thursdays-Saturdays are members only. Fridays after work come check out Hors d'oeuvres starting at 5pm. And that's just the beginning... Cigar Lockers, Chair massages, special tastings
...See you soon.