Hey folks, Mark here, it’s been a while since our last posting, and that is going to stop. Since I am retired now, more time will be spent on keeping this site updated and posting other interesting whisk(e)y information. I may plan on spending time with Instagram and other social media. We shall see…
We had our March meeting at a favorite meeting place in St. Louis, or actually Sunset Hills, MO, The Brother Beer and Bourbon House (https://3bhouse.com). Jeff, the owner, is a member and his place has a great selection of beer and bourbon, plus great bar type food. The theme of the meeting was award winning whiskey from small craft distilleries. As usual, we had five different whiskies to try, and each won some type of award in the past year. At the end of the tasting, Jeff brought out a single barrel his store has, which we got to try as well. More on that later.
Here are the five whiskies we tried, and the awards, and tasting notes that were provided:
BRECKENRIDGE Port Cask Finish – 90 Proof ($50)
World Whiskies Awards – 2024: Best in ClassFinished Bourbon
**From the World’s Highest Distillery, Breckenridge Distillery is located high in the Rocky Mountains at almost 9,600 feet. Breckenridge Port Cask Finish highlights their expertise at barrel aging. Finished in a 59-gallon Tawny Port cask, adding aroma and flavor of sultana raisin and maple syrup, which round out and soften the naturally spicy finish.
OLD DOMINICK Bottled in Bond Straight Tennessee Whiskey – 100 Proof ($65)
Bartender Spirits Awards – 2024: Double Gold
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
**A tasting experience that brings vanilla, anise, tobacco, caramel and creme brulee, with wisps of oak on a silky smooth medium finish. Sweetness with a touch of maple.
15 STARS – FINE AGED SPIRITS Sherry Cask Finish, Aged 10 yrs – 115 Proof ($175)
World Wine & Spirits Competition – 2023: Best in Class..Bourbon
**Sourced from Kentucky and Indiana, 15 STARS Distillery is a relatively new producer in the American whiskey landscape. It was founded in 2021. The name 15 STARS is a tribute to Kentuckys status as the 15th state to join the Union. On the nose, overripe berries, strawberry candies, and pumpernickel bread frame this sweet and fruity pour. In the background, theres a hint of sherry and banana bread. The palate unfolds with brown sugar sweetness, bananas Foster, and a dash of peanut brittle. While the whiskey hides its proof well, adding water brings out brighter fruits like raspberry and blackberry. The lengthy finish is spiced with toasted oak and mocha. (91 Points from Whisky Advocate)
CHARLES GOODNIGHT Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 115 Proof ($90)
London Spirits Competition – 2024: Best in Class.Bourbon
**Produced by Foley Family Wines and sourced from an undisclosed distillery (or distilleries) in Texas, Charles Goodnight is a high-rye expression, aged for six years. Tastes of dark roast coffee, smores, and molasses. Theres also a complex finish to pondera lengthy escapade in which those aforementioned sweeter elements resolve themselves in oak spice. (94 Points from Whisky Advocate)
STILL630 Still 2nd Shift Brewery Collab Whiskey Series #11 – 90 Proof ($45)
American Craft Spirits – 2025: Best in ClassWhiskey
**IPA Beer from 2nd Shift Brewing, double-distilled and aged it in new oak barrels to create a malt whiskey like no other. Nose: Bright oak notes jump off first then you notice warm cereal grain with undertones of cooler beer yeast. Palate: As if a hop exploded. There is brightness, blossoming pine and floral notes covering clover honey with strong spicy berries on the finish. And somehow, it’s oddly refreshing. You will go back for more.
Ranking is a simple one through five method. Each member will rank their preference with the favorite, to least favorite. There were 35 members present, but for reason unknown, only 15 submitted ranking sheets. So, if everyone submitted the same whiskey as their number one, then the score for the favorite would be 15, and same goes is everyone submitted the same whiskey as their least favorite, the score would be 75. Interesting in this ranking, one dominated at the leader, and one dominated as the least favorite, the the remaining three were one point off from each other.
The rankings:
#1) 15 Stars with 32 points
#2) StilL 630 with 44 points
#3) Breckenridge with 45 points
#4) Old Dominick with 46 points
#5) Charles Goodnight with 60 points
As mentioned, we were also able to try a single barrel 3B has, The Presidential Dram. This expression is a bourbon that is 99% corn, and 1% barley. Bottled at cask strength and aged at 10 years. Wow, what a treat! I do not have the tasting notes on hand, but I know it was bottled at more than 120 proof (maybe closer to 127??) and it doesn’t taste like it. A definite sweetness that the 99% corn brings out, but not overly so. It has a long finish and is a great sipping whiskey. I will try to get more information from Jeff and post further information.
Again, apologies for the lack of posting, but that will change. Until next time, Salut!