I was Ho! Ho! Honoured to be invited to a #LuxcoXmasWhiskey TweetTastings earlier this week which was hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire – all designed to get Chrimbo off to a tasty start!
The samples came from the Lux Row Distillers stable of drinks whose drive to innovate has quickly allowed them to become one of the top USA-based independent producers of alcohol beverage products across all categories.
The three whiskies sampled were:-
- Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Ezra Brooks Straight Rye Whiskey
If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view their comments by searching for the hash tag #LuxcoXmasWhiskey on Twitter.
So, what did I think?
Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!
Tasting Notes – Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon (46.5%)
Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a delicate fusion of flavours from seventh-generation distillers, this straight bourbon features a handpicked blend of 4- and 7-year-old bourbons, for an exclusive small-batch whiskey that honours its deep family origins.
Yellowstone Bourbon is crafted at Limestone Branch distillery, Kentucky which has been around since the start of the Kentucky bourbon business.
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Nose: Gorgeous, sweet, stewed fruits with toffee. Then a real blast of tropical fruitiness shows itself plus a little chocolate. Palate: Lovely sweetness and satisfying mouthfeel. Superb tropical fruits with mango coming out on top! Finish: Some orange and chocolate, warming and spicy and slightly medicinal with a dry tannin finish. Interestingly, adding some water adds some Ginger flavours … Overall: A great Bourbon with a little bit of everything. Fruity, sweet and with a powerful spice and dry finish! |
Yellowstone Select: Kentucky Straight Bourbon |
Tasting Notes – Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon (40%)
Ezra Brooks is distilled using only the finest ingredients (corn, rye, barley) and charcoal filtered for an unmistakable, mellow flavor.
Aged in charred white oak barrels it delivers a beautifully smooth flavor and finish and is bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV)
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Nose: Citrusy with lemons ‘afore! Reminds me of boiled sweets (spangles) plus some healthy apples thrown in. After a while I’m getting some sweet tropicalness and creamy vanilla. Palate: Cane sweetness, buttery, with lots of juicy tropical fruits – Very Yummy! Finish: A thinner mouthfeel, but very light with sweet vanilla and fruity flavours dancing on the tongue! Oaky and light honeyed at the end with a mild spiciness. Overall: A cracking Bourbon and at a very tasty price! |
Ezra Brooks Bourbon 80 Proof: Kentucky Straight Bourbon |
Tasting Notes – Ezra Brooks Straight Rye Whiskey (45%)
A genuine straight rye whiskey made from the finest ingredients available and bottled at an honest 90 proof.
INGREDIENTS
Rye and barley
AWARDS
Gold Medal – 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Gold Medal – 2017 Global Masters Spirits Competition
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Nose: Slow burner this one – maybe hiding it’s light under a Kentucky bushel! Eventually there is mint, treacle and licorice – who would have thought?! A little toffee, a little oak, a little spice … Palate: Some creamy chocolate and licorice, treacle and shades of mint! Finish: Toffee on rye coupled with some great spice that’s not too heavy. Overall: Some interesting flavours here for sure – but all in a good way! |
Ezra Brooks Rye 90 Proof:
Kentucky Straight Rye |
My Favourite On The Night
Out of the 3, I think it’s got to be the Ezra Brooks Bourbon with Yellowstone Select & Ezra Brooks Rye tying for second as I can’t decide between them! I chose ‘Ezra Brooks Bourbon’ as it’s seriously good for the price – buy two …….. and keep them both for yourself!
Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great evening and (@ChapmanPoolePR) for sending the samples.
And, of course, many thanks to luxrowdistillers.com, without whom!
My fellow Tweet Tasters on the night were:-
@TheWhiskyWire @Jotterface @WhiskyWithMolly @ManyMilesWhisky @AWhetForWhisky @ocdwhisky @WhiskyWings @ChapmanPoolePR @sprungatom @speakofwhisky @SpiritAndWood @PhilScott101 @MrEdwardMilner @ingo74 @WhiskyGeekPete @GaryMills01 @CEVokins @drinkersite @iheartwhisky @FreshPrinceRob @DramofWar @FiShoop @WhiskyManc @Whiskyviewer
ABOUT LUX ROW DISTILLERS
Real roots, real family, real products: Lux Row Distillers – a bourbon distillery experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail –brings the Lux family history and spirits tradition to the bourbon industry.
Lux Row Distillers is the home of bourbon brands including Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, Daviess County and Ezra Brooks.
Located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, the 18,000-square foot Lux Row Distillers site includes a visitor centre, barrel warehouses, a tasting room, and event space, making for an all-encompassing bourbon experience. The 90-acre property is home to an 18th century stone house, registered as a National Historic Place, and a long, tree-lined driveway providing a scenic entrance to the distillery.
About Luxco
Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products.
Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands.
This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from five distilleries:
– Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County;
– Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin;
– Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos;
– MGP’s historic distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where the George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced;
– and the Washington, D.C.-based Green Hat Distillery, producer of the Green Hat family of gins.
The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.
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