J's Whisky Diary

Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is an 11 year old blended rye whiskey, distilled and bottled in KY, as signified by the "Kentucky Straight" appellation. The name of the brand is resurrected from a pre-prohibition distillery founded and run by the great-grandparents of master blender Dixon Dedman. However, it is not clear where the barrels for their products are sourced, likely a range of large-scale producers across the state; it is bottled on a contract basis by Strong Spirits in Bardstown. Kentucky Owl is a buzzy brand, with bottles selling well above their already significant retail price on the gray market; accordingly, after only a few years, they've already been snapped up by the Stoli Group, the American arm of the SPI group, with plans rumored for a $150 million, 400 plus acre "distillery park" facility to begin production in 2020. Notably, this would place the release of a 100% grain-to-glass Kentucky Owl Rye in the year 2031; one can only ho...

Bowmore, established in 1779, is said to be the first distillery opened on the isle of Islay. Notably, the distillery continues to source malt from the island and has an active traditional floor malting process, however, this is bolstered with industrially malted barley from the mainland. Personally, the distillery holds some significance for me as I once had a torrid love affair with a pour of the Bowmore 15 year old in the inimitable Aero Club bar in San Diego, early in my whisky journey. The experience was eye—rather, mind—opening for me, dramatically expanding the horizons of flavor and complexity that I had so far experienced in a whisky. Undoubtedly, some part of that magic was the product of inexperience and inebriation, but, as they say, you never forget your first time. As far as Islay Malts are concerned, the Bowmore 12 year showcases a relatively gentle peat, so those for whom the power of the bog holds no charm need feel no concern. The malt pours a rich yellow-gold, with...

Old Grand Dad is a brand of straight bourbon whiskeys distilled by Beam-Suntory in Kentucky, notable for the higher percentage of rye compared to the standard Beam mash bill. The brand is named for Basil Hayden Sr., the famed distiller. Old Grand Dad is bottled at three different proofs; 80, 100 (bonded), and 114. While the 80 proof offering is entirely forgettable, I have long prized "Bonded OGD" as an accessible, classic, and extremely affordable bourbon, providing an introduction for the neophyte, a standby for those "ballin'-on-a-budget," and a terrific base for bourbon cocktails; make a pitcher of juleps for your friends with a bottle of Bonded and you'll be a hero to anyone who can remember what they tasted like. In comparison to the simplicity and accessibility of the bonded offering, 114 proof requires a bit more of its audience. This is by no means a "fine" spirit, no age statement is given, aside from the "straight bourbon" de...

A.D. Laws Whiskey House is a grain to glass distillery in Denver Colorado, using sour-mash, open fermentation and locally grown grains. Secale Straight Rye is a 95% Heritage rye mash, with barley rounding out the grain bill, of the rye grains, only half are malted. Column distilled, and aged for at least 24 months on charred oak, it is bottled at 100 proof. It pours a lovely, light blonde copper, with some rosy highlights. The nose brings a bitter, cosmic-brownie chocolate, with a buttery, oily texture over a background of classic rye dill and a hint of vanilla. The palate follows on the herbal, spicy aromas, with a very slight oak presence; the vanilla and chocolate are all but vanished until after the swallow. Quite a bit of perceived heat for the proof, with a lingering reminder of that cosmic brownie. Like snack food on a long bus trip, with a nagging scent of industrial cleaner and not quite enough room to breathe; it's toothsome in a way, but overall somewhat unsatisf...