World Whiskey Society (WWS) has solely been round since 2020, but it surely’s develop into a veritable juggernaut within the non-distilling producer house, cranking out so many new whiskeys every quarter that it’s troublesome to maintain up with all of it. At this time we try a trio of latest releases, together with one from its Doc Holliday Assortment and one which stands as maybe essentially the most uncommon bourbon we’ve tasted up to now.
World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday Bourbon Cigar Mix 16 Years Previous Evaluate
This whiskey — one other Chip Tate collaboration — is a thriller 16 yr outdated bourbon from Kentucky with three cask finishes — Tokaji, Armagnac, and white Port — neither of which appears like a shy affect, however every of which feels good for a cigar pairing. It’s not a shy whiskey. The nostril alone is sort of overwhelming, an aggressive exploration of stewed fruit, tobacco, darkish chocolate, and darker caramel. Intricate notes of scorched honey, clearer raisin (then prune) notes, and gingerbread are all impressively dominant and in-your-face — all par for the course for a Tate manufacturing, actually.
On the palate the whiskey makes no actual detours, coming throughout with such a vacation vibe that I used to be impressed to lookup recipes for making my very own plum pudding earlier than aborting that concept virtually instantly. Dried and stewed fruits meld with maple syrup, Madeira wine, and a late-game floral character that I presume is pushed by the white Port affect within the bottle. It’s troublesome to dodge the heavy floral character that comes at you because the end builds — and why would you? It is a whiskey that calls for your consideration and makes no apologies for taking it. It’s constructed 100% for vacation enjoyment, and 0% like one thing that Doc Holliday would possible have consumed.
124.2 proof. A- / $449
World Whiskey Society Straight Kentucky Bourbon Fashionable Bottle 9 Years Previous Evaluate
Yep, “Fashionable Bottle” is a part of the product title, and for those who dig a pic of the bottle (at proper) you may get an inkling as to why. It’s Kentucky-born however that’s about all we all know; there’s no disclosed ending with this one, making it (bottle apart) a really simple expression for the bottler.
To make sure, no actual surprises await the drinker with this bourbon, which noses with average, calmly charred wooden and a pleasing mix of caramel, vanilla, and baking spice. Prolonged airtime sees the whiskey develop into a bit extra brooding and dense, with darkish chocolate notes taking a stronger maintain.
The palate is nice, initially that includes brown butter and almonds, extra vanilla caramel, and a reprise of darkish chocolate. Flippantly minty because the midpalate builds, the whiskey ultimately finds room for notes of honeyed apples, banana cream, and a remaining drizzle of caramel sauce throughout the highest of it. It’s a succesful and stable sipper, however not one thing I’d possible recommend paying $159 for — except you want the spent bottle in your potions, after all.
108 proof. B+ / $159
World Whiskey Society Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Completed In Japanese Mizunara Shochu Barrels Evaluate
Curiously, this NAS bourbon — dubbed the Samurai Version and restricted to 2000 bottles — is completed in mizunara shochu barrels, not mizunara whiskey barrels. That’s a bizarre (and presumably distinctive) mixture, in order that’s a minimum of one thing to kick off with. The origin of this whiskey is acknowledged: It’s Bardstown Bourbon Co. inventory, created from a mash of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley, although no age is famous. 2000 bottles produced.
Very unique on the nostril, there’s a direct punch right here of moist grass, virtually moss-like, evoking aromas of muddy turned earth, mushrooms, inexperienced beans, and a few jasmine. Undulating and savory, the mossy character is hard to get away from, evoking deep-seated recollections of a Florida swamp tour from years passed by. None of this, to my shock, is off-putting, thoughts you, although this can be very uncommon and earthy, requiring a while adapting to its profile.
The palate begins off proper according to the above, with that earthy inexperienced bean character constructing to point out off some restrained floral notes that recall lilac and extra jasmine, then some much-needed sweetness. Gentle notes of golden syrup give the palate a little bit of a carry in the way in which {that a} vacation meal sees candy potatoes dosed with maple syrup, turning a straightforwardly savory dish into one thing with a foot in two worlds.
Does it work? Form of. It’s actually not a transformative expertise, however it’s bizarre sufficient that I discovered it straightforward sufficient to complete a glass after which some, selecting it aside with a confused look on my face and questioning if, ultimately, any of this was a good suggestion. It in the end jogged my memory vaguely of Glenmorangie’s “A Story of the Forest,” solely far much less horrible.
108 proof. B / $124 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
World Whiskey Society Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Completed In Japanese Mizunara Shochu Barrels
USD124
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