Selling casks allows the distillery to collect a large amount of capital quickly to fund its operations, which is why new whisky distilleries often have a cask program in place. When they arrived 2 of the 5 barrels were BONE DRY- not even damp. For the first time in their history MGP is marketing their own in-house brands of bourbon and rye whiskey. When we got to the distillery we met the rest of our group,Maggie Kimberl, Columnist at American Whiskey Magazine, Ginny and Charlie Tonic, Patrick Pops Garrett, Founder of Bourbon & Banter, and our hostAndy Mansinne, MGPs VP of Brands. When we got to the distillery we met the rest of our group. Share on: MGP Ingredients, one of the largest providers of distilled and branded spirits, recently announced a $12-million barrel warehouse expansion designed to meet the growing demand for its American whiskey. Its fine over the rocks but a little sweet vermouth and bitters help it really shine. distillery itself is almost complete and will start production next year. MGP is the producer of some premium whiskeys, all from a mash bill that is no less than 51% rye, wheat or malt. Betcha didnt know that Joseph A. Magnus sources their whiskeys from MGP! The finish is short and sweet (and a bit thin) thanks to that low ABV, but does leave you with a nice sense of lush marzipan and applewood tobacco just touched by vanilla. But once or twice a year they extend invitations to a media day at their Lawrenceburg distillery. Given his extensive chemical background I hoped he would have some perspective to share. Although MGP expanded their product line in 2013, the new choices only recently became available in even a youngish form. That vanilla drives the palate and comes creamy and thick as apples stewed in eggnog spices kick in with a slight woody maple syrup sweetness and sweet red grapes. An impressive assembly line showing off their brand new charred oak barrels being mechanically filled with 120 proof whiskey then sealed with a mallet by a guy whose arm I can only imagine is incredibly sore. They also allow multiple groups to combine orders to meet that quantity. David went on to say that because all of their rickhouse floors are isolated with concrete and the temp and humidity remains fairly stable they typically see lower temperatures and consistent humidity. This whiskey bottled in Colorado takes the idea of wheated bourbon to the very edge of its limits. Although first driven to prominence because of the proliferation of brands using MGPs stock of 95% rye, 5% malted barley whiskey, most seeking to exploit the Rye Craze of earlier in the decade, MGP has also furnished plenty of bourbon and other types of whiskeys to Americas independent bottlers. Slight hints of citrus add complexity throughout the body and finish. Cookie Notice English whisky is currently going through a quiet boom, as more whisky distilleries keep opening and producing whisky south of the Scottish border. We walked through the front gate, cameras out of course, and into a main building to a large conference room. Is the whole "they have access to better barrels" thing really true? At 11:30 I met more of our group in the hotel lobby. The strategy is to go narrow and deep, building strong relationships, a strong portfolio, and a loyal following before expanding into more markets. The actual range of cask options available is too large to list here and is the most extensive out of all the distilleries in this article. This Texas whiskey is planning on being fully and truly from Texas very soon. 14 years old. Sweet finish fades to slight barrel notes and vanilla. They dont offer tours, have a gift shop, or give tastings. Located in the south of Scotland near the English border, new whisky distillery Annandale recently released its first single malt whisky, with a new edition on the way. Mark Gillespie, host of the long running WhiskyCast podcast, Michael Dietsch, author of Whiskey: A Spirited Story with 75 Classic and Original Cocktails, Jack Robertiello, writer and consultant to the wine and spirits industry, Eric a freelance writer from Boston, and Anna a writer from Kansas City. Local pickup is available from our Lincoln, NE warehouse. That said, if you see a bottle, buy it. , Yes, were still using yeast strains that would have been cultivated way back then. Yes please! Dry and earthy tasting. Savage & Cooke Bourbon is the marriage of four-year-old whiskeys from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana, matured in Cabernet barrels. Up-front juniper taste, lemon-lime finish. The standard is meant to be approachable and comfortable. The palate centers the creamy vanilla while adding in a cinnamon bark vibe with notes of black pepper and floral honey moved into the background. The barrels were pallet stored (filled through the head) and the barrels were produced by Speyside cooperage in Ohio. Okay, this isnt sourced since it is MGPs own brand. Buying one of its casks of whisky would be a good and safe choice. . Yes, MGP makes other alcohols aside from bourbon. One thousand 9L cases in total. Its a great price too. With up-front juniper and a background of coriander, this traditional gin has an earthy profile. Not all MGP-sourced whiskeys are the same, and a handful are real stand-outs in their class. The distillery may sell the brand a fully aged whiskey or might distill a specific whitedog the brand will age themselves. , host of the long running WhiskyCast podcast. Oak & Eden ships those barrels down to Texas where they blend their whiskey and then add the oak spire to recreate a sort of double-barrel finish in the bottle. This is a great example of how beautiful a single barrel from MGP can be. This blended bourbon is made of 11 and 18-year-old bourbons. The main problem with this expression, in fact, will be finding it, because it is in very limited, Northern Kentucky-centric distribution. It puts it in a similar position to Old Forester's new, cask-strength single barrel rye (review incoming) at . A Mystery Whiskey LDI first came to attention in the whiskey world around ten years ago when companies like Templeton and High West started selling rye whiskey with an unusual mashbill - 95% rye . . After a light lunch in the conference room we grabbed hard hats and ear plugs. They have an awesome visitors facility and tour next time youre in the Bardstown area. It is cut with the purest spring water from the Alexander Valley in California. Andy said each floor remains a fairly consistent temperature and humidity compared to rickhouses that are all open from floor to roof. Personally, I enjoyed the RRI but didnt purchase a bottle for my collection. . Ultra Pure took your money. A venerable whos who in whiskey writing circles. Espresso beans mix with a dab of smoky bacon fat that leads towards a slightly bitter black peppercorn. For more information, please see our Glasgows first whisky distillery in operation since 1902, the Glasgow Distillery recently released its first single malt, the 1770. In 2016 Bardstown Bourbon Company opened its contract distilling business in Bardstown, Kentucky with an annual distillation capacity of 1.5 million gallons. Sourced bourbon, or as it is commonly called "MGP Bourbon" is a product bottled by a company that did not distill the liquor. Contact at [emailprotected] or learn more about us here. The rye spice in the body carries into a long finish. The source of bourbon and rye whiskey for some of the largest brands on the market. As a result, the actual price of buying a cask and bottling your own whisky can be much higher, maybe even more than double the price of the cask itself. These releases are consistently delicious. . All the other top examples of MGP-sourced rye are either much stronger or received a value-adding barrel finish. The opportunity to buy bottles is done only by ballot as the demand outstrips current production. So, among all the straight-up versions of MGPs 95% rye, 5% malted barley recipes out there, this one is the best. Bottled at 100 proof you buy a quarter of a cask rather than a whole one, starting with a 40 litre red wine firkin cask at 1,100. Not every sourced whiskey is based on MGP stock (Angels Envy Bourbon and Old Pogue Bourbon come to mind as major examples of whiskeys that are made from stock that didnt come from MGP), but its safe to say MGPs whiskeys are ubiquitous in bars and liquor stores today. #chicagobourbon #bourbon #whiskey 2020 I really dig this on the rocks to let the leather and buttery underbelly shine through, especially when Im looking for a corn-forward and mildly sweet bourbon. David went on to say that because all of their rickhouse floors are isolated with concrete and the temp and humidity remains fairly stable they typically see lower temperatures and consistent humidity. As we walked outside our tour guide pointed up at the words Seagrams Since 1857 prominently placed in white tile at the top of several buildings. More alcohol evaporates at MGP. Its a little young but the breadiness you get from that youth is well-layered into the overall vibe of the sip and makes perfect sense. The juice is batched in small quantities and proofed down with West Virginias Appalachian water. Most importantly, I must make it clear that the price I quote is the price for the cask only! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Its hard for me to pass judgement given this is a category I dont generally prefer. Heavy chocolate and cream notes complement those from the used barrels, leading to slight fruit notes in the body. This high-proof rye whiskey has a spicy whiplash on the nose, but if you can move past that, youll notice a wonderful marriage of vanilla and floral honey. For those who really get bourbon and the power of blends, thats all that should matter. This limited release is distilled from Bloody Butcher corn. A wheated bourbon, a high rye bourbon, and a 95% rye whiskey. If you bought through one of their partners which utilized them for storage you will be out of luck if that supplier decides not to make you whole. He was hired by Seagrams after he got back from WWII and worked there cooking the mash and tending to the stills. That caramel sweetness merges into a fresh honeycomb next to Dr. Browns Cream Soda vanilla flavor and pep while the fruit dries out, leaving you with meaty dried figs, dates, and prunes driving the midpalate toward the finish. Period. [https://midwest-barrel-co.myshopify.com/pages/faq], MGP Whiskey Barrel - Fresh Dumped, Once Used, Barrel Care: Freshly Emptied Small Format Barrels, Barrel Care: Brand New Small Format Barrels. This barrel proof variant of the flagship Rossville Union rye whiskey has the same basic recipe and 5-6 year age range, but bumps the strength up to a more commanding 112.6 proof (56.3%), although . They distill most of the rye whiskey on the US market and a ton of bourbon. Its not a coincidence that Im writing about MGP now. Snapped during the 'Rickhouse Barrel Thieving' tour at Bardstown Bourbon Co. That sweet note drives the mid-palate towards a finish that warms with the holiday spices and almost hot apple cider next to a vanilla cookie with a dusting of maple brown sugar. . They aren't the only players though. OKI Reserve Bourbon: Located across from Cincinnati on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, New Riff Distilling hired Metzes predecessor as MGP Master Distiller, Larry Ebersold, as their chief consultant. (Vodka and gin are distilled in KS while whiskey is distilled in IN.) The palate is velvety with a ride through soft spices (think nutmeg), a light toffee brittle, hints of spicy tobacco, and a very light echo of marshmallow. This celebrity whiskey brand made quite the buzz when it was first released as it was heralded by two of the hottest Hollywood actors, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder. A wheated bourbon, a high rye bourbon, and a 95% rye whiskey. A well-balanced, smooth gin with juniper, along with a bold coriander, pine-like finish. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The palate leans into notes of marzipan with a fairgrounds caramel apple on a stick thats just touched with salt and a distant hint of tobacco. Every whiskey crafted by MGP begins with a mash bill that is no less than 51% rye, wheat or malt. The finish dries out and amps up the spiciness as a hint of dark chocolate lingers on the very finish. Add a rock or drop or two of water and really dig in. Its not a coincidence that Im writing about MGP now. At $44.99 its moderately priced and probably worth it for fans of MGP bourbon. The big difference between the two will be that Lagg will produce heavily peated whisky. This sourced bourbon is built from eleven and 18-year-old bourbons. The first thing youll notice about the Belle Meade Bourbon is its high proof it is decidedly spicy with black pepper notes and cinnamon. Many brands contract whiskey from MGP, not all make it known. If you bought through one of their partners which utilized them for storage you will be out of luck if that supplier decides not to make you whole. Maybe class action suit. The brand was resurrected in the 2010s and currently sources its high-rye bourbon 60 percent corn, 36 percent rye, and four percent malted barley from MGP in Indiana and Bardstown Bourbon Company in Kentucky. LTL Freight guys got a killer barrel proof pick. Bottled at 94 proof. No, not all MGP bourbons are the same. MGP produces Grain Neutral Spirits, GNS, to individual specification for our customers and quality is judged on both a chemical and sensory analysis. It has a velvety smooth mouthfeel, perfect for drinking neat or in your favorite bourbon whiskey cocktail. (Update)Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery 3,350+ ($4,300+). Chicago Bourbon LLC. Slight hints of cocoa, chocolate, and smoke provide complexity to the body. The nose on this bursts forth with peaches, red berries, blueberry, and an almost savory gooseberry next to cotton candy, a touch of toffee, and very light-yet-sweet oak. Old Elks bourbon is made from a whopping 45% wheat, which takes the term wheated bourbon to a new level. This opens with sticky toffee pudding that really amps up the cinnamon and nutmeg next to black-tea-soaked dates next to some stewed prunes wrapped in chili-chocolate-laced tobacco leaves and dripped in honey and then walnuts. America was in a depression and using only new barrels for bourbon put a lot of loggers and coopers back to work. Now it was time to taste. A few distilleries these days are letting you go one step further, however. . If a bottle label reads "Distilled in Indiana" it was almost certainly distilled by MGP. The nose is light but distinct with hints of apple cider, soft caramel, a touch of singed oak, and plenty of vanilla. And thats the highest praise I can give.. Thanks for your reply. MGP purchased the brand in November 2016 from a couple Cincinnati entrepreneurs who were sourcing from MGP at the time. MGP of Indiana distills bourbon and rye, with a historical focus on rye whiskey, for the likes of Bulleit, Angels Envy, George Dickel, High West, Redemption, Smooth Ambler, Templeton, OKI, and. Penderyn is Wales first whisky distillery in 100 years, and right now the only one producing single malt whisky. Facts such as bourbons requirement to use only new charred oak barrels came from a post prohibition works program. The team at MGP improved the blend and brought it back to market. . Bulleit bourbon is famous for its rye whiskey, made from a whopping 95% rye and 5% malted barley which comes from MGP. Many brands contract whiskey from MGP, not all make it known. More alcohol evaporates at MGP. Until a few years agoFour Roses distilled Bulleit Bourbon, Bulleit Rye came from MGP. Regardless, try it on the rocks and then start mixing up some killer cocktails. the standard rye is a blend of the above two percentage mashbills. This is another strategy of MGP. Fruit, grain and hints of oak give way to slight notes of rye in the body and finish. The unique aging process of Blade and Bow. This is a blend of two bourbons. Hanging out with Bill and drinking @woodycreekdistillers Bourbon. Whenever you want (or budget permitting if the cask stays there a while) you can then bottle the cask and enjoy your very own single cask release, often consisting of a few hundred bottles. The brand is owned by Deutsch family Wines and . This is super easy to drink, which is the point. Its hard for me to pass judgement given this is a category I dont generally prefer. Thanks for the feedback. It works pretty damn well in a cocktail but is also a nice end-of-the-day pour over some rocks too. It sounds like your father had a very full career at the Lawrenceburg distillery. This spirit has a nice caramel fragrance, rife with candied pineapple, baked apple, and rye spice. American Prairie is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after sourced whiskeys. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. A blend of high rye bourbons 11 & 12 years old. They help their customers navigate mashbills, yeast strains, aging, and a host of other variables that could be overwhelming to a new brand. Offloads by hand are not available. Juniper and spice taste initially. A new microdistillery built on the grounds of a historic abbey (which has its own rich history of whisky and distillation), Lindores allows the purchase of either whole casks or cask shares i.e. All that spice also makes it perfect for Manhattans or Sazeracs. These single barrel picks tend to have serious depth, layered flavor profiles, and almost always go in interesting directions. The base is a five-year-old, high-rye mash bill bourbon from MGP. Led through the rickhouse by our amazing tour guide, Amber, we tasted from 3 barrels. . The slightly higher ABV makes this a great candidate for bright and citrus-forward cocktails as well. The palate has a nougat svelteness next to creamed corn and Southern biscuits dripping with butter and honey. In part, this is because they allow distillers to come into their facility and contract distill their own whiskey without having to spend millions on a facility. On top of that, distillers at MGP make a long list of mash bills and aging/finishings that are ready to be blended and proofed by master blenders (also known as non-distiller producers) giving creative upstart brands a ton of flexibility. . While the head of safety briefed us on protocol we suited up and filed out. 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I got busy and forgot to check back here! Distillery: Sourced from MGP Release Date: September 2022 Proof: 113.9 Age: 4 Years (Blend of 4-year-old wheated bourbon, 5-year-old rye bourbon, and 5 and 6-year-old corn bourbon per company) Mashbill: 75.5% Corn, 14.5% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley Color: Bright Amber MSRP: $65 (2022) Official Website Theres a lot to draw you in with this nose of rich tobacco spiciness next to soft cedar, tart cherry pie filling, saffron stewed pears, salted toffee, and what almost feels like the salted water left after boiling artichokes (seriously). Part of their Artisan Series. Barrell bourbon starts with plenty of fruit notes, sweet potato pie, walnut, and freshly ground coffee. This product takes 12 year MGP rye (even older than the aforementioned Redemptions), finished it in French Sauternes, Madeira and Port wine casks, and blends it back together. Aged at least 4 years, bottled at 95.6 proof, and non-chill filtered. The palate builds on that ice cream, creating a sundae with crushed almonds, creamy toffee brittle, and a hint of eggnog spice. Caramel and vanilla forward notes fade to a complex spice and smoky body. Ripe cherries take you in another direction altogether before the caramel sweetness returns along with the rye spice to finish things off. The end is long-ish and carries more of that vanilla cream while that cinnamon becomes slightly chewy with a dried choco-mint tobacco buzz on the tip of the tongue. Its finish is shorter than what we prefer, but this great whiskey is an excellent choice for a nice Highball. In June of 2017 that number went to roughly 6 million gallons. The expression is made from 100 barrels that are matured for 34 months before being small-batched by Pinhooks Master Taster Sean Josephs. A big part of their services is actually their blendingexpertise. Metzes Select Bourbon: MGP has made some tentative moves in the direction of developing their own brands. Barrel Proof products will most likely always be less than the barrel entry proof of 120.. Though David tells me the old version was a blend of younger 2 to 3 year bourbon. Ardnahoe is the newest whisky distillery on the whisky capital of Islay, and its whisky production design has been overseen by the legendary Jim McEwan, the man behind the renaissance of another Islay distillery, Bruichladdich. David told us that chill filtering removes some of the fatty acids that he wants in his whiskey. Some did this by acquiring older stock or innovative barrel finishes, others by raising the proof, and some through sheer blending skill. Whiskey Acres Bloody Butcher bourbon release. Lets get back to our tour. This expression is all about the prowess of the team at Nelson Green Brier. In reality, sourcing whiskey is commonplace and has been going on as long as weve been making whiskey for commerce in this country. It might come as a shock to you that Barrell Craft uses bourbon sourced from MGP, with the word craft clearly on its name. I procured200,903barrelsfor clients, aged product and new fills, last year. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Tagged with: Bourbon Cask Strength and Entry Proof Limited Edition Rye Whiskey Sourced and Contract Top Picks, Your email address will not be published. The final product ended up being a four-grain bourbon with a mash bill of 74 percent corn, 16 percent wheat, seven percent rye, and three percent malted barley. This may be one of the few chances anyone will ever have to buy a cask of Islay whisky. Inchdairnie recently made headlines as the Scotch whisky distillery experimenting with production of rye whisky, a category not legally recognised in the U.K. (though the distillery is allowed to describe its grain whisky as a rye whisky). Two weeks ago that invitation came. My thoughts: This is a decent sipping or mixing bourbon but didnt blow my socks off. Based on Batch 29, expect a nose full of classic bourbon notes of orange oils, cinnamon stewed apples, caramel with a touch of salt, and peachy wood chips. Finally, the bourbon is cut with pure spring water from Californias Alexander Valley before bottling. That aside, this is one of the easiest sipping bourbons on the list. It doesnt have a strong ethanol flavor like many other vodkas. charred oak barrels came from a post prohibition works program. Bumping the proof from last years 94 to 100 proof on the RRRII was a great move. At 11:30 I met more of our group in the hotel lobby. Carie Musick and Helen Gregory ofGregory + Vine PR, coordinators of our MGP experience, accompanied us. About to crack this one for Monday happy hour! In 2016. Bumping the proof from last years 94 to 100 proof on the RRRII was a great move. 15 Top Shelf Vodka Brands To Try (2023 Updated), https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/whisky-highball. The only real litmus with the list below was whether or not the bourbon tastes any good. Over time, you start to become attached to certain favorites (most of mine are on the Scottish island of Islay), and many whisky geeks these days are making pilgrimages to their favorite distilleries to finally be able to visit the source of their favorite drink. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. MGP stock that is 10 years-plus old is difficult and expensive to obtain these days, so once this stuff is gone, its gone. Sweet, creamy, with vanilla notes and a hint of wood. Construction began recently in Williamstown, Kentucky, and this will be the company's second major investment in its distilled . The finish sweetens again thanks to that chocolate-nut vibe as a spice kicks back up with plenty of cloves, a hint of orange marmalade, and vanilla-laced tobacco. MGP Distillery is not open to the public. But before that the distillery was owned by Seagram from 1933 until they went out of business around 2000. The top scoring bourbon and also the highest rated American whiskey was the Redemption Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon Whiskey, 10 YO, 57% ABV, 750 ml. Sweet candy notes dominate. They can also produce the mash bills according to the clients instructions so they can still have an individual stamp on their own brand. Our personal favorite is the brands Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon Whiskey, made from a high-rye bourbon mash bill. Ask any whiskey judge, reviewer, or aficionado. . A Comprehensive Discussion: What Does Mezcal Taste Like? You buy barrels through Ultra Pure. Copyright 2011-2023 The Whiskey Reviewer (Black Gold Media) | A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday, 5 New Whiskeys To Watch Out For - thinakrete. Annandale - 2,580+ ($3,350) Located in the south of Scotland near the English border, new whisky distillery Annandale recently released its first single malt whisky, with a new edition on the way. This is the first time buying aged product. Whether you want to give them to friends, keep them to yourself, or sell them on is up to you! Its such an easy-drinking bourbon with nice, approachable complexity. This, again, is so unique. From every one I talk to MGP will normally make this situation right but after a month and a half they said "tough luck" we sell barrels "as is, where is". MGP Whiskey Barrels - Freshly Emptied and Once Used - Midwest Barrel Co. MGP is the producer of some premium whiskeys, all from a mash bill that is no less than 51% rye, wheat or malt. All 6 years old and all scheduled for release January 2023 as part of their new 'Origin' series. Once there, the bourbon is filled into Cabernet barrels for final maturation. Distilled by Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana (now MGP) on 12/13/2006. This is a fantastic bourbon and easily my favorite of the days samples. With the zest of lemon and lime, this gin is jazzy and bold with amazingly crisp freshness. An independent operation, Arran has been around for a while and produces some excellent whiskies. I dig this on two or three rocks, but will easily drink it from a Glencairn with a drop of water.