This was an unexpected bonus on Whiskey and Wishes Friday! Y’all have been asking for this for a long time and we kept getting told “eventually, it’s on its way, probably soon, etc”…buttttt, it’s finally here!
This brand comes to us from Diageo, who reopened the historic Stitzel-Weller distillery in 2014, after it had sat dormant since its closure in 1992. This whiskey is a NAS Kentucky Straight Bourbon that goes through an unusual (for Bourbon, at any rate) process of aging in solera. The solera process is best known in the Sherry world (and in a number of Central American rums as well) but isn’t often used for aging Bourbon. Here, the company claims that some of the last barrels of Stitzel-Weller whiskey ever produced are used in their solera system and contribute to the specific character of the finished whiskey.
This pours out a dark golden-amber hue. The nose is gentle and woody, with fresh oak, subtle spice, and a hint of leather. The palate is wonderfully spicy (lots of baking and Christmas spice, with sweet caramel and toasted nuts. It’s easy-drinking and easy to like; what it lacks in depth, it makes up for in sheer enjoyability. Jordan over at Breaking Bourbon calls this “a great everyday sipping bourbon” and for the price, the Stitzel-Weller connection, and the uniqueness of solera-aging, it comes in as a pretty good value at $46.99 on sale.
$46.99/bottle
Cheers,
Dan
Rock Bridge Wine and Spirits 