Period. 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. . They distill most of the rye whiskey on the US market and a ton of bourbon. Is the whole "they have access to better barrels" thing really true? It doesnt have a strong ethanol flavor like many other vodkas. Bulleit, Redemption, and Nashville Barrel are all well-loved by bourbon aficionados worldwide (ourselves included!). 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. Ripe cherries take you in another direction altogether before the caramel sweetness returns along with the rye spice to finish things off. Or 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley, for a smoother, sweeter bourbon? the standard rye is a blend of the above two percentage mashbills. Most of these brands are famous for their award-winning, quality spirits. Old Scout is MGPs classic high rye bourbon 60 percent corn, 36 percent rye, and four percent malt barley thats aged for five years. Winemaker Dave Phinney sources four-year-old bourbons from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana and brings those to Napa. In fact, the coopers union pushed for the new barrel requirement. This is a very direct and easy-to-drink bourbon that feels both bold and classic. MGP is the producer of some premium whiskeys, all from a mash bill that is no less than 51% rye, wheat or malt. The mash bill is a four-grain recipe of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley thats aged for an undisclosed amount of time before proofing all the down to 80 proof and bottling. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Each distillery offers different services at varying prices as well so make sure you consider all these factors when youre buying your own whisky cask. Barrels can be shipped up to 4 barrels per pallet and 8 barrels per skid (two pallets high). My thoughts: Ill be the first to tell you rye is not my preferred brown spirit. Up-front juniper taste, lemon-lime finish. They will do this Reserve release every year. Expect it to be, The distillery name is the abbreviation of a, Penderyn is Wales best and worst single malt. It is unmistakably hot at first, but if you can move past that, youll notice fruit notes of peaches, cherries, and a bit of orange zest. This whiskey marries Napa Valley winemaking to Ohio Valley whiskey. Sweet finish fades to slight barrel notes and vanilla. In a world of small-batch whiskeys and craft production, the increased popularity of Midwest Grain Product (MGP) bourbon may shock some bourbon enthusiasts. The taste veers more towards a classic bourbon with cherry tobacco and bales of damp straw next to a smooth vanilla foundation cinnamon-infused dark chocolate and a touch of dry oak. Penderyn is Wales first whisky distillery in 100 years, and right now the only one producing single malt whisky. The origins of ginger beer can be traced back to the 1700s. Please email me if you dont mind. This four-ingredient bourbon (corn, rye, wheat, and barley) is mild and pleasant, even for those starting to get into whiskey. In fact, the coopers union pushed for the new barrel requirement. After ten years of maturation, the barrels are expertly vatted to make a highly sippable bourbon experience. It has a velvety smooth mouthfeel, perfect for drinking neat or in your favorite bourbon whiskey cocktail. 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. General Discussion. This is an excellent high rye bourbon though might be hard to find as its an annual release. At $44.99 its moderately priced and probably worth it for fans of MGP bourbon. He can be reached at: william@chicagobourbon.org, Inside MGP: Americas Most Mysterious Distillery, Ive been wanting to get into the MGP distillery for years. Barrel Proof products will most likely always be less than the barrel entry proof of 120., I asked if, being the former Seagrams distillery, they were still using some of the yeast strains originally developed by Seagrams scientists in the first half of the 20th century. Yes the % of this order was way above "normal", You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. The source of bourbon and rye whiskey for some of the largest brands on the market. That all being said, Id still say were squarely in cocktail mixing territory with this one. The driver who delivered them told me they were empty and he does not handle barrels for a living. For the first time in their history MGP is marketing their own in-house brands of bourbon and rye whiskey. Its a high rye MGP mashbill from a group of people with tons of experience making high rye bourbon. You can buy entire casks of whisky that will be stored and matured at the distillery warehouse just for you. The release supports the American Prairie Reserve by highlighting the project and supporting it financially. He writes the Chicago Bourbon blog and is available to host bourbon tastings for corporate events in Chicago and nationwide. It's time for a holiday GIVEAWAY! Learn more Whiskey 49% (Barley Malt) Rye Whiskey Sweet and spicy. . Launched in 2018 For now, the juice is primarily sourced from MGP. And a single barrel Distiller's Reserve aged 6 years and bottled at 121 proof, picked by Nick Nagele. Russ, our driver for the day, met me at the airport and took me to our hotel in Lawrenceburg. Same for ryes -- the differences in pricing from Rossville Union, Templeton, NuLu, Nashville Barrel Co., Four Gate, Proof & Wood, etc. So, when New Riff needed to start a sourced line of whiskeys to build their brand while their in-house product was made and matured, Ebersold knew what to buy from his old place of employ. This is the company buying the whiskey from the distiller. Earthy like a walk in the forest, this gins dry, juniper quality is bold and tasty. They dont offer tours, have a gift shop, or give tastings. , host of the long running WhiskyCast podcast. Obtainium Light Whiskey-Zipps Liquor Pick. The Cabernet barrels give the bourbon a potent vanilla profile, with the taste of butterscotch candy and caramel apples. This operation is in for the long haul; Inchdairnie wont release a single malt whisky until it is good and ready in 2029. The finish dries out a bit more while still holding onto the cherry, bitter dark chocolate, and almost woody maple syrup. The palate has a nougat svelteness next to creamed corn and Southern biscuits dripping with butter and honey. LTL Freight guys got a killer barrel proof pick. Old Elk continues to contract MGP to produce custom mash bills, but they do not purchase a standard product from MGP and label it as their own (sourcing). Click here to learn why. Well it turns out over a hundred years of experience leads to some pretty awesome whiskey and they made a decision to show off their skills to consumers through George Remus Bourbon and Rossville Union Rye. Examples of the eight and nine year old OKI Reserves are all still out there, and the current is the ten year old. Answered (2023 Updated), 15 Best Happy Hour Spots In East Village, New York (2023), 15 Best Ginger Beer Brands To Try (2023 Edition). I actually had a chance to tryits new make spirit (watered down to 50% ABV) and it was delicious, which bodes well for the whisky as it matures and takes on new flavors. Big, but lithe thanks to its high acidity, the 86-proofer still feels like a steal at $122. This multi-award-winning bourbon starts off with a base mash bill of, you guessed it, 60 percent corn, 36 percent rye, and four percent barley. 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. My father worked there for 40 years and I never saw the inside of the distillery. But people really seem to think there are big differences. Facts such as bourbons requirement to use only new charred oak barrels came from a post prohibition works program. None of this is a bad thing per se. Yes indeed. Their high-rye whiskey is made from 60% bourbon, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. It also makes a hell of a Manhattan. Its new make spirit is particularly receptive to flavors it absorbs from the cask (its to do withthe distillerys unique production process) so its sure to be tasty. A corn with a deep red color. Two weeks ago that invitation came. Personally, I enjoyed the RRI but didnt purchase a bottle for my collection. David educated us, answered questions, and sipped whiskey with us for over an hour. Once there, the bourbon is filled into Cabernet barrels for final maturation. Penelope Bourbon Barrel Strength Private Select Batch 22 - Review Color: Golden orange. Theres woody vanilla and floral honey vibe on the nose with a touch of almost burnt toffee and worn leather. This is the first time buying aged product. 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. . Next we hit one of barrel warehouses of which there were too many for me to count. Barrell bourbon starts with plenty of fruit notes, sweet potato pie, walnut, and freshly ground coffee. The last stop on our tour was the barrel filling building. Of course, some people opt not to go for brands that bottle MGP whiskey because they would rather support those who have put effort, time, and labor into crafting their products. I know this feels like a huge gimmick, but the whiskey 100 percent delivers on the taste and mouthfeel. Sweet, creamy, with vanilla notes and a hint of wood. For all you know (not saying this is likely, but it's possible) they could have been emptied in transit. 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 many more. And if so, why. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Russ, our driver for the day, met me at the airport and took me to our hotel in Lawrenceburg. Emptied fresh after being used just once to age whiskey, these MGP Whiskey barrels produced some fine, premium whiskeys that boast a wide range of flavors and aromas. When we got to the distillery we met the rest of our group. Hanging out with Bill and drinking @woodycreekdistillers Bourbon. Of Solo Travel, Hotels We Love: This Barbados Property Changed My Mind About Luxury Travel, A 20-Somethings Advice For Your First Trip To Paris The Touristy Stuff And The Underground, These Photos Of Day Zero, Tulum Make A Festival In Mexico Look Way Better Than Whatever The Hell Youre Doing Right Now. This expression blends 15-year-old bourbons from Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennesse into a final product that reaches new heights for blended bourbon. As well as the MGP team for warmly welcoming us to their home. The brick building looks industrial [], Have you ever wondered what its like to pick a personalselection bourbon barrel with the master distiller himself? Maybe class action suit. Discovery Series 4 and an awesome home bar kit! Traverse City North Coast Rye Traverse City Whiskey Co. ABV: 45% Average Price: $45 The Whiskey: This whiskey from Michigan is a blend of Traverse City's own-make (a 100 percent rye) and MGP 95. MGP will make good on any empty barrels that make their way to your facility if you bought the barrels from them. Carie Musick and Helen Gregory of. A little searching online reveals that Sagamore is blending two MGP products; a high-rye (95% rye, 5% malted barley) and a low-rye (51% rye, but an unspecified mash bill, probably corn). Nelsons Greenbrier, however, used the stock bourbon choices then available to create their own unique blend, essentially going the route originally intended. I can share what Mark Gillespie (WhiskyCast) said, I would spend my own money on the Remus Repeal Reserve II and the Rossville Union Barrel Proof. This gin is full of pleasant surprises, like visiting a citrus grove with a nearby strawberry field. It blows me away every time. Regardless, try it on the rocks and then start mixing up some killer cocktails. It is a blend of three different MGP mash bils: 60% rye bourbon ( 21% rye ), 24% wheat bourbon, and 16% corn bourbon. If a bottle label reads Distilled in Indiana it was almost certainly distilledby MGP. Pour it neat, add a drop or two of water, and enjoy the ride. These whiskeys were not really meant to be bottled independently, although todays independent bottlers often do exactly that. With the zest of lemon and lime, this gin is jazzy and bold with amazingly crisp freshness. Part of their Artisan Series. Its a great price too. 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. Fruit, grain and hints of oak give way to slight notes of rye in the body and finish. It's easy! I got busy and forgot to check back here! The main problem with this expression, in fact, will be finding it, because it is in very limited, Northern Kentucky-centric distribution. Consistency is the name of the game for MGP, and that translates well when you want to see in a barrel that will age any beer, cider, wine or other beverage. Two mashbills, 21% and 36% rye. 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. Belle Meade Bourbon: MGPs origins mirror the Canadian model of whisky-making (by design: Seagrams built it): create several different distinctive whiskeys and use them as elements in a blending palette. The hook here is that the bottle was personally selected by famed bourbon expert Fred Minnick to support the Spina Bifida Association, which is helping families deal with the condition nationwide. All that spice also makes it perfect for Manhattans or Sazeracs. I don't want to be an idiot and pay three times as much for the same product. James E. Pepper 1776 Rye Whiskey(Credit: Georgetown Trading). [2]. Yes, MGP makes other alcohols aside from bourbon. The end is medium-length with a touch of that buttery sweetness carrying the sip to a warm end. The Best Bourbon Whiskeys From MGP Of Indiana, Ranked, The Best Coachella 2023 Performances Were Reflections Of Pure Joy, My (Non-Anonymous) Ballot For The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, HBOs White House Plumbers Delivers An Absurd Historical Snapshot And A Knockout Performance From Justin Theroux, The Rundown: Ted Lasso Has Created A Delightful Little I Think You Should Leave Conundrum, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. . So.. whos in? The result is an MGP bourbon quite different from most the others. Before MGP purchased this distillery in 2011 it was owned by a holding company and operated as LDI, and before that it was owned by Pernod Ricard, another big name. 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 . I do purchase through Ultra Pure and I did bark up their treea lot. At $24.99 Till shows that quality vodka doesnt have to be overpriced. June 19, 2017 Old Elks bourbon is made from a whopping 45% wheat, which takes the term wheated bourbon to a new level. This is a solid example of what a master blender can do with a unique finishing. It was just that I was in a rush and felt like it would be taken care of by Ultra Pure. (Vodka and gin are distilled in KS while whiskey is distilled in IN.) Before MGP purchased this distillery in 2011 it was owned by a holding company and operated as LDI, and before that it was owned by Pernod Ricard, another big name. 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. Still, this is an MGP whiskey and a delicious one at that. The finish follows this sweetness, eventually fading to corn grain. Also, much of it is incredibly good. That extra heat balances this complex bourbon and thoroughly shows off the skill of the MGP distillers and blenders. Betcha didnt know that Joseph A. Magnus sources their whiskeys from MGP! Just like their later Remus releases, OKI will be using exclusively the 36% rye bourbon mashbill from MGP, bottling everything at barrel proof, and only using "sock" filtration (just to get out the charcoal chunks). You're barking up the wrong tree. In June of 2017 that number went to roughly 6 million gallons. Not all MGP-sourced whiskeys are the same, and a handful are real stand-outs in their class. Bold malt and fruit flavors dominate the forward and body notes of the flavor profile. Juniper and pine are the main flavor. The dram is much warmer on the mid-palate, continuing the hot trend to its long finish. Thanks for your reply. The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery is the first whisky distillery in the northern English area of Yorkshire, and theyre offering a few first fill bourbon and sherry casks for your consideration. Their single barrels which tend to be four to five years old are bottled at cask strength with no fussing or filtering whatsoever. If you like spicy, high rye bourbons, you really need to check this one out. Prior to that, MGP had a much smaller menu of choices. For older stock, they have a lot of light whiskey crap available and whiskey aged in used barrels. 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. It is cut with the purest spring water from the Alexander Valley in California. Distilled from hard red winter wheat which is planted in the fall in northern states vs. soft wheat which is planted in the spring in southern states. This spirit is decidedly sweet and pleasant on the palate, with a faint hint of baking spice on the nose. Bold and spicy finish. Crisp and airy with a hint of floral and orange peels, this traditional gin provides notes of evergreen and spice. , Yes, were still using yeast strains that would have been cultivated way back then. The Belle Meade Single Barrel is probably one of the most luxurious bottles from MGP. David told us that chill filtering removes some of the fatty acids that he wants in his whiskey. Even if you dont necessarily agree with that point, Old Scout 10 is bottled at 100 proof, definitely making it the strongest in its class. A blend of high rye bourbons 11 & 12 years old. Its MSRP is $85not spectacular, but not too bad for well-aged MGP whiskey either. Cookie Notice 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. you buy a quarter of a cask rather than a whole one, starting with a 40 litre red wine firkin cask at 1,100. These barrels, used to age MGP whiskey, were all freshly dumped and once used. This is super easy to drink, which is the point. At 11:30 I met more of our group in the hotel lobby. They did credit one barrel. If you are lucky enough to get one of . Bottled at the same 94 proof but aged about twice as long as George Remus and commanding a shelf price of $70-$80. Fresh barrels (2+) will be shipped via a LTL motor freight provider. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. 2. This whiskey bottled in Colorado takes the idea of wheated bourbon to the very edge of its limits. Headquartered in Atchison, KS with distilleries in both Atchison and Lawrenceburg MGP employes about 325 people. I have seen/heard from clients of less than 200 barrels delivered dry, I would estimate I have sourced about 1.6Mbarrels from MGP. The finish balances roasted nuts, rye spice, and caramel. One of the biggest sources for bourbon (and rye) in the U.S. is MGP of Indiana in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, just over the Ohio River from Kentucky. To ensure safety and freshness of your barrels, they are wrapped in plastic and strapped down to a pallet with a label identifying the pallet contents. Heavy caramel and vanilla dominate the forward notes. But these numbers are not hard-and-fast by any means. Required fields are marked *. The distilleries that I include in this list are indeed mostly new and smaller operations, though theres a few established names in here too.