What you just read is very likely true about myself, however I am the first to admit that I'm no expert nor will I pretend to be. I've got some thoughts that may be worth reading and sometimes they are expressed in unquiet (and odd) ways.
What you can expect from this blog are obvious whiskey reviews, but what I am rather excited by is the inclusion of music related bits. So sometimes there will be interviews thrown on, odd experiments, strange video clips, etc.
Of course where would this blog be without the Young Gilgamesh, Canadian Weird Al, Raymund Raymos, and of course Jeffery Petrone, my father.
While I can't promise expert tasting notes, I can promise the absurd. Whether that be through the occasional livestream on The Whiskey Tribe Facebook group or odd blending and barreling experiments. I hope to keep whomever may stumble upon these blogs mildly amused, informed and possibly disturbed.
The first experiment we will follow is my attempt at a Poor Man's Angel's Envy Rye. Angel's Envy, the amazing brand run by the Henderson wizards, continuously produces some of the best sources whiskey on the market. Of there products their rye is my favorite.
Distinguishing their product is how they finish the their rye in rum barrels. To replicate this I put a blend of Ron Zacapa 23 Solera, Mezan XO, Havana Club Añejo Clássico, and Shipmate Gold Rum from Hewn Spirits in a one liter barrel for 2 weeks. Rums from Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Pennsylvania...certainly an odd combination.
To follow that I made a mix of rye whiskey. For that I used a good portion of Willett Family Estate Four Year Old, Hudson Maple Cask Finished Rye, Red Barn Rye also from Hewn Spirits, Old Overholt and Old Overholt bonded. The mix has been sitting for just over one month, the results so far have been good when sampling. The same can not be said for the rum which got a wood note, but little else to bring the parallel flavors together. Although perhaps they will marry well in its bottled form. So more will come in regards to that and other experiments.
Besides that I recently bottled an infinity bottle I've been sitting on for sometime. A blend of 40-45 different whiskies, featuring everything from Spice Tree Extravaganza from Compass Box to Tin Cup American Whiskey to Lagavulin 16. This was then married with a variety of experiments I've been noodling around with, a mix of Irish/Rye/Japanese whiskey, a sherry bomb, and a solid mix of Elijah Craig Small Batch with Laproaig 10. Counting the blends, there are perhaps 100 different whiskies and oh man is it tasty.
For those interested out there, the nose is rather refreshing with distinct sherry notes coming through in the form of raisins, figs, and peeled almonds. The initial taste is that of a common Irish whiskey. There is caramel dipped green apples and juicy red ones as well, hints of the almighty shortbread cookie. A rising white pepper and cinnamon spice take hold and ride the dram to a long and clingy finish.
Considering the number of peat heavy drams at play this is not a smoke or even brine forward whiskey. However there are hints of peat smoke that rise to prominence in the finish, along with bitter apple skins. A rather interesting dram that needs more exploration.
For the first music pairing of this blog, I would say from the few times I've had this infinity blend that Phil Ochs' 1967 classic "Pleasures Of The Harbor" would be most appropriate. Talisker 10 and The Classic Laddie also make great pairings with the album.
Welcome to another whiskey blog. The first review will be focused on Hazelburn 13 Sherry Wood 2018 Release, something you probably won't be able to find. There will also be a musical pairing. So stayed tuned. Other reviews to come will be on a peated expression of West Cork, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, and Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt. I hope at the end of the day, that whoever reads even a little of this blog will step away a little bit more informed on the ever expanding world of whiskey.
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