A Diamond in the rough
Wild Turkey Diamond is a nice limited release bourbon. But is it worth the price?
I’m trying to categorize this little newsletter in a more readable way, so starting in this edition, you’ll find:
· Bourbon News (self-explanatory)
· Bourbon Events (same)
· What’s new on my shelf
· Bourbon picks
I’ll add stuff as I go along, I’m sure.
BOURBON NEWS
Last Drop Distillers just released an ultra-rare Buffalo Trace bottling from 1980. Only 240 bottles released WORLDWIDE which explains the hefty $4,600 retail. Expect the secondary market to be four to five times that.
The EH Taylor Warehouse C looks like it’s on the horizon. Buffalo Trace just got the label approved. Why will people get excited? Warehouse C was one of the two aging warehouses damaged in a tornado-strength storm back in 2006 and the juice that’s left commands insane prices. How insane? Like $7,000 insane.
Kentucky Artisan Distillery, which batches and bottles the Jefferson products, will soon release its own brand. No word on specifics.
Lux Row Distiller is releasing a 99-proof version of Ezra Brooks. I’m oddly curious, kind of like the oddly curious of walking in a dark cave with howling sounds. Interesting, but probably not a good idea.
WHAT’S NEW ON MY SHELF
Wild Turkey Diamond
Doing a bourbon tasting with Eddie Russell ranks with one of my all-time favorite bourbon moments. My local bourbon group took a trip to Wild Turkey and purchased one barrel each of Kentucky Spirit and Russell’s single barrel. And while those are excellent but not as unique as Wild Turkey Diamond.
I tend to stay away from bourbons at the $100-plus retail price point because I tend to be disappointed. But I took the plunge in this case because I’m a Wild Turkey fan and the age statement seemed to make this a good risk.
Packing doesn’t make a bourbon, but this one comes in a wooden box with a plastic cover that gives the juice a classy look. It’s a deep amber color that has lots of oak and caramel on the nose followed by a surprising burn. I wouldn’t have expected that for a 91-proof bourbon.
The palette and finish come off smokey, kind of like light tobacco from a really good cigar. You’ll get a hint of oak, too, and that makes sense for a blend of bourbons in the 13-to-16-year age range.
Wild Turkey released just 36,000 bottles in 2014 and they’re not releasing anymore. At release, I didn’t mind the $129 retail because of its limited release from a quality distiller. Diamond is not my favorite Wild Turkey brand; our barrel pick Kentucky Spirit has a far superior overall taste and Rare Bread remains my favorite everyday drinker. I recently found a bottle of Diamond for $169 (shipping included) and was happy to pay the small premium. It remains unopened (and it will stay that way for a while). While I like it, I wouldn’t have felt a need to get a bottle if it wasn’t such a limited release. It’s a great bottle for my collection but not worth the price. You can buy four or five really good bottles that will be just (if not more) satisfying.
Wild Turkey Diamond
· Proof: 91
· Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
· Age Statement: None, though WT says Diamond is a blend of 13 and 16-yo bourbons
BOURBON PICKS
Affordable bourbon that would be good on your shelf
Cooper’s Craft Barrel Reserve: $29.99 retail
Brown-Foreman began releasing Cooper’s Craft in 2016. It’s a very easy drinker I drink neat, but there’s nothing wrong with a splash of water if you prefer. Oak, char and citrus everywhere --- first on the nose, then the palette, and a nice full and balanced finish. Mashbill: 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley.
BOURBON EVENTS
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival plans to holds its event from Sept. 16-21 in Bardstown. More info to come
The Edge Bourbon Festival in Northern Kentucky is scheduled for October 1.
Whiskey’s of the World in San Francisco has been postponed a couple of times. We’ll see how that goes.
Whiskey Fest is scheduled for April 17 in Hollywood Fl.
Whiskey Fest in NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco are all TBA
Bourbon and Bubbles, the premier annual event of the Dayton (OH) Art Institute is on hold
OTHER CONTENT
I strongly believe in helping other independent content producers increase their reach. I’m a sports nut —- being sports editor at a major metro newspaper was the best job I ever had —- so these suggestions may skew sports. There’s so much stuff out there it’s hard to keep track, but these are some of the efforts I read as soon as it hits my inbox.
Knicks Film School: The best NYK newsletter I know. I don’t know how Macri does what he does (5-days a week) but it’s a hell of a read.
The Mets Fix: I am not a Met’s fan but I am a baseball fan who loves great insight. Jefferey Bellone does a great job.
Wild World of News: Mark Halperin he’s among the smartest people in politics and his newsletter shows that.
That’s it for today. Send a comment if you have a question. Until next time:
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”