American Bourbon and Rye

A book written by our friend, one of the foremost Blanton's collectors and brand experts - 

The latest edition of Orphan Barrel is Castle's Curse 14 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky, a resplendent offering from the legendary Teaninich Distillery. Founded in 1817, nestled in the Northern Highlands of Scotland, this distillery has set an unrivaled standard in whisky distilling, punctuated by cutting-edge innovation and a nod to tradition.

A distinctive 14-year-old Single Malt, nurtured in European oak casks, the whisky absorbing the character of the wood, resulting in an extraordinary fusion of age and flavor. As you uncork the bottle, let the effervescent aromas of tangerine, poached pear, sweet confectionery, and dried herbs whisk you away to the shores of the Cromarty Firth.

Indulge in the luxurious texture of this liquid gold, revealing a parade of flavors that start with delicate vanilla and red apple, evolving into a subtle hint of mint. This symphony of taste, carefully orchestrated in each bottle, presents an immersive whisky narrative that is poised to captivate. With a volume of 750ml and a strength of 98.4 proof, this remarkable Scotch is poised to captivate your senses and take center stage in your whisky collection.

Bottled in 2016, Whoop and Holler is the oldest of the Orphan Barrels at a whopping 28 years old. This is George Dickel whiskey that has been aged to one of the longest ages in the market. The nose is heavy oak with notes of bubblegum, raisins, and very ripe bananas, followed by a taste that begins with cinnamon, clove, and vanilla but gets overrun by oak and barrel tanins laced with sweet vanilla and warm spices. As expected of a 28 year old whiskey, the end results has bitter notes with tons of oak. This is a bottle that was a one time release and now that all the mashbill has been bottled will not be released again. That being said the 28 year aging is for those with palates that favor the strong.

This release marks the first-ever Very Olde St. Nick private label collaboration, bottled for the first time outside Preservation Distillery in its iconic 375ml format and presented at full cask strength. The whiskey is a custom blend of 17- and 21-year-old Stitzel-Weller–distilled bourbon, preserved for decades in stainless steel tanks—liquid from a legendary distillery that no longer exists.

Curated under the stewardship of Marci Palatella, Founder of Preservation Distillery and one of the most influential figures in modern American whiskey, this release represents a convergence of history, rarity, and uncompromising quality.

Product Specifications:

• Hand blended by The Bourbon Concierge
• Custom marriage of 17 year old And Stitzel Weller and 21 year old

• Stitzel Weller
• Distillation - Stitzel Weller
• Distilled in - Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
• bottled by - Preservation Distillery, Bardstown
• Barrel Strength - 122.6/ 61.3% ABV

Experience Notes:

Nose: Deep and immediately expressive, opening with antique leather, polished oak, and old library books. Waves of dark caramel, molasses, and toffee follow, layered with dried fig, black cherry, and pipe tobacco. Subtle notes of baking spice, clove oil, and dusty rickhouse oak underscore the whiskey’s age and provenance.

Palate: Silky and full-bodied, showcasing the unmistakable Stitzel-Weller mouthfeel. Rich caramel and brûléed sugar lead, followed by cocoa powder, roasted pecan, and dark honey. The mid-palate reveals seasoned oak, dried apricot, and a gentle herbal note, all perfectly integrated despite the cask-strength presentation.

Finish: Long, warm, and contemplative. Leather, old oak, and sweet tobacco linger alongside dark chocolate, vanilla bean, and a final echo of spice. The finish fades slowly, leaving a refined sweetness and a sense of depth that only extended aging can provide

Batch Proof is a celebration of Woodford Reserve’s proprietary process – blending barrels into a batch and then bottling the whiskey at its actual proof, straight from the barrel. Batch Proof is crafted using the same grain bill and process as Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The 2024 edition is 121.2 Proof.

Batch Proof, however, takes Woodford Reserve’s trademark flavor range of sweet vanilla and toasted oak to a whole new level offering consumers the privilege of tasting Woodford Reserve in its purest form (and not the standard 90.4 for which Woodford is known).

Coming across a 14-year-old Rye is rare, giving our Master Blenders pause when presented with such a uniquely bold liquid. A born traveler, this whiskey was distilled in Indiana and then journeyed across state lines into Kentucky, aged to perfection at the infamous Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

A full-bodied aroma of sweet vanilla buttercream and lightly toasted oak is accented with banana bread and just a hint of berries. Upon taste, a collection of baking spices and rye toast complement a medley of orchard fruits, and finishes with sweet notes of orange marmalade and a light warmth which fades into lingering dark chocolate.

The bourbon was aged seven to eight years in the upper floors of Rickhouse Q, then finished for four months in barrels that previously held French Orange Curaçao liqueur. This is the second barrel-finished bourbon in the collection, following in the steps of the 5th Edition Cognac finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Traditional bourbon notes of vanilla and caramel upfront that are quickly washed over with a wave of orange soda, candied fruits, and mild barrel char. A flash of orange marmalade, orange sponge candy, slight bitterness, and sugary alcoholic bite instantly reminds me of Grand Marnier. Seasoned oak and hearty vanilla notes roll in, bumping out the majority of the Orange Curaçao barrel finish.Seasoned oak and vanilla notes carry over into the finish and dominate. Sugary orange notes weave throughout, but struggle to really pop.

MASH BILL: 75% Corn, 20% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley. Buttery, Tobacco, Apricot, Oak on the nose. Vanilla & Caramel, Buttery Oak, Black Pepper on the palate with moderately long finish that is dry, spicy and oak forward.

*May be a different release than shown in the photo. Please contact us if you are looking for a particular release/bottling year.*

The ultimate gift! An inviting and rustic custom handcrafted wooden gift box with a brass nameplate with the engraving "Best Pappy Ever" that teases the fact that someone special is about to open something equally special. As you open the antique latch, it reveals a felt top that has been covering 2 hand-blown glasses and a bottle of 2018 Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Aged 15 Years laying gently and securely in a batch of hypoallergenic antique packing straw. The exterior dimensions of this one of a kind gift box are 14.75″W x 10.75″D x 5.75″H. Because each box is handmade, quantities are limited and please inquire for expedited shipping.

New Riff Single Barrel Rye - Selection may Vary 

Bottled in 2014, Lost Prophet is the second release of the rare vintages of Diageo's Orphan Barrel Series, a series of bottles that came from barrels that were abandoned or forgotten at rickhouses and distilleries. Lost Prophet speaks softly but carries a big stick. Eloquent and gentle, this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was unearthed after spending 22 long years resting in charred American white oak barrels, tucked away in a corner of the historic Stitzel-Weller rickhouses in Shively, Kentucky. Lost Prophet is a soft spoken whiskey, with aromas of honey, apricot, and clove that reveal a silky, full-bodied taste with notes of spiced vanilla and a touch of leather, culminating in a sweet smoky finish. This is one of the rarest Orphan Barrels, as it was released in 2014 for that year only and is no longer produced.

100 Proof

Fans of ‘finished whiskeys’ will love Noble Hound Dark Rye. This traditional high rye mash bill whiskey aged in new charred American oak barrels is then finished in Virginia port-styled wine barrels. Every year’s vintage is its own unique expression owing to each respective vineyard and their barrels. The classic spice and pepper of rye whiskey is followed by the subtle sweetness and velvety mouth feel of red dessert wines. Bottled at 100-proof this ‘finished’ whiskey will become a favorite sipper.

 Awards

• Double Gold - New York International Spirits Competition 2022
• Gold - 2021 Craft Distillers Competition
• Gold - 2021 East Coast Craft Spirits Awards 

This bottle is a limited quantity release from 2016 that was the first limited edition bottling from Brent Elliott, the master distiller for Four Roses. The bottled is barrel strength and aged for 14 years with only 10,000 bottles being produced. The bottle has subtle aromas of peach jam, magnolia blossoms, and light oak that preview the flavors of spiced vanilla, fresh nutmeg, and dleicate ripe fruits that lead to a sweet honey and apricot finish. Due to the highly sought after flavor profile and limited edition bottling, this bottle is nearly impossible to find in retail stores.

As you open the antique latch, it reveals a felt top that has been covering 2 hand-blown glasses and a bottle of 2018 Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Aged 15 Years laying gently and securely in a batch of hypoallergenic antique packing straw. The exterior dimensions of this one of a kind gift box are 14.75″W x 10.75″D x 5.75″H. Because each box is handmade, quantities are limited and please inquire for expedited shipping.