Anniversaries and Special Occasions

First Bottled in 2014 with continual later releases, Barterhouse is one of the rare vintages from Diageo's Orphan Barrel Series, a series of bottles coming from barrels of bourbon discovered from abandoned or forgotten rickhouses and distilleries. Twenty years in American Oak will make your average spirit a bit mellow. Take all the fight out. Well, this here is no ordinary spirit, and twenty years is long enough to pick up a trick or two. For one barrel in particular, it was long enough to develop the gift of a silver tongue. The old Stitzel-Weller rickhouse hands had it written off as a rumor. A character so smooth, it could clean out the card sharps and take the shirt off a traveling salesman's back. But the rumors were true. And when the chips are in, a smooth operator can be mighty persuasive indeed. One sip of Barterhouse Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and you just might find yourself forgiving Robert Johnson for trading his soul to the very devil himself.

Crafted in the heart of the Manitoba wilderness, Entrapment captures the promise of adventure and freedom. Entrapment, a jack of all trades, makes its mark but leaves no trace behind. Bright candied lemon zest, rich caramels, and plenty of char notes. It has that ‘smelling the inside of a barrel’ note that’s common in older whiskies, though dissipates quickly within the glass. There’s a nice weight to the nose. It’s reminiscent of old wine in that same way. The palate is a fresh sharp twist of a cut lemon, smack-dab hit on the face. It’s aggressive. The peppery spicy notes warm the palate, offering a electrified hug. The sweet buttery caramel notes we’re accustomed to from Gimli Distillery aren’t there until later in the sip.

Bottled in 2015, Forged Oak is one of seven vintages of Diageo's Orphan Barrel Series. A pillar of strength rooted in time and wisdom, Forged Oak was found while foraging through the historic Stitzel-Weller rickhouses. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey spent 15 contemplative years in charred American white oak barrels.

Bottled in 2014, Old Blowhard is the first of the rare vintages of Diageo's Orphan Barrel Series, a series of bottles that come from barrels of bourbon discovered from abandoned or forgotten rickhouses and distilleries. Blustery, boastful, and unapologetic, Old Blowhard Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been around too long to suffer fools. In the warehouses of mass-production, you might say there isn't much room for a whiskey full of flavor and big on personality. For 26 years, this well-traveled whiskey has been demanding attention, too bold to play well with others. This is arguably the rarest of the Orphan Barrel Series, as it was bottled in 2014 for one year only and is no longer made.

Rhetoric 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the sixth and final in the Rhetoric Series of progressively aged whiskeys from the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company. Diageo's Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company is a series of bottles that came from barrels that were abandoned or forgotten at rickhouses and distilleries. Aged 6 years longer than the first release, it is slightly more mature and carries a 90.6 proof. The whiskey will continue to be progressively aged and were re-released annually at a year older.

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.

Rhetoric 24 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the fifth in the Rhetoric Series of progressively aged whiskeys from the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company. Diageo's Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company is a series of bottles that came from barrels that were abandoned or forgotten at rickhouses and distilleries. Aged 5 years longer than the first release, it is slightly more mature and carries a 90.6 proof. The whiskey will continue to be progressively aged and were re-released annually at a year older.

Rhetoric 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the first of the Rhetoric brand releases from the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company. Diageo's Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company is a series of bottles that came from barrels that were abandoned or forgotten at rickhouses and distilleries. Aged 20 years and the first of the Rhetoric Series, this has become one of the most sought after Orphan Barrel bottles due to its scarcity. Each sip starts with a smoky, leathery nose that translates into vanilla oak, toasted rye, and dried fruits, and concludes with a long, full finish of cherry blossom and bitter chocolate.

Rhetoric 21 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the second in the Rhetoric Series of progressively aged whiskeys from the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company. Diageo's Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company is a series of bottles that came from barrels that were abandoned or forgotten at rickhouses and distilleries. The next iteration of Orphan Barrel’s progressively aged series, Rhetoric, Aged 21 Years speaks to whiskey enthusiasts with much persuasiveness as another year in the barrel bursts with new smells, flavors and tastes. Aromas of cherry, sweet tobacco, honey and leather build upon the oak, fruit, vanilla and caramel of its counterpart with new tastes of sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, baking spices and honey.

Pittyvaich lived for a mere 18 years, making it one of the most rarely seen single malts of all. This rare, limited release Forager's Keep 26 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has lived longer than the distillery from which it came. It is the first of its kind for the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Co. Banana and clove, green peach, pleasant turpentine and golden plums on the nose. Sweet honey suckle and golden raisins, relatively light given the age but turns into a mouth coating experience after a few sips. Oily, with tropical fruit and light spice such as cinnamon. A bit of vanilla and baked apple is present as well. Warm, fruity and very welcoming.

Rhetoric 22 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the third Rhetoric release from the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company. Diageo's Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company is a series of bottles that came from barrels that were abandoned or forgotten at rickhouses and distilleries.
Aged two years longer than the first release, it is slightly more mature and carries a higher proof. The whiskey will continue to be progressively aged and were re-released annually at a year older. However, the earlier releases are now the most desirable for bourbon aficianados. Beginning with hints of toasted grains, cherries, and oak wood, Rhetoric 22 Year Old tastes of toasted oak, dark chocolate with ripe banana, and baking spices of clove and anise. The finish is long and woody, ending with dark chocolate notes.

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.

Rhetoric 23 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the fourth in the Rhetoric Series of progressively aged whiskeys from the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company. Diageo's Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company is a series of bottles that came from barrels that were abandoned or forgotten at rickhouses and distilleries. Aged 4 years longer than the first release, it is slightly more mature and carries a 90.6 proof. The whiskey will continue to be progressively aged and were re-released annually at a year older.