Jan. 27: Drammers Portland...
Hello Portland Drammers!
Is it too late to still be saying happy new year? Well, happy new year all the same, we hope your 2024 is off to an amazing start. And we're throwing another rare whiskey and spirits tasting on Saturday, January 27th to celebrate. :)
We've got a great bottle lineup, which you can read more about below. And once again a huge thank you to John and Maryam Farinola for generously agreeing to host us (2505 SW Hillcrest Drive 97202). As usual, we'll order in pizza to make sure nobody's drinking on an empty stomach, and we strongly recommend arranging a ride home. Can't wait to see you all!
We hope you can join us!
Cheers,
Charlie, John and Drammers Club
BOTTLE LINEUP FOR THE EVENT:
Bardstown Bourbon Co. - Single Barrel Bourbon. This single barrel just arrived, part of the launch of the first-ever single barrel program from Bardstown Bourbon Co. They selected only 100 barrels of their Origins profile (60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley), all aged 6 years, for the entire US, and it only yielded a surprisingly low 138 bottles. Bottled at cask strength exclusively for members of Drammers Club.
Green River - Single Barrel KY Straight Bourbon. This single barrel also just arrived from Bardstown’s sister distillery (Bardstown acquired the historic distillery in 2022 and both launched their single barrel programs at the end of 2023, though reportedly only something like 40 barrels were released as part of their inaugural year). This was also aged 6 years, but it is so different, with big eucalpytus / minty notes going into the finish. It is technically “Full Proof” - 59.5% abv / 119 proof (in other words, close to cask strength, but diluted slightly so they don’t have to submit TTB labels for approval for each barrel). Damn fine bourbon. The barrel yielded 156 bottles, mashbill: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, 9% Malted Barley).
Proof & Wood Curated Collection - 10yo Straight Bourbon (Drammers Pick #100). 750ml, 56.3% abv, 1 of 144 bottles. Distilled at MGP Distillery, Mashbill: 99% corn, 1% malted barley. This was our 10 Year Anniversary Commemorative bottle that was unveiled at our 10 year anniversary party, The Drammening in October. We'll taste it at the event and it it is available for sale exclusively to Drammers members at DRINQY.com
High Wire Distillery - Jimmy Red Corn Bourbon (Experimental Single Barrel). This single barrel was selected by our fellow Drammers in Charleston from their hometown favorite distillery -- the high Wire Distillery. It features an unusual 100% corn mashbill made entirely from a rare corn varietal that they resurrected from near extinction and call Jimmy Red corn. Unlike their normal releases, this experimental barrel was a combination of two mashes, the first used a wine yeast, the second used their regular yeast, and they combined them in this one barrel. The result is wonderful. Bottled of course at cask strength. As always, it’s available exclusively to Drammers members.
Glen Scotia Master Cask Collection - Drammers Exclusive Single Cask. Our 3rd single barrel of single malt scotch with this Campbeltown distillery, selected by our members in Dallas. We’re very proud to have a great relationship with this distillery, having recently had the honor of arranging a 5 city US tour for their Master Distiller Iain McAlister in October for his first-ever trip to the United States. This single barrel is matured in a first fill Oloroso hogshead (unpeated, 6yo, 56.5% abv), 1 of 230 bottles. Now in stock at our retail partner DRINQY.com.
Atelier Vie Brown Rice RIZ Whiskey - Drammers Exclusive Single Barrel. This new Drammers barrel pick just arrived. A barrel of brown rice whiskey from our friends at the Atelier Vie distillery in New Orleans -- their first ever brown rice variant on their popular RIZ - Louisiana Rice whiskey. Bottled at cask strength of 59% abv.
Starlight Bourbon Finished in a Grape Brandy Cask. Last month we tried two single barrels our club picked at this distillery, and we recently picked up a 3rd barrel, this time a bourbon finished in Grape Brandy casks and bottled at cask strength. Delicious stuff.
Rolling Fork Brazilian Rum. This was selected by our Drammers Indy chapter, 12yo Brazilian rum distilled at the Epris distillery. It wasn't finished in an amburana cask, rather it was partially matured in an amburana cask -- as amburana casks can be overpowering, they later transferred it to an ex-bourbon cask to mellow out a bit before bottling. Bottled at cask strength, naturally.