It seems like a convenient coincidence that a whiskey tasting would fall on my birthday today. I guess I’ll have to go but not before investigating the options available for sampling. If you are attending, please download my cheat sheet for you to take along to the tasting. There are a few VIP tickets left but no General Admission.
Download Cheat Sheet – Excel File
Download Cheat Sheet – PDF
I’ve made two tasting lists. Both are assuming you have VIP tickets which is 15 tasting. If you have General Admission just stop at 10 or buy 5 more.
Rich Man’s List – Your goal is to get the most expensive hooch for your money. Problem is, even if you had 15 tastings of the most expensive stuff, you still wouldn’t cover your ticket. So get that out of your head now. There are a number of tasty selections here and this is a fine way to travel through the stations.
- Parker’s Heritage Collection – ALS Promise of Home
- Mortlach 15 Year Old
- Jameson Gold Reserve
- Benromach Organic
- Benromach Peat Smoke
- Talkisker Storm
- Talikser 10
- Compass Box Spice Tree
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
- Drambuie 15
- Atholl Brose
- Benromach 10 year
- Compass Box Peat Monster
- Yamazaki 12 Year Old
- The Glenlivet 15 Year Old
Nick’s List – This is a bit more select. While there are certainly some of the higher cost selections here (I’m no dummy) there is also some more rare stuff that you don’t see offered in stores that often. I’m also in a Koval research mode so there is a focus there too.
- Parker’s Heritage Collection – ALS Promise of Home
- Mortlach 15 Year Old
- Jameson Gold Reserve
- Benromach Organic
- Benromach Peat Smoke
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
- Crown Royal XO (VIP)
- Johnnie Walker Double Black
- Grand Traverse Distillery – Straight Rye
- Koval Distillery – Bourbon
- Koval Distillery – Four Grain
- Koval Distillery – Rye
- Koval Distillery – Toasted Barrel Oat
- Two James Distillery – Grass Widow Bourbon
- Two James Distillery – Michigan Rye Dog
Dan’s List – Dan Forth is a local Whiskey connoisseur and moderates a Detroit-based Whiskey message group. He has tasted nearly everything on this list and offered both his “Must Tries” and some notes on what to taste for.
- Parker’s Heritage Collection – ALS Promise of Home – A terrific whiskey, but a very high price tag. A must try to know if it’s worth it for you.
- Mortlach 15 Year Old – The most exciting on the list to me. Commonly used only in blends and super distinct. Much more to come from these guys as they release more expressions in the US in the comin year(s).
- Jameson Gold Reserve – Need to mix it up with an Irish, definitely worth trying before buying.
- Benromach Organic – My favorite of the Benromach stuff. Peat Smoke is really nice too, but this is high quality and more representative of a Speyside.
- Grand Traverse Distillery – Ole George – Unique 100% Rye mashbill and distilled & bottled in MI.
- Two James Distillery – Grass Widow Bourbon – Very interesting bourbon with the Madeira finish.
- Two James Distillery – Michigan Rye Dog – Since Grass Widow was sourced, this is the chance to try new make whiskey from TJ. Very interesting to see what to look forward to from these guys.
- Talikser 10 – IMHO – the best readily available 10 y/o SMS.
- Compass Box Spice Tree – All the C.B. whiskies are excellent and interesting. This one has the coolest story, and best overall profile.
- Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year Old – Best expression of the Beam profile on the list. Good to surprise people with how good Beam can be.
- Bulleit Rye – Must try – LDI Juice but the best “Rye for the price” on the list.
- Elijah Craig 12yr – Simply one of the best everyday bourbon pours for the money, a must try.
- Ravenswood Rye Whiskey – My favorite young Rye on the market and my favorite product J’man puts out.
- Russell’s Reserve – Single Barrel – Because, you’ve got to taste the highest proofer of the bunch.
- Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit – Nice for folks to try a step-up from the std 101, will change perceptions on WT.
Let me know if you find this list helpful. If you find me at the tasting, let’s get a photo together for the blog.
Budmo!