The Kelowna Fine Scotch and Spirits Society is excited to announce our first bourbon tasting evening. It’s been two months since our last tasting, and we got a fantastic flight lined up for you, including whiskies from Bernheim, Mitcher’s, Evan Williams, High West, Jefferson’s Ocean and the Single Malt Whisky Society, to name a few. Yes, it’s big lineup, so take a cab! As with all our tastings, we’ll be providing charcuterie plates for snacks. This is a great tasting to kick off Spring, and we may make it a blind tasting, provided we can get more glasses! Tickets are $35, and are available on our events page. The event will be capped at 40. See you there! – Claude and Steve
Here’s the lineup for the evening!
Maker’s Mark 46: The first line extension to the Maker’s Mark range since the ’50s, Maker’s 46 is essentially the standard expression with added spice. This was not intended to compete with the core expression, instead it’s a cousin to it, something different for those that like spicy bourbon. They add this extra dimension by inserting seared French oak staves into the barrels (with the stave profile “number 46” – thus the name). 47.0% ABV
Evan Williams 2007 Single Barrel Bourbon: Each year, the Heaven Hills releases a limited edition, single-barrel bourbon, which we list separately.
This is the Evan Williams 2007 Vintage, which is aged between 9 and 10 years first released in 2016. 43.3% ABV.
Bernheim Kentucky Wheat KWM Cask: Andrew and Hunter from the Kensington Wine Market (KWM) had the great fortune to travel to Kentucky last June, for the primary purpose of hand selecting their own single cask of Bernheim Kentucky Wheat Whiskey. A first in Canada, this exclusive cask has been bottled at 45%, from a mashbill of at least 51% corn. It is available no where else in the world, but at KWM!
Mitcher’s US*1 Sour Mash: During the 1970s and 1980s, Michter’s Original Sour Mash Whiskey was the distillery’s single most popular product. While the “Sour Mash” moniker originated from the whiskey production process of the same name – whereby some previously fermented mash is used as the starter for the new mash to be fermented, much like making sourdough bread – Michter’s Original Sour Mash earned distinction for its unique taste. With its unique grain selection, it cannot be categorized as a rye or a bourbon. After disappearing from the market in 1989, Michter’s Original Sour Mash Whiskey made a triumphant return in 2012 with its introduction into the US
1 line. 43.0% ABV.
Booker’s True Barrel Bourbon: Booker’s True Barrel Bourbon, named after Booker Noe, Jim Beam’s grandson and former Master Distiller, was first released in 1992. A small batch bourbon aged for 6 to 8 years and bottled at cask strength, resulting in rich, full-bodied whiskey. Perhaps a drop of water or two wouldn’t go amiss with this intense expression. It drinks like a cask strength whisky at a whopping 64.0% ABV!
High West Campfire: A terrific blend of bourbon, rye and peated Scotch whiskies from High West in Utah, we love the back story of this one. During a visit to Islay, David Perkins enjoyed a breakfast at a B&B near Bruichladdich, which included a delicious syrup made from sugar and peated whisky poured over honeydew melon. Taking this experience back to America, he set about blending sweet bourbon from Lawrenceburg with peaty Islay single malt, with some spicy Rye for good measure! 46.0% ABV.
Jefferson’s Ocean Aged Bourbon: An innovative release from Jefferson’s, Ocean was aged for between six and eight years on land, before the barrels were ‘finished’ on a ship at sea for the final six to 10 months. Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea takes older bourbon barrels and brings it around the world, stopping in 5 different continents and crossing the equator 4 times! A rich bourbon with a hint of salinity. 45.0% ABV.
SMWS B3.3 TREACLE BUNS IN A SAWMILL: The first Bourbon to be released by the Canadian Single Malt Whisky Society branch (SMWS), this 2 year old hails from Arkansas at 54.3% and is from a new charred oak barrels. The SMWS has the world’s largest selection of single cask whiskies available! All whiskies are straight from the cask, to the bottle, to you. Unfiltered. Undiluted. Unrivalled. Only ever bottled from a single cask and selected from a range of over 130 whisky distilleries, every Society bottling is exceptional. You must be a member to purchase. 54.3% ABV.