I've added to my stockpile (262 bottles on my way to 300) and thought I, on occasion, would send along my thoughts on certain bottles. This gives you a chance to see what's new and interesting and what you may want to avoid.
Western Reserve
Western, headquartered in Lakewood, OH., sells a 4, 8, and 14-year bourbon. I say "sell" because it sources bourbon. I understand, through various social posts, that WR is trying to age its own stock but I haven't seen any reliable info on that point.
This is pricy juice --- $58, $79, and $99 a bottle. Each batch contains a blend of different barrels. For that money, I would expect a balanced bourbon that blows me away with flavor. The only thing that blew me away was the mediocrity. You can find dozens of superior bourbons at half the price. I suppose if you had to have one, the 8-yr taste best to me, more balanced with a tad more caramel and vanilla. But it's overpriced.
Mashbill: 74 %corn, 18% rye, 8 % barley Proof; 86 (4 and 8 yr) ; 90 (14 yr)
SIngle Barrel Huber's Rickhouse Select
The Starlight distillery in Borden, IN, produces wine and spirits. The distillery sits in a fantastic location, just 30 minutes from Louisville, and just over an hour outside of Bardstown. Starlight has been around since the 1880s, first as a farm, and then as a stop on the Indiana wine trial. It released its first spirit in 2004, a brandy. Now, it produces several spirits including Huber's, a product aged 5.5 years in 53-gallon oak barrels.
I love this stuff. I purchased a bottle through Dayton Sippers, the local bourbon site, and I am kicking myself for not buying at least two more. The bourbon starts with chocolate on the nose. On the taste, it's slightly hot but immediately turns cool and sweet --- and I mean sweet, like freshly made caramel and vanilla with a little cream (it's gotta be the wheat). It has a long, big finish that stays with you. I have one bottle and am happy to share when I can.
And yes, I've already been in touch with the owners, and they're happy to host us and sell us a barrel or two when COVID allows us to travel. While I wouldn't pay $40 for any Western Reserve product, this is worth every penny of the $65 I paid. No, it's not available in Ohio.
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% malted barley, 9% wheatProof: 110.8
BEST RECENT CHEAP TASTE:
Evan Williams Black label ($14). Great for sipping or mixing. It's not complex, smooth at 86 proof, and the best thing you can say about it --- it's not offensive. But for the price, it's tasty enough.