Ditch the Tie this Year - buy him something he wants -a Whiskey
Let's ditch the tie this year. I mean, what's the chance dad is going to be wearing a tie in the coming months? What about a bottle of whiskey this year? Or a big bad red coupled with a big bad whiskey?
Here are some ideas:
Hartfield & Co. Bourbon $57
The first distillery to reopen in Bourbon County, Kentucky, since before Prohibition. Very small batch, meticulously made in that classic geeky, experimental way of distillery entrepreneurs. A high corn mash (62%), rye and a big dollop (19%) of malted barley. Distilled to 115-120 proof, below the legal maximum to retain the essential oils. Then barreled in small, Minnesota, oak barrels. Minnesota is key because their wood is incredibly hard and dense. So less of the wood ruins the bourbon. Taste wise, think slightly over-cooked buttered popcorn. Smoky, but not from the oak char, vanilla notes alongside baking spices.
Pair with a bottle of Marziano Abbona Barolo - $97 the pair
Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whiskey $44
In the glass Roundstone Rye has a golden honeysuckle glow, with a scent of wildflowers and spring meadow heading the nose. Slowly, India ink, honeyed leather, and an air of country woodshop permeate the meadow, swirling together in a very delicate balance that ends with a mild hint of banana! To the taste, it’s initially quite fruity, with a touch of almond extract before a light spice spreads out, reminding you that this is a Rye. The smoothness on the palate continues into the finish, as the Rye fades into a short but satisfactory dessert of honeyed gum.
Pair with a bottle of Robert Sinskey POV - $92 the pair
Middle West OYO Bourbon Michelone Reserve $54
Four generations of distilling traditions and one particularly determined grandfather inspired Middle West Spirits’ first Master’s Blend. This small-batch whiskey pairs the finest Kentucky straight bourbon with the award-winning OYO Whiskey to create a smooth, smoky, and softly sweet bourbon that proudly bears the name of the grandfather who inspired it all. The Michelone Reserve is a flavor-forward blend of sweet yellow corn, soft red winter wheat, dark pumpernickel rye, and two-row barley.
Pair with a bottle of Meadowcroft Cabernet Sauvignon - $92
Sonoma Distilling Cherrywood Smoked Bourbon $50
Made with 67% corn, 20% rye and 13% smoked malted barley. This whiskey has a bright copper look in the glass, and coating the inside leaves plenty of legs. The nose comes across with caramel, cocktail cherries and a spot of leathery wood. The flavor sits squarely in traditional bourbon territory, but with a slight twist. It tastes of vanilla and brown sugar, with a touch of that cocktail cherry (much less than on the nose). That spot of leathery wood from the nose takes on an ashy, marginally astringent character once it gets on your tongue, like a charred bit of green oak.
Pair with a bottle of Mocali Brunello di Montalcino 2015 - $108 the pair
45th Parallel Distillery, New Richmond Straight Rye - $56
45th Parallel is a small, family-owned craft distillery in New Richmond, Wisconsin. the 45th parallel sits half-way between the equator and the North Pole and New Richmond sits squarely on the 45th Parallel. The whiskey is aged for 4 years before bottling. Aged in barrels where the wood staves have been air dried for 3 years. Much less vanillan so you get a fuller bodied, spicy finish.
Pair with a bottle of Pascal Prunier Bonheur Monthelie Pinot Noir - $105 the pair
Laws Whiskey House Four Grain Straight Bourbon - $68
As the name implies - four grains: 60% Corn, 20% Colorado-grown wheat, 10% Colorado-grown rye, 10% Colorado-grown barley. The Laws Four Grain has a light and red-tinted amber look in the glass. Swishing it leaves a curtain of slow-moving tears behind.The nose is a sweet one, like someone stirred crushed candy corn into a dish of vanilla pudding, with a sprinkle of finely chopped ginger and mint on the top. The flavor sits squarely in bourbon territory, albeit with an earthier aspect than the nose suggests. It has the expected brown sugar and vanilla core, but the spiciness runs to cinnamon and nutmeg, and a trace of tannic, earthy cocoa is entwined around it.
Pair with a bottle of Mauro Molino Barolo 2016 - $113 the pair
New Riff Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon - $48
Craft distilleries take note, this is the target, it can be done. Aroma is an oak forward mix of old furniture and fresh cut lumber – quite unique – with a fruit component that’s hard to pin down but a trail mix of dried dark fruits and orchard fruits; layers of sweetness and spice keep it balanced. Palate is nearly the same experience but with more of the darkly sweet and spice notes coming through. Finish is just perfect. I got my first 6 bottles of this just a few weeks ago and I have already reordered multiple times. Beautiful bottle, beautiful Bourbon.
Pair with a bottle of Trail Marker Saveria Vineyard Pinot Noir - $96 the pair
I could continue but the email would be way to long. But other whiskey's arriving tomorrow include:
New Riff Bottled in Bond Straight Rye - $50
Far North Spirits Bodalen Bourbon - $56
Far North Roknar 100% Rye - $56
Bull Run Pinot Noir Barrel Straight Bourbon - $49
Sonoma Distilling Cherrywood Rye - $52
Somona Distilling Rye 96 Proof - $56
Also in stock Taconic, Hillrock, Breckenridge, Broken Barrel and many more.
So don't get him a tie this year, buy him what he wants - a whiskey!
Any 'Paired Gift' will be packaged in a gift box and made to look pretty!
If being delivered deliveries will take place Saturday morning before 10AM. Many of the mentioned whiskies will be available tomorrow afternoon.