Author: Admin

Howdy friend-o,

The highly anticipated third release from the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. has finally hit our shelves!  Much like its brother Barterhouse (released earlier this year), Rhetoric sports a 20 year age statement.  However, while Barterhouse was distilled solely at the new Bernheim distillery, Rhetoric’s juice came from both the new and old Bernheim distilleries, meaning it could contain some stock older than 20 years.  Another noticeable difference between the two is where they were aged; while both matured in the Stitzel-Weller warehouse, Rhetoric was situated in the lower levels, which often leads to a softer profile.

As the label states, Rhetoric will be “an evolving exploration in bourbon maturation.”  Over the course of six years, each bottling will get progressively older (2015’s release will be 21 years old, 2016’s release will be 22 years old, and so on).  Supposedly the label will get increasingly darker to symbolize the older age, which sounds pretty neat to me!  Such a unique insight into the aging process is pretty rare, so take advantage while you can.

Rhetoric is available in limited quantities at both shops for $109.99.  Cheers!

-James

Hey All,

Happy to announce the arrival of some very well selected single malt Scotch casks from Signatory. Not only did these whiskies blow me away from a flavor profile stand point, but they’re also some of the more sought after distilleries in Scotland: Laphroaig, Highland Park, Caol Ila and Jura. You have to be careful when buying from independent bottlers, fortunately these guys know what they’re doing, offering bottlings without caramel coloring, chill filtration or dilution (cask strength). You would never find a 24 year peated Jura, 17 year Caol Ila or a 15 year sherry cask aged Laphroaig without producers like Signatory.

New In:

-Signatory Cask Strength Collection: Jura 1989′ Heavily Peated 24 year single malt $199.99
-Signatory Cask Strength Collection: Laphroaig 1996′ Peated 17 year single malt $249.99
-Signatory Cask Strength Collection: Highland Park 1988′ 25 year single malt $299.99
-Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection: Caol Ila Peated 17 year single malt $139.99
-Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection: Laphroaig Peated 15 year single malt (sherry cask) $129.99

Again these Scotches are epic! Talk about a great gift or treat to yourself, especially if you’re a fan of one of the four mentioned distilleries. Since they’re one time only single casks, when they’re gone they’re gone, so get em while you can. Cheers

Nate

Hey All,

It’s been a long time coming, waiting for Stranahan’s whiskey to come back after it was pulled from the California market almost 5 years ago. The company got to big to fast, and like so many large distilleries today they decided that pulling product from their largest market (California), would allow them to keep up with demand locally in Colorado and their surrounding states. It’s a disturbing trend, one that seems to put a bullseye on California for selling the most whiskey in the country. I guess it is what it is.

But fortunately Stranahan’s is back, rightfully taking its place as one of the first micro-distilled single malts in the US. The flavor profile is grainy, with some well developed notes of honey, buttered rolls, cereal grains and florals. The flavor profile is soft and round with a very delicate assertion of oak. Very similar to how I remember it tasting all those years ago. Not sure if the legendary “Snowflake” will ever make it back to the bay area, that’s their red wine finished version, but I would highly recommend seeking that out if you can ever get your hands on it (currently only sold at the distillery). For now the regular Stranahan’s is available @ both shops! Cheers

Nate