Category: Whiskey

Hello Bourbon Fans,

The train is back on the tracks, as we’ve got a couple new bourbons for ya. The crowning jewel is probably the new Orphan Barrel Project’s: Lost Prophet 22 year bourbon. It uses a completely different recipe from the other three offerings and is sort of a perfect combination of age, complexity and smoothness. Definitely a little more tannic and oaky than say Barterhouse 20 year but a little more subtle and soft than Old Blowhard 26 year:

-Lost Prophet 22 Year Bourbon: $159.99

The next bourbon is a special celebration of Jimmy Russell’s 60 years as Master Distiller at Wild Turkey. They call it “Diamond”, and utilize specially selected casks ranging from 13 to 16 years old. This bourbon is delicate and perilessly drinkable. With some softer wild flower honey undertones and just the right amount of barrel char in the finish:

-Wild Turkey Diamond Bourbon: $149.99

Another bourbon that has been highly sought after but tough to come by is the Jefferson’s Ocean Aged. This release Introduces a subtle briny-sea air element from being on a ship at sea, it’s said the bourbon also ages faster as a result of the hot-humid climate and the gentle rocking of the boat:

-Jefferson’s Ocean Aged Bourbon: $99.99

And last but not least after so much success with Exclusive Four Roses single barrels I had to grab another “Nate’s Barrel”. Like most of my offerings in the past I went with the higher rye mashbill and fruitier yeast strain. At 11 and a half years old and bottled at cask strength its got an incredible amount of depth and spice, and an exceedingly long and lingering finish:

-Healthy Spirits Exclusive Four Roses Single Barrel OBSF “Nate’s Barrel”: $79.99

That’s all I got, enjoy everyone!

Nate

Hey All,

With the holidays firmly in the rear view mirror we’re finally starting to catch up with all the new arrivals at the shop. Fortunately we’re not alone in our holiday hangover as industry giant Diageo has just now begun releasing their rare malts and distiller’s editions, offerings that normally hit shelves in November. Way to go Diageo, the most expensive whisky you have will probably sell much better in January. Actually that way of thinking reminds me of the immortal words of Homer Simpson:

Homer: “This year, I invested in pumpkins. They’ve been going up the whole month of October and I got a feeling they’re going to peak right around January. Then, bang! That’s when I’ll cash in.“

Some time later…..

Homer’s Broker: “Homer, you knuckle-beak, I told you a hundred times: you’ve got to sell your pumpkin futures before Hallowe’en! Before!“

But I guess in some ways that may mean we have first pick of the litter since most shops aren’t looking for the white whales right now. Here are some of the new Scotches and Japanese whiskies:

–Bunnahabhain Ceobanach (Batch 1): A new heavily peated 10 year single malt that’s a throw back to the original Bunnahabhain recipe of the late 19th Century. $99.99

–Oban Little Bay: Following suit with Laphroaig and dozens of American micro distilleries Oban introduces their first small barrel whisky. For this release they’ve taken fully matured Oban 14 year and finished for a period of time in smaller barrels producing a darker color and richer flavor. $99.99

Mortlach 25 Year: The long wait is over, branded Mortlach is finally available in the US. This single malt has a cult following and has only ever been available in single barrels from Independent Bottlers. The rich-concentrated-sherry forward flavors remind me of distillers like Glendronach, Glenfarclas and Macallan. Mortlach is epic, if you can stomach the price it’s totally worth it. $999.99

Mortlach 18 Year: $349.99

Hibiki 21 Year Japanese Whisky: Has the distinct title of winning best blended whisky in the world at the World Whisky Awards the last four years running. This is possibly the best Japanese whisky ever imported to the US outside of Yamazaki 25 year, and instead of dropping a full rent or mortgage payment on it like you would with the $1,800 Yamazki, Hibiki 21 year retails for the low low price of: $399.99.

Cheers everyone!

Nate

Hey All,

Winter is in full affect and there’s no better time of year for limited whiskies, holiday treats are landing almost daily. The newest arrivals include a nice selection of rare single malt Scotch:

–Glenfiddich 26 Year Single Malt: Aged 100% in American bourbon barrels this rich and balanced single malt playfully called “Excellence” has all the depth and complexity of a 26 year whiskey combined with engagingly soft tannins and some hints of vanilla and custard. The whisky starts off subtle but builds to a symphony of flavors.

–Glenfiddich “The Original” Single Malt: The Original takes its inspiration from the very first Glenfiddich single malt bottled (in 1963), it was the first marketed single malt whisky in the world and a bottling that started the whole Scottish single malt movement. The flavor profile is sweet, fruity and floral with just a touch of biscuity notes.

–Balvenie 25 Year Single Barrel Single Malt: One of the best Balvenie single barrels ever to hit the market. This bottling, aged in an ex-bourbon barrel, produced just a shade under 300 bottles. The flavors on the palate are bursting with butterscotch, honey cake, citrus and candied ginger, with a long lingering spice on the finish. Don’t be fooled by the lighter color, this one’s epic.

–Macallan Rare Cask Single Malt: Made from first fill sherry barrels in all their glory. A non-age statement whisky but definitely using some of the oldest and best casks in Macallan’s warehouses. Incredibly rich notes of toffee, chocolate, dates, apple pie and bread pudding with just a hint of baking spices. You want this.

Get these while you can, all are in limited supply and would make great stocking stuffers or holiday gifts. Cheers everyone.

Nate

Hey All,

Shhhhhhhhh, it’s a secret. Okay I guess technically it’s not a secret any more. But if you want a shot at either of these two single malts you’ll probably want to keep it to yourself. First off one of the most sought after releases of all time, Ardbeg Super Nova, has finally made its way back to Healthy Spirits. For years and years Dr. Bill, Master Distiller of Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, has adamantly said he would never make Super Nova again. He always told me it reduced his ability to keep the peatiness of the regular line up as high as it could go. It was a reasonable explanation but the high demand for the second peatiest whisky in the world made me always have to ask him. Not only is this heavenly whisky finally making an encore but this time its got more sherry influence making it rich and decadent in addition to being bold and intense. Like before it’s bottled at cask strength clocking in at a robust 55% alcohol (110 proof).

Dark Origins is a new offering from Highland Park but unfortunately, as with so many limited offerings, they decided to make it available on premise only. Meaning the only place you could get it is at bars and restaurants. By the glass only, so you’re basically out of luck if you wanted a bottle. Through a clever loop hole Healthy Spirits was able to obtain a few bottles. They won’t last for long, and are only available at the Castro shop. Dark Origins is a little peatier than the regular line and is aged in “double first fill sherry casks for a naturally darker, richer flavor”, so there’s that.

These are some of the best new single malts on the market, if you want em grab em fast! Cheers

Nate

Hey All,

So if you weren’t already aware, we love Amador Distillery! I’ve personally had the pleasure of seeing my friend Adam’s dreams come to fruition. From brainstorming with him about the idea of starting a distillery, to talking about how products are coming along over the years, to even throwing our suggestions on label design, I’ve been fortunate to see a brand that holds a special place in my heart grow and flourish. A couple months ago we had the privilege of picking out a very special barrel, which sold out much quicker then we anticipated. Fortunately Adam has decided to offer some similarly awesome whiskies in the form of a barrel strength bourbon and rye. These are older then a lot of other offerings on the market with the bourbon clocking in around 7 years old, having an incredible amount of depth and spice, and the rye coming in around 3-4 years, perfect balance between vibrant spice and just enough oak for a rounded finish.

I can’t say enough good things about these whiskies, if you’re a fan of Willett Family Estate or Four Roses Private Selection Cask Strength you’ll wanna give these a go. Your Welcome.

Nate

Hey All,

With refreshing new packaging, older stocks of bourbon and a brand new rye, Colorado Gold Distillery seems to be finally hitting its stride. We’ve always been big fans of the distillery, and even bought a barrel a few years back that was featured in Bourbon Club. The bourbon drinks like a wheater, although I’m told there’s a touch of rye in addition to the corn, wheat and barley in the mashbill. It’s aged 3 years (a year older then previous releases) in new charred oak and bottled as a single barrel at 45% (90 proof). The rye whiskey I’m told, has a mashbill of 95% rye, likely meaning the other 5% is barley. While that usually warrants red flags that the juice may be sourced from MGP, I’ve been assured the whiskey is in fact made in Colorado with local Colorado grains. Its also bottled as a single barrel at 45% (90 proof). And one of the best parts, they’re using full size 53 gallon barrels, meaning no small barrel flavors here.

 These are some of the best whiskies coming out of Colorado, give em a try if you get a chance. Cheers!

Nate