DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Hillrock Estate Double Cask Bourbon Whiskey
Bottled-in-Bond Aged 5 Years
(Hillrock Estate Distillery, NY)  100° prf

Nose: Toffee, treacle, caramel, cane sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, dried fruits, banana, roasted corn, biscuit, cardamon, clove, grass, green leaves, pine, oak.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, chocolate powder, molasses, nut syrup, vanilla, honey, coconut, pineapple, orange, sultanas, whole wheat bread, walnut, tea leaves, nutmeg, clove, pepper, smoked jalapeño, tobacco, leather, wood, oaky, creamy, a lot going on here.
Finish: Chocolate, walnut, black walnut, nutty, baking spices, spicy, pepper, musty, oaky, wood, smooth, great, delightful.

Double Gold Medal

Burnt Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(William Berkele Distillery, Bardstown, KY)  105° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, cocoa, vanilla, honey, dried fruit, banana, orange, corn, wheat, walnut, nutty, oiled leather, twigs, wild bark, woodsy, cigar box, oak, wood.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, praline, vanilla, honey, orange blossom honey, dried fruit, banana, orange peel, sweet grain, barley, rye note, almond, peppery, spicy, cigar box, complex, creamy.
Finish: Toffee, caramel, brown sugar, honey, orange, clove, pepper, spicy, well-balanced, brash, robust, creamy, smooth, mellow, great.

Double Gold Medal

Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)  Barrel strength.  121.8° prf

Nose: Toffee, buttery caramel, cocoa, nougat, nut cake, vanilla, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, dark fruits,, oak, #4 char barrel, woody, umami, savory, rich.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, chocolate brownie, cocoa, butter, honey, dried fruit, orange peel, orange, orange blossom, blueberry, floral, ginger, clove, spice, cedar, oak, well balanced, ultra-smooth, rich, great, excellent.
Finish: Caramel, chocolate cake, layers of vanilla, honey, orange zest, orange, citrus, almond, hot cinnamon, spice, baking spices, white pepper, balanced heat, powerful, robust, rich, smooth.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

King's Family Distillery Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(King’s Family Distillery, TN / IN)  107° prf

Nose: Toffee, chocolate, cream, vanilla, toasted coconut, dried fruit, burnt orange peel, orange, light blossom, slightly floral, nutty, bread, cinnamon toast, spice, tobacco, oak, pine, sherry, fresh.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, honey, prune, apricot, orange peel, orange zest, mixed fruit, floral, bread, toasty, nutty, nutmeg, mixed spices, tobacco, leathery, oak, smooth, rich, creamy, elegant.
Finish: Creamy caramel chocolate, orange, pineapple, mint, almond, nutty, clove, cinnamon, pepper, earthy, musty, toasty, oak, wood, packs a punch, smooth, rich, lots of flavor.

Gold Medal

Uncle Nearest Cognac Cask
Barrel 002
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)  123.9° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, cream, whipped cream, honey, dried orange peel, berries, flowers, almond, oregano, minerals, cedar, wood, savory.
Palate: Toffee, vanilla, honey, caramel corn, currants, orange zest, orange peel, flowers, walnut, nutty, cereal, clove, spice, pepper, minerals, brine, oak, woody, balanced, creamy.
Finish: Caramel, nut cake, currants, citrus, corn, nutty, spicy, consistent, well balanced, layered, intense flavor, big, bold, savory, velvety, silky, beautiful.

Gold Medal

Coal Pick Toasted Single Barrel Proof
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Coal Pick Distillery, KY)  Locally sourced grains & limestone filtered water. Aged 4.6 years.  115° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, cream, cocoa, molasses, dark sugar, apricot, orange, rich rose, black tea, nutty, leather, oak.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, butterscotch, fudge, cocoa, vanilla, demerara, honey, dried fruit, orange zest, green leaves, pepper, spicy, tobacco, leather, super oaky, heavy wood, well balanced, creamy.
Finish: Caramel, dried fruit, orange, grain, black walnut, nutty, lingering pepper, leather, woody, balanced, smooth, surprisingly mellow.

Gold Medal

Second Act Spirits Clocktower
Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey
(NY)  Wheated.  117° prf

Nose: Caramel, chocolate, vanilla, dark muscovado, honey, maple syrup, waffles, pineapple, orange, orange zest, walnut, very spicy, saline, leather, maple, hickory, oak, savory.
Palate: Honey, maple syrup, orange, orange zest, pineapple, cereal, cereal grains, dense bread, toast, walnut, nutty, malt, cinnamon, leathery, musty, woody, oak, slight heat, round mouthfeel, creamy, interesting.
Finish: Chocolate, molasses, honey, orange, clove, peppery, light smoke, woody, oak, balanced, layered, rich, nice, excellent.

Gold Medal

Hudson Whiskey New York Straight Bourbon 5
(Tuthilltown Spirits, NY)  100% NY locally sourced ingredients. Aged a minimum of 5 years in new charred American oak barrels.  92° prf

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, caramel, molasses, chocolate, clotted cream, ripe pear, lemon, roasted corn, corn flakes, instant coffee, allspice, dusty, earthy, leather, oak.
Palate: Caramel, treacle, buttery, sugarcane, vanilla, sweet roasted corn, banana, coconut, hazelnut, herbal, ginger, hot spice, heavy white pepper, tobacco, leathery, wood, great mouthfeel, good depth, rich, creamy.
Finish: Honey, cereal, grain, grassy, nutty, spicy, peppery, oak, woody, layered, buttery, rich, flavorful.

Gold Medal

Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition Bourbon Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)  118° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, vanilla, brown sugar, ginger snap cookies, gingerbread, dark fruit, apricot, light citrus, elements of black tea, popcorn, husk, light toast, muted clove, oak, fresh wood.
Palate: Caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa, mocha, butter, sugar cane, dried fruit, plum, dark stone fruit, pineapple, orange peel, berry notes, mixed flowers, hot toddy, warm spices, spicy, pepper, white pepper, bread, cereal, oak, cigar box, balanced heat, smooth, creamy.
Finish: Cocoa, dark fruits, apple pie, citrus, cereal, grain, spicy, mixed spices, baking spices, oak, balanced, high proof works well, smooth, rich, creamy.

Gold Medal

Bisbee's Chupacabra Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Bespoken Spirits, KY)  Aged 8 years. Finished with oak staves.  112° prf

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, cane sugar, maple syrup, vanilla cream, coconut, mixed fruit, floral, nutty, toast, cinnamon, spice, tobacco, leather, earthy, oak, fresh laundry, bright, wonderful.
Palate: Toffee, chocolate, brown sugar, date sugar, dried fruit, mango, strawberry, lemon, lemongrass, very grassy, peppermint, black pepper, allspice, hot cinnamon, Fireball, spicy, walnut, tobacco, leather, smoky, oak, woody, silky.
Finish: Caramel, dried fruit, mint, tea leaves, spicy, peppery, tobacco, cigar box, oak, smoky, balanced, soft, unique.

Gold Medal

Backus Distillery Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(VT)  4 years old.  82° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, chocolate mint, burnt sugar, vanilla, maple syrup, honey, dried apricot, lemon, herbs, almond, barley, grain, earth, toasty, oak, wood, wood barrel.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, brown sugar, buttery, vanilla, nougat, salt water taffy, honey, raisins, corn, nutty, herbs, grassy, peppery, toast, oak, wood, creamy, gentle.
Finish: Caramel, butterscotch, white chocolate, honey, nice, soft, delicate, very fine, mellow.

Gold Medal

Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)  93° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, cocoa, malted milk, vanilla, brown sugar, honey, orange blossom honey, candied fruit, honeysuckle, orange zest, ginger snap, cinnamon, black bread, cedar.
Palate: Caramel, cocoa, butter, mocha, vanilla, sweet demerara, brown sugar, banana, bright orange, floral, ginger, spicy, minerality, woody, oak, balanced, clean, silky.
Finish: Caramel, dark fruit cake, clove, spice, leather, woody, layered flavors, rich, well balanced, smooth, easy to drink, love it.

Gold Medal

Missouri Ridge Distillery Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
(MO)  Ozark Mountain limestone water.  94° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, chocolate covered caramel, buttery, whipped cream, vanilla, cane sugar, powdered sugar, bubble gum, candy apple, baked apple, raisins, tropical fruit, ripe banana, green apple, floral, rose, roasted nuts, nutmeg, pine, oak.
Palate: Chocolate, cocoa, caramel, buttery, vanilla, powdered sugar, honey, dates, dried fruits, ambrosia-like, pineapple, coconut, toasted coconut, apple, lemon, celery, mint, cereal, nutty, peppery, spicy, oak, cedar, soft, creamy.
Finish: Chocolate covered caramel apple, honey, lemon, mint, baking spices, peppery, musty, oak, complex, smooth.

Gold Medal

The Maelstrom Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies
(Unbound Spirits, WI)   Re-casked, then matured in charred American oak barrels on board a ship at sea for 6 months.  92° prf

Nose: Toffee, fudge, cream, butter cream, honey, ripe peaches, coconut, grassy, green leaves, fresh hay, nutty, earthy, leather, oaky, woody, sherry, bright, savory.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, chocolate, maple syrup, honey, baked apple, pineapple, Lucky Charms cereal, grain, nuts, licorice, spice, white pepper, black pepper, leather, pipe tobacco, must, oak, woody, smooth, creamy.
Finish: Honey, hazelnut, lingering grain, clove, spices, pepper, lasting leather, balanced, interesting, nice.

Gold Medal

Coal Pick Single Barrel Proof
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Coal Pick Distillery, KY)  Locally sourced grains & limestone filtered water. Aged 4.6 years.  115 ° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, cream, cocoa, molasses, dark sugar, apricot, orange, rich rose, black tea, nutty, leather, oak.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, butterscotch, fudge, cocoa, vanilla, demerara, honey, dried fruit, orange zest, green leaves, pepper, spicy, tobacco, leather, super oaky, heavy wood, well balanced, creamy.
Finish: Caramel, dried fruit, orange, grain, black walnut, nutty, lingering pepper, leather, woody, balanced, smooth, surprisingly mellow.

Gold Medal

Devils River Distiller’s Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(TX)  100% Texas grains. Aged in new #3 charred American oak barrels for over 2 years.  120° prf

Nose: Toffee, orange chocolate, cream, brown sugar, dark muscovado sugar, cola, maple syrup, pancakes, apple, floral, grass, hay, clove, spices, leather, earthy, oak.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, fudge, orange chocolate, buttery, honey, maple, corn, cherry, apple, pear, tea leaves, orange spice, clove, pepper, tobacco, leather, oak, opens up nicely.
Finish: Hot cinnamon, Fireball, orange zest, apple, clove, white pepper, smoky, strong, nice balance, lots of flavor.

Gold Medal

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Bourbon Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)  100° prf

Nose: Treacle, cocoa, mocha, brown sugar, powdered sugar, maple syrup, date honey, dried fruit, pear, orange, bread, herbs, clove.
Palate: Toffee, taffy, dark sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, cocoa, honey, clover honey, pineapple, orange peel, citrus, clove, spice, black pepper, briny, cedar, oak, woody, smoky, textured mouthfeel, balanced, easy to drink.
Finish: Creamy cocoa, orange peel, lingering honey, spices, pepper, cedar, diminishing heat, rich, savory, zesty, nice, mellow, classic.

Gold Medal

Open Road Independence Bourbon
(Open Road Distilling Co., VA)  A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys.  90° prf

Nose: Chocolate, nougat, mocha, vanilla, honey, candied pineapple, orange peel, pear, buttered toast, almond, cinnamon, spice, earth, leather, oak, sherry.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, dark chocolate, molasses, vanilla, honey, tropical fruit, banana, orange, orange peel, Graham cracker, walnut, tea leaves, spicy, leather, mint, wood, oaky, silky mouthfeel, rich, creamy, smooth.
Finish: Hint of vanilla, biscuit, mint, orange spice, spicy, black pepper, leather, musty, woody, good in a whiskey sour, soft, very pretty.

Gold Medal

King's Family Distillery Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
Aged 10 Years
(TN)  106.2° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, baked apple, apple Jolly Rancher, dried fruit, bubble gum, cherry, strawberries, apricot, peach, powdered sugar, honeysuckle, maple, nutty, nutmeg, dry leaves, oak.
Palate: Caramel, melted butterscotch, chocolate, cane sugar, apple strudel, shortbread, honey, pineapple, banana, orange, lemon, green apple, rose, eucalyptus, cinnamon, spicy, hot pepper, brine, oak.
Finish: Butterscotch, honey, rose petals, nutty, clove, woody, sweet, sherry, nice balance, flavorful, pretty.

Gold Medal

Bobby Garg’s Family Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Hidden Still Distillery, PA)  102° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, chocolate, dark chocolate, nougat, vanilla, banana peel, floral, herbs, marsh, light smoke, oak, char, savory.
Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, honey, dried fruit, pineapple, orange, citrus, marzipan, almond, gingerbread, mushroom broth, nutmeg, clove, baking spices, pepper, black pepper, briny, pine needles, bark, oak, wood, slight smoke, balanced, creamy mouthfeel, smooth.
Finish: Wheat toast, spicy, woodsy, woody, consistent flavors throughout, good in a Manhattan cocktail, well balanced, lots of depth, robust, mellow, really nice.

Gold Medal

Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey
(Victor George Spirits, FL)  84° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, sugarcane, vanilla, cream, buttery vanilla, honey, dried fruit, coconut, red apple, lemon, faint cinnamon, spice, new leather.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, molasses, honey, plum, currants, apple, green apple, orange, orange zest, lemon, ginger, licorice, almond, toast, pepper, spicey, well balanced, gentle.
Finish: Toffee, vanilla cream, lingering lemon, rose, black tea bag, nutty, baking spices, spicy, pepper, subtle sweetness, becomes woody, bright, satisfying.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL AWARDS

HoldFast Bourbon Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
Unbound Spirits, WI)  Double oaked in small casks – one wheated, one high rye.  86° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, cooked oatmeal, buckwheat honey, ripe peaches, fermented fruit, green apple, minty, eucalyptus, clove, oak, charred wood.
Palate: Caramel, dark chocolate, chocolate chips, molasses, maple, vanilla, honey, marmalade, banana, apricot, biscuits, grain, light mint, licorice, clove, hint of spice, peppery, leathery, smoky, oak.
Finish: Dark chocolate, powdered sugar, light citrus, nutty, nutmeg, peppery, tobacco, leathery, burnt wood, soft, mellow.

Silver Medal

Hudson Whiskey NY Bright Lights, Big Bourbon
(Tuthilltown Spirits, NY).  100% NY locally sourced corn. Aged a minimum of 3 years in new charred American oak barrels.  92° prf

Nose: Caramel, molasses, melted brown sugar, clotted cream, vanilla extract, vanilla, ginger cookies, mixed dried fruits, tropical fruits, spice, cinnamon, sueded leather, minerals, oak, woody.
Palate: Chocolate wafers, buttery, honey, pear, orange zest, elderflower, coconut husk, biscuit, almond, allspice, cinnamon, clove, baking spices, spicy, pepper, white pepper, black pepper, tree bark, oak, soft.
Finish: Chocolate milk mix, lingering orange, eucalyptus, black pepper, peppery, dusty, leather, smoky, heavy wood note, oaky, big.

Silver Medal

Nearest Green Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)  84° prf

Nose: Caramel, taffy, vanilla, honey, papaya, ripe plums, bubble gum, floral, woody, cedar, oak, woodsy, feminine, clean.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, buttery, vanilla, light brown sugar, honey, dark fruit, berries, orange peel, orange, spice, light pepper, cedar, oak, woody, sweet, opens beautifully with water, nice mouthfeel, very smooth.
Finish: Caramel, spice, peppery, well balanced, soft, mellow, perfect.

Silver Medal

Black Ring Spirits Bourbon Whiskey
(WA)  Aged not less than 30 days.  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, brown butter, maple, burnt marshmallow, vanilla, caramel apple, green apple, citrus, peach, stone fruit, spice, toast, pine, oak, wood, smoke, campfire.
Palate: Toffee, toasted vanilla, buttery, honey, ripe pineapple, cashew brittle, cereal, elderflower, floral, tea leaves, black tea, allspice, nutmeg, clove, spicy, pepper, white pepper, oak, smoky, creamy, tastes craft.
Finish: Caramel, orange, floral, hint of mint, cinnamon, clove, spice, leather, smoky, oak, old wood, woody, buttery, soft.

Silver Medal