And Now for Something Completely Different

Hello dear thirsty chums!

Just a quickie today. I thought I’d just squeeze one more email in before departing for warm and sunny Portugal tomorrow.

And for a change I thought I’d write to you of something a bit different, as I take a break from normal duties, let this email do so likewise – no, today is not about wine, it’s about another libation close to my heart, today I bring you gorgeous amber nectar in the form of BOURBON!

I wouldn’t waste your time telling you about the basic side of Elijah Craig Bourbon – as it’s relatively ten-a-penny, but I did this week manage to snaffle some of the rarer breed from the Elijah range, the most sought-after Barrel Proof and the even harder to acquire 18yo. Those of you into the Bourbon world will know how hard it is these days to find age statement Bourbon of repute, let alone higher age statements like 18 years! Which is pretty old compared to Bourbon’s cousin across the pond, Scotch.

No, I decided to write to those of you interested in such things, because I would not lay before you anything other than vino or hooch that I personally have a snort of from time to time or quaff gayly with ALL the abandon. And in the case of these two Bourbons, I can safely say that when I can’t acquire them with ease in the UK, I do seek them out through friends of mine who bring me Bourbon back from the states. It is sad, that even working in the business of fine liquids, I still have to outsource in order to get my hands on good Bourbon, and that’s basically because all the sought after bottles and distilleries are just impossible to get or are priced through the roof. See exhibit A: Pappy van Winkle – we used to sell Pappy 15yo for £85 RRP, it now will set you back £1500+ and that is no exaggeration. Those of you who can find our antiquated socials from back in 2008/9 on the historical pages of the internet will see images of Pappy on our shelves with our trademark ink stickers saying: eighty-five knicker. Cor blimey guv. Thems was tha’ days.

Anyhow, in the wake of the behemoths and in the vacuum they leave, one hunts for the next best thing, and whilst I cannot hand on heart say the below are Pappy circa 2008, they are indeed excellent - and having tasted the juice in the current releases of these uber Bourbons, I think for the price, I’d be happy enough with Elijah Barrel proof for significantly less trauma to the wallet. However, if you do have a spare few grand kicking about and like the idea of overpaying, then ignore the below and above and get yourself some damn fine cowboy liquor and smash that Pappy button like a whiskey mad jack hammer or let me guide you in spending surplus dosh.

FYI. It should be said, I’m bringing you primo prices. If you take a peek online, you will see quite quickly the below are very competitive!

Elijah Craig 12yo Barrel Proof 62.8% £96.99

A regular award winner previously scoring 95pts at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Whiskey of the Year with the Whisky Advocate and a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This is a rich and hedonistic dram, not for the faint of heart. As darkly flavoured as it is in appearance, and whilst high in alcohol it still somehow packs a punch in terms of texture and density, something higher abv. Whiskies tend to lack – with higher abv comes higher evaporation and therefore this can lead to a thinner mouthfeel. But not here, this is thick and creamy with an aggressive edge that will have you doing your best Jack Nicholson impressions from Easy Rider, “Neeeeck-nic-nic-nic!” If you know, you know… A nose of leather, Brazil nut, almonds, morello cherry, caramelised orange peel and sweet tobacco, tons of burnt cinder toffee, maple syrup and charcoal from the barrel char. There’s even a bit oof mahogany and wood polish. On the palate, there is an interplay of syrupy texture and evaporation. But the overall feeling is one of weight and power. This is dense, silky but with a real picante prickle of raging spice. Immediately I get Rye loaf, caraway, thick dark caramel and molasses, there’s this wonderful perfume to the wood, akin to violet and an herbal grassiness, maple syrup returns with scorched pancakes and burnt taco ends. There’s huge sweetness but equally waves of umami savouriness. Orange oils and black cherry return with cinnamon, baking spices, clove and with a bit of dilution pollen emerge. A heady, floral, rich and sticky dram with layers of flavour and whilst you cannot deny the intensity of the 62% abv. This has so much body, it can happily take it. I’d recommend serving with a little jug of water for those not used to cask strength and above spirit. Or, if you have one, a large ice cube press/Mold. My favourite way is a large rock of ice that will not melt, but slowly dilute and cool as you drink. This would make the meanest, most outrageous Old Fashioned if you can bare to sacrifice the volume for cocktail making.

Elijah Craig 18yo 45% £210

NOTE: This is Currently selling for £220 with other online retailers and £215 in the shop – you lucky lot get to buy this at £210 as you are on this list – so if you tend to purchase in shop and I’m not there, do make sure to mention you are a private client and that you get to buy the 18yo at the special price of £210. That said, this is an epic dram. It is counter to its little but bigger brother above, a sophisticated, elegant, armchair sipper. A bond villain’s whiskey. One for maximum cogitation, glass swirling, chin scratching, cat stroking, and world domination plotting. If a cigar is needed, make it no more than medium bodied, maybe even opt for a Dominican Davidoff rather than going Cuban funky or earthy Nicaraguan. The alcohol here has been well chosen to create a dram you can most definitely appreciate neat. No requirement for ice here. Let the complexity unwind in a double-rocks glass or Glencairn, even a brandy balloon wouldn’t be a bad shout. This is highly aromatic with fine pollen reminiscent of propolis and floral honey. Perfumed woods like cedar, sandal and pine emerge with air. From the pine you segue into chocolate mints, after eights, with a lick of caramel and orange oils. On the palate, this enters silky and precise with lighter maple syrup, a burst of berry fruits, black and blue. This is immediately semi-sweet with smoke entering in the form of barrel char, ash, toasted dark nuts, walnut and hazelnut all lending a savoury and dry quality to the classical corn lead sweet notes of caramels and honeys and maple. With the age of the spirit, you can detect more fruit with the oak, perhaps cooked orchard fruits, pear in particular, marmalade and nectarine too. Muscovado, creamy chocolate, and the return of beeswax usher you into the finish, with a grassy, dusty hay like grip of tannin. And unsurprisingly this puppy has won all sorts of medals and point including Double Gold at the San Fran World Spirits Competition, 98pts Wine Enthusiast, 95pts Whisky Advocate, Top 100 Spirits World Spirits Challenge and Top 50 Spirits Wine Enthusiast etc. etc. You get the picture.

Anyhow, that’s it for me today. One last blast of drinky goodness. I am looking forward to 27C temperatures, tastings and great food over the next few days, not to mention, muchos education in Portuguese wine making and history. Should be a blast and I will tell all on the other side. In the meantime, I am resending last week’s mail out as a few of you didn’t seem to receive it – or were just being polite when asked about it. But, just in case you missed it, expect to see it again and know that I have not gone mad nor am I embarking on a spam campaign.

Adeus and Cheers!

Best

Jim