BEST Whiskey of 2023
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
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Hey, Kurt! I'm Elan. (The Guy from Trevor's) I'm the Spirits Specialist / Director of Sales and Education for Trevor's. Every time we've met, I was always like... He looks familar. Now, I know why!
First: Thank you so much for your kind words about Trevor's and myself. I've been in the industry for 10 years and I still feel like I know very little somedays. I'm humbled and thankful.
Second: I'm so glad you loved the Hazelburn. It's an honor to have that whisky in your selections for the year.
Third: Next time you're down, let me know! I'll show you some crazy stuff.
When doing these types of shows, could you add the list of bottles to the episode description? I'm sure it would help more than just myself keep track of the bottles you're reviewing. Great show as always guys!
Love the show and how you get along. I second the list in the description!
I suggested that before.
I think it might hender how many people watch the video in its entirety. Saying that I still think it would be great and as a fan I'm still watching . Cheers !
@@mechanicalhippo493 Yeah. I'm sure that's a factor.
Looking forward to getting my hands on that purple label bottle
We are from South Louisiana and bought a JT Meleck store pick last week. We met the owner and his daughter Mia! He signed our bottle too! Great choice!!
Mia is awesome!!
Oregon viewer here. I was super excited to see some Oregon whiskey’s on this channel! I went down to my local store today to pick up a bottle of the Westward and ran into someone buying the exact same bottle because he also saw it on this channel. Small world!
Boo-dan. I've lived here in Southeast Texas/Southwest Louisiana for 36 years. Some companies spell it boudin (correctly) and some spell it boudain, but it's always been pronounced boo-dan. I probably eat it once a week, whether it's boudin balls, boudin egg rolls, boudin loaded fries, straight boudin, etc. It's fantastic as long as you stay away from the prepacked stuff.
By pre packaged, do you mean store bought/sausage? That is the only way I've had it
@@clydekimsey7503 Yeah, store bought. There are a few "decent" brands out there like DJs, but you'll find the majority of them are more seasoned rice than anything. A good boudin from a specialty place packs more meat and flavor in their boudin than what you find on the shelves. If you're ever in Scott, Louisiana, stop at Don's Specialty Meats and try their boudin, you'll instantly taste the difference.
I live in North Texas and have luckily found a few places up here that do ok on their boudin. Anytime I am down that way or in Louisiana I am sure to pickup a stoke pile of boudin for the house though. I don't know if you have tried Herbert's Boudin and Cracklins in Kinder, LA but it might be my favorite.
We’re in love with the incredible value and beautiful flavors of those well-aged Bull Run whiskeys. We’ll certainly have some on our list as well. Come to Oregon! We’ll pick something together.
That Hazelburn is exquisite - probably one of the best bottles I've bought in the last 3 years or so & I don't even care for sherried stuff normally. And Westward just can't miss right now.
I stumbled across your #1 when flying out of Portland on a work trip. Picked up a bottle of this at a kiosk by my gate. I also highly recommend this. It’s absolutely fantastic! 👍🏻👍🏻
Trevor's Liquor really is a blessing to the Valley. Most knowledgable staff I've ever ran into regardless of which location you shop at.
Agreed! I pop in to Trevor’s north at least once a week. Great selection, super helpful staff and their barrel picks are top notch!
Never knew “skunk” was a tasting note… until today!! 😅 Thx for all the great content in 2023
When you did the blind taste episode with the Westward in 1st, I literally purchased the JT Meleck and the Westward. Both are great but that westward is PHENOMENAL!! It’s my reward pour after a week of work. Thank you both
I bought some also after watching that video. Then I bought two more after cracking open the first one. Kurt and I have very similar pallets (looking at you Trenton) when it comes to whiskey.
@@WatchMeTinker I found they have one finished in stout barrels. But the 1 I found is a single barrel 125 proof. I will likely be getting it tomorrow. It runs $154. I hope Kurt and Trent find one. I’m curious to hear the review it.
I think you put the bottles in the descriptions moving forward. Would be very helpful when we’re looking for these bottles! You guys rock!
I have been collecting store picks of JT Meleck for over a year now - absolutely one of my favorites here in Louisiana. Great gift to give coworkers who work out of state.
I’m down to trade something from Colorado since I can never make it to Louisiana :-/
I don’t know anything about whiskey, but I’m learning with u guys and the comments salud 🍻
Wow we just picked up a bottle of the JT Meleck and it's delicious! Definitely get the strawberry note 😋🍓
What I love about Kurt and his channel is that you won’t just see the big names; distillers big and small are given their just due. Keep up the great work and thank you (Kurt) for doing your part to make this hobby fun and keep your show real without sponsorships and the associated “noise” that tend to disrupt the joy.
Definitely want to try the Westward. Also want to try McCarthys out of Oregon. They say it competes with Islay but I’d have to try it myself. Nice list.
So glad you liked a couple of Oregon Whiskeys. If you make it out to Oregon, be sure to check out McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt, aged 6 years. You'll be a fan. The tasting room is in Hood River.
Good Morning Guys!! Have a great Day! Merry Christmas!!
I love that you guys recognized the Westward Cask Strength. Phenomenal pour! Also love their Pinot Noir finished.
The secret is out The Westward Cask is amazing. Loads of apricot is spot on.
Maybe some day I will try other whiskey's. But being relatively new to bourbon there is just so much left to try before branching off.
When you come out to Oregon to do a Bullrun pick a meet up would be great. I live in SoCal but would definitely come up to say hey. Cheers!
That Westward Cask Strength is delicious!!! It is seemingly always available in most of the ABC stores I frequent here in Virginia. Always on my shelf!
JT Meleck is great! Tastes nothing like what you'd think a rice whiskey would taste like. Fortunate enough that one of my local stores did a barrel pick of it as well. That one is fantastic. And as mentioned, the vodka is my new go to.
It’s “BOO-dann”
Mocha is a chocolate flavored espresso drink, usually with milk.
J.T. Meleck is legit. Such a smooth, flavorful, pour. Tastes nothing like what you would expect from rice distillate. Great whiskey!
The fact that Dark Arts made the top 3 sparks so much joy knowing you guys enjoyed this bottle because I absolutely loved tasting this at the distillery. A little less joy that Trent found it for so much less. But I'm definitely going to have to get myself a bottle now.
100% agree on the westward. I’m born and raised Oregon so maybe I’m biased but it’s so delicious.
Man Kurt thank for making the Westward SM CS your #1. The only other American SM I’ve tried has been the Highwest American prairie and that about killed single malts for me. This Westward CS taste like a whiskey version of yoohoo chocolate drink. Plus I got it for a steal $86 after my stores local discount. They have a few more and I just might snag them all.
I pity Trenton a bit for not being a Scotch fan. It's like being able to see only half of the universe.
The important half!
the better half haha@@elduderino3120
I just picked up a Bull Run 16 year store pick. I am now super excited to crack it open!
I discovered Westward a long time ago. I also have a bottle of the cask strength, and I have to agree that it is excellent. I have a bottle of J.T. Meleck as well, but it is a single barrel cask strength version. It is also a great bottle.
The Westward Stout is incredible
Maybe it's just me I'm seeing a ton of comments of the dark arts bottle I would have a really hard time paying 2-300 for a 92 proof whiskey when you could get an old Carter for that amt I mean that's alot of money for a watered down pour but I have not tried it so that's just my thoughts glad you guys enjoyed it that much though!!!
I spent the summer doing a blind bracket of my entire whiskey collection and the Westward Single Malt CS won the while thing! It will always have a place on my bar
Yay! Just got the Hazelburn 12 yesterday. Those American whiskies tho’. I doubt a single bottle of any of those have ever made it onto these South African shores. Probably easier to get Blanton’s standard or even Gold out here than any of those unfortunately. Great videos.
Just wanted to pop in to send love from the Westward Distillery! I run their education and this video is doing the rounds on our work channel 🧡🥃
So cool!! Love your whiskey! Hopefully we will have a chance to visit next year.
Love these vids! Happy New Years from Minnesota 🥃
Thanks so much for highlighting this growing category guys. Please do more blinds, tastings etc highlighting American Whiskey especially single malts, which to me is where the value in the American spirits category right now.
I give Harry a lot of credit. My latest visit to Bee’s I found his scotch section has expanded quite a bit. Love to see it.
Hi kurt, hi trent! Cheers from Hawaii! My wife n I have been watching your channel for a few months, n became supporting subscribers a few weeks ago. Absolutely love the show, and the chemistry you and trenton bring to it! I was wondering, if you guys would do a blantons lineup? Hope to hear from ya! Take care!
Hey there! This is Kurt’s wife, Rebecca. The boys actually did a Blantons lineup on a livestream in July of 2022 I believe. Check it out!!
@rebeccatyler5596 thank you for replying and hello Rebecca! I had a feeling the boys did one, so I shall scour the channel for it! Thank you very much, and Merry Christmas to you all!
Doug from VA is my favorite fellow patreon patron! He's the man.
I just got a bottle of Westward Pinot while visiting in California. Unfortunately, they didn't have the cask strength. Can't wait to try it. I tried the regular Westward in the Flaviar Advent calendar
Thanks guys, another great video. Was great seeing Trent's reaction to Kurt's Scotch pick. Happy holiday's gentleman.
There are so many incredible and interesting distilleries in Oregon
I do enjoy Westward. My company has an office in Eugene OR and always look for it. Glad to know the CS is worth the $$
Can’t wait till you make it out to Oregon! Would love to meet up and try some things out.
Kurt, you need to join SMWS if you want more scotch options. Great access to loads of single casks from tons of distilleries as cask strength.
Bullrun finished in Pinot Noir barrels is one of my favorite bourbons. They do a great job.
Mocha is chocolate, love your show, Merry Christmas to all of you
I tried pours of that Westward CS a few times and the bottle my friend has tastes like dirty old mop water. I would LOVE to try your bottle.
My mother's side is from Louisiana. You had it right the first time. It's pronounced "BOO-Dan". 🤣
Great video - I know you’ve mentioned being in Indiana. Have you been to the Journeyman distillery in Valpo? Would love to see a review of anything from them, especially the silver cross four grain.
I LOVE Islay Scotch and good single malts overall but wow peated scotch is delicious. I do love the Hazelburn! Delicious and well worth the cost! Oh I love the Westward! Well worth it for sure! Well priced! Great choice for Best Whisky of 2023!! Happy New Year to you all - the whole family!! I hope it's full of good health, love and happiness!! Oh and fun!! Cheers!! 🙂
I have a Bull Run 16yr store pick w/ the last 12 months finished in Pinot Noir. It's fire! it was only like $70
Westward has been sitting on my stores clearance shelf around $50 for a while. Single barrel cask strength, pinot noir, stout and original. Might have to pick up that single barrel cask strength based on this.
Great video on your top Five Kurt! Please try to find some products from Virginia Distillery to evaluate. Especially the Courage & Conviction line: Double Cask and Cuvee Cask strength varieties. As far as single malts go, I haven't had a bad one from these guys. Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Westward make some great product. I was in Portland a couple years ago and accidentally stumbled upon the distillery when heading to Olympia Provisions. I tried a bunch of their offerings and took home a bottle of the stout cask finish
That stout cask finish is great! Had it at the distillery and regret not taking a bottle home.
Great channel, love that you actually rank what you bought vs free bottles. Merry Christmas 🎄
I live near Portland and Westward’s whiskey club is great!!! You can get an exclusive bottle each quarter. One of the exclusive bottles used a yeast that was from a Belgian Trappist Ale and it’s amazing
Was it Westvleteren? It's like a legendary beer that is a ton of peoples #1 beer in the world; basically unobtainable outside a few miles from where it's brewed. I've heard that some guys pay hundreds for a (like 8oz) bottle in the secondary market. Supposedly the yeast is the secret.
Really love your channel! I would love for both to come out to western PA. you need to try Liberty Pole Spirits. The have been doing some great things. Their rye and peated ryes are amazing!
JT Melek I believe is farm to bottle also.
Yep
I’m in total agreement with your #1 pick, so good.
I think you guys should do a blind on a bunch of different oregon whiskeys... Say westward bull run black maple hills and perhaps a few others... Would be cool if you did it when you make a visit to my home state... I really enjoy the westward cask strength as well as the black maple hills... Haven't tried the bull run yet
Yes, The Bourbon Van did a 15-year-old Bull Run pick and it’s tasty.
I opened your Meleck pick last night. So glad I snagged it.
On your recommendation I got the Westward cask strength. Great bottle.
Also, you guys have to come to the Multnomah Whiskey Library when you come to Portland!
Great show you guys! It is nice to see, as someone else mentioned, that you will select a pour based on taste, nose and value, but not just on a big name. For me, my top whisky this year is Glenglassaugh Torfa Single Malt Scotch. Great bottle for around $50. Too bad it is discontinued, really too bad. Thanks and happy holidays.
My friends and I just tried Westward. A very complex nose, maybe the most complex I have tried so far, the palette delivered less than the nose promised. It was my favorite of the night out of 5 others but not my favorite overall, I am mixed if I would buy another bottle.
Just grabbed this Westward today and wow, fantastic bottle. And I have to agree with Trent on this one, definitely see where the skunky note is coming from but interestingly delicious!
the face palm immediately after "the maryjane" lmfaoooooooo
If only I could find a whiskey with notes of band-aid, pencil shavings, skunk, and feet funk all in one bottle. 😶
Don't know where the Bull Run corn is sourced but I know Oregon and Washington can grow corn so sweet you can pick it and eat it where you stand. No cooking necessary.
If you ever make it to portland to do a pick for bull run, id love to meet you at westward and could share some samples of their club bottles that I have.
Since you liked the 2 bottles from Portland, I'm wondering if you have tried the McCarthy's peated whisky from Hood River, Oregon. They have several varieties available now; standard of 3-5 yrs, a Cask strength of the the standard, Three 6yr age statements; Standard, PX Sherrry, and Oloroso Sherry. My friends and I are impatiently waiting for a 10yr age statement. BTW, the Westward cask strength is still my favorite of their releases. Thanks for sharing your insights.
I can’t wait for the day to come when Trenton likes scotch.
Most bourbons taste the same. Corn is sweet. We get it.
Glenallachie 10 cask strength is a whisky I feel strongly about. I think it’s a great whisky. Also, manzanilla finished cask strength Bunnahabhain.
Cheers guys. 🤘🏼
I like both scotch and bourbon, but i do find it interesting when people make this type of comment. to me bourbon has a much wider range of flavors than scotch. Scotch either tastes like peat or whatever it was finished in to me... must be a pallet thing. i also have a huge sweet tooth, so maybe thats part of it. who knows...
@@enricojaun2880 it’s also possible that I’ve tried about 100 scotches and maybe 30 bourbons.
Maybe this will shed some light on my palate: I thought Woodford double oaked was horrible and OF 1910 was the most underwhelming experience ever.
Wild turkey rare breed tastes of heavy cinnamon which I love. Another one I love is knob creek 9year 120. OF 1920 is pretty good too.
@@dasonmusic interesting! i have probably had 100 bourbons and only 30 scotches. I completely agree on woodford and 1910. they both have a banana note that I cannot stand. so do jack products and some 1792. Rare breed is great, thought i highly recommend that everyone try Elijah Craig barrel proof. if i could only have one spirit it would be ECBP. on the scotch side, I like just about everything, but i am looking for something smokier than johnny walker black and a bit less that ardbeg. any suggestions? I have been eyeing talisker 10yr as a possible next pick up. Cheers!
If you liked Hazelburn Sherry try pick up Campbeltown Lock. It is a blend of Springbank, Hazelburn, Longrow, Kilkerran and Glen Scotia. It should be under $99
Have it. Love it.
If you haven’t had the Westland Garryana, that pour is excellent. Especially this year’s (edition 8), which is a Sherry bomb
I watch ALL your videos! And I don’t know if y’all have had this one in any of your blinds if so, I’m sorry I missed it. But bullet bourbon barrel strength is absolutely amazing! Try it for the first time today. Would like to know y’all’s thoughts.
Nice review as usual, but I generally don't drink or enjoy non-bourbon American whiskies, but in fairness, I'm only familiar with the Breckenridge brand of the reviewed selection. Keep up the great work!
Kurt is a real Bourbon man who doesn't really decide what he drinks by a brand or its name value. Interesting! Love all your video!
The Breckenridge Dark Arts sounds just like Glenmorangie Signet. Once a year Glenmorangie roasts chocolate malted barley to the darkest possible point. The result is a lovely coffee rich and full Scotch. I love that one and will be keeping an eye out for the Breckenridge.
Yes! Perfect comparison!
Wow. Bull Run American Whiskey is amazing. I live in Portland and never had the opportunity to try it out. After the video I gave them a try. They are awesome. I will have to give Westward cask strength a try next. I have tried their whiskey before and it wasn’t to preference, but I’ll give cask strength a try after your recommendation. When you guys are out in Oregon, give me a holler.
I got a Bull Run 15 Year Whiskey that was a Bourbon Van pick…it is so good. 🥃
Wow! Wasn’t expecting any of these. Haven’t really heard much about these whiskeys. Thanks for the info.
I too like the smell of skunk. And don’t like peat at all. Tastes like Bandaids.
Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and humor!
Springbank , who makes hazleburn is absolutly my favoritw distillery !!! Love to see it mentioned unfortunatly in my area is hwars to get and has got to expensive for my wallet 😢
Great... now I taste the SKUNK IN A GOOD WAY on the Westward. Still a great pour!
Great video again guys.Have you ever done a video with Trenton drinkng Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength ? Thats the one I'm really looking forward to viewing!....Cheers!
We're so limited out here in the Intermountain West... We've got a Westward Stout Cask in the Boise area, Breckenridge there's some 86 proof blended Bourbon. The rest, fuggedaboutit. I think you're right.. it's probably worth a trip to Oregon, if the liquor board crooks leave anything for the rest of us there (Google Oregon whiskey scandal).
Sounds like you're describing Elan at Trevor's. If he wears glasses and has a long beard, then that's him. Next time you're in Phoenix, consider sampling the 15 year Bull Run barrel pick at Pitch. It's awesome.
Westward makes great stuff. Their stout cask single malt is amazing as well
Cedar Ridge has had some bangers this year as well. Two single malts that were released this year was the Pete and Sherri anniversary and the Portside. Both fantastic if you get a chance to try either would recommend it
Breckenridge is right down the road from me. I'll check it out!
Love Westward Whiskey, I work two miles from the distiller. I am a member, and you should try the Westward Whiskey Cognac Cask 2023. Merry Christmas.
So Westward made a two malts chocolate rye. It was a limited release that might have been distillery only. Got to try one at tasting absolutely amazing. Almost like a large Mocha coffee with oat milk and whipped cream. Very similar to that note I think Trent was describing.
Come to Oregon and let me tag along on your adventures, my dudes! So excited to see some local distilleries make the list! BRB headed out to try that Bull Run.
I really expected the ECBP C923 to make an appearance on this video. Not complaining, just surprised. Love the diversity in this list. Happy New Year!
Bourbon lists next week!
I have a Westward vintage muscat cask and its damn delicious!! Enjoy this one
I haven't been able to find the Westward cask strength, but I found the regular one and it is also very good. Then, to my amazement, my local ABC store (!) had 4 single barrel cask strengths from 4 different bottles. I bought one and it is fantastic. I am so tempted to go back and get the other 3.
Lol... alot of times it's the Mary Jane. Trent I'm with you. Sometimes i get the skunk and the "Mary Jane" confused too.
Picked up a bottle of Westward. You have to be a fan of scotch bc this has a def scotch whiskey edge. I'm not a fan of scotch, so Westward was tougher pour for me😂