Killing the Dram(a)
Now that all of my posts about our trip to Colorado are finished up, I thought I might cover some other topics before I dive back into the travel posts. It seems like everywhere you go these days there is drama to be found. Even here on Hive we have our own little pockets of drama. I'm not going to call out names, but the folks involved know who they are!
Honestly, we all have our own drama, so it could be any one of us at any given time. Don't tell my wife, but I have been known to be a little dramatic at times myself.
My solution... Let's kick that "A" to the curb and have a nice dram instead. Now, don't misunderstand, I'm not saying you should drink away your problems. That would be silly and unhealthy. Instead, what I'm saying is that sometimes you need to realize there are more important things in life and for me one of those things is a nice glass of whisky.
I already talked about this bottle of Deer Hammer that I picked up in Colorado when we were out there, so you can catch up with that in this post
I also picked up this bottle of bourbon when I was out in Denver. It's from a Colorado distillery in Greeley called 477 Distilling. I didn't realize it at the time, but we visited Greeley as you can read in this post.
I selected this bourbon because as you can see in the first photo it was awarded a gold medal. The fact that 477 was established in just 2016 and they are already producing a single barrel offering is pretty impressive. In fact, seven years is usually about the minimum you see for single barrel offerings in my experience.
Typically distilleries source their whiskey from other places and blend it with their own to get the flavor profile they desire if they haven't been around long enough to let their own whiskey or bourbon sit.
As I said, seven years is about the minimum and then it just goes up from there.
Folks over in Scotland and Ireland probably don't realize just how good they have it with their offerings that are sometimes aged just shy of 100 years. I'm looking at you Macallan 1940 (The Reach). I'd need a cool $125,000 for bottle of that though.
If you can read that label in the picture above, 477 got their name from the passage of the dissolution of the city wide temperance. The measure passed by just 477 votes, opening the door for this namesake 47 years later.
Finally, this is the one I am most proud of. I read an article online that indicated this Scotch was available at Costco Warehouses across the country for a fraction of the price. They suggested you could get a bottle of the Quinta Ruban for $35 USD.
Alas, upon visiting my local Costco, I found that the price was still in the $70 range. They had it though, and I was there, so after a brief pep talk from my wife, I ponied up the $70 and bought a bottle.
I'll be the first to admit that I haven't drank a lot of Scotches in my life, but this might be one of the best I have ever had. Also, at a 14 year age statement, it might be one of the oldest I have ever drank too.
I think one of the things I like the best about this is the fact that at 46% alcohol by volume, it is actually a pretty mellow drink compared to many of the high proof bourbons that are all the rage these days. The fact that they age it in bourbon casks is also probably part of the reason I enjoyed this so much.
If you get a chance to try this, I highly recommend it. Especially those of you across the pond from me who can probably get it readily and for a fraction of the price I paid. Not to be too dramatic, but I actually envy you if it is highly accessible to you.
Sadly, I didn't get a photo of what the pour looks like, but honestly, it looks really similar to most Scotches you have probably seen. Lighter than the dark amber that you come to expect from American bourbons, it still retains a bit of color from the bourbon and port casks. I have to admit, that port finish is really starting to grow on me.
Oddly enough, although that $70 price point might seem high, that price point is considered the higher end of mid-range by American standards. I typically pay $50 to $60 for a decent bottle of whiskey, with a few favorites coming in below the $40 mark.
It's safe to say I am going to savor this one for as long as possible. It might be a full year before I finally finish this bottle.
With the drama of the US election right around the corner, there is a good chance I will be killing a dram or two quite frequently between now and then!
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We tried some of this Bourbon on the weekend.
It was very good
https://amzn.to/4cI11oJ
Maker's is one of my favorites. Their facility down in Kentucky is absolutely beautiful. If you can get some of the special edition 101 proof it is quite good as well. I have a bottle of their French Toast blend that I purchased when we visited the farm. I'm savoring it as long as I can!
To the Dram! 🍾
Cheers!
To the Dram!
I haven't drank a lot of whisky in my life, so I know very little about it, beyond the fact that it can get very expensive and that bourbon is super popular in Japan right now.
I couldn't agree more that you might need more than a little of it as we get closer to the election. Even over here I already feel like having a drink every time I start to hear about the election.
We are just ramping up over here! Bourbon is probably one of my favorites still. There is just something about it that is absolutely delicious. Though I have heard some really good things about the Japanese whiskys.
Cheers 🍻🍻
Indeed!
I realize the high proof bourbons are all the rage, but I actually don't care for them. To me they are just a bit harsh. $70 isn't too bad for a 14 year scotch. Wish we had a Costco around us! Only Sam's club here.
We have Sam's club the next town over and while we keep our membership there, they don't have nearly the selection that Costco does. Heck, I saw one time at Costco you could buy a whole barrel of Buffalo Trace for $10,000.
Man that looks SEXY!
Love me a good whiskey. You ever tried Suntory's Hibiki?
I haven't tried any of the offerings from East Asia. I want to, but they just haven't made it into my shopping cart yet. I have heard a lot of good things about them.
I really want to try the Deer Hammer now, I'll have to find a store that carries it. I love single barrel bottles.
Now the Glenmorgangie is a great choice. That is really good stuff! Another I like in that price point in Oban 14, a little smokier buy really good. I've had Macallan 25 and it is amazing, the 1940 would have to be out of this world flavor wise!
No kidding? Macallan 25 sounds amazing. They carry the 12 at most stores here, but at $80 for a bottle I haven't bought it. I did buy a glass at a whiskey room in Vermont though. The deer hammer drinks more like a Scotch to me. If you have ever had Minor Case it is kind of like that.
Back in 2008 I used to be able to buy a Macallan 12 at Sam's Club for $45, how times have changed.... The 25 will run you $2500 minimum, I tired it a bar, a guy I knew loved the stuff and bought me a round. I'm sure it was around $200 a shot!
I'm going to look out for Deer Hammer, Total Wine sometimes carries items from smaller producers,
Wow, that in insane! I can't even imagine how good it was. I hope you are able to find it and you end up enjoying it!
It's amazing stuff, the smoothest and most flavorful whisky I've ever tasted. It's hard to explain in words just how good it was!
I can only imagine!
Enjoy your Dram or TWO!
What?? Hey I'll lend you the 125K if you think that that McCallan is worth it. 🤣
If the 12 year is any indication, the 125K is totally worth it! I'm actually about three in tonight so far. I started off with some sub par, but high proof stuff from a local place, then I switched to a bottle of Maker's Mark 101 proof that I picked up down in Ohio and now I am finishing it off with a pour of the Deer Hammer I got out in Colorado!