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Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve Whisky
A Word from John on his Double Barrel.
A few years ago, I had an opportunity to purchase some outstanding “First Run” bourbon barrels from Kentucky. Bourbon Whisky makers in the USA are regulated to always use a new American White Oak barrel. A “First Run” bourbon barrel is a barrel that has been only used once for aging bourbon.
These barrels are excellent for aging whiskies because they are “seasoned”. This means most of the fresh harsh oak tannins have been removed by the bourbon and what remains is all the good stuff, such as the softer oak tannins, wood vanillas, sugars and the toasty, smokey, spicy aromas as well as the caramelized aromas and flavours from the heavy charring of the barrel.
Double Barrel. For a Reason.
I decided to Double Barrel my aged Forty Creek Whisky stocks.
Instead of blending the rye, the barley & the corn whiskies,
rounding in sherry casks, and finally bottling, as we do Forty
Creek Barrel Select, I blended the three aged whiskies and then re-barreled them in “First Run” bourbon barrels.
Since my whiskies had already been aged, I didn’t want to
distract from the taste I had already achieved. My intent was to
complement the existing taste and therefore I needed barrels
without fresh harsh oak tannins. The characteristics of the
“First Run” bourbon barrels were just what I was looking for.
These barrels would enhance the existing tastes of Forty Creek
and take the whisky to another level. The added bonus would
be allowing all three whiskies time to mellow, and get to know
each other in the same barrel.
Tasting Notes
Forty Creek Double Barrel has a wonderful golden roasted
aroma filled with deep vanilla notes and highlighted with toasted
spice, pecan and walnuts. There is a caramelized creaminess
to the flavour with a rich spice that lifts it off the tongue. The
finish is extra smooth, mellow and extra long.
Each bottle is individually
numbered.
I hope you enjoy this Double Barrel Whisky as much
as I do.
Thank you for your support.
John Hall, Whisky Maker |
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