Maker Notes

BIRD CREEK WHISKEY

Our story began with a thirst for adventure. We needed to capture the thrill of being out in our incredible environment and cross it with the integrity of our carefully selected ingredients. We wanted to explore what the great Northwest could offer in terms of flavor since it had so much to offer in terms of fun.

Today, we have five barleys from across the upper left, that range from rare to heritage, that include a plethora of beautiful tasting notes. The landscapes where these barleys grow are second to none. Take a trip out to the rolling vistas in the Palouse hills to visit Baronesse or head down to the sprawling valley floors on the west side of the Wallowas to see the waving fields of Francin.

Wherever our whiskey tasting takes you, it's sure to be an adventure.

Pinhook 2023 Bourbon War 8 Year Old Whiskey is a testament to the artistry of bourbon crafting. Aged for eight years, this bourbon has reached its peak of maturity, offering a symphony of flavors and complexity.

On the nose, you'll discover a delightful bouquet of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, which promises a rewarding palate. Upon tasting, you'll be greeted with a rich, full-bodied bourbon characterized by notes of sweet corn, dark chocolate, and a touch of spice.

Pinhook's commitment to tradition and quality is evident in every sip of this carefully aged whiskey. Whether sipped neat or enjoyed in classic bourbon cocktails, the 2023 Bourbon War 8 Year Old is a true connoisseur's delight, inviting you to savor the rich heritage and craftsmanship of American bourbon.

Aged more than 3 years, the 2023 vintage of our Flagship Bourbon showcases a warm nose of butterscotch, dried apricot, and graham cracker. These transition to a palate of coffee, roasted peanuts, candied cinnamon, and crème brûlée.

As a part of Pinhook's flagship series, this whiskey represents a commitment to tradition and quality. Whether enjoyed neat or in classic bourbon cocktails, Resolve 2023 Whiskey offers a taste of American bourbon excellence, inviting you to savor its rich history and the skillful hands behind its creation.

TASTING NOTES

On the nose, intricate scents of toffee, subtle orange zest, herbal undertones, honeyed sweetness, leather, and oak emerge. The palate reveals robust, dry, oak-driven tastes accented by hints of candied almonds and intense cocoa richness. The finish is dry and enduring.

Smoke Wagon's 2023 Halloween Edition Bourbon Whiskey is a thrilling embodiment of both craftsmanship and fun. This limited-release spirit not only captivates the palate with its expertly crafted bourbon notes, but it also brings a playful twist to your Halloween celebrations. As the lights dim, this bottle takes on a supernatural glow, adding an extra layer of mystique to your gathering. With every sip, you'll experience the rich and robust flavors that Smoke Wagon is known for, creating a perfect balance between premium bourbon quality and festive Halloween spirit. Elevate your festivities with Smoke Wagon Glow In The Dark Bourbon, making this Halloween a truly enchanting experience.

Absente Absinthe Refined is a modern take on the classic spirit known for its storied history and allure. This contemporary rendition captures the essence of traditional absinthe with a refined touch. Crafted using botanicals including wormwood, anise, and fennel, it boasts a bold and herbal profile. The signature green hue and anise-forward aroma lead to a complex flavor marked by hints of licorice and a subtle bitterness. Best enjoyed traditionally, diluted with water poured over a sugar cube, this absinthe offers a unique and timeless experience, inviting enthusiasts to savor its intriguing taste and delve into the mystique of the green fairy.

Maker Notes

When we first discovered this barrel, we were immediately captivated by its balanced and dynamic flavor. The natural sweetness of the corn bourbon mash has pulled the best characteristics from the expertly charred new American oak. Rich and nutty toffee with smooth caramel has imbued this spirit with a robust maturity. The rye-heavy mashbill adds a magnificent contrast, exposing drinkers to a concert of flavors that seamlessly dance between sweet, savory, and spicy. The end result is an unquestionably bright spirit—something we more typically associate with a young barrel—but in an unmistakably mature presentation. The depth and complexity of this barrel truly needs to be tasted to be appreciated. 

We have one of these barrels to share with the world, and each bottle is poured from the one barrel, persevering all the uniqueness present in the cask. Bottles will be available for a limited time only. 

CATEGORY: SMALL BATCH BOURBON
PROOF: 90
MASH BILL: 70% CORN, 20% WHEAT, 10% BARLEY
BARREL CHAR: AMERICAN WHITE OAK
APPEARANCE: BRIGHT AMBER HUES WITH STREAKS OF GOLDEN HIGHLIGHTS
AROMA: SOFT CARAMEL AND SMOKE; BAKED APPLE; VANILLA BEAN; WHITE PEPPER; LIGHT GINGER; HONEY; CORN; SOME MILK CHOCOLATE
FLAVOR: GOLDEN BROWN SUGAR; GINGER; CARDAMOM; HONEY; LIGHT CLOVE; CINNAMON; PECAN; APPLE; BLACK PEPPER
PREDOMINANT: BROWN SUGAR; GINGER; CINNAMON
FINISH: SURROUNDS THE PALATE WITH WOOD SUGAR AND LINGERS WITH CINAMON AND GINGER

Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel isn’t just one of the world’s finest bourbons—it’s a standout among the best whiskeys globally. Crafted for discerning connoisseurs who appreciate cask strength spirits, this remarkable whiskey offers a complex, deep flavor profile found only in the rarest of bottles. From the first whiff, notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and butter are complemented by earthy undertones of walnut and hazelnut. The palate is bold, with warm vanilla, oak, toasted nuts, and a rich spice layered with hints of butterscotch and honey. Its high alcohol content is powerful yet enticing, leading to a finish that’s both deep and unforgettable. For the best experience, enjoy it neat or with a splash of water. Unfiltered, uncut, and simply incredible—discover this extraordinary bourbon at Royal Batch.

Tasting Notes

VANILLA DOESN’T MEAN BORING.

Take a sip and take a moment to enjoy as this smooth, welcoming bourbon reveals more complex vanilla, chocolate, and fruit notes, along with walnut and honey, all carried on a soft but rich texture. There’s even a little bite, for those who need to sip something with teeth.

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Vibrant and dark amber

NOSE: Sweet with a complex array of fruity-florals and ripe apple

PALATE: Vanilla, honey, subtle hints of walnut, and a rich texture

MASH BILL: 70% Corn | 16 % Wheat | 14% Malted Barley

George T. Stagg built the most dominant American distillery of the 19th century, during a time known as the Gilded Age of Bourbon. Uncut and unfiltered, this robust bourbon whiskey ages for nearly a decade and boasts the bold character that is reminiscent of the man himself.

TASTING NOTES

Rich, sweet, chocolate and brown sugar flavors mingle in perfect balance with the bold rye spiciness. The boundless finish lingers with hints of cherries, cloves and smokiness.

Recent Awards

2021 Best in Class ASCOT Awards

2021 Taste Master American Whiskey Masters

2021 Bronze North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition

2021 Silver International Wine & Spirits Competition

1792 Small Batch Bourbon is sophisticated and complex. A distinctly different bourbon created with precise craftsmanship. Made from our signature "high rye" recipe and the marriage of select barrels carefully chosen by our Master Distiller. 1792 Bourbon has an expressive and elegant flavor profile. Unmistakable spice mingles with sweet caramel and vanilla to create a bourbon that is incomparably brash and bold, yet smooth and balanced. Elevating whiskey to exceptional new heights, 1792 Bourbon is celebrated by connoisseurs worldwide.

Meticulously distilled in Texas, this rare bourbon is defined by its high-rye mash bill, creating a robust flavor profile. Aged in charred oak barrels, it unveils a complex interplay of spicy notes and subtle sweetness. This limited edition release promises a distinct and elevated whisky journey for connoisseurs seeking unparalleled craftsmanship.

Each spring and fall, a new edition to the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series is released. Inspired by an original 1950's Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the packaging and series honor both the history of the Old Fitzgerald brand and the historic Bottled-in-Bond designation. The Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree, as the brand was first registered in 1884 and was eventually sold to "Pappy" Van Winkle during Prohibition. In 1999, Heaven Hill bought the brand and began distilling it at Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, KY. Today, in addition to our Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series, the legacy of Old Fitzgerald lives on in our other wheated Bourbons expressions: Larceny Small Batch and Larceny Barrel Proof.

Tasting Notes

Color: Bright burnished copper

Nose: Brown sugar and molasses; light baking spices with orange peel

Palate: Very soft and gentle on the palate; notes of butterscotch and subtle oak with baking spices, particularly cloves

Finish: Long and warm with some tannins and a peppery tingle; finally, a hint of barrel char at the very end

Cherries and chocolate on the nose and tongue with a spectacularly creamy mouthfeel and an endless finish of cacao, leather, and applewood. Enjoyed neat, or with a drop of water, this special blend will transform werewolves and humans alike.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE & PALATE: Cherry, Chocolate, Cream

FINISH: Cacao, Leather, Applewood

THE END of one path forms the beginning of another. This is not just our philosophy but our story. Trail’s End is a true-born Kentucky Bourbon aged in charred new American Oak barrels. It then travels west to Hood River, Oregon where it undergoes a unique finishing process and is proofed with glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood. What emerges is an instant classic.

A select few barrels of 10-year Kentucky Bourbon follow the spiritual path of the Oregon Trail. Here we finish our bourbon in toasted Oregon Garry Oak casks to heighten the notes of vanilla and spice. Glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood completes the vision of our master distiller: A rare bourbon with hallmarks of age and heritage that flourishes with a provenance of its own. 

TASTE: Initial introduction of caramel, vanilla, cherry, and roasted corn with a foundation of warm, earthy notes of summer pine and high desert moss. Bitter orange and delicate hints of lilac are hidden beneath the vanilla and oak.

AROMAS: Considerably less opening bite with the introduction of Garryana Oak. Focused aromas of vanilla, caramel, and cherry, with warm summer pine at the end.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Platinum - Sip Magazine’s Best of the Northwest Spirits Competition  (2022)

Gold, 95 Points - New York International Spirits Competition (2022)

92 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended - Ultimate Spirits Challenge (2022)

Gold - SIP Awards (2022)

Gold - San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2022)

Easy Rider is a classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged 4 years in American White Oak barrels. It is bottled at 80 proof with glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood for an easy-drinking, smooth and flavorful finish. 

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Platinum - SIP Magazine’s Best of the Northwest

Platinum - SIP Awards (2022)

Named after Baker Beam, it made its debut in the Beam's Small Batch Collection in 1992. The transition to a single barrel bourbon occurred in 2019, with the introduction of the limited 13-year edition in both 2019 and 2023. Baker's Single Barrel 13 Years Minimum Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, boasting 107 proof, presents the expected rich bourbon characteristics. Despite its 13-year aging, the prevalent oak influence, starting sweet and transitioning to a drier note in the finish, does not overpower. Far from being labeled as "over-oaked," the bourbon achieves balance with ample brown sugar, burnt caramel, and subtle fruity undertones, resulting in a nuanced and enjoyable selection.

This limited-edition release celebrates the time, effort, and commitment to our never-ending pursuit of craft. Aged twice as long as our flagship bourbon, Knob Creek 18-Year-Old owes its rich copper color and deep notes of caramelized oak to its extensive aging in our Kentucky rack houses.

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Rich copper tones with auburn hues.

TASTE: Full-bodied with notes of caramelized oak and hints of sweet vanilla and baking spices.

AROMA: Brown sugar and aged oak, with notes of char and caramel.