TOP 10 American Whiskies

Unblended American Whiskey
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 41.7% / 83.4 Proof

Michter's US*1 Small Batch Unblended American Whiskey is a fascinating and unusual whiskey by American standards. This is an old batch of Michter's American Whiskey, bottled in 2021 at 83.4 US Proof, equivalent to 41.7%.

Michter's Unblended American Whiskey is particularly interesting and unusual thanks to the use of refill casks, which are forbidden in the production of normal bourbon or rye whiskeys. The Unblended designation here refers to the fact that Michter's US*1 Unblended American Whiskey contains only aged whiskey and has not been cut with unaged neutral grain spirits, as is common with many lower shelf American whiskeys.

Please note batch numbers may vary.

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Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 56.4% / 112.8 Proof

Anther fantastic whiskey from the famous Willett Distillery in Kentucky.

This small-batch straight rye whiskey was distilled at the Willett Distillery in Kentucky before being aged for 4 years in hand-picked virgin charred white oak barrels before being bottled at a cask strength of 56.4% 

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Tasting Notes

We need more Rye to drink, so this is a great addition to the market.

Nose: A quick nosing reveals that Rye nose of grassy, herbal goodness with a sweetness that follows it.
Palate: The palate is well balanced with a herbal mintiness, intertwined with a sweetness that dances on your tongue until it exits with a spiciness.

This is a great utility whiskey to drink neat, make an Old Fashioned, or hold up to a rock.

Tasting notes courtesy of:
Bill Thomas,
Jack Rose Dining Saloon

Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Sazerac 70cl / 45%

Sazerac Rye is a top quality straight rye whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery, aged 4-6 years and easily identified by its beautiful retro long-necked fluted bottle. 

The Sazerac name comes from Buffalo Trace owners Sazerac Company's 19th century origins at New Orleans' Sazerac Coffee House where Peychaud's bitters, absinthe and rye whiskey were combined in the signature cocktail.

We're huge fans of Sazerac Rye whiskey - it's a great balance of sweetness, herbaceousness and menthol rye spice, and it's equally at home in a Sazerac cocktail (if you're feeling brave) or stirred with red vermouth in a proper Manhattan.

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Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bottled At: Blanton's Distilling Company 70cl / 46.5% - 93 Proof

Blanton's Original Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was launched in 1984 by bourbon legend Elmer T. Lee as arguably the first luxury prestige single barrel bourbon range, and is often credited with helping to revive the flagging American whiskey market. 

Selected from the finest casks available at Buffalo Trace distillery, this Blanton's was bottled in 2022 from Single Barrel 428 at the Blanton's Original standard strength of 46.5%. These Blanton's Original single barrels are always delicious sipping drams and are a must-try for anyone exploring the bourbon category.

Please note presentation boxes may have creases and/or some wear. We have limited stock and therefore these items cannot be replaced or returned for this reason. Please bear this in mind when purchasing.

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Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bottled by: Willett Distillery 1.75 Litre / 47% / 94 Proof

A reassuringly large and hefty 1.75 litre magnum of the splendid Willett Pot Still Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey.

We've always been fond of this small batch bourbon, and with the still-shaped bottle's arresting looks and a robust drinking strength of 47% Willett Pot Still Reserve is a surefire hit.

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Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bottled At: Blanton's Distilling Company 70cl / 51.5% - 103 Proof

Blanton's Gold Edition Single Barrel Bourbon is one of the jewels in the crown not just of Buffalo Trace distillery, where it is made, but also in the portfolio of brand owners Takara Shuzo (whose other whisky interests include Tomatin distilery) and in the American whiskey category as a whole.

This particular edition of Blanton's Gold came from single barrel #1340, which was dumped in June of 2023 and has been bottled at a hearty 103 US Proof (53.5%). Blanton's Gold Edition is one of the all-time classic luxury Kentucky bourbons, with a startlingly intensity of flavour at this strength. 

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VIP Club Availability

Available to all VIP Club Members whilst stock lasts.

Straight Rye Whisky
Bottled By: Heaven Hill Distilleries 70cl / 50% (100 Proof)

The excellent Rittenhouse straight American rye whiskey from Heaven Hill, here in its finest iteration: the Rittenhouse Rye 100-Proof Bottled in Bond.

The US 100-proof is equivalent to 50% alcohol by volume, and this extra potency and the flavour it carries have long made Rittenhouse 100-proof the go-to with barmen in the UK for their posher classic rye cocktails.

If you haven't yet tried Rittenhouse 100-Proof for your Manhattans and Sazeracs, you don't know what you're missing.

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Tasting Notes

Official Tasting Notes

Color: Mahogany.

Nose: Dried fruits, toffee, and sweet peppers.

Palate: Clean, rich, cocoa, citrus, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

Finish: Lingering maple-like spiciness.

Straight Rye Whiskey
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 46% / 92 Proof

A fantastically spicy 'double' rye whisky from the High West Distillery in Utah. High West Double Rye is made with two different rye whiskeys from different distilleries and is designed to be twice as spicy, with the aim of being the spiciest rye whiskey in the world.

The younger of the two rye whiskeys used for High West Double Rye is a 2-year-old column still rye whiskey sourced from MGP distillery in Indiana, and makes up more than 50% of the blend. This robust young rye is balanced by High West's own pot-distilled rye whiskey, long-aged up to 7 years. Bottled at a hearty 46%, High West Double Rye is a great sipping rye whiskey with a nice balance between youthful exuberance and the complexity that comes with ageing - and if you're a fan of super-spicy ryes this will be right up your street.

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Mashbill

A blend of straight Rye whiskeys ranging in age from 2 to 7 years.
Straight Rye whiskeys:
95% rye, 5% barley malt from MGP
80% Rye, 20% Malted Rye from High West Distillery

Tasting Notes

Nose: Mint, clove, cinnamon, liquorice root, pine nuts, and dark chocolate, with a surprising dose of gin botanicals throughout.
Taste: Rye spices upfront, then menthol, mint, eucalyptus, herbal tea with wildflower honey and allspice.
Finish: Cinnamon and mint, gradually sweetening through the finish, with a hint of anise.

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 45.7% / 91.4 proof

A true small batch bourbon that is made in small batches of a maximum 20 barrels. Michters use the highest quality corn in its mashbill and this results in a flavour full of caramel, vanilla with an underlying smokey depth.

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Tasting Notes

Nose: Very rich and fruity on the nose, with sumptuous notes of dried fruit, raisins and barley sugar, countered by brioche and fennel.

Palate: Easy drinking and smooth mouthfeel, with a generous helping of sweet spice – cinnamon and nutmeg – along with refreshingly juicy fruit.

Finish: The richness remains, but there’s freshness in the form of black pepper that delivers a kick of spicy zing.

Comment: An excellent bourbon that will please both newcomers and connoisseurs. Very well balanced and moreish.