Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/23459
SPeed TASTING firefLY SWeet teA BoUrBon R eleased in April 2010 and immediately awarded a Gold Medal at our San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Firefly Sweet Tea Bourbon is a mélange of Southern hospitality. Conjuring up tea from North America’s only tea plantation (in South Carolina) and sugarcane from Louisiana, this 60-proof infused sipper is based on whiskey from Kentucky’s Buffalo Trace Distillery. It is wonderful on its own, but as the base of a Mint Julep it’s simply divine. Our Panel Votes: “A true black-tea nose. On the palate, tea tannins and floral notes combine, while the whiskey’s caramel and vanilla notes show through.” —Nathan Mears “Authentic flavors!” —Michael Trujillo “Subtle wood notes play well with the strong black tea character. Very smooth.” —Jared Sowinski The Sazerac Company Woodford reSerVe F rom Kentucky’s oldest-running distillery (counting from before it was even bonded), 90.4-proof Woodford Reserve is a super-premium small- batch spirit and the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. Each bottle is individually numbered with the batch and bottle numbers. Our Panel Votes: “A warm caramel ribbon runs through it, with soft spice and rich honey. It’s so complex, the palate continues to open up after the finish. Ice cubes release the lovely floral and dried fruit tones.“ —Trudy Thomas “Lightly-dusted pepper, apricot, peach, orange peel with a heady vanilla and caramel envelope.“ —Meridith May “Woodford screams luxury; a perfect example of America’s best.” —Mac Gregory Brown-Forman Bird doG BLACKBerrY fLAVored WHiSKeY B ourbon-based, all-natural Bird Dog Blackberry Flavored Whiskey was awarded a Gold Medal at our 2010 San Francisco World Spirits competition. Developed by newly-formed Western Spirits in Bowling Green, KY, this 80-proofer was inspired by the company’s owner, who enjoyed mixing blackberry brandy with his whiskey. We like the combination of Western Spirits’ Tres Leches cream liqueur and Bird Dog: It tastes like blackberry cheesecake! Our Panel Votes: “Sweet-and-sour nose with Graham cracker and vanilla bean notes; the sweet berry palate carries through to a finish that lingers; definitely a whiskey, not a liqueur!” —Trudy Thomas “Tart, sour berry with a Jolly Rancher candied sweetness. Honey and blackberries on the palate.” —Nathan Mears Western Spirits Rich Smith of Western Spirits kept us on the scent of Bird Dog. 76 / the tasting panel / january–february 201 1