Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/359372
98 / the tasting panel / august 2014 98 / the tasting panel / august 2014 NORTH AMERICAN WHISKEY PALM RIDGE RESERVE At least once in the life of every whiskey enthusiast, he or she deserves to cross paths with a boutique whiskey like Palm Ridge Reserve. Certainly Dick and Marti Waters of Florida Farm Distillers agree. Over the past six years, the couple has built a thriving enterprise on their 80-acre farm in Umatilla, Florida, located just outside of Orlando. Palm Ridge Reserve is micro-distilled from locally grown corn, rye and toasted flake rye. The fermented mash is slowly distilled over eight to ten hours in a small, custom-built still prior to being aged in five gallon, charred oak barrels. Each batch only yields a precious few gallons. While a long and methodical process—one involving repeated tasting and analy- sis—the return on investment more than justifies the effort. "We think the characteristic that best describes our whiskey is 'distinc- tiveness,'" says distiller Dick Waters. "We've found a good number of Scotch drinkers that like some caramel and vanilla from new charred oak and quite a few bourbon drinkers enjoy its more intense, grain-forward flavor profile." FLORIDA FARM DISTILLERS DUKE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY The backstory behind DUKE Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is as much about making great bourbon as it is about a son wanting to create a tribute for his dad. In this instance, the dad is film legend John Wayne and the son, Ethan Wayne. John Wayne had aspirations of distilling his own whiskey, a bourbon made to reflect his own tastes. Decades after the actor's death, Ethan found among his father's effects bourbon bottles dating back to the early '60s and handwritten notes in which his father discussed the fine qualities he wanted his whiskey to possess. Upon finding the samples and his father's notes, Ethan set out to create the whiskey "The Duke" had imagined. He assembled a team of wine and spirit craftsmen, and together they developed a blend of small-batch bourbons aged in charred, American white oak barrels for five to ten years. The whiskey was left unfiltered—naturally—and bottled at 44% alcohol (88 proof). Fortunately, this is a story with a happy ending. DUKE Bourbon is a superb sippin' whiskey, a full-bodied gem with an alluring nose and a broad, flavorful palate of vanilla, caramel, toffee, cinnamon and nutmeg. It's an accessible and easy-to-drink whiskey, especially considering its elevated strength. Adds Ethan Wayne, "There's no question the whiskey is best served straight. However, it's heaven with one large ice cube in the glass, which should be just enough to add a little water, but not so much as to let it get over-diluted. Cheers!" MONUMENT VALLEY DISTILLERS