Warehouse Kentucky Straight Bourbon

[Gillman]

I found no bottlings from decades past in Providence but picked up an inexpensive bourbon called Warehouse Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 80 proof and only $11.00 - for a litre.

Although I did not expect that much, it turns out to be an excellent product with a good round bourbon taste and no youthful indicators such as corn oil or acetone. It is probably a couple of years older than the stated age (4 years).

It is hard to place it, if I had to guess, I'd say excellent quality Heaven Hill. If you diluted EWSB '97 to 80 proof I'd find it similar to this Warehouse brand, ditto even Knob Creek so perhaps it is of Beam origin (but it has no anise flavor like most Beam bourbons do).

It is perfect for neat summer sampling.

The info on the label states it is bottled by a company called Allen's Ltd. in Somerville, MA for Warehouse Liquors of Rhode Island.

There is a also description, which reads charmingly:

"This whiskey is distilled from fully ripened and matured grains, producing a uniform whiskey of excellent quality, mellow flavor and fine bouquet".

The words "ripe", "mellow" and "bouqet" were used extensively in pre-Prohibition and early post-Pro advertising and I am sure this little formulation goes back to that time, it has an old-timey ring.

Cheers to Allen's Ltd. for bottling an excellent bourbon at such a low cost.

Gary

[Gillman]

A quick web search disclosed the web address of the bottler, it is www.mswalker.com This is a fine old company that goes back to 1933 and I am not surprised therefore that it knows good bourbon and bottles a quality product.

I wish the brand mentioned would be available in 100 proof too but I'll take the 80.

Their site lists their spirit suppliers and a quick persual shows that Heaven Hill, Barton Brands and Beam Global Brands are all listed. Of course, some of these might supply spirits other than bourbon to Allen's Ltd. It's just not possible to know from all this who made the bourbon.

But it doesn't matter, it is a fine product for the price and that is what counts. It has a good balance of barrel and distillery character and toffee and apple-like notes.

Gary

[OscarV]

I'm suprised that they disclosed their source for the bourbon.
Most times the distiller does not want the bulk buyer to disclose this info.
So is mswalker a Canadian company?

[craigthom]

Did you see the big blue bug? I hope it's still there.

[Gillman]

This must be an American company. They are not saying where the bourbon is from, the sources they list might be supplying vodka and drinks other than bourbon, plus they list three Kentucky distillers, so you can't tell from the list who supplied the bourbon although presumably one of the ones mentioned is the source. But possibly too the bottler is combining bourbons from different sources, to get a certain profile. On re-tasting I note nice spearmint flavors as well. The lower shelf sometimes has pleasant surprises, it is sometimes worth trying.

Later I saw a nice line of cordials from this company.

Gary

[Stu]

The lower shelf sometimes has pleasant surprises, it is sometimes worth trying.

Gary

As usual, we're in complete agreement. Lower shelves and bargain baskets frequently yield treasures. I discovered Barbancourt (sp?) Rum in a sale basket at the front of a store. I bought some more in OK. I bought two bottom shelf bourbons ($7/ltr.), 1492 and Bellows, Bellows I use in mixed drinks, but 1492 is "sippable" to me. I usually pack it when I go on trail rides. If it breaks, no big loss. Fred Noe said Bellows is young Old Crow (not my favorite). I think 1492 is Heaven Hill. If I had access to Warehouse brands, I'd definitely give them a try.

[MikeK]

Gary, you were in Providence? You should have stopped by for a visit. I'm about 45 mins north of there. Or I would have come down.

Cheers,

[Gillman]

I was Mike, I didn't know you were so close. I was in Fall River too briefly, had a diner breakfast at Al Mac's. A great place!

I will remember for the next time. I left two bottles with some friends I couldn't bring back. One was a batch 65 WR from the Henderson era. Another was a DSP 31 Old Fitzgerald BIB.

The BIB was actually from a previous trip and I can't recall where I got it. The WR though I got on this trip, on Route 1 in the Somerset area on the right side as you would be driving towards Fall River. I think it was called Somerset Liquors or Wine and Liquors. It was a reasonable size, a smaller warehouse-style place. They had one more batch 65 (that I saw) and 4 or 5 batch 69's, for $28.00, an excellent price.

We may go back in November or December, I'll contact you then if we do.

Gary