Henry Du Yore's bourbon

[oke&coke]

Has anyone tried this bourbon yet? It says distilled and bottled in Portland so don't believe it is sourced. Also labeled straight with no age statement so it is at least 4 years old and about 92 proof at $43 a bottle. If no one has tried it may pick up a bottle and post some notes on it.

[tanstaafl2]

It is available here but I haven't tried it yet. Ransom is of course responsible for the delightful Ransom Old Tom gin created in collaboration with David Wondrich so I have been tempted. According to the website it is at least 4 years old and matured in a mix of American and French Oak. But I don't know for sure if they are full size barrels or small barrels.

I did manage to secure a couple bottles of the recently released Emerald "old Irish style" American whiskey, also made in collaboration with David Wondrich, when the chance came along because I didn't how long it might last. May investigate the other available Ransom options when I get out to Portland next month if there is time.

[wadewood]

I saw it today on shelf in Houston as well.

[oke&coke]

Cracked this open tonight. Not great at notes so will keep it simple. Price was $42 for 91.3 proof. Nose was not that strong but had a spicy rye to it with some light wood. The taste to start was a bit young and hot but gave way to some spice and oak. Taste didn't linger long. Reminded me a little like 4R. For a micro I give it a try recommendation. The price is better then some others out there and it does have some good qualities.

[squire]

Has Du Yore been in business for more than four years? Of course it would only have to be 2 years old to be labeled straight but 36% rye is one of MGP's standard recipes.

[oke&coke]

According to the website, the winery started production in 1999 and the distillery was used to make grappa ,eau de vie and brandy. Whiskey production started in 2007.

http://www.ransomspirits.com

[squire]

Could just be my innate skepticism that I find it odd they would copy a MGP recipe that isn't noted for producing fine Bourbon. I do find it surprising they have been able to crank out enough product from their 300 gallon still that requires 16 hours per run to support nationwide distribution, while keeping up with gin, grappa and their other spirit production as well.

Edited November 7, 2013 by squire

[oke&coke]

If that is the case squire I would be very ticked off. For now however I will give them the benefit of the doubt. If anyone has some info they can share here we are all ears.

[TunnelTiger]

No matter what you can't argue with Squires numbers. Numbers don't lie. If looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck it's a duck.

[oke&coke]

The only reason that I give them the benefit is because it does say on the bottle "Distilled and Bottled by Joad Spirits Sheridan, OR." Maybe they have a second distillery for their whiskey products.

[TunnelTiger]

Man you are definitely the bottle is half full kind of guy and I really admire that. At my age I've been burnt so many times and seen it done by numerous sales and marketing executives that I have to see it to believe it. Remember "if you like your current policy you won't have to change"

[oke&coke]

I sent off an email to ransom spirits asking a couple of questions about their bourbon. Also invited them to join the forum and provide info to the forum itself. Will post when I get a response.

[squire]

Good, they are welcome to join in.

[oke&coke]

Got response from Ransom Spirits and so here are the questions and answers:

1. Is the whiskey produced by you guys or is it distilled by another entity and bottled by you?

A. We buy a percentage of the blend from other distilleries and distill a percentage of it in house. Specific barrels and mash bills are picked to create a rye heavy blend which is bottled at Ransom.

2. Who is Joad Spirits and what is their relationship to Ransom Spirits?

A. Joad Spirits is a DBA used for our products which are not 100% distilled by us.

They also would be happy to answer any other questions we have. I can definitely think of some but will ask any that others may have.

[p_elliott]

I got a bottle of this for Christmas I opened it tonight I liked it very much.

[oke&coke]

I haven't revisited it since my first pour so I think it is about due.