MurLarkey Birthright Straight Bourbon Whiskey

[Stowed]

I joined this forum to see whether I could have found information that would have prevented me from buying a bottle.  Seeing no posts on it, I decided to create one to warn others.

 

100 proof bourbon from Virginia. Burn?  Extremely high. Mouth feel?  Thumb tacks. Flavor notes? Hydrochloric acid.  Marketed as "craft" for about $70 a bottle, if I don't poor the rest down the sink, it will only because I'm going to use it for paint thinner.

[smokinjoe]

Well, I for one shall heed your warning!! . Sorry to hear you spent good money on such a miserable whiskey experience.  But please know, you have company here, as many of us have done the same.    It sucks, but just move on to the next one in your journey.  And, welcome to SB!  

[PaulO]

I can't get past how similar the name sounds to malarkey.

The topic of not good craft spirits was discussed quite a bit in the past, hasn't come up much lately.

My main deal breakers with craft producers are if they use small barrels, don't age very long, or claim they can speed up aging.

I checked out the bottle here in question on their website.  They claim aged four years in full size barrels - so at least they got that part right.

Then I read they use apple and cherry wood smoked barley in the mash bill.  That gives me pause.

[BottledInBond]

Well it is aged for 2.5 years, so my expectations would be pretty low….,,

 

https://murlarkey.com/product/birthright/

 

Almost all craft distillers are crap, young, and overpriced at this point. There are a few doing things the right way. But many many more should be avoided until they prove they can make something at least on par with the readily available bottom of mid tier products from the legacy distillers. 

[Richnimrod]

Maybe an effective weed/grass killer?  Ha!   

What smokinjoe said is absolutely true.   We've pretty much all been in the same boat, and it does indeed suck.    Moving on is necesasary, though.    This hobby can still be loads of fun, and reward one with some pinnacle experiences once in a while, too.    So, hang in there.   ...And, Welcome!

[PaulO]

4 hours ago, BottledInBond said:

Well it is aged for 2.5 years, so my expectations would be pretty low….,,

 

https://murlarkey.com/product/birthright/

 

Almost all craft distillers are crap, young, and overpriced at this point. There are a few doing things the right way. But many many more should be avoided until they prove they can make something at least on par with the readily available bottom of mid tier products from the legacy distillers. 

Yes, this, and I went back to the website and has the age listed as 2+ in one place 4 in another.  I guess the important take away is just not good.

They list a bunch of different flavored stuff too.  

 

My last bottle I was sorry about was something called Mallet - a Spirits Direct brand from TW.  The 2 year age statement was very cleverly and deceptively hidden on the label (tiny fake cursive handwriting).  It was just like drinking vodka, tasted like alcohol, nothing else.

[Thomm]

I joined this forum partly for the same reason.  I won't buy anything over $50 unless it has been tasted and raved about by someone or more than one someone who contributes to these discussions (okay, gotta come clean here.  Actually did take a chance and get lucky on two over $50; John J Bowman and Old Forester 1920).

Honestly, if you think about all the stuff floating around out there in the whiskeyverse, you can go through a lotta money paying full freight for a whole bottle of turd water if you buy into all these craft offerings without making them prove themselves to you with a free taste.  I don't really know what we do about that.  

I will commend you, though, for alerting the rest of us to stay away from this particular turd as it floats past.  Sorry you had to go through that.

I'm not a big fan of the way Total Wine, in particular, heavily pushes their "house brands." I do, however, commend them for their open and honest approach.  They pop open the bottle and let you try the product.  Transparency goes a long way.  

[PaulO]

I have no problem going into TW and cherry picking known brands, ignoring clerk's advice.

I have seen them offering pours of some products, but nothing too interesting to me.  Caution and skepticism advised on their house brands - plethora of labels (young 80 proof bottom shelf well liquor).

[smokinjoe]

The TW behavior that created ill will towards them must must be a store by store occurrence.  I’ve been to a couple in my area, and have never had anything pushed on me, and I find all of their sales associates to be very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.  Or, maybe they’ve been told I can be caustic and they steer clear of me…

[VAGentleman]

I'm actually the Head Distiller at Murlarkey.  Stowed I appreciate your feedback, I appreciate it all, good and bad.  If Birthright isn't your thing I respect that.  For everyone else please don't write us off without giving us a try.  You can come into the Distillery  (Bristow VA) and get free tastes of all of our products. The regular Birthright small batch is indeed 2.5 years old.  Our Birthright Distiller's Select is 4 years old, single barrel and barrel proof at 105.2 proof for the latest release.  We also have 4 year old whiskey aged in charred red wine barrels , vodka , gin and yes, flavor infused whiskies that are all natural with no added sugars or preservatives. Feel free to ask any questions.  And again all feedback is welcomed

 

Thanks everyone!

[FacePlant]

On 10/27/2023 at 7:27 AM, Stowed said:

I joined this forum to see whether I could have found information that would have prevented me from buying a bottle.  Seeing no posts on it, I decided to create one to warn others.

 

100 proof bourbon from Virginia. Burn?  Extremely high. Mouth feel?  Thumb tacks. Flavor notes? Hydrochloric acid.  Marketed as "craft" for about $70 a bottle, if I don't poor the rest down the sink, it will only because I'm going to use it for paint thinner.

He who is without similar sin pls throw the first bottle (down the drain). 

[fishnbowljoe]

I have never, ever poured a bottle down the drain.   ️ 

Alright, maybe one or two. ️

 

Okay, okay, gimme a freakin break.          

[smokinjoe]

2 hours ago, VAGentleman said:

I'm actually the Head Distiller at Murlarkey.  Stowed I appreciate your feedback, I appreciate it all, good and bad.  If Birthright isn't your thing I respect that.  For everyone else please don't write us off without giving us a try.  You can come into the Distillery  (Bristow VA) and get free tastes of all of our products. The regular Birthright small batch is indeed 2.5 years old.  Our Birthright Distiller's Select is 4 years old, single barrel and barrel proof at 105.2 proof for the latest release.  We also have 4 year old whiskey aged in charred red wine barrels , vodka , gin and yes, flavor infused whiskies that are all natural with no added sugars or preservatives. Feel free to ask any questions.  And again all feedback is welcomed

 

Thanks everyone!

This is a such a solid and classy post.  Thank you for it, and also the knowledge you have dropped here over your many years in this community.  

[Thomm]

6 hours ago, VAGentleman said:

I'm actually the Head Distiller at Murlarkey.  Stowed I appreciate your feedback, I appreciate it all, good and bad.  If Birthright isn't your thing I respect that.  For everyone else please don't write us off without giving us a try.  You can come into the Distillery  (Bristow VA) and get free tastes of all of our products. The regular Birthright small batch is indeed 2.5 years old.  Our Birthright Distiller's Select is 4 years old, single barrel and barrel proof at 105.2 proof for the latest release.  We also have 4 year old whiskey aged in charred red wine barrels , vodka , gin and yes, flavor infused whiskies that are all natural with no added sugars or preservatives. Feel free to ask any questions.  And again all feedback is welcomed

 

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for your classy reply.  Now I realize I called your whiskey a turd without having tasted it for myself. For this, I apologize.  

If I ever end up nearby, I will be sure to visit and give it a try.  In the mean time, I will shut up.  Again, I apologize.  

[mbroo5880i]

5 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

I have never, ever poured a bottle down the drain.   ️ 

Alright, maybe one or two. ️

 

Okay, okay, gimme a freakin break.          

 

I may have poured one or two down the drain.  I really don't recall.  Normally, I will leave bottles I don't like at bottle pitch ins.  Yes, I also take a good bottle to share.  I also tell others that I may not like a particular bottle but you may.

[VAGentleman]

19 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

This is a such a solid and classy post.  Thank you for it, and also the knowledge you have dropped here over your many years in this community.  

Thanks I meant everything I said.  Feel free to ask any questions.  I don’t post a lot nowadays because I feel I have a little conflict of interest being in the business

[VAGentleman]

15 hours ago, Thomm said:

Thanks for your classy reply.  Now I realize I called your whiskey a turd without having tasted it for myself. For this, I apologize.  

If I ever end up nearby, I will be sure to visit and give it a try.  In the mean time, I will shut up.  Again, I apologize.  

No worries at all.  Anytime you’re in the area please reach out and I’ll show you around.  Same goes for everyone 

[PaulO]

I hope I didn't say anything that seemed too unkind.

Craft whiskey as well as non distiller producer brands are always sort of a red flag for me.

Flavored stuff, just not my thing.  Nowadays all the legacy distillers have lines of flavored, so there must be a market for it - business.     

[VWIndy]

Very Impressive Gentleman.  Most social media and groups would have had a useless tirade back and forth.  Your maturity and class are on display once again.  Makes me proud to be part of SB.