Club Corner
Single Malt Club Q1 2025: Nc'nean Quiet Rebels "Amy"
Nc’nean Distillery As our first selection of 2025 coincides with Women’s History Month, I am pleased to present a single malt whose namesake is a woman, from a distillery founded by a woman. Nc’nean distillery further distinguishes itself by being at the forefront of sustainability in Scotch Whisky production. This is a very approachable, pleasant whisky. I hope you enjoy it! Sláinte! Sam Crocker Spirits Buyer Nc’nean Distillery Quiet Rebels “Amy” Region: Western Highlands, Scotland “Annabel Thomas started Nc’nean to change the way the world thinks about whisky from Scotland. Her mission was to create a whisky which could exist in harmony with this planet we call home. After leaving her job in London in 2013, she spent four years raising funds and building the distillery from the ground up on the west coast of Scotland. In 2017, Nc’nean started distilling our very own organic whisky, and in 2020 our first bottle was born. We now have four different series of whiskies as well as a Botanical Spirit. Sustainability runs in our veins. We believe it is our responsibility to constantly improve our impact on this earth in terms of carbon footprint, pollution and biodiversity. B Corp certified, we use only unpeated organic Scottish barley in our distillery powered only by renewable energy. We bottle our whisky in a 100% recycled clear glass bottle (a first in Scotch whisky, we think), and we divert 99.97% of our waste from landfill. As of 2021 we became the first whisky distillery in the UK to be verified as net zero carbon emissions for scopes 1 and 2. The Quiet Rebels series is released each autumn, when a new bottling is selected by and named after one of our small team. Quiet Rebels Amy, named after our Visitor Manager and Head of Sustainability, includes whisky finished in ex-Maury casks from a small organic vineyard in France who produce a fortified wine that is made in a similar way to port. The 60-year-old vines are maintained with a variety of sustainable farming methods including agroforestry which involves integrating trees amongst the vines to improve soil richness. The farm also follows biodynamic principles such as following the lunar calendar which several studies show is an effective way to determine the best time to plant and harvest crops. These ex-Maury casks have been blended with Nc’nean’s house style STR red wine and Ex-Bourbon casks to create Amy’s dream bottling.”(source: www.ncnean.com) Founder: Annabel Thomas Cask Type: 63% STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) red wine casks, 19% ex-Maury, 18% ex-Bourbon ABV: 48.5% Price: $118.99/700mL Tasting Notes: Lemon custard, damson jam and brown butter muffins.
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American Whiskey Club Quarter 1 2024: Subtle Spirits Private Barrel Rye
This quarter we are pleased to feature a private barrel selection from former PlumpJack whiskey guru Joshua Thinnes’ brand Subtle Spirits. Joshua has been busy these last few years cultivating an independent bottling brand that focuses not just on the curation of spirits, but also on collaborating with artists to commission original artwork to adorn each label. When Joshua called us at the end of 2023 to say he had some pretty special older rye casks that were about to become available, we jumped at the opportunity to taste them. We tasted three different mash bills and ages and ultimately settled on an 11.5 year straight rye cask distilled at MGP. This reminds us of what the older generation ryes used to taste like. Think back to the Smooth Ambler Old Scout line of single barrel ryes, or some of the older Willett Family Estate (wax-dipped) ryes that were sourced from MGP. This clocks in at a devilish 66.6% abv! While it may have the markings of the beast, this whiskey drinks more angelic than you’d expect. The cask yielded only 132 bottles and is sold exclusively to American Whiskey Club members. We certainly hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Cheers! Sam Crocker Spirits Buyer Subtle Spirits Private Barrel Vol. 2, Single Barrel #57 Straight Rye Whiskey Location: San Francisco, CA Much like the alchemists that predated modern chemistry, independent bottlers preceded the rise of large distilling operations. Using their relationships with both distilleries and consumers, they bottled sourced whiskey under their own label. Subtle Spirits continues this tradition today with their crafted blends and single-cask selections, all produced in infinitesimally small quantities. Subtle Spirits has two different lines of products: the Original line which features both small batch blends and single casks selected and blended by founder Joshua Thinnes, and their Private Barrels which consumers or retailers can select. Both product lines feature commissioned original artwork to adorn each label. The private barrels are released in volumes. The number of barrels and types of mashbills in each volume varies. The cask we selected is the first to come out of Volume 2, which is comprised of a variety of different Rye casks. The original artwork for Volume 2 features Louisville artist Jason Lois. It is composed on 3 feet by 4 feet canvas and contains a variety of mediums: acrylic paint, drip pen, and oil pastel. Before the final text was layered on the work, it was photographed to create the base image for the label. Jason created the text digitally first before painting it on the canvas so that Subtle would have the digital layer to create the high-build varnish embellishment on the final label that you can touch and feel. Subtle Spirits is co-founded by Joshua’s partner and wife Kristen Conley who specializes in graphic and package design. All of their design is done in-house. Price: $124.99 ABV/proof: 66.6%/133.2 Mashbill: 95% Rye/5% Malted Barley Tasting Notes: Big, bold and boisterous. Shows high-toned notes of dark dried fruit in the nose. That paves the way for darker flavors of savory oak, cooked berries, and a hint of mint (Branca Menta?). The palate shows baking spices, savory oak, and amaro-like notes. Chewy and rich, it drinks way below its actual proof.
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American Whiskey Club Quarter 4 2023: Pinhook Vertical Series 8 Year Bourbon
As another year comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the passage of time and the changes it brings. Time is an essential ingredient in making whiskey. This quarter’s selection is the latest in a series that shows the effect each year of aging has on a whiskey. If you’ve been following Pinhook for a while, you’re well aware of their unique approach. If you are new to them, this bottle should serve as an excellent introduction to their whiskeys. Here’s wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season! Cheers! Sam Crocker Spirits Buyer Pinhook Vertical Series 8 Year Bourbon Location: Frankfort, Kentucky Pinhook was founded in 2010 by 3 friends of disparate backgrounds: an acclaimed restaurateur and certified sommelier, a television producer, and a businessperson. On a whim and with no real plan in mind, they purchased 20 barrels of young bourbon from MGP in Indiana. 13 years later, they are now producing their own distillate at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY in addition to releasing their stock of MGP Bourbon and Rye. The Vertical series is a limited series of nine consecutive annual vintages that explore the true impact of age on a whiskey’s character by following a group of 1,350 MGP barrels as they mature from 4 to 12 years of age. Different proofs are set each year to best express the unique attributes of that vintage’s blend. Blended from only 120 barrels, the 8 Year is the fifth release in the series, and the most limited to date. Like all of Pinhook’s whiskeys, it is unfiltered. The vintage approach allows Pinhook to appreciate and savor the nuances of each year’s barrels, which are naturally shaped by the barrel oak, the climate, and the storage environment. Rather than following the traditional whiskey process that replicates flavor profiles, the vintage approach means that each vintage is blended and proofed to release the best whiskey every year. The name Pinhook comes from the old Kentucky term for buying baby thoroughbreds, seeing them through to maturity, and selling when they are ready to run. Successful pinhooks, much like whiskey, are made on instinct, experience, an appreciation of quality, a little luck, and a lot of patience. Price: $104.99 ABV/proof: 57.3%/114.6 Tasting Notes: A bright nose of orange curacao, oloroso sherry, clove, and brown sugar that leads to a full palate of dark cherry, plum, cinnamon, and burnt sugar. Mashbill: 75% Corn 20.5% Rye 4.5% Malted Barley
Learn moreQ3 2023 American Whiskey Club
Is that a whisper of fall in the air? While I imagine most of you (like me) enjoy whiskey all year round, it is particularly suited for autumn sipping. As the leaves change and the temperature begins to drop, I reach for robust and complex whiskeys to savor. This quarter’s selection fits perfectly into that category. I hope you will enjoy this bottle as the days get shorter and the pours get taller. Cheers! Sam Crocker Spirits Buyer Barrell Whiskey Private Release finished in Sercial Madeira barrel Blend #AQ81 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Joe Beatrice founded Barrell Craft Spirits in 2013. A former marketing and technology entrepreneur, he experienced an aha moment when he tasted whiskey straight from the barrel. Rather than opening a distillery, Joe was inspired by the independent bottlers of Scotland, who select and bottle whiskeys from various distilleries. He began seeking out casks from well-known distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and elsewhere, creating unique, small batch blends, and experimenting with numerous cask finishes. Barrell quickly grabbed the attention and praise of the spirits world and has garnered numerous awards, including 10 Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To highlight their blending expertise on a smaller scale, Barrell offers a unique Private Release Whiskey Program. Each Private Release Whiskey starts as a microblend that is then given a secondary cask finish before being bottled at cask strength. The AQ81 release is a blend of whiskeys from Kentucky and Indiana (Bourbon, Rye, Corn Whiskey and Light Whiskey) created by the blending team on a single barrel scale. It has been finished in a Sercial Madeira barrel, which adds dimensions of dry nuttiness and caramel notes. It is bottled at cask strength of 122.04 proof. Price: $95.99/btl ABV/proof: 61.02%/122.04 Tasting Notes: Appearance: gold Nose: cinnamon bark, hint of salinity Palate: tart cherries, almond cake Finish: dry, lingering
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Q3 American Whiskey Club 2022
Approximately 10 years ago I started this club while I was working for PlumpJack, and now I am honored to be guest writing for this quarter’s American Whiskey Club which features my own brand, Subtle Spirits. I am very grateful for the opportunities PlumpJack gave me and how they significantly impacted where I am today. Sometimes things really come back around Full Circle. I hope you enjoy this bottle as much as I loved creating it. Cheers, Joshua Thinnes, Founder of Subtle Spirits & Creator of the PlumpJack American Whiskey Club Subtle Spirits Full Circle | Only 888 Bottles Produced | 6 years aged | Bottled at 99 proof Produced & Bottled by: Subtle Spirits, California Distilled: MGP, Indiana Artwork by: Gianluca Franzese Full Circle is a 153-gallon blend containing 51.25% straight rye and 48.75% straight bourbon, labeled as a Blend of Straight Whiskies. When combined together it yields a cumulative mash bill of 58.93% rye, 36.56% corn, and 4.51% barley grains. 88 bottles were bottled on 08/08/22 at cask strength, and the remaining 800 bottles will be bottled on 09/01 at 99 proof. The complete story behind Full Circle, the whiskey, the cover art, and how it all came to be is too long to tell here. I encourage you to visit our website to see how magically this came together, but the short version is this. I moved to San Francisco on 08/08/08 and landed on 24th & Church in Noe Valley. About 5 months after arriving I saw the wine shop down the street was hiring. I got the job. My first shift was the following day, by myself. After 11 years, a few promotions, and more epic barrel picks than I can count, it was time for me to move on from the family that gave me a platform where it all started. I’ve been working on letting go and letting the story write itself. Life is cyclical, and now the next chapter begins. Subtle Spirits is a non-distilling producer sourcing casks and pairing each release with original label art. Every release has its own story, brought to life by artists we commission to produce a unique piece of art that is featured on the label. The brand started subtly as an email list only, selecting private barrels from other brands as a means to build a larger audience, and save the capital needed to obtain casks, bulk goods, artwork, and the licenses to sell them. In 2021 we collaborated with artist Gabe Weis and made the first limited edition bourbon release with a certificate of authenticity on the blockchain (NFT) and accompanied it with a print of the artwork. We began distributing our own product in CA this March with the creation of our first blend, a Straight Rye titled Quixotic. Full Circle marks the sixth Original release. Price: $99-110 per bottle Aroma: brown sugar, vanilla, charred oak, sassafras, kola nut, wild cherry Coke, nutmeg, and mild tobacco leaves. Taste: Starts off sweet, caramelly, and creamy then brings in a load of baking spices and slightly dried fruit notes. Finish: Powerful and viscous with a chewy mouthfeel that coats your palate leaving a nice spice profile. Read more about Subtle Spirits. Read the complete story behind Full Circle on my Blog.
Learn moreQ2 American Whiskey Club 2022
Our barrel picking team is at it again! This time around, due to Covid restrictions, we had the barrel samples brought to us. We were able to choose by committee, and coincidentally we all had the same favorite. I’m happy to present our Elijah Craig Barrel Proof PlumpJack Select! This 8 year, 132.8 proof Bourbon is robust, rich, and no shrinking violet. I know you will enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoyed picking it! Cheers, Sam Crocker, Spirits Buyer Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | 66.4 % ABV | 8 years aged Location: Louisville, KY Warehouse: Y Floor: 6 Most Bourbon drinkers are familiar with the name Heaven Hill. Even if you haven’t heard the name, you’ve likely tried one of their whiskies. Founded in Kentucky in 1935, they make a range of whiskies, including several under the name Elijah Craig. Still family-owned and operated, they now produce 1,300 barrels a day at Bernheim Distillery in downtown Louisville. The story of Elijah Craig begins before the founding of the United States. Born in 1738, he grew up in an area of the Virginia colony that is now part of the state of Kentucky. He went on to be a preacher, an educator, and an entrepreneur who built the first paper and wool mills in Georgetown, Kentucky. Most notably, he was a distiller and an innovator in the field of American Whiskey. In fact, he is often credited as the “father of Bourbon.” In 1789, Elijah Craig became the first distiller to age his whiskey in new charred oak barrels. Some claim that an accidental fire charred his barrels and changed the whiskey inside. Others say he stored his whiskey in former sugar barrels and was impressed with how charring improved the flavor. However it happened, Elijah Craig knew he had discovered something great. He continued to refine the barrel charring process, imparting smooth, rich flavor to the spirit that would become known as Bourbon. However, like many of his contemporaries, Elijah Craig owned slaves. Today, Heaven Hill has declared their commitment to uncovering the contribution of these enslaved people to the Bourbon industry. The brand is engaged in academic research and other initiatives to not only uncover the past, but to make America today a more just and equitable country. Today, all Bourbon produced under the Elijah Craig name consists of a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% barley. Three times a year, they release a Single Barrel, barrel-proof version of their flagship whiskey. These releases have become highly sought-after by Bourbon connoisseurs. Just recently, Heaven Hill began offering private selections of these single barrels. We at PlumpJack are fortunate to have selected one of the first of these exclusive barrels. Uncut, straight from the barrel, and without chill filtering, this is Bourbon in its purest form. Price: $89 per bottle for club members Proof: 132.8 Aroma: brown sugar, vanilla, slight smokiness Taste: Opens with a burst of caramel sweetness, followed by wood spice and subtle notes of apricot Finish: Long and lingering with barrel char and lingering sweetness, reminiscent of sucking on an apricot pit
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Q1 American Whiskey Club
Our most anticipated barrel pick of the year is the Weller Full Proof Single Barrel Select. As is the case with most Buffalo Trace distillery products, Weller Full Proof is a rarity to come across. A single barrel private select is even harder to come by. Luckily, we had the opportunity to select our very own single barrel from the comfort of our couches last year, and after many delays, it has finally arrived. This may very well be our favorite Weller Full Proof barrel pick yet. We appreciate your loyalty to our Whiskey Club and are excited to offer this pick to our club members. Cheers, Brendon Pineda, Spirits, Beer and Wine Enthusiast Weller Full Proof Wheated Bourbon Single Barrel Select #302 | 57% ABV | Approximately 8 years age Location: Frankfort, KY Lot: 14-I-18- Location: M-5-66 Buffalo Trace Distillery is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America, and also has one of the largest families of homegrown brands in any industry. Their line includes several brands, collections, and expressions, including W. L. Weller, that have earned some of the highest accolades in the industry. In 1849, William Larue Weller began his career as a wholesale whiskey dealer and distiller carrying on the legacy started by his paternal grandfather and his maternal great-grandfather. Weller first started W.L. Weller & Brothers with his younger sibling Charles before changing the name to W.L. Weller & Sons. Weller continued to grow his whiskey business over the years, gaining interest in his products and processes, and becoming a prominent whiskey brand. In 1893 Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr. was hired onto W.L. Weller & Sons as a whiskey salesman. After W.L. Weller’s passing in 1899, Pappy and his co-worker Alex Farnsley purchased the company in 1908. George Weller, William’s oldest son, remained President of the company until the beginning of Prohibition when Pappy and Farnsley decided to merge with Arthur Stitzel of A. PH. Stitzel Distillery to create Stitzel-Weller Distillery which opened on Derby Day of 1935. Stitzel-Weller quickly became known for its wheated bourbon recipe using wheat instead of rye in the mash for a softer, smoother taste. The legacy of William Larue Weller continues to be honored today with award-winning wheated bourbons such as his namesake William Larue Weller, Weller 12 Year, Weller Special Reserve and Weller 107 Antique. Weller Full Proof is bottled at the same 114 proof the spirit was when it entered the barrel, this non-chill filtered wheated bourbon forgoes chill filtration to preserve all the naturally occurring residual oils and flavors that occur during the distillation and aging process. Price: $95 per bottle for club members Proof: 114 Tasting notes: Aroma: notes of dark roasted coffee bean, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, fudge brownies, peanut butter cookie, brown sugar, caramel, chocolate-covered blueberries, faint oak Taste: a soft warm entry, viscous, dark chocolate, coffee bean, and barrel char Finish: long, lingering spice
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American Whiskey Club - Q4 2021
For this quarter’s selection, we’re highlighting a distillery whose whiskey was named “best bourbon not from Kentucky” by Fred Minnick of Bourbon+ Magazine. A distillery whose story doesn’t begin with a family of distillers or century old recipes, but with two friends and a dream - to make the best craft whiskey in the world. We hope you enjoy their story, but most importantly the whiskey. Cheers, Brendon Pineda, Spirits, Beer and Wine Enthusiast Woodinville PlumpJack Private Select Cask Strength Bourbon | 59.7% ABV Woodinville Whiskey Company Woodinville, Washington The Woodinville Whiskey Company was founded in 2010 by longtime friends Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile. Sorensen and Carlile were mentored by the late David Pickerell, former master distiller for Maker’s Mark and WhistlePig. Pickerell, an industry legend, has consulted for more craft distilleries than anyone in America. Woodinville is crafted from 100% locally sourced grains from Quincy, Washington – two hours from the distillery. Their flagship products, the Bourbon and Rye both scored the highest honors by the American Distilling Institute, earning “Craft Whiskey of the Year” in their respective categories. In December 2020, Fred Minnick, renowned whiskey aficionado, hosted a blind tasting to where the Woodinville Bourbon nearly beat the Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Bourbon for first place. Most notably, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded Woodinville’s Bourbon a Double Gold medal, and “Best Straight Bourbon Whiskey of 2020”, again rewarded the highest of honors. In 2017, the distillery was purchased by Moët Hennessy, however, the company continues to be run by Sorensen and Carlile. The most significant change since the partnership has been the expansion of production. More copper stills and storage space has allowed the distillery to continue expanding throughout the nation, getting their whiskies in more consumer’s hands. Having readily available products is something whiskey fans can appreciate, in a time where the demand has greatly surpassed the supply. Here at PlumpJack we raise a glass and toast to you and yours, we hope you have a great holiday season and a happy new year! Price: $81 per bottle Mashbill: 72% Corn 22% Rye 6% Malted Barley TASTING NOTES Color: amber Aroma: caramel apple, persimmons with cinnamon, black pepper, subtle tangerine, rye grain Taste: delicate entry with notes of red apple skins, black pepper, cinnamon, crushed white flowers, oak tannin Finish: dry, medium long
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Q3 American Whiskey Club - Cat's Eye
For this quarter’s selection, we’re bringing you a style of whiskey we’ve never introduced to our club members before; Light Whiskey. Light Whiskey was introduced in the 60’s and 70’s, and its purpose was to compete with clear spirits, like vodka, which were gaining popularity amongst consumers at the time. The idea was to distill the whiskey at a very high proof with the intention of “stripping its flavors”, in hopes to attract vodka drinkers. What was intended not to be aged ended up being aged anyway, and in turn has created a very unique style that has the whiskey community talking (and drinking). Though Light Whiskies are high in proof, they tend to drink way lower than they actually are, which can be fun or dangerous, depending who you ask. Don’t fear the proof! Cheers, Brendon Pineda, Spirits, Beer and Wine Enthusiast Cat's Eye 'Obtanium' Light Whiskey aged 16 Years PJ Single Barrel Select Cat’s Eye is a family-owned micro-distillery out of Iowa. They distill their own whiskey and source barrels from other distilleries to further age and blend themselves. One of the owners, John Baker, has decades of experience under his belt – previously working at Honey Creek Distillery. The second owner, Gene Nassif is in charge of partnering with other distilleries to source barrels. Unlike many whiskey brands, John and Gene do not limit themselves on where they source whiskey. The most popular distillery where whiskey brands purchase distillate from is MGP (Midwest Grain Products) in Indiana, and though Cat’s Eye does source from MGP, they are also known to source from distilleries in Kentucky and Tennessee. John and Gene are gaining recognition from the whiskey community for their most popular release, Obtainium. Obtainium is a Light Whiskey sourced from MGP, and depending on the barrel, the age of the whiskey ranges from 13-16 years old. Light whiskies are becoming popular mainly for how relatively inexpensive they are compared to Bourbons and Ryes of the same age. To be considered Light Whiskey, the spirit needs to be distilled between 160 and 190 proof, and aged for any length of time in used or uncharred new oak barrels. You’ve probably never seen Light Whiskies on the shelf at your local shop. Cat’s Eye is on a very short list of whiskey producers that are finding these unique casks and bringing them to market. You’re enjoying this style of whiskey at the beginning of its incline to popularity! Tasting notes: Color: Light copper Aroma: toasted coconut coconut flakes milk chocolate caramel fudge Taste: Soft and silky entry with more notes of toasted coconut and melted Almond Joy Finish: Long and spice-forward Mashbill: 99% Corn 1% Malted Barley
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