Old Emmer Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Typically, I am extremely weary of recommendations made to me by Total Wine staff. But today, as I was perusing their latest shipment; a Total Wine employee approached me and started to make recommendations. Keen to see if he was just trying to push their "spirits direct" selections like Grangestone ( ick ), or if the guy really knew what he was talking about; I played dumb and asked him for recommendations for a series of scenarios. And he pointed out a few very good bourbons to whet my whistle. He recommended this Old Emmer Cask Strength to use in a good Manhattan or Old Fashioned, proudly telling me the story of the "Old Emmer Wheat Strain" and all that marketing mumbo jumbo. But at the end of the day: this is a cask strength, wheated bourbon coming in under $50 a bottle. Surely it wouldn't be that bad, right? The nose smells a bit ethanol rich from the proof ( surprising because 110 proof isn't that potent in this space ). But beyond that, there is a tannic oak top layer with underlying smooth and sweet honey. Plums provide a rich, darker, pitted fruit essence as well. This selection is smooth and sweet, but not cloyingly so. I suspect the cask strength helps it to not move too far towards that direction. Caramel and honey provide a silky foundation for vanilla and honey roasted nuts. Mid taste, baking spice comes on strong and right toward the end of taste: a tannic bite of charred oak barrel. The finish is quite long and oily albeit not exactly complex. That charred oak stays but along with it some dark cocoa powder that lingers for a while. Old Emmer Cask Strength was quite a surprise! Sweet, complex and satisfying - I am thoroughly impressed by this. Look: for sub $50 a bottle, what have you got to lose? This selection whomps pretty hard on many bottles double this price point.

An intense, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by IJW Whiskey in Kentucky crafted with a high-wheat mash bill using an ancient wheat strain known as Old Emmer; aged in new charred American white oak barrels for a minimum of 4 years & bottled at 58.3% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, fruit, wood & spice; while a rich life adds notes of wheat, apple, sherry, caramel & vanilla; that led to a hot & candied death of medium length with notes of oak & toffee. May 2024 / February 2025

Above average. A little spicey neat with a good flavor. On the rocks the flavor comes out better. A good distinguished oaky flavor that isnt too overpowering. Good not great finish.

Neat: Wow, wasn't expecting much of this one. I never heard of it before but it was recommended at Total Wine. Marshmallow, vanilla, oak, some heat in the finish. Tasty

At first it is buttery and lines the mouth. After ther eis some serious leather, burn. When on the rocks, which is needed, definitely mellows out thr beverage.

Very good. The higher proof compare to regular Old Emmer complements the flavor very well. High proof + wheated bourbon = goooood