Cyrus Noble Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

160 years after its Gold Rush launch, this San Francisco legend is being re-launched by the Haas Brothers. It's an old brand with a colourful story going something like this: After a failed attempt to strike it rich during the California Gold Rush, a man named Cyrus Noble returned to his native Ohio and took work at the Freiberg-Workum Distillery, situated near the Ohio River. After years of studying and hard-work, Noble was promoted to superintendent of the distillery and began perfecting the craft of distilling small-batch spirits. Noble not only enjoyed producing bourbon, he also enjoyed consuming it. While the exact circumstances remain unknown, rumour has it that, while intoxicated one day, Cyrus was experimenting with a new recipe for bourbon, when he slipped and fell into a vat of whiskey. In 1871, the distillery appropriately commissioned the new bourbon under his name".

The mash is made up of the following: 75% corn for an approachable softness, 17% rye for added spice, and 8% malted barley which the distiller says contributes to the toffee and caramelized characteristics that blend beautifully with the vanillin flavonoids imparted by extended new-oak aging. The cereals are mixed together with Kentucky limestone-filtered water, yeast, and a bit of fermented hash from a previous batch, then distilled and barreled in American White oak.

The Bourbon recently won Triple Gold Medal Awards in the recent Micro Liquor awards located in Los Angeles. MicroLiquor Spirit Awards are sponsored by Flowdesign and is the world’s first spirits competition for small brands selling under 50,000 9-liter cases annually. The 2012 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards attracted an astounding 263 brands from around the world.

Tasting note: Bright copper. Perfect clarity. Fabulous Bourbon bouquet is redolent of corn chip and spicy rye with a light touch of peppermint; beautifully integrated with dilute maple syrup and white pepper. Stand out balance to the creamy, almost oily delivery featuring rich corn and vanilla followed by crunchy, spicy rye. Ends dry, prolonged and satisfying. Beeswax, ryvita biscuit and vanilla in the fade. This is one sub $100 Bourbon that really demands your attention. 45% Alc./Vol.