Meeting #2 - It's all in the barrel.

Another great meeting, and with some new faces - a big welcome to our new members! We are sitting at 18 officially-vested members. There are still 7 seats up for grabs before we hit our "max capacity" of 25. Just a reminder, if you would like to become a member, your next meeting fee is a one-time $50 payment (subsequent meetings are back at the normal $25 dinner rate). Membership guarantees you a seat at every meeting, as well as an invitation to our biannual gala events for you and 1 guest. Anyway, enough of the housekeeping stuff...

Meeting #2 was all about the HEAT. Many bourbon barrels go through some special treatment prior to being filled. Charred barrels received various levels of direct flame exposure. The char level depends on the length of time exposed, ranging from level 1 (15 seconds), all the way up to Level 4 (55 seconds, aka 'alligator char'), and beyond. Buffalo Trace turns up the heat and chars some of their barrels up to 3.5 minutes! This process chemically alters the oak, bringing out sugars.

Barrels can also be toasted - which is less intense. A smaller flame is used, and for a longer amount of time, allowing the heat to penetrate deeper into the wood. This is common practice with wine barrels. Many distilleries combine toasting and charring. Staying with theme, the club tasted 3 very different bourbons, with various barrel treatment...

#1 - Whistle Pig 6-Year Single Barrel "Piggy Back": (Shoreham, VT / 100 proof / $50)

Barrel: aged 6 years in Level 3 charred Barrels (35 seconds charring)

Nose: Sweet-heat. Caramel corn, vanilla, oak, leather, toasted walnut, with a subtle spiciness.

Palate: Maple, vanilla, fruitiness with a dash of oak and smoke.

Finish: Long and satisfying - hint of honey.

HF average score: 3.34

#2 - Lux Row Rour Grain - Double Single Barrel: (Bardstown, KY/ 115 proof / $80)

Barrel: Mixture of 2 single-barrel bourbons: wheated bourbon and 4 y/o single-barrel high-rye bourbon.

Nose: Lemon, caramel, gold crisp apples with a touch of honey, perhaps some pepper?

Palate: Orange peel, cinnamon, chocolate malt, slight cayenne pepper from the rye.

Finish: Medium length, soft with oak, cinnamon, lemonade, marshmallow, and subtle clove and anise.

HF average score: 3.52 Crowd favorite this evening!

#3 - Rabbit Hole Dareringer Straight Bourbon Whiskey: (Louisville, KY/ 93 proof / $85)

Barrel: 4-5yrs within toasted/charred barrels, finished in Spanish Sherry Barrels.

Nose: Sweet and fruity with dried fruits and spices.

Palate: Spice quickly fades into vine and red fruits, the sherry notes are immediately present. Clove, strawberry, semisweet chocolate, cherries, goji berries.

Finish: short-medium length, bright with cherry and goji berries.

HF average score: 3.48

Thanks for joining us! Looking forward to our April 11th meeting, "Show and Sip", where 3 members will share their favorite "go-to" bourbon with the group.

-Logan