2017 Private barrel picks
HILLROCK SOLERA, CABERNET FINISH
Finished in Cabernet Barrels, bottled at 96.6 proof.
This was our group’s first ever barrel selection. Lead by the late great Dave Pickerell, HillRock Distillery has been producing some of the finest hand-crafted spirits in New York area. The centuries old Solera aging method was used by the distillery first on their bourbon whiskey. This process provided layers of fig, roasted walnuts, candied fruit and spicy rye. This barrel was shared between The Bourbon Cartel, and the Atlanta Bourbon Society, and the pick team included:
Group Founder Eddie Noel of Walton Kentucky.
Members of the Atlanta Bourbon Society.
RUSSELL'S RESERVE - Pick No. 1
Bottled at 110 proof, from Rickhouse H
A faithful bottle, a delicious whiskey that is often not given the respect it’s due – Russell’s Reserve from the famous Wild Turkey Distillery. We were able to taste some of the best barrels, and arrived at a winner. Barrel #16-192, from Rickhouse H, floor 4-46-1. The picking team was comprised of the following group members:
Group Founder Eddie Noel of Walton Kentucky.
Joe Cox, of Louisville KY
Steve Clemson, of Prospect KY
Maulin Sutaria, of Louisville KY
Michael O’Brien, of Prospect KY
Kenny Coleman, of Louisville KY
Linden Ferguson, of Crestwood KY
Jay Parker, of Pewee Valley KY
Omar Marshall
Here’s a short video, of a few of our favorite moments!
RUSSELL'S RESERVE - Pick No. 1
OLD SCOUT AMERICAN WHISKEY 107
A superb American Whiskey, bottled at 107°
Selected by founder Eddie Noel for its unique profile, warm sweet nuttiness and a satisfying finish, this barrel of American Whiskey stood out amongst others. The Cartel was one of the first groups offered to select a barrel once Smooth Ambler restarted their barrel program, and we were honored for the opportunity.
JOSEPH MAGNUS - PICK No. 1
10 years in the barrel, straight to the bottle at 104.68 proof.
The first of our Joseph Magnus picks, this one was really special. It was loved so well, that it was followed shortly by pick #2 within the year! The picking team was comprised of the following group members:
Group Founder Eddie Noel of Walton Kentucky.
Pravesh Saraff of Washington DC
Michael St. Pierre of Charleston SC
John Caruso, of John’s Island SC
Evans Tabor
Brent Hamby
Here’s a short video, of a few of our favorite moments!
JOSEPH MAGNUS - PICK No. 1
BOONE COUNTY 12 YEAR - Pick No. 1
Cask Strength, 114.66 proof, 12+ years in the barrel, MGP Goodness
From 1833, Boone County Kentucky has had its hand in making bourbon. Today the owners of Boone County Distilling are carrying on that tradition, and the Cartel has been fortunate to develop a great relationship with them. We are excited about all the possibilities for their future endeavors. The picking team was comprised of the following group members:
Group Founder Eddie Noel of Walton Kentucky.
Rob Scarborough
BELLE MEADE
MADEIRA FINISH
Aged 10 years, then selected a Madeira cask for finishing. 111.6 proof
We hand selected this barrel on September 15th, 2017, from the Green Briar Distillery in Nashville TN. The brand has a wonderful story. Beautiful example of a sourced bourbon, used to resurrect an old family business. The picking team was comprised of the following group members:
Group Founder Eddie Noel of Walton Kentucky.
Pravesh Saraff of Washington DC
Michael St. Pierre of Charleston SC
Jay Parker, of Pewee Valley KY
Greg C Wochos
Todd Smith
Chris Hill
Joesph Watts
BELLE MEADE, MADEIRA FINISH
JOSEPH MAGNUS CIGAR BLEND 3
A truly unique spirit, triple finished bourbon
If you haven’t tried a batch of the Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend, you need to change that! This blend, Batch 3, is a beautiful finished bourbon which The Bourbon Cartel and Joseph Magnus Distilleries worked together to create. The only unfortunate part about this bourbon, is that unless you have a generous friend in the Cartel, it’s going to be a hard one to taste. We treasure these bottles, and went so far as to name them in the top 3 of our 2017 Whisky of the Year.
Finished in: a PX Sherry cask, a Cognac cask, and an Armagnac cask.
Group Founder Eddie Noel of Walton Kentucky.
Pravesh Saraff of Washington DC
Michael St. Pierre of Charleston SC
Jay Parker, of Pewee Valley KY
Greg C Wochos
JOSEPH MAGNUS - Pick No. 2
12 years in the barrel, straight to the bottle at 102.84 proof
The second of our Joseph Magnus Single Barrel picks, another truly special bourbon. We couldn’t get enough of our first pick, so we had to go back for more. The picking team was comprised of the following group members:
Group Founder Eddie Noel of Walton Kentucky
Craig Limon of Fairfax VA
Aaron Woynaroski pf Indianapolis IN
Michael St. Pierre of Charleston SC
John Caruso, of John’s Island SC
Pravesh Saraff of Washington DC
Greg Wochos
