It has been too long since I have paid proper attention to the title of this blog. Afterall, it isn’t just a beer blog, no, it is a Beer and Whiskey blog! I’ve been a little focused on beer lately, so I want to reclaim our whiskey readers! I can think of no better way to do this than to discuss the merits of Noah’s Mill whiskey, a 114 proof whiskey that is aged 9 years in oak and quite possibly the best whiskey I can’t get here in Idaho.
I first ran into Noah’s Mill about two years ago on a trip I made to New Orleans. I had dinner at Bourbon House in the French Quarter, and they had bourbon flights. Noah’s Mill was the star of the flight, and I was on the hunt for it from that point on. So this summer when I came across it at Ray’s Liquors in Wauwatosa, WI on a trip to visit my folks, I picked it up. It’s not a cheap bourbon, the fifth cost about $45, but it is worth every penny.
This is an interesting whiskey, it is big like you might expect from a 114 proof bourbon, but it is also very smooth. It is light on fruity sweetness and heavy on the tobacco and leather. My brother Jim nailed the description of this when we were drinking it in Wisconsin. He said it was all finish and not a lot up front. He is correct in the fact that it is heavy on finish flavors. Typically a bourbon will start out with a sweetness and then finish with the tobacco and leather, not Noah’s Mill, it’s like eating desert first.
It immediately goes to leather and tobacco with just an ever so slight caramel sweetness to keep it from tasting ashy like some Scotch Whiskeys can. The actual finish on this whiskey is bright and long lasting, about 45 seconds, and leaves a nice warming sensation in the chest. This is a GREAT cigar Bourbon!
This is a small batch whiskey from the folks at Kentucky Bourbon Distillers. Unfortunately none of their products have been “approved” for the State of Idaho. I guess they just don’t politic too well. That is definitely my loss, as this is a superior whiskey that I absolutely love. KBD also distills another favorite of mine the Willett Bourbon brand. They also have Rowan’s Creek, Pure Kentucky-XO, and Kentucky Vintage to round out their small batch offerings.
Noah’s Mill I’m sure won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved this unique and delicious bourbon. If you want a bourbon that is big on flavor and finish this is a good one to try. It will set you back a few sheckles but it is way worth the cost in my opinion. So go ahead, eat your cake first, or better yet light up that after desert Stogy and enjoy!
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
I’m more of a scotch single malt man myself,but you do make this one sound good. And I am glad to see you guys writing something about whiskey.
I think this would appeal to single malt drinkers. Its lack of sweetness and chewy mouthfeel and tobacco and leather flavor profile really remind me of some of the peatier Whisky offerings, without all that horrible peatiness. 😉
Sounds like a good one to sip in front of the fireplace this winter Don, thanks.
Enjoy it Wayne. Good stuff.
I intend to, I’m putting it on Santa’s list along w/ the Metaxa 5 Star and Oban.
BTW: I take back everything I’ve ever said about American-brewed stouts. I just had my first (but not last) heavenly taste of Leinenkugel’s Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout. At 9.5, its abv is above my normal preferred range but wow! The flavor profile is so intense that the alcohol can’t begin to compete with it. The BA only gave it a B+ and the Bros a mere C+, but I think they missed the boat on this one. Also, if you can find it, do try Victory’s Doppelbock–a real keeper (actually not–the carton says I shud drink it by Dec 17th–LOL.)
Good to see whiskey back on the agenda. Been drinking a lot more of it now that the snow is falling in Michigan. Picked up a bottle of Rowan’s Creek from KBD a few weeks back. Nice stuff.
It never really fell off the agenda Rich, it just needed a little attention and love. The Rowan’s creek looked like a good one too. Looking forward to giving that one a try some day. Just need to get the State of Idaho to privatize Liquor sales. They keep discussing it in the legislature. Hopefully they will eventually make the change and we can get some real competition in liquor sales.
Great review Don! Have you tried Henry Mckenna 10yr Single Barrel? I found it the other day and thought it was awesome.
I did, and I liked it a lot too. I reviewed it as part of my single barrel showdown, but it went up against stiff competition against Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit. The WTKS won, but the MeKenna scored an honorable mention, because it was so flavorful and unique.
Well I know someone who will be receiving a shipment of Pappa Bears Bourbon Barrel Porter for the holidays if anything is needed.
We need to talk Mr. King!
Hey! What happened to the whiskey showdown?
Fighting Cock won because Don just loves knocking back a few Cocks on a Friday night.
Yes, I went there. Directly there…did not pass go.
I think I need the weekend to begin!
Oh it is still going on, I just have to get off my lazy butt and finish it! Don’t listen to Jim, he’s an Idiot.
I’d suggest that it’d make a good Christmas posting.
ABOUT TIME! And a nice bourbon. I may contemplate this blog over the Pappy 15 I scored TODAY!!!! Come on by and I’d be happy to share.