Good morning everyone and welcome to 2019! As if the dawn of a new year wouldn't be enough reason for a wakey whiskey, it's also LSU Gameday! There are a few firsts going on in the game... it will be LSU's first ever Fiesta Bowl appearance, as well as the first ever meeting between LSU and UCF. Going into this season, I'd have been thrilled with a Fiesta Bowl appearance, so this is the most excited I've been about a bowl game in several seasons.
Back at Thanksgiving I was in Florida, obviously before anyone knew that it was going to be an LSU/UCF matchup, but I picked up a bottle of St. Augustine Distillery's Single Barrel Select Florida Straight Bourbon Whiskey from the Total Wine & More in Sarasota, Florida. This is a 96 proof straight bourbon (aged at least two years) blended and bottled exclusively for Total Wine & More. According to the employees I talked to, St. Augustine Distillery is the only distillery in the state that distills, ages, and bottles their own bourbon. I saw a few other sourced options from the state, but ultimately settled on this barrel pick.
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| St. Augustine Single Barrel Select Bourbon |
Although this bourbon doesn't have a distinct age labeling, it must be at least 2 years old to be labeled as straight, and the darker color makes me think that it's mostly older. It could also be aged in smaller oak barrels which increases the surface area to volume ratio which accelerates the maturation process. The result is a darker deep caramel colored bourbon that has an incredible oakey aroma with hints of vanilla and molasses. The flavor is well developed, with strong oak flavors, a pleasant backing of sweetness, and a clean finish. This drinks like an older mature bourbon, which is a fantastic compliment. I had never heard of St. Augustine Distillery before, but if you find yourself in Florida and see some, don't hesitate to make a purchase.
Cheers, and GEAUX TIGERS!