bourbon, the way the duke wanted it.

[Ken Gargett]

https://robbreport.com/food-drink/spirits/new-duke-whiskeys-honor-actor-john-wayne-eg18-2814073/

 

Try Bourbon and Rye Made From John Wayne’s Personal Recipes

The Duke's son worked from the actor's own notes and shiners to create a modern homage to the legend.

BY SARA L. SCHNEIDER ON AUGUST 30, 2018

When Ethan Wayne, son of one of America’s silver screen greats, unlocked the vaults containing the carefully catalogued stuff of his father’s life, he found memoirs, costumes, scripts, John Wayne’s Oscar for True Grit . . . and an entire vault dedicated to Wayne’s liquor collection. A perfectionist on the set and off, the “The Duke” was often quoted as saying, “If I’m going to have a drink, it had better be a good one.” And Ethan recalls that, even as a boy, he knew his father dreamed of creating his own spirits.

 

 

 

But here was proof: Along with his favorite bottles dating back to 1962, there were recipes and shiners—unlabeled bottles containing Wayne’s trials. He had left evidence of just the kind of whiskey he was trying to make. It was a “message in a bottle” too compelling to resist, so Ethan partnered with industry pro Christopher Radomski and master distiller Jacob Call of O. Z. Tyler distillery in Kentucky. The team began tasting and deciphering, reverse engineering the recipes to find out exactly what the whiskey profile was that Wayne was working towards in the 60s. It was balanced and smooth, according to Radomski—more like a fine scotch, tilting slightly more toward rye than most today.

Starting with a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the team launched the Duke brand to honor that style as well as the great actor himself. Now, Duke is releasing a “Grand Cru” Founder’s Reserve 9-Year-Old Bourbon and a Rye (both in the $125 range). Radomski explains the grand cru part: The whiskeys are finished in tight-grained French oak barrels that have held some of Napa Valley’s best Cabernets. (Mum’s the word on which ones, exactly, but their appellations are good addresses—St. Helena, Howell Mountain, and Rutherford.)

 

The Duke Grand Cru Founder’s Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon (110 proof) opens with floral notes blending into orange, caramel, toasted hazelnuts, and vanilla; the palate is smooth and bright, with a savory edge on the brown sugar character.

The Duke Double Barrel Founder’s Reserve Rye Whiskey (98 proof) has spent time in wine barrels, plus a finish in wine barrels that have also held Duke’s bourbon, with a velvety result. Cherry, marzipan, and vanilla bean give way to sultry smoke and spice.

This is how the Duke wanted it.

[madandana]

Thanks Ken. Love the Duke, I’ll have to give it a try.

[Ken Gargett]

Just now, madandana said:

Thanks Ken. Love the Duke, I’ll have to give it a try.

who doesn't!

i was driving when i heard he'd passed. will confess i pulled off the road and sat for a while and tear trickled down. 

[Ericbrobes]

Certainly going to give it a go, thank you!

[Gamehawker]

Pass

[inter4alia]

Not bourbon in my book if it touches old wine barrels. Call me a purist curmudgeon. 

[SmokenWhisky]

42 minutes ago, inter4alia said:

Not bourbon in my book if it touches old wine barrels. Call me a purist curmudgeon. 

This first came out a few years back. It was sourced whiskey and apparently not very good. 

I'm guessing this is a kind of relaunch maybe? Different source, new label? 

Regardless, I would steer clear of this one. Save your money. 

I whole heartedly agree with the above statement too. Angels Envy also finishes off their straight bourbon in port barrels. It was bourbon, but now its something else.

[Lotusguy]

Another way to cash in with some bullcrap marketing story. Not a cent of my money.

[DeskSmkr]

I’d like to have a taste - there are promising statements made. The product is however going to have to be quite good to stand alongside Scotland’s _standard_ offerings.  I’m skeptical, and at the same time, open to it being good.  

I’ve looked, tasted, and desired to find an American whiskey, that to my palate, is as smooth, complex, and enjoyable as any common single malt.  This desire has led to tasting various bourbons and the conclusion that whiskey and scotch are two different spirits and will always be different enough that I prefer Scotland’s product.

[inter4alia]

4 hours ago, DeskSmkr said:

I’d like to have a taste - there are promising statements made. The product is however going to have to be quite good to stand alongside Scotland’s _standard_ offerings.  I’m skeptical, and at the same time, open to it being good.  

I’ve looked, tasted, and desired to find an American whiskey, that to my palate, is as smooth, complex, and enjoyable as any common single malt.  This desire has led to tasting various bourbons and the conclusion that whiskey and scotch are two different spirits and will always be different enough that I prefer Scotland’s product.

Absolutely agree, American whiskey and scotch are just two different spirits. 

[GavLew79]

An unusually slender bottle for such a man's man. Although he was called Marilyn. ?

[Duxnutz]

Most likely garbage, just like the recently released Metallica stuff.