RD1 Spirits: An Amburana for the Haters
The finish isn't overwhelming, as Amburana usually is, and provides just enough spice and sweetness to keep it interesting. I'm not sure if it's the combination of my delight for cinnamon and my love for caipirinhas...but I just really enjoy this whiskey.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: RD1 Spirits
- MASH BILL: 70% Corn | 21% Rye | 9% Malted Barley
- AGE: 4+ years
- PROOF: 110 (55% ABV)
- MSRP: $69.99
- BUY ONLINE: RD1 Online Bottle Shop,
ERIN'S NOTES
SHARE WITH: The most skeptical of finished bourbon drinkers. And Amburana lovers. And those who love a nice fall cocktail (scroll down for that one).
WORTH THE PRICE: Yes, if you are looking for an Amburana to challenge you and change your mind.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. This will please seasoned bourbon drinkers, cocktail enthusiasts, and even those who are skeptical about bourbon.
OVERALL: I’m Erin Petrey, co-captain of Bourbon & Banter’s finished whiskey haters club (I share the honor with Mr. Brent Joseph). It takes a lot for me to like a finished whiskey and tend to prefer my whiskey unmeddled with by port or sherry or rum or tequila or beer or some other bit of alchemy. I am always left wanting to dig below the usually cloying flavor of the finish to sample the whiskey underneath. And yes, I’ve tried so many, constantly rechallenging my preconceived notions and palate preferences, usually to no avail.
But as this site's maxim states: I always Drink Curious.
And yes, dear reader, I was as astonished as you are when one of the finished products that actually tickled my palate the right way was - gasp! - AMBURANA. The much-maligned, over-indulged, and under-mastered Brazilian oak that is traditionally used to age that nation's signature sugar spirit, cachaça. But I don't like every Amburana I try, but this one, friends, this one, just hits different.
Enter RD1 Spirits. Cofounded by my friend, Barry Brinegar, this Lexington distillery has made a name for itself in exploring different wood finishes. They've gone as far as employing a literal wood doctor - Jarrad Gollihue, PhD - as their Master Distiller. Now this might seem like a place I would try to avoid wholeheartedly considering their stalwart schtick for finishing. However, not only was it founded by a friend, but it’s also in my hometown so I had to at least give it a chance. But don’t worry, the hometown advantage didn’t play any part on my palate.
RD1's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood is a total delight. I love cinnamon. It reminds me of Christmas, which is my favorite holiday, but I know that too much of it can be pretty off-putting for most people. I’ve had some really bad Amburana finishes, the kind that feel like you’ve just snorted the bottom of a Costco-sized cinnamon stick container and then brushed your teeth with an off-season Pumpkin Spice Yankee Candle.
The finish isn't overwhelming, as Amburana usually is, and provides just enough spice and sweetness to keep it interesting. I'm not sure if it's the combination of my delight for cinnamon and my love for caipirinhas, the signature cocktail of Brazil made with cachaça, but I just really enjoy this whiskey.
I first got a taste for caipirinhas in graduate school when I stumbled upon a bottle of cachaça at Liquor Barn and it became my post-grad school class evening treat. A type of limey, slightly sweet comfort quaff. And speaking of cocktails, this one really shines in the Amburana Apple Spritz cocktail that I sampled at the RD1 distillery in Lexington. It's the perfect drink for fall, the holidays, or even poolside. It can be both bright and refreshing, as well as comforting and cozy. In short, it contains multitudes.
AMBURANA APPLE SPRITZ COCKTAIL
AMBURANA APPLE SPRITZ INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amburana Wood
- 2 oz Apple Cider
- Top with Ginger Beer
AMBURANA APPLE SPRITZ PREPARATION
Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour bourbon and cider over ice, top with ginger beer, and stir with a cinnamon stick. Use the stick as a garnish. Enjoy!
If you can't find Apple Cider - or it isn't in season - you can use apple juice. I suggest Martinelli's.
BRAND NOTES
The best of baking spices – apple cinnamon, nutmeg and light brown sugar – come alive on the nose and are followed by pine, vanilla, peaches and apricots. Flavor galore with spice cake, and ginger snaps in a rich mouthfeel. Try a drop of water to open up hints of herbal black tea, dark berry jam and pineapple pepper. Finish is long and warm, and ends with allspice and sweet oak.
If traditional tasting notes aren’t your style, you may…
See – Family heirloom coin collection
Smell – Sugar-cookie decorating party
Taste – Sweet and savory, begging for a Hot Toddy
Feel – Snowed in for the holidays