A Rare Spirit Indeed!
Pros:
Absolutely excellent
Cons:
not usually available in bars and restaurants
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Rare Breed is arguably the finest spirit produced by the finest bourbon purveyor in the land, Austin Nichols. Rare Breed is a blend of 6yr, 8yr and 12 yr old Wild Turkey, and is bottled uncut at barrel proof. The particular proof of the bottle I'm sampling as I write this is 108.6, and a heady mixture it is...
The aroma reminds me most of honey, with hints of more. The first taste is of oak, followed by the honey, and then a fiery warmth that informs you this is not a whisky to be trifled with. Slightly more assertive than the also impressive 12 Year Old, yet possessing of a slightly smoother character than the 101 proof 8 year old bottling, this is my personal favorite amongst a variety of impressive offerings.
It would be sacrilege to taste this whisky in a manner inconsistent with the care taken to produce it, therefore a few fingers poured "neat" in a short tumbler with perhaps a few drops of spring water is the only recommended recipe. (Although the finest bourbon and cola known to mankind can be made with this whisky...just make sure it's made from someone else's stock.)
To drink this spirit requires uncommon constitution, as it is not really that approachable...fans of single malt scotches would likely notice similarities in tones, if not in potency. Do NOT buy this for a woman sitting at the bar, unless you want her seat.
This spirit is best enjoyed slowly, with a large, entirely carnivorous meal cooked minimally (rare beef or lamb) and followed with as fat a cigar as can be procured legally...and it should be shared with a very good friend.