Month: August 2023

1792 Full Proof, Single Barrel Select, Red Wagon Shoppe.

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Maker: Barton 1792, Bardstown, Kentucky, USA (Sazerac)

Style: Rye recipe straight bourbon whiskey (high malt?)

Age: NAS (I don’t remember if the store disclosed the age), but at least four years old.

Barrel #8683

Proof: 125 (62.5% ABV)

Michigan state minimum for 1792 Full Proof: $47

Tasted with a splash of water (don’t be a hero when it comes to 125 proof bourbon)

Appearance: Dark copper.

Nose: Dark caramel, charred oak, Habanero chili.

Palate: Full-bodied and semi-dry. Caramel, white pepper, anise, allspice.

Finish: Dry with some sweet heat.

Parting words: This is my first review of any kind of Full Proof 1792. I did review 1792 Single Barrel from the pre-divorce Red Wagon alongside a selection from the Rural Inn. I believe that last bottle of Full Proof I owned, however, was a selection from the Rural Inn. It tasted good, but I always got a wicked headache afterwards. I’m not sure why, but unchill-filtered bourbons have a tendency to do that to me.

No such complaints for this Red Wagon (Rochester Hills) selection, though. It has big caramel flavors with some holiday spice in the background. It’s not particularly complex, but with a splash of water, it’s a very nice winter or autumn sipper. $47 isn’t chump change, but when the high proof is factored in, it’s a pretty good deal, especially compared to how much microdistiller or Potemkin distillery products go for these days. Red Wagon selections almost never disappoint. Full Proof 1792 Red Wagon Shoppe, Single Barrel Selection barrel #8683 is recommended!

Vandy Session Cider

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Maker: Vander Mill, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.

Style: Fermented cider with unfermented juice added.

ABV: 4.3%

Purchased for: I don’t remember (internet says ~$11 for a six pack).

Appearance: Medium gold with persistent but light bubbles.

Nose: Cut golden apples, Anjou pears.

Palate: Medium bodied and semi-sweet. Medium tart, fresh applesauce.

Finish: Clean but with a little tannic grip.

Parting words: I confess that I’ve had this can in my refrigerator for years, waiting to get reviewed. I also have to confess that tasting it was an anti-climax. It accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish: it’s an easy-drinking, low ABV cider. It’s also very much “not for me”. It’s something that will probably appeal more to a casual cider drinker, not a snotty, tannin and funk guy like me.

Given that it’s part apple juice, but about the same price as the real thing (Vander Mill’s Hard Apple) from the same producer, Vandy only merits a mild recommendation.