Taconic Distillery is privately owned and operated by founder Paul Coughlin and his wife, Carol Ann Coughlin. The couple, who started the brand in 2013 as a weekend hobby, own and manage the business on their 115-acre property. The distillery, located at 179 Bowen Road, in Stanfordville, New York, in the Hudson Valley, is rustic and charming, and reflects the outdoorsmen lifestyle of it's owners. Their labels are filled with horse and dog iconography. They make excellent Bourbon and Rye. I have been a fan of theirs since they first opened. PJ Coughlin is a good guy making an honest American product.
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Their Distiller's Select series "represents the rarest expression of Taconic Distillery bourbon. Rather than releasing every barrel at full strength, our distiller patiently waits for those exceptional barrels that naturally mature beyond 130 proof". These are in essence "honey barrels" from among PJ's stocks. These are extremely small releases because they are done at barrel strength at the highest point. This is connoisseur level whiskey.
Taconic Distillery Single Barrel Distiller's Select is made from a mash of 70% Corn, 25% Rye and 5% Barley. This whiskey is aged a minimum of six or more years in charred American oak barrels. The Distiller's Select line only includes whiskies that have attained an ABV of 65% and up, (approximately 130+ Proof). Each bottle is hand labeled and numbered by barrel number and bottle. This whiskey opens up on the nose with dashes of spice and honey and warm baked red apples, with soft notes of fresh vanilla shortbread. The middle pads out with lovely caramel and toffee, that baked apple again, and cream. It finishes with notes of ginger and black pepper and Christmas spices. It comes finally to rest with the caramel and toffee and vanilla which leave a warm, smooooth palate. I had this straight, with a dash of water, and on the rocks. Each time the whiskey changed in the glass, allowing more of the flavors to unwind both through the nose and on the palate. And absolutely elegant experience. This is a bourbon drinker's bourbon - full of flavor, not just an alcohol bomb, but a fully developed whiskey with incredible lasting power and finesse. This is that special bottle you reward yourself with or for friends and family to celebrate a special occasion. Or maybe that secret stash that only for you. Maybe just you, a fire, and a big old dog whose head is resting on your lap. Regardless, this whiskey is something special.
WOW!
Special note; I also shared a bottle of their Taconic Distillery Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup which is out of this world!!! Deep and rich, this is real American, New York State maple syrup. Its fantastic over waffles, pancakes, and French toast. But it's just as good over vanilla ice cream (hint: try it and some spicy sweet baked pecans). And it's terrific to add to cocktails - say a Bourbon Maple Old Fashioned. A Maple Hot Toddy. Or a Maple Hot Buttered Rum! Any drink requiring simple syrup? Maybe give this stuff a thought for substitution. I have to admit, I intend to make a full pound of maple glazed bacon strips with lots cracked pepper! Or for glazing pecans! A must have!