Closing 2014 - The Shirt Bar Frat Party

Shirt Bar end of year Frat Party 2014 - Adam & Louka

What is going on in Sydney with the whisky scene is truly epic and it is without question a golden era for the scene as a whole. Will it last who knows but right now lap it up. So what a day the 19th Dec was to be for us as we transitioned from one Christmas party to the next. Reluctantly leaving The Wild Rover Smoky Christmas in the southern steps of the Sydney (reluctantly because there was a lot of whisky), the Whisky Ledger and myself were committed to traveling onwards into the northern tip of city to attend the all time classic Shirt Bar end of year Frat Party.

For those regular readers, including D.T.W.C. members, you will note the Shirt Bar is all to often frequented by a few of us for whisky tastings. OK maybe also picking up the odd pocket square or lapel pin in a passing fancy. I like The Shirt Bar. I like it a lot. Ok so the whisky shelves are not weighted like some of the other bars but the choice is ripe, the beer is fresh and well priced, the shirts are smooth, the staff are fun, the digs is happening, and those cold cuts… oh my those cold cuts! If you have not attended even one Scotch Club Tasting Sessions (it is not always Scotch mid you) at the Shirt Bar it is about time you did.

YWatch & Whisky was on one side of the line and we, Whisky Ledger and myself, on the other. Any crossing was sorely frown on before ejection back into the street. No beer, a bag full of camera equipment, spitting rain, and memories of a party full of Laphroaig whisky we just vacated. It was not all that bad as a rocking band had setup right next to us and began to belt out some pretty sweet tunes. That line though. That infamous virtual line we could not cross while watching those brews being pulled by Adam. I will remember.

That virtual line we could not cross

es we could hear the party well before we arrived. Rounding the corner we were expecting a little delay as we had already had word the event was oversubscribed. To greet us at the virtual line was a bouncer who refused to show his face to the camera every time I whipped it around but still somehow had eyes in the back of his head.

Soon enough we were in and then things started to lock into place. Adam Hofbauer was dressed as a human keg and tapping Fat Yak into those obligatory red plastic cups we see on American TV shows, while Louka dished out free pizza as the staff near collapsing under the pressure of festive insanity.

The Shirt Bar as it was 30 sec after entry while Adam looks like he could do this all day long.

Decked out in stereotypical American paraphernalia the Shirt Bar was still open for business somehow! When else can you shop for a shirt or button hole pin and be server beer and pizza at the same time? Where tell me, where!

Slipping in and out of the store as the rain washed through, we sipped brews, and watched very poorly executed games of pingpong until Whisky Ledger did a Cuban cigar run. Yes he knew somewhere that could deliver on a night like this. Of note Watch & Whisky failed in a previous attempt but a quest is a quest and Whisky Ledger was determined. High fives all round. The whisky of choice was a Woodford Reserve Distillers Select matched to either the more subtle 1875 Romeo y Julieta or heavier Montecristo Yellow. The wind was blowing, the cigars were spluttering, Watch & Whisky was fretting about both, but the whisky was sweet, and the band played on.

Live band, cigars, and whisky

As the night rang to a close and the bar refused further orders we stepped back past that virtual line the bouncer had given up on hours before. It was a good night, it was a great night, so we thank the Shirt Bar for another fabulous event. Knowing the night was going to be wet I came prepared with a hip flask filled with the sweet fluid of Glenlivet 18yo. mmmmmm that ‘livet made the walk to the public transport well worth it.

Cheers Shirt Bar and see you again soon for another Scotch Club Tasting Session.

The Baron

Thick, Rounded & Voluptuous – Maker's 46

Maker's 46

Summer is well and truly here and I have been holding onto this sucker for sometime now. I love my bourbons in the humid summer months. Clearly then I have been patiently waiting to crack the wax seal on my Maker’s 46, sit on the deck, and sip away though the Christmas break. This is my last Dramcember post as well with the new year now in full swing. The wait was well worth it.

At a glance this is much more sophisticated bottle than the more squat Maker’s Mark we are used to seeing. The wax seal noticeably heavier is almost draping like a velvet cloak down over the seal. The glass is thick, rounded, heavily based and voluptuous. Certainly being quite a looker as bottle styles go, it displays its booty gloriously. No paper label either, with rather with printing directly onto the glass and a wax logo floating towards the neck. I like it!

Reading the glass printed label you will be quick to notice the ABV is at 47%. Here in Australia it is often found the bourbons that grace our shelves are watered down variations of the US releases. Regularly reasoning sighted for this is that our taxes on liquor make imports overly expensive. Maker’s Mark is one of those such bourbons that see a cut in the ABV, down from 45% to 43% and now to 40%. I have been quoted twice now by Maker's Marks reps here in Australia (the last being in 2013), that Australia consumes sum 40%+ of the yearly quota the distillery produces. This level of consumption adds to the requirement to make it stretch a bit further globally. If you would like to try the original Maker’s Mark at 45% ABV head over to the online Aldi Liquor store to make a 1L purchase for $56.85AU.

So what makes Maker’s 46 so different form the standard release? Finishing. Yes even a bourbon can be finished and why not. In this case we see Maker’s 46 gently finished in barrels containing seared French Oak staves. The staves are inserted into the inner cavity of barrels previously seasoned with bourbon, then refilled with Maker’s Mark. The barrels are then warehoused and left to age for several months during the winter period. The introduction of French oak imparts a much bolder, spicier, complex flavour profile. It is assumed that with the ageing during the winter months the wood reacts in more subtle ways, leaving a lot of the earthy bitter tannins found in French Oak behind.

Thick wax seal, suspended logo, and printed glass

Maker’s 46
Distiller: Maker’s Mark
Region / Location: Kentucky, USA
Alcohol/ ABV: 47%
Finish: Toasted French Oak Stave Inserts

Colour: Rusty nails

Nose: Elements of the typical Maker’s Mark wheats are present but now only part of flavour facet. Rich vanilla oaks, touches of dried fruits and cranberries topped with hints of wet wood coals.

Taste: Bold (and I don’t use that term loosely). Rich oaky vanillas, dried apricots and dense spices. Marginally tacky with a light mouth chew.

Finish: Long and spicy that leaves a little coal fire in the chest while the sweetness lingers on the tongue.

Overall this is a great bourbon and an obvious step up from the standard release of Maker’s Mark. The spiciness and sweetness is clear and lingering well on after a sip. Don’t mistake the term spicy with which you get in a rye whisky either. The rich vanillas and caramels do need this added spice the french oak delivers. It is neither dry not bitter.

If I was to give a dram 5 3/4 out 7. The package as a whole is lovely though dragging it down is the price which is nearing $70AU a bottle. That is asking a lot unfortunately but we cannot do a lot about our alcohol taxing system. Counter the comment about price our local retailer runs out of stock on a very very very regular basis so its popularity is solid I am guessing. It is a sipping whisky and you will enjoy it.

I say go try it if you like your bourbons but would appreciate a twist and turn to a staple classic.

The Baron