Fall is the perfect time of the year to sample whiskeys as the days get cooler. Columbia Distributing’s Wine & Spirits Team shares their recommendations for whiskeys to sample this upcoming autumn season.
2BAR
More than a century ago the Kaiser family settled in South Texas and established the 2BAR Ranch. Since then, five generations of Kaisers have ranched the land under the 2BAR brand. In 2012, Nathan Kaiser opened 2BAR Spirits in Seattle. And it’s one of two distilleries that’s entirely grain-to-glass, meaning everything from milling the grain through bottling is done on-site.
Our recommended sampler of 2BAR’s whiskeys are:
- Amaretto Barrel Finished Bourbon (ABV: 45%): 2BAR Straight Bourbon Whiskey is rested in one of the Sons of Vancouver (BC) distillery’s Amaretto barrels, which results in a delicious and entirely unique whiskey with wonderful amaretto and full-bodied 2BAR Bourbon notes.
- Straight Bourbon Whiskey (ABV: 40%): This 80-proof straight bourbon whiskey has wonderful depth and is exceptionally smooth and accessible. Wonderful notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and hints of dark chocolate.
- Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon (ABV: 45%): Using wine barrels from incredible Washington wineries allows the notes and flavor of this whiskey to give the complexity of a Manhattan and the accessibility of sipping whiskey all in one.
Amador
Amador Whiskey Company specializes in making limited-production, luxury whiskey for consumers with an appreciation for quality taste. The double barrel aging process produces products of the highest quality with unique tastes and finishes.
Our three recommendations are:
- Double Barrel Classic Bourbon (ABV: 45%): Aged for nine to 12 months in medium toast French oak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. The result is a copper-brown bourbon tint with a cabernet red hue, sensational vanilla characteristics, and a silky mouthfeel.
- Double Barrel Rye Whiskey (ABV: 46%): Double barrel aged starting with new charred American oak barrels for three years. Then, the Kentucky rye is finished in Amador County Terra d’Oro Port barrels for nine to 12 months, providing its red hue, welcoming vanilla notes, and quintessential velvety mouthfeel.
- Double Barrel Wheated Bourbon (ABV: 43%): The very best of two worlds. This product delivers notes of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and roasted almonds that seamlessly intertwine with hints of honey and tobacco for a rich and full-bodied drink.
Barmen
Barmen 1873 Bourbon (ABV: 46%) is a bold yet smooth blend of aged straight bourbon whiskeys. The amber-colored, complex whiskey with golden highlights offers notes of sweet caramel, fresh peach, and apricot merging with biscuit and cocoa. It has earned multiple awards and recognitions, including silver medals at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the 2023 Bartender Spirits Awards.
Blue Run
Blue Run is a culmination of five individuals with one shared passion—great whiskey. Crafted to create a peak experience, Blue Run whiskey has received several accolades, including multiple double golds and two Best in Category recognitions.
Blue Run whiskey bottles are distinguished by the manufacturer’s signature butterfly medallion, which symbolizes the metamorphosis of the world of whiskeys and represents Blue Run’s mission of introducing its products to a more diverse generation of spirits enthusiasts.
Our sampler of Blue Run’s whiskeys includes:
- Emerald Rye Whiskey (ABV: 58.35%): Crafted from just 189 barrels, Emerald Rye embraces the distinct, spicy characteristics of rye, yet with the approachability and depth of an aged bourbon.
- Golden Rye Whiskey (ABV: 47.5%): Blue Run’s inaugural Rye expression, Golden Rye was named for both the distinct color of the choice grains that were used in the creation process and the resulting product.
- Trifecta (ABV: 58.55%): This is a small-batch whiskey that starts with a base of finely crafted six-year-old whiskey. To add additional depth and character, it blends that with two whiskeys aged in the upper reaches of their respective rickhouses, giving what Blue Run calls “wood heat.”
Discover More Whiskey Options at Columbia Distributing
Beverage retailers, bars, restaurants, and others throughout Washington will find a vast selection of whiskeys and other spirits at Columbia Distributing. Our Wine & Spirits Team is happy to recommend products based on your needs. To learn more, contact us today.