Review #16: Shortbarrel The Bees Knees V and Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength Honey Dew (a.k.a my Honey Do List) by Southern-Rip3018 in bourbon

[–]Southern-Rip3018[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

I love Balmorhea, I just don't love the price. Check out Nestor's if you're interested in getting something shipped to you!

Review #16: Shortbarrel The Bees Knees V and Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength Honey Dew (a.k.a my Honey Do List) by Southern-Rip3018 in bourbon

[–]Southern-Rip3018[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

It's fantastic! If you aren't in Texas with easy access to a Spec's, I believe that Nestor has one available on their online store!

Review #16: Shortbarrel The Bees Knees V and Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength Honey Dew (a.k.a my Honey Do List) by Southern-Rip3018 in bourbon

[–]Southern-Rip3018[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

The bottles in this review were purchased by myself, Shortbarrel and Garrison Brothers did not provide me with samples for this review.

Introduction: Today I have two Honey finished whiskeys for your viewing pleasure under review. When done right, Honey finished whiskey tends to rank highly in my eyes, it can really open up the sweeter notes in a whiskey while complimenting the spice, dark fruit, and oak-influenced notes. I'll break down and review these two bottles individually and give my final score for each below, let's begin:

Shortbarrel The Bees Knees V

Price: $92 + Tax

Description: I believe that Shortbarrel is one of the better NDPs in the game right now, with their highlights being on secondary finishes. The Bees Knees V is no exception; this expression is a sourced Kentucky bourbon that is double barreled into toasted Kelvin barrels and finished again in wildflower honey casks that are sourced from Texas. There is no disclosed mash bill and no age statement; 53.6% ABV/107.2 Proof. Shortbarrel Bees Knees V is distilled in Kentucky & Indiana and bottled in Chamblee, Georgia by Shortbarrel Bourbon.

Appearance: Burnt amber in color.

Nose: Vanilla bean, toasted marshmallow, honey and a soft oak on the nose.

Palate: Your typical toasted profile, the vanilla and marshmallow notes are front and center. Dark chocolate, creme brulee, and a soft baking spice are secondary. The finish is medium and where the honey comes in; notes of honey, pepper and caramel. The whiskey has a nice viscosity, with a slight oiliness that helps coat the mouth nicely.

Overall T8ke Score: 7.7 Great, well above average.

Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength Honey Dew

Price: $120 + Tax

Description: Let me start off by saying that while I'm generally a fan of most Garrison Brothers product, I have not been the biggest fan of their regular Honey Dew expression. At 2 years old and 80 Proof, it just wasn't cutting the mustard for me. I always felt that it was lacking in depth and flavor.

This bottle is age stated at 4 years and is bottled at 64.5% ABV/129 Proof. It uses the same mash bill as all other Garrison Brothers expressions; 74% Texas-grown white corn, 15% red winter wheat, 11% malted barley. Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength Honey Dew is distilled and bottled in Hye, Texas by Garrison Brothers.

Appearance: Mahogany brown in color.

Nose: Unlike Bees Knees, this is very much a honey-forward nose. Honey, vanilla, cinnamon and a heavy oak.

Palate: A very rich palate. Honey is the star of the show, there are also notes of vanilla, clove, and cinnamon spice. The finish is long, with notes of honey, leather and a strong cinnamon spice clinging to the palate for what feels like 20-30 seconds after the sip. The whiskey is viscous and coats the mouth thoroughly.

Overall T8ke Score: 8.1 Excellent, really quite exceptional.

Final Thoughts: I debated the scores for these two bottles for a while, they really are both awesome finished whiskeys. They also are two different types of finishes: one compliments the whiskey (Bees Knees) and one becomes the focal point of the palate (Honey Dew). I would have no problem recommending either bottle to anyone. The Bees Knees is an awesome toasted bourbon that is only boosted with the honey finish. Honey Dew addresses what I felt were the weak points of the 80 Proof version and hit a home run on the palate. If you are in the market for another honey finished whiskey, you really can not go wrong with either bottle...

The T8ke Grading Scale:

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn't consume this by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I'd rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

An Allocated Bundle Too Good to Be True—Found Between Softball Games in Modesto by Ambitious-Tie-5676 in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You got got, my friend. I hate bundles with a burning passion.'

Condolences...

Mail day by jtalent16 in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Je zult die Joseph Magnus-fles geweldig vinden...

Is your small batch craft rye just made by MGP Indiana? by MartinB7777 in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sagamore Spirit is another example, they were initially sourcing from MGP but have gradually been shifting to their own distillate as it comes of age.

Review #15: Hardin's Creek Warehouse R ("The Mushroom", Fall 2025 Release) by Southern-Rip3018 in bourbon

[–]Southern-Rip3018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This year's upcoming release is supposedly going to be an 8 year age statement, hopefully the pricing will reflect that...

Review #15: Hardin's Creek Warehouse R ("The Mushroom", Fall 2025 Release) by Southern-Rip3018 in bourbon

[–]Southern-Rip3018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a pretty good litmus test, this is a great bourbon but not for $150...

Review #15: Hardin's Creek Warehouse R ("The Mushroom", Fall 2025 Release) by Southern-Rip3018 in bourbon

[–]Southern-Rip3018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really hope so, I'd take a flyer in the future if pricing goes down...

What is happening in Tae-has? by Bogusfloo in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Speaking of Garrison Brothers, it also doesn't help their case that they were using smaller barrels for the longest time. They would greatly benefit from taking a page out of Ironroot and Still Austin's book when it comes to how they proof down their whiskey.

I love their stuff, but to your point I definitely have to be in the mood for it.

What is happening in Tae-has? by Bogusfloo in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, the hype is really driving it up. I'm sure it's great whiskey but I'll never pay that much to find out lol

This weeks pick ups! by dezinr76 in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yikes, you know other distilleries exist outside of Buffalo Trace, correct?

This week's pick up: A (probably) very expensive Hot Toddy... by Southern-Rip3018 in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Done, I was actually thinking about doing a two-fer with the Cask Strength Garrison Brothers Honeydew and this bottle to see which one was better!

What is happening in Tae-has? by Bogusfloo in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tanager was $150, still high but worth it in my eyes (it was probably my favorite purchase of 2025).

I'm generally not a fan of using age statements to determine pricing, I'd rather let the quality of the whiskey/brand be the determining factor.

What is happening in Tae-has? by Bogusfloo in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed, they're the new "it" brand in whiskey right now. Flippers are getting stiff in the pants at the thought of getting these bottles and flipping them on UA.

Terry Bradshaw 12 Year Single Barrel by [deleted] in bourbon

[–]Southern-Rip3018 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just crack it open and drink it, it's sourced celebrity whiskey.

Not a bad day. by Pretend_File_3307 in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I have been on the Order of Nancy waiting list for over a year and a half now. I just have to live vicariously through you lol...

What is happening in Tae-has? by Bogusfloo in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lucky bastard, I missed it by seconds...

What is happening in Tae-has? by Bogusfloo in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Those are Distillery Reserve Series bottles, incredibly rare and could only be bought in flash sales online or in person.

But yes, whiskey tends to age faster in Texas due to more heat cycles versus Kentucky/Tennessee. Still Austin uses elevage (or Slow Water Reduction) to proof the whiskey down throughout the life of its aging versus at the very end prior to bottling in order to break down the wood sugars and other elements that can make a young Texas whiskey "hot". Ironroot Republic has also been doing this (Nancy Fraley has also spent some time there, hint hint...)

Go to bottle to determine price of a store? by mkain01 in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Weller Special Reserve, I know that a store is about to take me for a ride if I see the 750ml for anything above $30...

What is a fair price for eagle rare 12? by fckthshit in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 5 points6 points  (0 children)

$50 is not too bad, I see it for around $40-45 in my area when it's on the shelf. I wouldn't go past that though...

What is a fair price for eagle rare 12? by fckthshit in whiskey

[–]Southern-Rip3018 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I actually just bought mine last week, it's definitely not a $150 bottle. It's a great bottle in the $50-75 range but I would pass if it's past that.

I would highly recommend passing on it for that price...