O.H. Ingram River-Aged Straight Whiskey

To mix things up, a friend provided me with several samples marked with shapes or codes to keep their identities hidden until after tasting. Could I confuse a rye for bourbon or miss a finish? I'm eager to discover the answer as we continue this blind tasting with the vial labeled B3. The aroma presents a moderate rye spice with notes of dill and caramel, followed by freshly toasted pumpernickel bagel that recedes but lingers, offering hints of cinnamon applesauce, fresh cherries, and grilled peaches. These evolve into wintergreen, spearmint, cloves, leather, and subtle oak, accompanied by a moderate ethanol presence. The palate has a medium body, beginning with a moderate rye spice, dill, and caramel, then a freshly toasted pumpernickel bagel that fades but remains subtly present. It continues with notes of Granny Smith apple slices, cherries, and grilled peaches, leading into a moderate spice that gradually shifts to wintergreen, spearmint, cloves, nutmeg, leather, and light oak, with a medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium in duration, featuring grilled peaches, apple slices, dark chocolate, fresh pumpernickel bread, ginger, cloves, spearmint, leather, and light oak. Overall, this is a highly enjoyable spirit. I suspect it's a bourbon with a significant rye component, though I could be wrong. It's a well-balanced whiskey, skillfully blending rye characteristics with classic bourbon flavors harmoniously. However, a higher proof would truly enhance these flavors and create a richer mouthfeel. So, what was this one? Did it have a rye element, or did I just have too much rye the previous night that lingered... O.H. Ingram River Aged. Wait, what's this brand? I've never heard of it. It's a mix of MGP bourbon and rye, aged for over 3 years in a floating rickhouse on the old Mississippi River in Kentucky, then bottled at 96 proof. I wish I had known about this earlier when my father-in-law asked about my intentions for his daughter. I could have said I plan to take excellent care of her by residing in a riverside rickhouse. After all, what more could a parent desire for their daughter's future husband than waterfront property and an endless supply of whiskey?

Score: 14/23 Nose: Pungent rye notes alongside woody tannins and a hint of tar. A touch of earthiness. Then a pleasant mustiness emerges, building a nice toasted grain aroma. A bit of corn sweetness provides a base throughout. Possible undertones of green apple and citrus. A faint whisper of vanilla with floral hints. Palate: Abundant rye, yet it's smooth and controlled. Spicy with herbal qualities and some wood-induced tannins. There's a hint of anise. Vanilla asserts itself strongly, accompanied by a subtle floral character and minerality. Corn sweetness offers a soft but somewhat weak foundation. The spice intensifies for a period. Some intriguing, musty barrel characteristics become apparent as I swirl. The mouthfeel, however, is rather weak and the tastes lack significant definition. Finish: Sweet, mineral water with slightly floral vanilla and persistent spicy warmth. - Verdict - I suspect this is a well-aged, high-rye bourbon (over 4 years). It also bears resemblance to Jim Beam Black, sharing its somewhat vague flavors and mild overall impression. I find Russell's Reserve 10 (15-16) and Whistlepig Piggyback (16) to be more engaging and robust. This aligns more with Early Times Bottled In Bond (15) or Wild Turkey 101 (14). To confirm my assessment wasn't influenced by my current disposition, I sampled it against Belle Meade Cask Strength (19), which was utterly enjoyable. This will be either a 14 or a 15. Given the lack of depth in the flavor, I'm settling on 14. Appreciate the opportunity to sample this from a friend.

Nose: Caramel, sweet floral scents, grass, vanilla, apple, honey, peach, anise, black pepper, aged wood, cinnamon, marshmallow, coconut, cocoa, with a moderate ethanol burn. Taste: Salted caramel, tart apple, lemon, milk chocolate, vanilla, grass, anise, powdered sugar, cinnamon, black pepper, grapefruit, honey, clove, mint, with a moderate alcohol bite. The medium-short finish has caramel, tart apple, and baking spice flavors. This is the third of nine blind samples. It starts with a rather floral, grassy, salty aroma, featuring notes of apple, honey, and caramel. It seems quite mature, though on the lighter side. The palate is similarly light, grassy, and fruity. Unfortunately, it turns sour, suggesting it's younger than the aroma indicated. It's light and fresh with some decent aromas and flavors, but not much else stands out. Overall, it's better than average, but the unpleasant sourness prevents a high rating. The spirit is Ingram River-Aged Whiskey, matured on floating warehouses, which is interesting. They likely should have aged it longer. Thanks to a friend for the sample!

MGP is like a disease – a great imitator and too readily acquired. This is 3 years old or more, “river aged” in a floating warehouse. Barge IN068518. Definitely disease material. Oh, young MGP, how many aliases do you possess? And why do you carry an aroma reminiscent of Buffalo Trace’s namesake (or perhaps Elmer T Lee). And why does a certain companion consistently leave bottles of inexpensive whiskey at my home? Oak, stone fruit (apricots, oranges), vanilla, perhaps a hint of dill or clove. Oh, but so much wood and vanilla. Plenty of spicy fruit. Delicious. This presents a rather substantial mouthfeel and a superior finish compared to most Buffalo Trace products. While I criticize Sazerac/BT out of jealousy, this actually warrants the comparison. It’s sweet yet replete with oak character, perfectly harmonized with pepper, clove, dill, and allspice. The finish endures longer than anticipated for 96 proof, but the warmth is appropriate. Wait, holy hell, he paid $80 for this?? Why? How can sourced MGP at 3 years and 96 proof cost $80?!? Well, at least it’s enjoyable. And if ETL is priced at $300-400, then perhaps this is a deal?

Sampled neat with friends at a bar in New Orleans. The nose offered little, perhaps honey and sweet corn. The palate had sweet caramel with subtle vanilla notes and a warm finish.

The aroma carries notes of grain, rye, oak, vanilla, cinnamon, and orange. A touch of spice on the palate, with some sweetness accompanied by cinnamon, white pepper, honey, and oak flavors. It feels somewhat thin.