Some
people think those who have podcasts can’t do anything with them, and for the
most part, they’re correct. So many fall by the wayside, only garnering a few
followers. But the ones who do it are passionate about their podcasts and have
a good time, and that’s all that matters, right?
Then
you have those who do big things with their podcasts. There is one called Bourbon
Pursuit which has been around since March 2015. Founded by Kenny Coleman
and Ryan Cecil, they’ve been very successful. In 2018, they formed a
company called Pursuit Spirits, which sourced Straight Bourbons and Ryes
to create its blends. The first release, in 2021, was a success, and Pursuit
Spirits is following up with a second.
To
help differentiate batches, Pursuit Spirits has come up with a labeling system
with a 3- or 4-digit code. The numerical portion refers to the month. The
alphabetical part represents the year, with “A” representing a zero. Thus, the
current batch is 7CC for July 2022.
Pursuit
Spirits has also dropped the age statement on the bottles because everything in
the blend is now at least four years old. The Rye is a corn-heavy mashbill meant
to appeal to Bourbon drinkers and comes from Bardstown Bourbon Company and Sagamore Spirits, while the Bourbon has a rye-heavy mashbill containing a
blend of distillates from Bardstown Bourbon Company, Finger Lakes Distilling, and an undisclosed Tennessee distillery that is not George Dickel. Each 108°, 750ml package runs $65.00, and both
are distributed to stores in CO, GE, IL, KY, NM, OH, TN, TX, and online at Seelbachs.com.
Before
I get to the tasting notes and ratings, I must thank Pursuit Spirits for
providing me samples in exchange for no-strings-attached, honest reviews. Now,
let’s #DrinkCurious and learn more.
Pursuit United Straight Bourbon Batch 7CC
I’ll
start with the Bourbon because when I have to review both Bourbons and Ryes
together, and the proofs are the same, Bourbons are generally less spicy.
Appearance: I drank
this Bourbon neat from a Wee Glencairn glass (a smaller version of a common
Glencairn). It was the color of caramel and created a thick rim with fast legs.
Nose: A
bouquet of corn, caramel, candied orange peel, cinnamon, and toasted oak wafted
from the neck of my glass. It was like a vanilla bomb exploded when I pulled
that air into my mouth.
Palate: This whiskey had a light, silky mouthfeel,
which introduced me to flavors of cinnamon, corn, and vanilla on the front of
my palate. The middle offered rye spice, almond, and mocha, while the back
tasted of black pepper, leather, and dry oak.
Finish: A medium-long, warming, and somewhat tingly
finish was a blend of cinnamon, rye spice, and toasted oak.
Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The Bourbon was nice, yet not something that
would stand out from the crowded field of others that cost $65.00. To me, the
nosing component was the best part of the experience. I recommend buying
yourself a pour of Pursuit United Bourbon at a Bar before
committing to a full bottle.
◊◊◊◊◊
Pursuit United Straight Rye Batch 7CC
Next up is the Rye. It, too, was sipped via a Wee Glencairn glass.
Appearance: I found
the color only a shade darker than the Bourbon. It was still caramel in color;
however, it formed a much thinner rim which yielded slow, wavy legs that fell
back to the pool.
Nose: Aromas of mint, vanilla, brown sugar, and
toasted oak made it to my olfactory sense. The toasted oak rolled across my
tongue when I inhaled through my mouth.
Palate: An oily, full-bodied texture led to vanilla,
brown sugar, and caramel on the front of my palate. It was as if each flavor
marched one by one and faded as the next approached. The middle tasted of baked
apples and pears, along with fresh ginger. The back was spicy with cinnamon,
wintergreen, and clove.
Finish: The finish was much longer than the Bourbon,
and while vanilla was part of the equation, the remaining notes were spicy with
wintergreen, ginger, and clove.
Bottle, Bar, or Bust: To get
the question out of the way, I preferred the Rye to the Bourbon. It had more
character, there were bold flavors to be savored, and it wasn’t simply another
play on a 95% rye, 5% malt that is dominating the market these days. I believe
you’ll enjoy Pursuit United Straight Rye, and I am happy to say it earned its Bottle rating. Cheers!
My Simple, Easy to
Understand Rating System
- Bottle = Buy It
- Bar = Try It
- Bust = Leave It
Whiskeyfellow encourages
you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.
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