Lucky 7 "The Holiday Toast" Double-Oaked Bourbon Review & Tasting Notes

 

Lucky 7 Spirits was founded by Michael Lahalih and John Pals in 2018. Since college, Michael and John were (pardon the pun) pals, and both enjoyed Bourbon and cinema. And that’s where the name Lucky 7 came from; Stage 7 in Hollywood was the stage where so many great movies were filmed. It was nicknamed Lucky Stage 7.

 

“Lucky 7 Spirits brings together a complex mix of qualities; each flavor highlighting our unique tone of voice. We are classy, confident and curious. We always tip our hats, invite the outsider to join our table and embrace the notion that life is a precious gift. We are quirky, fun and relaxed yet we know our stuff, inside and out. We are professionals, connoisseurs, fanatics, friends and ultimately family. We love good Bourbon, good people and good times.” – Lucky 7 Spirits

 

Lucky 7 Spirits is proud not only of its whiskeys but also of its packaging. No matter the release, each utilizes a beechwood stopper with a natural Portuguese cork, a 24k gold logo meant to honor Stage 7, a label that depicts a movie ticket that can be peeled back, with a QR code leading to a film reveal, and a decanter bottle. The film is a short black-and-white movie.

 

The Holiday Toast was initially set to be a limited, annual release. However, its popularity was more than Lucky 7 anticipated, so its production continued. This sourced Bourbon originates from an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky; the mashbill is unknown. Bottling occurs at Bardstown Bourbon Company; you can arrive at your own conclusions. 

 

Batch No. 10 is a Double-Oaked Bourbon aged between four and five years during its first maturation in new, charred oak barrels. Then, it was transferred to a secondary, virgin toasted oak barrel. It is packaged at 57.5% ABV (115°) and has a suggested price of $79.99 for a 750ml bottle.

 

The black-and-white film the QR code links to stars Charlie Chaplin in a bar fight. The entire run is 1 minute and 12 seconds. You can view it here.

 

Much of the above is schtick, which is fun but does nothing to enhance the Bourbon inside the bottle. I care about how it smells and tastes (and I assume the same is for you). Lucky Seven Spirits gave me a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. I’m grateful for the opportunity. Let’s #DrinkCurious and get down to business.

 

Appearance: I poured this whiskey into my Glencairn glass and sipped it neat. Inside the glass was a burnt umber liquid that produced an incredibly thick rim. Slow, sticky droplets drug down the wall.

 

Nose: While shooting my photo outside, the Bourbon’s fragrance was bold. I brought my glass back inside and settled into my whiskey library, where I could better appreciate the sensations. Thick caramel, plums, cherries, nutmeg, and toasted oak were easily identified. Less so were smells of chocolate, toffee, and cinnamon. When I inhaled through my lips, I encountered pine – not juniper, but pine.  

 

Palate: I found a mouthfeel that was thick and weighty. The very first note was cherry Nyquil. And that’s precisely why I say never judge a whiskey on its first sip. The second brought flavors of cherries, plums, and nutmeg to the front of my palate. The middle featured tastes of cinnamon spice, marshmallow fluff, and chocolate. The back consisted of French oak, candied ginger, and clove.  

 

Finish: Medium-to-long in duration, the finish had plenty of French oak, clove, cinnamon spice, and plums.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I was unhappy with that first sip but happy I got past the palate shock on the second because The Holiday Toast is a solid Bourbon with intense character. Its aroma and palate make it clear they’re the show's stars; the package is merely a supporting actor. I liked that the cherry notes went from artificial in the initial taste to authentic in the second. If the finish were more prolonged, that would be a welcomed change. Thankfully, it wasn’t too brief and could still be savored.

 

From a value statement, I believe there is a good return on investment. Fans of higher-proofed Bourbons won’t be disappointed. Those who are toe-dipping may find The Holiday Toast slightly too bold, or at least oakier than what they’re used to. The Holiday Toast reminded me a lot of old-school Elijah Craig 12, and considering this is a third that age, that’s impressive. Much can be attributed to the double-oaking process.

 

The Holiday Toast deserves respect. It also deserves my 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 to do so responsibly. Lucky 7 Bourbon is intended for those of legal drinking age (21+).