A Should-Have New Star in Artisan Bourbon
Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($64.99)
“…this is without doubt one of the most interesting entrants and well-conceived bourbons to enter the scene in a very long time.” — Andrew Whiteley, Okay&L Spirits Purchaser
With the explosion of the American craft bourbon scene over the previous decade or so, it has develop into one thing of an train in maintaining observe of what was distilled the place, and by whom. Fortunately, we now have debuts just like the exceptional Frank August Small Batch. To make sure, this newest newcomer to the scene was distilled at certainly one of Kentucky’s most well-known amenities and blended by one of many bourbon business’s most acknowledged names, however all that info is stored a secret, and the model depends as an alternative on what should be crucial attribute of any spirit—the top-class high quality of the juice within the bottle. Our spirits group was definitely impressed with this standout overachiever—Andrew Whiteley describes this 100-proof charmer as “shockingly elegant and considerate in its mix,” whereas David Othenin-Girard notes, “only a few of the posh manufacturers provide such opulence and well-rounded charisma.” Given the specs that we do know, coupled with the outrageously scrumptious spirit itself, that is additionally the most effective bangs for buck within the class at its startling worth of simply $64.99. With batches being a mere 10-15 barrels on common, we don’t count on this primary installment to be obtainable for lengthy, so avid collectors will wish to strike rapidly on what is certain to develop into a red-hot title within the bourbon sport.
Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($64.99)
Okay&L Notes: This new model, from an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky, is a real small batch: solely 10-15 barrels are dumped at a time. Whereas we don’t have a lot details about the way it was made, we are able to inform you that this micro-batch would simply qualify as Bottled-in-Bond if the distiller could possibly be disclosed. And whereas the marketplace for Kentucky bourbon is as tight as could be, that is proof that almost something is feasible. Designed impeccably to carry bourbon into the fashionable period, Frank August isn’t counting on drained tropes about some fictional recipe. The truth is, Frank August will not be an actual particular person in any respect, however a perfect. As a substitute of retelling a contrived story, Frank August is reinventing the act of storytelling fully, purposing a brand new narrative of what it means to be American and the way and why we devour our nationwide drink. In the end, they’ve put collectively a beautiful bundle and managed to fill it with distinctive juice. And that’s a ok story for us!
Andrew Whiteley | Okay&L Spirits Purchaser | Evaluate Date: September 02, 2022
It’s extremely refreshing to see a brand new bourbon model come to market and transfer away from the “my great-great-granddaddy moonshined again within the day” BS story that so many manufacturers cling to. Whereas in the end at Okay&L we attempt to make the majority of our choices about what to promote primarily based solely on the standard of what’s within the bottle, a pleasant bundle and story is at all times good to have the ability to add in. Luckily, right here with Frank August, we’ve bought the entire package & kaboodle. First off, the bundle is extraordinarily elegant and thoughtfully designed (the particular glue on the again label peels off to make reuse as a vase or decanter further simple). The whiskey itself can also be shockingly elegant and considerate in its mix. Bottled at a decent 100 proof, it’s no punch-in-the-teeth bruiser however as an alternative is full of taste and nuance. The colour is a stunning, golden amber. The nostril is vivid and clear. It has a substantial amount of sweetness blended amongst fruit, candied sugars, and wooden. A flash of cherry and stone fruit, perhaps even a blackthorn’s sloe berry with its vivid tang, caramels, molasses, brown sugar syrup, and a wooden profile that isn’t all varnish, however slightly freshly hewn inexperienced branches and a kiss of dried vanilla. The palate carries a lot of the nostril into it, but additionally provides a bit extra natural complexity on the perimeters and a sweeter mid-palate than you may count on. Molasses and tarragon each come to thoughts as does contemporary Granny Smith apple. The end is medium in size, lingering pleasantly however by no means cloying or aggressive, with only a kiss of warmth. Briefly, this is without doubt one of the most interesting entrants and well-conceived bourbons to enter the scene in a very long time. It bucks the pattern of going for broke on a hazmat-proof single barrel in favor of thoughtfully executing a high quality dram. A pleasant shock and tremendous addition to any bar or assortment.
David Othenin-Girard | Okay&L Spirits Purchaser | Evaluate Date: August 30, 2022
Frank August is a refreshing tackle the bourbon class. Not caught up in any previous tropes, that is simply actually well-crafted bourbon from a few good guys who appear to know everybody. Once more, Kentucky is all about who you understand, and whereas little or no could be divulged concerning the sources and strategies right here, I believe the whiskey speaks for itself. It’s secure to say that that is coming from a well-regarded distillery, and the mixing is completed by an business veteran who’s taken the thought of small batch to a complete new degree. Blends matter lots at this scale, and this inaugural batch is tasting fairly stellar. The type isn’t a baseball bat to the palate like a few of the geeks may need nowadays, however as an alternative it’s a refined and chic expression of bourbon that’s hardly ever on show within the fashionable market. Let’s style it! The beautiful, reddish hue tells us that this one is perhaps a bit older than some others in the marketplace. The nostril is a deft and well-aligned bouquet of caramel candies, toasted vanilla, baked clove, and different fragrant spices. Hints of cacao, burnt sugar, and dried fruit help. The feel is slightly wealthy and unctuous with a full physique however no warmth at 100 proof. No oddness or distinctive flavors past the traditional, elegant, and well-rounded character of a superb, medium-aged Kentucky bourbon. The end is lengthy and welcoming, providing tons of sweetness and tempering the spice that lingers on the entrance palate. It’s exhausting to say the place this was sourced precisely, however only a few of the posh manufacturers provide such opulence and well-rounded charisma. I’d say that that is higher than most each new product we’ve come throughout—and there are lots of. Frank August may sacrifice energy for magnificence and completeness, however no good bourbon drinker shall be dissatisfied, and the overtness permits even essentially the most novice entry into this nonetheless considerably exhausting to parse class. Plus, the bottle appears to be like superior and doesn’t scream or shout, however simply appears to be like fairly on the bar for so long as you’ll be able to hold it full, which seemingly gained’t be lengthy.
