A Lengthy-Awaited Bourbon Launch Not like Any Different
Fortuna Bitter Mash Small Batch #1 (Bottled 9/22) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($84.99)
“…this has all of the presence and character of the nice small batches from the large canines however provides a stage of nuance and complexity that’s hardly ever seen in fashionable bourbon.”
— David Othenin-Girard, Okay&L Spirits Purchaser
This is perhaps probably the most anticipated craft bourbon model launch of the 12 months, and for thus many good causes. The crew on the trailblazing bottler Uncommon Character is liable for among the most compelling new bourbons hitting the market, and Fortuna would possibly simply be the head effort of the entire challenge. Painstakingly recreated by grasp blender Pablo Moix from a legendary Nineteenth-century whiskey of the identical title, it isn’t merely a brand new run of juice made in keeping with an authentic recipe. As an alternative, Pablo composes every six-barrel batch guided solely by his personal palate’s impression of the unique Fortuna spirit itself, drawn from his personal private assortment. It’s artisanal mixing in probably the most genuine style. Distilled by one of many legacy Kentucky distillers (we will’t say by whom), the result’s a bitter mash spirit not like another. As David Othenin-Girard declares, “I’d be genuinely shocked if anybody else is taking a lot time and power to place collectively such a scrumptious product.” Supremely balanced but decadent and full of old-school bourbon character, Fortuna is every little thing we thought it will be once we first heard of its impending launch. New model releases with this sort of pedigree are unicorns, and this primary batch of Fortuna could be very seemingly set for legendary standing down the street, so savvy collectors will wish to take full benefit of the very first providing in California, earlier than it inevitably sells out.
Fortuna Bitter Mash Small Batch #1 (Bottled 9/22) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($84.99)
Okay&L Notes: The Fortuna Model was as soon as probably the most sought-after and properly regarded names in Kentucky. Based by Phil Hollenbach within the 1870s and distilled on the as soon as well-known Glencoe Distillery, the Fortuna model is lastly again. Reimagined by the Uncommon Character crew, Pablo Moix, Andy Shapira and Pete Nevenglosky, the purpose of the model has remained the identical for greater than a century—to share “the style of fine fortune.” Hollenbach was a legendary gentleman. Having emigrated from Germany in 1869, he was working a profitable blender and bottler by the late 1870s. His companions, the Stitzle Bros., distilled Fortuna and Glencoe on the facility in Louisville till no less than the early 1900s. The trendy story is way the identical. The best bourbon manufacturers are nice due to the exacting dedication to high quality of their house owners. There’s no query that Uncommon Character has been in a position to supply top-tier juice for this particular product. Past the standard of the spirit, every batch is rigorously blended by Pablo Moix, one of many world’s most skilled palates, to imitate the character of an authentic bottling of the Fortuna model. That’s proper—Pablo meticulously places every six-barrel batch face to face with the unique Glencoe juice to get as shut as humanly doable to that legendary pour. That is the primary batch to be launched and was bottled in September of 2022. We’re proud to be promoting Fortuna in California, and we’re extraordinarily excited to share this particular product with our prospects.
David Othenin-Girard | Okay&L Spirits Purchaser | Overview Date: September 21, 2022
The story behind the Fortuna model is barely eclipsed by the unbelievable high quality of the spirit within the bottle. Re-established by Pablo Moix of the outstanding Uncommon Character bottler, the unique model was as soon as one in all Kentucky’s most sought-after. Phil Hollenbach created the model to share his “success” with the world, and now we’re extraordinarily grateful and fortunate to do the identical. Every tiny, six-barrel batch is hand-blended by Pablo. Whereas he can’t inform us who’s distilling for him, he can inform us who’s not. The product is produced “on the shelf,” referring to the well-known limestone shelf that makes bourbon nation, and its water, so particular. It’s not a candy mash or a pot nonetheless, so not being sourced from any variety of new distillers. In order that leaves one of many legacy distillers, which to be sincere is totally unbelievable by itself. There aren’t any new manufacturers that get entry to shares from legacy distillers—even ones that appear to have entry from sure locations are working via restricted brokered shares. However past the entry that Fortuna has garnered, Pablo’s unbelievable breadth of tasting information and expertise is unprecedented. Right here, Mr. Moix tries his hand at mixing, and I’ve to say he’s hit an absolute house run. Guided by samples of the unique shares, which come out of his private assortment, Pablo rigorously mingles these shares with the purpose of capturing the unique character of this historic whiskey model. I’d be genuinely shocked if anybody else is taking a lot time and power to place collectively such a scrumptious product. Let’s style it! Proper out of the bottle the nostril is totally singing. Large, candy aromas of marzipan, vibrant pink cherry, caramel candies, Seville orange oil, roasted clove, and fresh-ground cinnamon. The nostril is totally enchanting and exemplifies the purpose of recreating the flavour profile you would possibly count on from a pre-pro bottling. It even appears to have that little twinge of dustiness that I at all times affiliate with whiskies which were within the bottle for a lot of a long time, albeit to not an awesome diploma. On the palate, a particularly velvety texture and rounded mouthfeel, with much more cherries, candied now, plus gingerbread, candy vanilla bean, brown sugar syrup, and baking spices of all types. The end is lengthy and really simple. No tannin or burn coming via in any respect, however the ultra-sweet caramel character is tempered by a slight spicy chew. The important thing takeaway right here is stability! So many whiskeys we drink nowadays are simply absolute bombs, and this has all of the presence and character of the nice small batches from the large canines however provides a stage of nuance and complexity that’s hardly ever seen in fashionable bourbon. I suppose that’s why they name it Uncommon Character. We’re all so FORTUNATE to have Pablo bringing these unbelievable barrels to our cabinets and proud to be Fortuna’s first buyer in California.
Michael Pires | Okay&L Workers Member | Overview Date: September 23, 2022
This is without doubt one of the greatest bitter mash bourbons I’ve ever tasted! The upper proof and oily texture give this bourbon extra physique, making it nice, balanced, and complicated. Aromas of caramel, stone fruit, curaçao, and oak spice shine, and a bit water opens this bourbon up properly. An ideal sipper that will pair fantastically with a cigar.
Austin Jenkins | Okay&L Workers Member | Overview Date: September 23, 2022
Wow, it’s not fairly often we get to come across one thing so “new” and so refined. New is in citation marks as a result of Fortuna has a historical past. With that being stated, nevertheless, this bottle is nothing to scoff at. The aromas simply off the preliminary pour alone are sufficient to get the mouth watering; brown sugar and maple, with probably the most refined char. The flavors are heavy on the warmed spice facet however not so intense to the purpose of unbalance. It’s chased by caramel for a long-lasting end. The feel is extraordinarily silky. Even now as I’m penning this, I’m contemplating going again for a second dram. This can be a legendary bottle produced by a soon-to-be (if not already) legendary crew. I foresee this bottle sweeping out within the coming days. And contemplating on the time of posting this the juice was bottled solely in the future in the past, so get it whereas it’s scorching—or moderately, get it when you can.
Illya Haase | Okay&L Workers Member | Overview Date: September 22, 2022
I really like Bourbon! I additionally lean in the direction of excessive proof and a high-rye mash invoice. However, generally one comes throughout my desk and shakes me out of my choice. The Fortuna shattered that choice! One phrase: stability. Water needn’t apply. From begin to end, it’s close to perfection. It opens up with white honeysuckle similar to the sort that we used to choose off the bushes in Kentucky. Contemporary-cut wooden and roasted peanuts. Sweet caramel and butterscotch. That’s simply the nostril. First sip is full of life and vivid with flavors of spearmint and baking spice. Mid-palate is heavy with fantastic array of creamy caramel and vivid cherries. Balanced flavors, the place nothing over takes the opposite. The end is lengthy with that Kentucky hug proper down within the chest. Despite the fact that it’s not a loopy excessive proof, it has an amazingly prolonged end. I can hear it now. Effectively, “it’s only a six 12 months.” Like I say on a regular basis, “I don’t actually care how previous it’s, it must be good!” And rattling, that is good!
