Welcome to Barleycorn’s inaugural Whiskey Bowl.
In this playoff showdown, we chose a host of excellent whiskeys from the states whose teams made the NFL playoffs and faced them off in a head-to-head, blind-taste smackdown. Now it’s time to reveal who dominates the shotglass, regardless of who prevailed on the football field. So grab a dram, check your brackets, and see which of these fine spirits makes it to the big show.
Your officiating crew for this blind taste showdown includes Barleycorn editor John McCarthy and veteran Barleycorn Awards taste judges Susie O, Susan Reigler, and myself, Clint Lanier.
John McCarthy: As a woeful Jets fan, McCarthy hardly has a dog in the NFL Playoff fight. But when it comes to whiskey, the Barleycorn Awards Director of Judging and Whiskey Education Director at The Rose Room at the Garden City Hotel is rooting for everyone.
Susan Reigler: Susan Reigler: Growing up a Cincinnati Bengals fan didn’t land Reigler much hometown joy through the decades. But this veteran spirits scribe, tasting judge, and whiskey historian can celebrate a fine dram seven days a week.
Clint Lanier: After two decades of Pittsburgh’s seasonal playoff teases, Clint is one of those fans who knows this is the year. So, while his beloved Steelers tanked again this year, he’s about to find out if the whiskey representing them will go all the way.
Susie O: Truth be told. Dallas’ most popular spirits and drinks influencer wouldn’t know a football from an oblong leather cocktail shaker. But when it comes to spirits, she might as well be Jim Nantz, Joe Buck, and Troy Aikman rolled into one.
ROUND 1
NFC Wild Card
Philadelphia Eagles
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Small Batch Straight Rye
50 %; NAS; $40
Score
20
VS.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
St. Augustine The Saint Barrel Finished Bourbon
54.65 % ABV, NAS ; $200
Score
21
Winner!
"A classic rye noted for its fruity nose and warm finish faces off against a bourbon with extensive cinnamon notes. The rye started strong, but Tampa Bay edged Dad’s Hat out with its warm spices and sweet finish with lovely alcohol integration."
NFC Wild Card
Los Angeles Rams
Pacific Coast Spirits Small Batch American Single Malt
150 % | NAS | $150
VS.
Detroit Lions
Traverse City Straight Wheat Whiskey
58 % ABV; Aged 5 Years: $100
Score
17
Score
21
Winner!
"Traverse City’s balanced offense of fruit and spice and big notes of caramel came through on the finish to best Pacific Coast Spirits’ delicate and floral nose with hints of citrus."
NFC Wild Card
Green Bay Packers
J. Henry 5 Year Small Batch Straight Bourbon
46% ABV; NAS; $50
VS.
Dallas Cowboys
Oak and Eden Scottish Ale Soaked Oak Spiral Finished Whiskey
45 % ABV; NAS; $60
Score
27
Score
34
Winner!
"J. Henry hit first with a grain-forward whiskey that’s “sweet and fruity,” but Dallas responded with “spicy, dark fruit and toffee” for the win."
AFC Wild Card
Cleveland Browns
High Bank Whiskey War Double Double Oaked
56.75% ABV; Aged 5 Years; $100
VS.
Houston Texans
Milam and Greene Straight Rye finished in Port Wine Casks
47 % ABV; NAS; $52
Score
24
Score
21
Winner!
"A tough contest, with the “dark fruit and deep caramel” of the High Bank Whiskey just edging out the “lighter palate and toasted almonds” of Houston’s Milam and Greene."
AFC Wild Card
Miami Dolphins
Hemingway Rye Straight Rye Finished in Rum Oloroso Sherry Casks
50 % ABV; NAS; $80
VS.
Kansas City Chiefs
Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof Straight Bourbon
58.25 % ABV; Aged 6 Years; $75
Score
20
Score
24
Winner!
"Ben Holladay’s defense was warm and spicy, with slight port notes and a medium finish, outlasting Hemingway Rye’s offense of light notes of cotton candy."
AFC Wild Card
Pittsburgh Steelers
Manatawny Still Works 4 Grain American Whiskey
45% ABV; NAS; $47
VS.
Buffalo Bills
King’s County Distillery Single Barrel Straight Bourbon
53.5 % ABV; Aged 7 Years; $69
Score
14
Score
10
Winner!
"Underdog Manatawny came out swinging with a light, fruity nose and a long but delicate finish that overpowered King’s County’s earthy and spicy aromas."
ROUND 2
NFC Divisional Round
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
St. Augustine The Saint Barrel Finished Bourbon
54.65 % ABV, NAS ; $200
VS.
Detroit Lions
Traverse City Straight Wheat Whiskey
58 % ABV; Aged 5 Years: $100
Score
21
Score
20
Winner!
"In this matchup, St. Augustine’s cinnamon spice took on Traverse City’s balance of fruit and baking spices, and while the Straight Wheat Whiskey put up a fine performance, the touch of floral and hint of lemon put St. Augustine’s The Saint over the top."
NFC Divisional Round
Dallas Cowboys
Oak and Eden Scottish Ale Soaked Oak Spiral Finish
45% ABV; NAS; $60
VS.
San Francisco 49ers
Old Potrero Straight Malt Straight Malt Whiskey Finished in Stout Barrels
55.47 % ABV; NAS; $98
Score
27
Score
34
Winner!
"Oak and Eden’s combination of fruit, spice, and toffee fell just short against Old Potrero, which features a rich, complex palate and an intense, spicy nose."
AFC Divisional Round
Cleveland Browns
High Bank Whiskey War Double Double Oaked
56.75% ABV; NAS; $100
VS.
Baltimore Ravens
Sagamore Spirit Rye
41.5 % ABV; NAS; $35
Score
27
Score
30
Winner!
"What a game! The light and floral quality of Sagamore Spirits Rye prevailed, though High Bank was a worthy opponent with its deadly dark fruit and caramel combination."
AFC Divisional Round
Kansas City Chiefs
Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof Straight Bourbon
58.25% ABV; Aged 6 Years; $75
VS.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Manatawny Still Works 4 Grain American Whiskey
45% ABV; NAS; $47
Score
10
Score
7
Winner!
"Manatawny stood firm with its impressive banana notes and a long finish. But Ben Holladay ultimately prevailed with its excellent spice notes and dark, complex fruitiness. "
ROUND 3
NFC Championship
Tampa Bay Bucaneers
St. Augustine The Saint Barrel Finished Bourbon
54.65 % ABV, NAS ; $200
VS.
San Francisco 49ers
Old Potrero Straight Malt Straight Malt Whiskey Finished in Stout Barrels
55.47 % ABV; NAS; $98
Score
21
Score
24
Winner!
"St. Augustine’s spicy boy put up a great fight, but in the end, Florida’s favorite bourbon was bested by Old Potrero’s spicy balance and deep malt complexity."
AFC Championship
Baltimore Ravens
Sagamore Spirit Rye
41.5 % ABV; NAS; $35
VS.
Kansas City Chiefs
Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof Straight Bourbon
58.25% ABV; Aged 6 Years; $75
Score
44
Score
37
Winner!
"Baltimore Raven fans wish their team performed as well as their whiskey this year, as Sagamore’s bright, bold nose and floral notes hit hard and often against Ben Holladay’s sweet port flavors and medium finish for the win."
ROUND 4
The Super Bowl
San Francisco 49ers
Old Potrero Straight Malt Straight Malt Whiskey Finished in Stout Barrels
55.47 % ABV; NAS; $98
VS.
Baltimore Ravens
Sagamore Spirit Rye
41.5 % ABV; NAS; $35
Score
21
Score
24
Super Bowl Winner!
"Finally, the matchup we’ve been waiting for! Old Potrero’s dark fruit and praline that hangs on through the finish was ultimately edged out by Sagamore’s bold nose and gorgeous floral palate."
Spirits writers, marketers and designers are among the most influential forces in the spirits industry. Their opinions, ideas and creative talents inform and influence consumer perceptions and buying decisions. The John Barleycorn Society was started by a group of spirits journalists seeking to honor excellence in all facets of the industry. The journalists spent several years creating a comprehensive competition that became the John Barleycorn Awards. An elite team of authoritative and influential spirits journalists was selected to administer the flagship component of the Awards, a blind tasting competition destined to become the preeminent arbitrator of spirits taste, quality and character.
