In the last couple of years I’ve been really impressed with the whiskies developed by Ohio’s Middle West Spirits, namely their first – and the only – dark pumpernickel rye. I reviewed that bottle in September of 2022, along with members of the Las Vegas chapter of the global Drammers club and you can read our collective notes here.
Later in 2022, when I was on the wine panel for the Proof Awards, I noticed that Middle West had entered the competition. I shared the news of their win, that came out in a release early 2023 here. During that competition Middle West took home TWELVE awards! Most notably, “Middle West’s Sherry-Finished Bourbon received two Century Awards, meaning it received a 100-point perfect score from all judges.” I was thrilled to be one of the judges to agree that the bourbon was a 100-pointer! And their dark pumpernickel rye received a gold medal.
Fast-forward to the 2023 Proof awards, and the first bottle listed below, the sherry cask finished bourbon, was awarded the coveted Century award again! Today I want to share my personal awards and tasting notes for these bottles I recently received for review. Keep in your mind that I didn’t read their tasting notes until I had completed mine, it’s a game I like to play to see if we have any of the same descriptors. Notes in italics are taken from the Middle West website:
Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon, Double Cask Collection
EB: Greeted by a beautiful dark gold color, with aromas that reminded me of figs, charred steak, stewed plums and caramel apples. When I tasted the bourbon I expected to find these aromas in the glass, and was pleased as well as surprised to discover, yes, that lovely fruit and char was there as well as lots of spice and notes of both milk and dark chocolate. I added a little bit of water to see how it would open up and found even more spice and fruit,that instead of a simple balanced flavor the two just danced back and forth across my palate! I’ve never made that note about a bourbon before and I was very pleased with my findings! My husband really liked this one as well. 100 points – Century – from me.
This complex spirit is crafted from a blend of corn, wheat, and barley. It’s aged five years, first in freshly toasted American white oak barrels, then in sun-blackened sherry casks that impart notes of cherry, plum, dates, and nutty dark chocolate. The result is a smooth whiskey perfect for toasting proud accomplishments and grand goals. 750 mL | 48.63% (97.25 proof. Regular price $99.99 USD.
Straight Dark Rye Pumpernickel Whiskey
EB: Okay, we already know that I loved this unique Dark Pumpernickel Rye the first time I had it. But as the bottles are labeled by batch, and this was a different batch, I went into it with an open mind. Come to find the dark honeyed color whiskey held aromas such as toasted oak, buttered popcorn, caramelized pecans, marble rye bread and Bananas Foster. Going in for a taste, knowing it was going to slay me no matter what, I was happy to find smooth and spicy notes of earth, hard butterscotch candy, cinnamon and a rush of caramel topping – to top it off. The spice was so much in the forefront I added water to see what might happen. There were notes of the oak that I hadn’t noticed before on the nose, and on the palate it was all sugar and spice, and delivered a lingering finish I didn’t want to end. 100 points, Century, from me.
Handcrafted from scratch, this signature spirit is made in small batches and barrel aged for over three years in new white American oak casks. It’s America’s first Dark Rye Pumpernickel Whiskey. Dark pumpernickel rye, Ohio soft red winter wheat, Yellow Corn, 2-row barley. Double Gold Medal & Best in Category – American Distilling Institute / Gold Medal – Wizards of Whiskey / Distillery of the Year – Wizards of Whiskey. Tasting Notes: Ground cinnamon / vanilla bean / rye seed / ginger / sandalwood / chai latte / carob cookie. 750 mL | 48% (96 proof) | Kosher. Regular price $46.99 USD.
Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, Michelone Reserve
EB: My last bourbon to sample from Middle West tonight and boy was I sorry! So far it’s been very grand. The nose on this one surprised me, the first thing I thought was sweet…then giving it another moment I noted candied cherry, medium toast, vanilla extract and a walk in the woods after the rain. Anxious to taste I dove in to discover peppered jam, bold notes of blackened oak, wheat toast, vanilla and chocolate. It was very big. Adding a little water I went back in…the nose remained the same, but the taste now showed a softer balance of wood, fruit and spice, and an extremely long finish. Double Gold from me.
It’s a spirit crafted with care that proudly bears the name of the grandfather who inspired it all. Michelone Reserve blends sweet yellow corn, soft red winter wheat, dark pumpernickel rye, and two-row barley for a flavor that’s smooth, smoky, and softly sweet. Aged a minimum of 4 years in fresh white American oak. Tasting Notes: Toffeed nuts / coconut cream pie / banana / caramel corn / sweet cream / dried fruit / baking spices. 90 Points “Exceptional” – Tastings.com / Gold Medal – Beverage Testing Institute / Double Gold Medal – Berlin International Spirits Competition / Best Bourbon – Heartland Whiskey Competition / Distillery of the Year – Wizards of Whisky. 750 mL | 47.5% (95 proof) | Kosher. Regular price $46.99 US.
OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka
EB: I’m not a big vodka drinker as it’s a clear colorless spirit that just lends itself best, in my opinion, in cocktails. But flavored vodkas, if done well, can be quite remarkable in both aroma and taste. This Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka, with a 40% ABV, was clear and clean and held aromas of frozen vanilla custard, freshly whipped cream, sweet potatoes in brown sugar, sweet potato fries, sugar cookies, flan and Crème Brûlée. On the mouth I got sweet brown sugar, vanilla ice cream, the burnt sugar crust of Crème Brûlée, vanilla sandwich cookies, and, really, whatever your favorite vanilla flavored dessert you can remember that you had as a kid, kicked up a big notch with alcohol. Gold award from me.
Our American Character Vodka is paired with ripe Montmorency cherries, sweet yellow peaches, fragrant apricots, almonds, hibiscus, and a touch of Ohio’s first wildflower honey. Tasting Notes: Fruit compote / wildflowers / cherry tart / fig / sweet potato / honeyed date / pomegranate / citrus peel. Ohio soft red winter wheat, local wildflower honey, Montmorency cherries, sweet yellow peaches, apricots, almond extract, hibiscus. 89 Points “Highly Recommended” – Tastings.com / Gold Medal – Beverage Testing Institute / Gold Medal – National Honey Board Spirits Competition. 750 mL | 35% (70 proof) | Kosher. Regular price $37.99 USD
One final note, these exceptional spirits have completely accessible pricing, so go check them out!
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Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
