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Rhetoric 20 Year Old Bourbon
(Credit: Orphan Barrel)
Rhetoric Whiskey is the newest release of the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company, a highly limited craft bourbon that will be progressively aged and released over the coming years – the 20-year-old variant will be released this year, the 21-year-old will be released in 2015, and so on. This approach will grant whiskey enthusiasts the chance to compare these exclusive offerings as they mature and collect an enviable series of Rhetoric Whiskies.
The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company was created by drinks giant Diageo in early 2014 to locate forgotten barrels of craft whiskey from around the world and share them with discerning adult fans, who are encouraged to sip slowly and responsibly. Rhetoric, the third variant to be released from the company is aged 20 years for its first release and is expected to begin appearing on select shelves throughout the U.S. in June under strict allocation due to limited supply.
Rhetoric stocks were discovered in warehouses at the Stitzel-Weller facility in Louisville, Ky., and distilled in both the New and Old Bernheim distilleries in Louisville. The whiskey is beautifully aged and hand bottled in Tullahoma, Tenn. Beginning with a smoky and leathery nose hinting of ripe apples, Rhetoric tastes of smoked vanilla, toasted rye and dried fruit before a long full finish of cherry blossom and bitter chocolate. Rhetoric carries a suggested retail price of $85.
“Aging whiskey is a fascinating process and one that whiskey aficionados around the world love learning about,” said Ewan Morgan, Orphan Barrel Master of Whiskey. “I’ve no doubt the progressive aging and release of Rhetoric will merit some spirited debate among us whiskey geeks about which year tastes best!”
Rhetoric’s packaging features an intricate gold label with a hummingbird rising above chaos and confusion to clarity and reason. The background, reminiscent of the oak barrels in which the whiskey aged, will grow deeper in color as Rhetoric is progressively aged and released in the years to come.
