"Duke" Small Batch Bourbon

Cdog · May 22, 2015

Anyone else tried the bourbon bearing the likeness of "The Duke?"

I finally found a bottle today, pulled the cork a couple of hours ago.

Had my first drink neat. Very light on the bite, but a decent feel and interesting flavor. It definitely ain't fancy, simply interesting...

I've gotten well into my second drink, two cubes allowed to cool and water it a bit.

I'll not pass judgement on any bourbon with a single outing, but so far straight up is my preference.

Beside the image of John Wayne with his Winchester the label's "44-40 Duke" head stamped spent cartridge (upper right corner) is a great marketing touch.

Drive out price was around $33.00/750ML.

Absalom · May 22, 2015

Sounds interesting. John Wayne's son is apparently involved or is at least fronting the marketing effort.

Out here they want $42.00 for the bottle, a bit steep for a blended bourbon. I'll have to see whether I can find an open bottle in a whiskey bar somewhere.

?The DUKE? Kentucky Straight Bourbon Launches Nationwide | Business Wire

smokindog · May 22, 2015

Apparently it's one of the 100's of offerings implying they are actually a smallbatch micro-distiller when in fact they are a blendmaker.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of these blends from other sources are great but not truly small batch bourbons.

Bourbon Review: Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon - Bourbonr Blog

Absalom · May 22, 2015

smokindog said:
Apparently it's one of the 100's of offerings implying they are actually a smallbatch micro-distiller when in fact they are a blendmaker.

It's actually interesting that in their press releases, they make it quite clear that they are blending various bourbons, but on the label, it's "distilled by Duke Spirits, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky".

Now Lawrenceburg and surroundings are home to several distilleries, most prominently Wild Turkey and Four Roses. As long as Duke Spirits rents an office or something in a distillery they've contracted to make their bourbon, the label is legit. And under US law, if you blend several straight bourbons, the result is still straight bourbon, NOT blended whiskey; it doesn't become the latter until you dilute the whiskey with neutral spirits.

At least the Duke doesn't come from MGP in Indiana, like the overwhelming majority of aged "craft" whiskeys, or they couldn't put "Kentucky Straight Bourbon" on the label. Not that MGP makes bad whiskey, on the contrary; but it just gets boring to find the same juice behind most craft labels.

klondike · May 22, 2015

A neighbor loves this stuff. I tried some and was left underwhelmed.

DWalt · May 22, 2015

I was at the local liquor megastore tonight to get some wine for my wife, and noticed a brand of Bourbon I had not previously seen called "Black Powder". Label had a civil war cannon pictured on it. I didn't look for the label details as to where it came from or anything like that. A 1.5 Liter bottle for $25, so it's probably not top shelf stuff. I am not a Whiskey drinker so I don't plan to try it to find out.

smokindog · May 22, 2015

This article suspects it's WT and gives some more details. Actually kind of entertaining!!!!
Wayne?s World John Wayne?s son Ethan Wayne is the...

Absalom said:
It's actually interesting that in their press releases, they make it quite clear that they are blending various bourbons, but on the label, it's "distilled by Duke Spirits, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky".

Now Lawrenceburg and surroundings are home to several distilleries, most prominently Wild Turkey and Four Roses. As long as Duke Spirits rents an office or something in a distillery they've contracted to make their bourbon, the label is legit. And under US law, if you blend several straight bourbons, the result is still straight bourbon, NOT blended whiskey; it doesn't become the latter until you dilute the whiskey with neutral spirits.

At least the Duke doesn't come from MGP in Indiana, like the overwhelming majority of aged "craft" whiskeys, or they couldn't put "Kentucky Straight Bourbon" on the label. Not that MGP makes bad whiskey, on the contrary; but it just gets boring to find the same juice behind most craft labels.

Absalom · May 22, 2015

smokindog said:
This article suspects it's WT and gives some more details. Actually kind of entertaining!!!!
Wayne?s World John Wayne?s son Ethan Wayne is the...

Well, the fellow who wrote that blog entry is certainly the most annoying and full-of-himself booger whose writing I've battled through in a while

, BUT
he certainly also has the best info I've read so far.

That pre-retail label he pictures sure clears things up:
The Duke is Wild Turkey, and since the Russells have yet to make a bad whiskey, it's got to be decent stuff; whether you want to pay extra to have John Wayne on the bottle is entirely up to you.

smokindog · May 22, 2015

AND OP.... I want to make sure I'm clear.

I have a number of the blends being put out and there are some very good ones. I just like to know going in if I'm really buying a TRUE small batch. The wine industry has done this for years. It's up to us to keep them honest in their marketing and their pricing!!!

As with most other things in life, if YOU are happy with the value of the product and it makes YOU happy, don't let anyone's comments or opinions deter your enjoyment

DWalt · May 22, 2015

"As with most other things in life, if YOU are happy with the value of the product and it makes YOU happy, don't let anyone's comments or opinions deter your enjoyment "

How true. As I earlier said, I am not a Whiskey drinker, as my taste runs more toward gin in my drinks, mainly gin and tonic, with my special additions. Over many years of consumption I have always favored Fleischmann gin over all others, even those such as Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater, and Tanqueray. Yet it's one of the lowest-priced gins on the market. Some might call it cheap gin.

STCM(SW) · May 23, 2015

"Yet it's one of the lowest-priced gins on the market. Some might call it cheap gin."

As long as did not come out of a bathtub.....

Cdog · May 23, 2015

For me the distiller's name ain't that important. Small Batch is an over used term. 50 or 500 barrel blend doesn't impress me. I've read suspected Wild Turkey affiliations. I like Wild Turkey, but last night this stuff didn't remind me of the fuller bodied taste of any WT product I've tried.

Sipped neat, from the get go Duke has a very nice oily feel and pleasing flavor. The water/ice seemed to diminish this too much. Maybe I'll try a single cube tonight?

Enjoyment is what it's all about. I'm no bourbon snob, my everyday pour is W L Weller. It ain't expensive, but it suits me. Weller's Antique 107 is a fine affordable bourbon. Pity it's so rare to find on shelves in my area.

Knob Creek 120 is likely my favorite upper shelf sipper. Incredibly good pour that is easily found on shelves here in Ga.

So far there's only one bourbon that I ain't likely to ever bother with again. It's a 12 year old and considered upper shelf stuff. At any price Elijah Craig ain't my cup of tea.

Last evening's outing left me a bit underwhelmed. Being a John Wayne fan I admit my expectations are likely a bit too high for a $30.00 bourbon.

Lord willing, I'll have another evening with The Duke. Maybe tonight?

Truth told, I'd likely paid near the $30.00 price for the bottle alone.

At 55 and only truly discovering my adoration for bourbon a few years ago, I'm late to game. This means I'm quite aware my evaluations are at best at a novice level.

As with anything that's ever interested me I welcome the more experienced bourbon lovers insights and advice.

FPrice · May 23, 2015

I saw a couple of bottles on the shelf at my local AAFES Shoppette. Since I do like (almost) all things John Wayne I may have to go back and get one. Just for research purposes you understand.

the ringo kid · May 23, 2015

Cdog said:
Anyone else tried the bourbon bearing the likeness of "The Duke?"

I finally found a bottle today, pulled the cork a couple of hours ago.

Had my first drink neat. Very light on the bite, but a decent feel and interesting flavor. It definitely ain't fancy, simply interesting...

I've gotten well into my second drink, two cubes allowed to cool and water it a bit.

I'll not pass judgement on any bourbon with a single outing, but so far straight up is my preference.

Beside the image of John Wayne with his Winchester the label's "44-40 Duke" head stamped spent cartridge (upper right corner) is a great marketing touch.

Drive out price was around $33.00/750ML.

I dont drink but,their is also Dukes brand of Tequilas well as Beef Jerky--Gun etc.I tried the jerky and gum--have had much better.However,I hear the tequila is world class. Both the drink and the jerky--were made originally to Dukes taste.

the ringo kid · May 23, 2015

smokindog said:
Apparently it's one of the 100's of offerings implying they are actually a smallbatch micro-distiller when in fact they are a blendmaker.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of these blends from other sources are great but not truly small batch bourbons.

Bourbon Review: Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon - Bourbonr Blog

Someone already beat me to saying it but-that blogger is full of.........Ethan wayne--Dukes youngest son--is in charge of Wayne Enterprises which was based in Longbeach Calif--still at tthat addy??Anyway,they have been marketing all kinds of stuff using his Dads name.

Anyway,go to: John Wayne | Official Site and you will see some of the stuff maketed. A lot of stuff marketed--is not on the site--but you can google it.there is also Dukes own brand og Tequlia--which itold--is supposed to be top-notch.

smokindog · May 23, 2015

I'm not sure anyone said he was fullo bull! He's a bit "edgy" but ....

I'm skeptical of any product that is not actually "manufactured" by the seller and has a celebrity on the label.

HOWEVER, as I've said, one of the nicest things in the world is that we all have our tastes and desires and one man's junk is another man's treasure. Never tasted the stuff so I can't speak directly to it.

the ringo kid said:
Someone already beat me to saying it but-that blogger is full of.........Ethan wayne--Dukes youngest son--is in charge of Wayne Enterprises which was based in Longbeach Calif--still at tthat addy??Anyway,they have been marketing all kinds of stuff using his Dads name.

Anyway,go to: John Wayne | Official Site and you will see some of the stuff maketed. A lot of stuff marketed--is not on the site--but you can google it.there is also Dukes own brand og Tequlia--which itold--is supposed to be top-notch.

FPrice · May 23, 2015

the ringo kid said:
Anyway,go to: John Wayne | Official Site and you will see some of the stuff maketed. A lot of stuff marketed--is not on the site--but you can google it.there is also Dukes own brand og Tequlia--which itold--is supposed to be top-notch.

I went there and guess what dead center of the opening page?

Of course it's a rotating display of different remembrances of the Duke but I thought it was interesting that the first one I saw was Duke small batch bourbon.

the ringo kid · May 23, 2015

FPrice said:
I went there and guess what dead center of the opening page?

Of course it's a rotating display of different remembrances of the Duke but I thought it was interesting that the first one I saw was Duke small batch bourbon.

Its been a while since I last looked but,they used to have some really nice other products too.I remember seeing a few things that they had--that left me scratching my head about them selling. One thing I remembered they had for sale at one time--was cardboard dolls where you could change Dukes outfits.

I THINK TCM still sells a few Duke items--like a fountain pen set--and a few other things.

the ringo kid · May 23, 2015

smokindog said:
I'm not sure anyone said he was fullo bull! He's a bit "edgy" but ....

I'm skeptical of any product that is not actually "manufactured" by the seller and has a celebrity on the label.

HOWEVER, as I've said, one of the nicest things in the world is that we all have our tastes and desires and one man's junk is another man's treasure. Never tasted the stuff so I can't speak directly to it.

I dont know but--if anything is an issue? Ethan Wayne is accessable.

Cdog · May 24, 2015

Well, after a day of yard work I sat down with "The Duke" again.

My second visit was much like the first. It's an ok bourbon, but for my taste there are better choices for less money.

Any product associated with John Wayne should be somewhat unique.
For me this is another non offending bourbon. It has enough kick to wear the name, just no distinctive character.

I suspect there will be many like me, fans of JW that will have to try it and try to like it. Oh if offered I'll drink it, but this bottle will need to get a lot better before I see myself buying more.

"Duke" Small Batch Bourbon

Member

SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

Attachments

Member

SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

Member

Member

Member

SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads