点评:Each time I would go to my local liquor store I look at the Hillrock Solera Aged and wonder what it tastes like. When there are tastings I look to see if the stars are in alignment and I get to sample. The last thing you want to do is buy something and be disappointed. Well yesterday was my anniversary and decided a good way to celebrate was a 2 hour drive upstate. You arrive at a very unassuming complex of a few buildings with an amazing landscape. We took the tour and was part of a small group of 8 people. Pat the tour guide was great. The amount of knowledge this man possesses about the process and the industry in general is amazing. We walked through the malting process the distilling process which leads us to the tasting process....the part I was waiting for! When I made our reservation I indicated the event we were celebrating, so when it was time for the tasting we were seated in our own private room. In walks Tim, we are seated at the table with 4 bottles and a lovely charcuterie board. Before the official imbibing we were giving an in depth history of each expression. Before we get to the standard bottles we were introduced to the Bottle in Bond expression a double oaked 100 proof delicious juice. Not being a Rye person I was very impressed in the balance. This was throughout the whole line. What was supposed to be a 1 hour tour and tasting turned out to be closer to 3 ( don't tell anyone!) Hillrock is a true grain to glass bourbon / rye and it shows in the quality.
翻译:每次我去当地的酒类专卖店时,都会看看Hillrock Solera Aged这款酒,心里想着它到底是什么味道。每逢有品酒活动,我都会看看时机是否合适,以便能有机会品尝。谁都不希望买了酒之后却大失所望吧。昨天是我们的周年纪念日,于是我决定开车两小时前往北部地区来庆祝。抵达后,我看到了一片由几栋建筑组成的看似不起眼的园区,周围却是绝美的风景。我们参加了游览,当时是一个由8人组成的小团队。导游帕特表现得非常出色。他对整个酿造流程以及整个行业的了解程度简直令人惊叹。我们依次参观了麦芽制作过程与蒸馏过程,最后便是我期待已久的品酒环节!我在预订时就说明了我们要庆祝的活动,因此到了品酒环节时,我们被安排进了一间专属的私人包间。这时,蒂姆走了进来。我们围坐在桌旁,桌上摆着4瓶酒以及一块精美的冷切肉拼盘。在正式品饮之前,讲解员为我们详细介绍了每款酒的历史渊源。在品尝常规款酒之前,我们先尝到了“Bottle in Bond”款——这是一种经过双重橡木桶陈酿、酒精度达100 proof的绝美佳酿。虽然我平时并不太喜欢黑麦威士忌,但这款酒的口感平衡度让我印象深刻。整个系列的酒品皆具备这种特点。原本预计只有一个小时的参观与品鉴环节,结果却持续了近3个小时(可千万别告诉别人哦!Hillrock是一款名副其实的从谷物到瓶装的波本威士忌/黑麦威士忌,其卓越品质便是明证。