Issue 217 · October 29, 2026
The Grain's Warm Meridian
Theme: Harvest Light Captured
Eight bottles that carry the warmth of their origins — from sun-drenched agave fields to wind-swept barley moors — each distilled or fermented at the peak moment when raw material becomes something more.
Every spirit and wine begins with a decision about timing. When to harvest, when to distill, when to bottle — these are the moments that define what ends up in your glass. The best producers understand that warmth isn't just temperature; it's the accumulated energy of place, season, and patience converging at a single point.
This issue follows that thread of captured warmth across eight categories. From a Kentucky bourbon shaped by limestone-filtered water to a Sicilian white wine born on volcanic slopes, each selection demonstrates how makers harness the energy of their environment and lock it into liquid form.
This issue's aroma journey moves through layers of captured warmth — from buttery grain and honeyed malt to bright citrus and tropical funk. Pay attention to how each aroma reflects the energy and climate of its origin.
Don’t see your special bottle? Request a review at reviews.schoolofwineandspirits.com/request-review — we’ll get to it. See every bottle we’ve reviewed to date at reviews.schoolofwineandspirits.com.
Bourbon Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon
Named for the Wathen family, whose Kentucky distilling lineage stretches back to 1788, this single barrel expression carries the golden warmth of eight generations of grain and patience.
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brand: Wathen's
Distillery: Charles Medley Distillery (sourced, Kentucky)
Proof: 94 (47% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Warm burnished gold with honeyed amber edges
MSRP: $35–$50
Mash Bill: Undisclosed (traditional corn-dominant with rye and malted barley)
Barrel Type: New charred American oak
Single Barrel: Yes
Nose: Inviting waves of toasted caramel and ripe red apple greet the nose, followed by gentle vanilla custard and a whisper of sun-dried corn husks. A subtle floral note, almost like dried carnation petals, lingers beneath a warm butterscotch sweetness.
Palate: Silky and medium-bodied, the palate opens with rich butterscotch and creamy vanilla bean before transitioning into baking spices—cinnamon and nutmeg interlaced with toasted oak. A thread of sweet corn and roasted pecan adds depth and a gentle, grain-forward warmth.
Finish: Medium-length finish with lingering caramel, soft oak tannins, and a pleasant echo of warm brown spices. Clean and inviting, it leaves behind a faint sweetness like autumn sunlight on golden fields.
Cocktail — Harvest Meridian — 2 oz Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon · 0.75 oz fresh apple cider · 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1) · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Stir over ice, strain into a rocks glass with a large cube, garnish with a thin apple slice and cinnamon stick.
Pair with: A warm brown butter pecan tart with a flaky, salted crust and a drizzle of wildflower honey mirrors the bourbon's butterscotch richness and nutty undertones, while the pastry's toasted edges echo the gentle oak char.
Scotch Whisky Port Askaig 17yr Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Named for the tiny port on Islay's eastern shore where ferries have carried travelers across the Sound of Islay for centuries, Port Askaig bottles celebrate the island's whisky tradition through carefully selected single casks and aged expressions that let Islay's terroir speak with eloquence rather than volume.
Classification: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brand: Port Askaig
Distillery: Undisclosed Islay Distillery
Proof: 91.4 (45.7% ABV)
Age: 17 Year
Color: Warm harvest gold with amber edges
MSRP: $120–$145
Region: Islay
Mash Bill: 100% malted barley
Distillation: Double distilled in traditional copper pot stills
Maturation: Aged 17 years in a combination of refill American oak hogsheads and European oak butts
Cask Type: Refill American oak hogsheads and European oak butts
Peat Level (PPM): ~35 ppm
Chill-Filtered: Non-chill filtered
Nose: Opens with a gentle waft of golden honey and ripe orchard fruit, layered over a subtle maritime peat that recalls autumn bonfires on the shoreline. Warm beeswax, dried heather, and a whisper of lemon peel develop with time in the glass. A faint medicinal note lingers beneath waves of toasted oak and vanilla.
Palate: Silky and medium-bodied, delivering a beautiful interplay of honeyed malt and restrained coastal smoke. Dried apricot, salted caramel, and clove spice weave through a core of warm cereal grain, while gentle peat provides structure without overwhelming the orchard fruit sweetness. The texture is round and slightly oily, with a warming, sun-drenched quality.
Finish: Medium-long and elegantly balanced, with lingering honey, soft wood smoke, and a farewell of dried fruit and toasted almond. The peat recedes gracefully into a clean, malty warmth.
Cocktail — Harvest Smoke Highball — 2 oz Port Askaig 17yr · 4 oz chilled sparkling water · 0.25 oz honey syrup · Expressed lemon peel · Build over tall ice, stir gently, garnish with lemon twist
Pair with: The delicate coastal smoke of the whisky mirrors hot-smoked trout, while its honeyed malt and dried fruit notes complement a crisp slaw of thinly shaved Granny Smith apple, fennel fronds, and a light cider vinaigrette. A few toasted hazelnuts scattered on top echo the dram's nutty undertones.
Irish Whiskey Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Named for the historic Beggars Bush barracks in Dublin where 19th-century whiskey merchant Jack Ryan once plied his trade, this 12-year-old expression revives a family legacy with barley-forward purity and patient maturation.
Classification: Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brand: Jack Ryan
Distillery: Undisclosed (sourced, bottled by Jack Ryan Whiskey Company, County Tipperary)
Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Age: 12 Year
Color: Warm golden amber with honeyed highlights
MSRP: $55–$70
Mash Bill: 100% malted barley
Distillation: Undisclosed
Maturation: Aged 12 years in ex-bourbon casks
Chill-Filtered: Non-chill filtered
Nose: A generous waft of orchard fruit—ripe pear and baked apple—arrives first, followed by drizzles of raw honeycomb and toasted barley. Beneath the sweetness, gentle notes of vanilla pod and light oak shavings emerge, evoking a sunlit granary at the close of harvest.
Palate: The mouthfeel is silky and medium-bodied, delivering caramel-coated malt alongside dried apricot and a whisper of hazelnut. A mild spice of white pepper and clove warms the mid-palate, while a creamy, almost buttery cereal quality anchors the whole experience.
Finish: Medium-long and gently drying, with lingering honey, toasted grain, and a final flicker of warm oak spice.
Cocktail — Harvest Gold Highball — 2 oz Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old · 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1) · 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice · 4 oz chilled sparkling apple cider · Build whiskey, honey syrup, and lemon in a tall glass over ice, top with sparkling cider, stir gently, garnish with a thin apple slice.
Pair with: A rustic tart of aged Irish cheddar and caramelized apples on flaky butter pastry mirrors the whiskey's orchard fruit and toasted grain notes, while the cheese's sharpness lifts the honeyed sweetness of the dram.
Tequila Alma del Jaguar Tequila Reposado
Born from a collaboration between master distiller Felipe Camarena and the founders' vision of preserving Jalisco's agave heritage, Alma del Jaguar celebrates the jaguar as a guardian spirit of Mexico's highlands, where each harvest captures the land's golden meridian.
Classification: Reposado Tequila
Brand: Alma del Jaguar
Distillery: Destilería Ingenio la Esperanza (NOM 1579)
Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Age: 8 Months
Color: Warm golden amber with honeyed highlights
MSRP: $55–$70
Agave: 100% Blue Weber Agave, highland-grown in the Los Altos region of Jalisco
Cooking Method: Agave is slow-roasted in traditional brick ovens, crushed, and naturally fermented in open-air tanks before double distillation in copper pot stills
NOM: 1579
Additives Free: Yes
Nose: Bright cooked agave mingles with sun-warmed honey and a gentle waft of vanilla from the oak. Subtle notes of citrus peel and dried wildflowers emerge beneath a buttery richness, evoking late afternoon light across a harvested field.
Palate: Silky and medium-bodied, the entry delivers sweet roasted agave and caramel that transition smoothly into baking spice and toasted oak. A thread of white pepper and fresh herbal notes adds complexity, while a gentle butterscotch undertone holds everything in balance.
Finish: Medium-length and warm, with lingering cooked agave sweetness, a whisper of cinnamon, and a clean mineral fade that invites the next sip.
Cocktail — Harvest Meridian — 2 oz Alma del Jaguar Reposado · ¾ oz fresh lime juice · ½ oz raw honey syrup · ¼ oz Grand Marnier · Shake with ice, strain into a rocks glass over a large cube, garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel and a cinnamon stick.
Pair with: Roasted butternut squash tacos with chipotle crema, pickled red onion, and toasted pepitas. The squash's natural sweetness mirrors the tequila's caramel and honey notes, while the chipotle's gentle heat draws out the reposado's peppery undertone and the crema cools and rounds the pairing.
Awards: 93 Points, Tasting Panel Magazine
Gin Ki No Tou Kyoto Old Tom Gin
Born from the same Kyoto Distillery that gave us Ki No Bi, Ki No Tou reimagines the Old Tom tradition through the lens of Japanese terroir, using bamboo charcoal-filtered Fushimi water and botanicals sourced along the ancient Tokaido road.
Classification: Old Tom Gin
Brand: Ki No Bi
Distillery: Kyoto Distillery
Proof: 94.6 (47.3% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Pale straw gold with warm honeyed glints
MSRP: $65–$80
Style: Old Tom
Botanicals: Juniper, yuzu, hinoki wood chips, bamboo leaf, gyokuro green tea, sanshō pepper, kinome leaf, ginger, coriander, orris root, cassia bark, lemon peel
Base Spirit: Rice spirit (Japanese rice shochu-style base)
Distillation: Pot-distilled in individual botanical categories (six groups), then blended—a signature Kyoto Distillery technique ensuring precise layering of flavor
Nose: An inviting wave of toasted rice and dried persimmon gives way to delicate yuzu peel and sandalwood. Underneath, a gentle sweetness reminiscent of golden barley sugar and chamomile emerges. Faint whispers of bamboo leaf and white pepper linger at the edges.
Palate: Silky and subtly sweetened in the Old Tom style, the palate opens with warm ginger and coriander seed before flowering into orris root and dried citrus blossom. A mid-palate note of roasted hinoki wood and cassia bark adds autumnal depth, while juniper remains present but gracefully restrained.
Finish: Medium-long and warming, with lingering notes of toasted sesame, soft licorice, and a final echo of yuzu and bamboo charcoal. The gentle sweetness carries through to the very end.
Cocktail — Harvest Lantern — 2 oz Ki No Tou Kyoto Old Tom Gin · 0.75 oz fresh yuzu or Meyer lemon juice · 0.5 oz honey syrup (2:1) · 2 dashes aromatic bitters · Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, garnish with a thin lemon wheel and a sprig of thyme
Pair with: Miso-glazed black cod served with roasted delicata squash and pickled ginger. The sweet white miso caramelization mirrors the Old Tom's gentle sweetness, while the rich, flaky fish provides a luxurious textural counterpoint to the gin's silky body. The pickled ginger bridges directly to the botanical's warm spice notes.
Awards: Gold Medal, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2023
Rum Panama Pacific 9 Year Old Rum
Distilled from sugarcane-derived molasses at the historic Varela Hermanos facility in Pesé, Panama, this rum quietly matures for nine years in American oak bourbon barrels, absorbing the warm meridian sun that concentrates its golden, grain-rich character.
Classification: Aged Panamanian Rum
Brand: Panama Pacific
Distillery: Las Cabras Distillery (Varela Hermanos)
Proof: 94.4 (47.2% ABV)
Age: 9 Year
Color: Burnished gold with amber edges, like late-afternoon harvest light filtering through a sugarcane field
MSRP: $28–$35
Base Ingredients: Sugarcane molasses
Distillation: Column distilled at Las Cabras Distillery (Varela Hermanos), Pesé, Panama
Nose: Warm butterscotch and toasted oak greet the nose, followed by ripe banana and a gentle vanilla sweetness. Deeper exploration reveals dried apricot, a whisper of cinnamon, and honeyed caramel that evokes golden grain fields at dusk.
Palate: Rich and medium-bodied, the palate opens with toffee and baked tropical fruit before shifting into roasted almond and dark chocolate. A pleasant oakiness provides structure, while subtle coconut and warm baking spices create a rounded, grain-warm sweetness.
Finish: Medium-long with lingering toffee, toasted oak, and a final flicker of dried fruit warmth that recalls sunlit harvests.
Cocktail — Golden Meridian — 2 oz Panama Pacific 9 Year Old Rum · 0.75 oz fresh lime juice · 0.5 oz raw honey syrup (1:1) · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel
Pair with: Warm, freshly baked brown butter cornbread drizzled with wildflower honey and a pinch of flaky sea salt — the nutty browned butter and grain sweetness mirror the rum's toffee and toasted oak, while the honey amplifies its caramel depth.
Red Wine Trediberri Barolo DOCG 2020
Run by the Oberto family in La Morra since 2009, Trediberri — meaning 'three to drink' — farms their vineyards sustainably and vinifies with a light touch that lets Nebbiolo's natural perfume lead.
Classification: Barolo DOCG
Brand: Trediberri
ABV: 14.5%
Primary Varietal: Nebbiolo
Blend: 100% Nebbiolo
Vineyards: Berri vineyard, La Morra
Maturation: Spontaneous fermentation, maceration on skins, aged in large Slavonian oak botti
Color: Medium garnet with orange-brick at the rim
MSRP: $40–$55
Nose: Fresh cherry and dried rose petals lead, followed by notes of mint and a suggestion of tar. Earthy undertones of crushed violet and dried herbs add complexity.
Palate: Elegant and taut, with bright cherry acidity framing the mid-palate. Fine-grained tannins carry flavors of cedar and toasted almond, while a floral violet thread runs throughout. There's an unexpected freshness for Barolo, with a gentle herbaceous quality.
Finish: Long and persistent, with cherry, cedar, and a final whisper of dried rose.
Pair with: The silky egg pasta dressed in browned butter and shaved white truffle mirrors the wine's delicate structure, while the truffle's earthy perfume amplifies the rose and violet aromatics of the Nebbiolo.
White Wine Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2023
Founded in 1986 in the hills of Sorbo Serpico, Feudi di San Gregorio revived Campania's ancient grape varieties and helped establish Fiano di Avellino as one of Italy's great white wine appellations.
Classification: Fiano di Avellino DOCG
Brand: Feudi di San Gregorio
ABV: 13%
Primary Varietal: Fiano
Blend: 100% Fiano
Vineyards: Estate vineyards in Irpinia, Campania
Vinification: Soft pressing, controlled fermentation in stainless steel, aging on fine lees
Color: Pale straw yellow with green reflections
MSRP: $18–$25
Nose: Bright citrus and green apple dominate, with hazelnut and a honeyed quality emerging underneath. A faint floral note and a mineral, almost flinty quality add dimension.
Palate: Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a surprising richness. Citrus zest and green pear carry through the mid-palate, supported by toasted almond and a hint of white peach. The mineral backbone keeps everything taut and focused.
Finish: Medium-long with lingering citrus, toasted nut, and a clean mineral close.
Pair with: Lightly battered and fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with fresh ricotta echo the wine's interplay of richness and acidity — the creamy filling meets the honey and nut notes, while the crisp batter calls for the wine's bright citrus cut.
Train Your Nose: Today's Aroma Spotlight
This issue's aroma journey moves through layers of captured warmth — from buttery grain and honeyed malt to bright citrus and tropical funk. Pay attention to how each aroma reflects the energy and climate of its origin.
Each bottle below maps to aromas you can isolate with your kit before your next pour — then see if you catch them in the glass.
Today's Kit Reference
| Today's Product | Key Aromas | Train With |
|---|---|---|
| Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon (Bourbon) | Caramel, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Apple (Red), Brown Spices, Pecan | Bourbon Kit |
| Port Askaig 17yr Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Scotch Whisky) | Honey, Smoky, Dried Fruit, Vanilla, Malt, Almond | Whisky Kit |
| Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey (Irish Whiskey) | Honey, Malt, Vanilla, Caramel, Nut (Hazelnut), Clove Spice | Whiskey Kit |
| Alma del Jaguar Tequila Reposado (Tequila) | Agave (Cooked), Honey, Vanilla, Caramel, Cinnamon, Earth (Mineral, Soil Notes) | Tequila Kit |
| Ki No Tou Kyoto Old Tom Gin (Gin) | Ginger, Cassia Bark, Orris Root, Juniper (Herbaceous/Waxy), Coriander, Liquorice | Gin Kit |
| Panama Pacific 9 Year Old Rum (Rum) | Toffee, Vanilla, Banana, Oak, Caramel, Tropical Fruits | Rum Kit |
| Trediberri Barolo DOCG 2020 (Red Wine) | Cherry, Floral (Rose), Violet, Cedar, Mint | Wine Kit |
| Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2023 (White Wine) | Citrus (Generic), Apple (Green), Honey, Nut (Almond/Coconut), Toasted | Wine Kit |
Explore the School of Wine and Spirits
Train your nose on the aromas featured in today's selections with the School of Wine and Spirits aroma kits, designed to build sensory precision one reference at a time. Our Aroma Masterclass Kits are designed to teach it to you, one aroma at a time.
Our books on Amazon go deeper into the science and history behind every sip — from America's Spirit, Scotland's Spirit, Ireland's Spirit, The Ultimate Northern Italian Wine Journey, The Tequila y Mezcal Revolution, Chablis, and Côte d'Or pocket guides.
Explore our Aroma Masterclass kits and books at schoolofwineandspirits.com
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The warmth is already in the glass — all you need is the vocabulary to name it.
Until tomorrow's pour — cheers.
The Still & The Vine is a daily publication of the School of Wine and Spirits.
Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon
Wathen's
Wathen's Single Barrel is an underappreciated gem that delivers approachable complexity at a fair price. Its grain-forward sweetness and silky texture make it a natural embodiment of harvest warmth—golden, generous, and quietly confident. A bourbon that rewards patience without demanding it.
Port Askaig 17yr Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Port Askaig
Port Askaig 17 Year Old is a masterful study in restraint—Islay smoke tempered by nearly two decades of patient maturation into something luminous and gentle. It captures that golden-hour quality of harvest light: warm, honeyed, and quietly radiant. A sophisticated dram that rewards contemplation and pairs beautifully with the season's theme of abundance gently preserved.
Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Jack Ryan
This 12-year-old single malt is a study in quiet confidence—nothing shouts, yet everything sings. It captures the spirit of harvest beautifully: golden cereals, warm sunlight, and the patient reward of well-aged grain. An elegant sipper that punches above its price point.
Alma del Jaguar Tequila Reposado
Alma del Jaguar
Alma del Jaguar Reposado is a beautifully balanced expression that captures the pure essence of highland agave with just enough oak influence to add depth without masking terroir. It's a harvest-season sipper that radiates warmth and authenticity—an ideal gateway into craft-focused reposados for discerning drinkers.
Ki No Tou Kyoto Old Tom Gin
Ki No Bi
Ki No Tou is the Kyoto Distillery's masterful take on the Old Tom style, bringing a distinctly Japanese sensibility to a classic British template. The restrained sweetness allows the exquisite botanical composition to shine—each sip feels like walking through a Kyoto garden in late October. A contemplative, harvest-season gin that rewards patience and attention.
Panama Pacific 9 Year Old Rum
Panama Pacific
Panama Pacific 9 Year Old punches well above its modest price point, delivering a depth of oak-aged character and tropical warmth that rewards contemplative sipping. Its generous proof and genuine barrel maturation make it an honest, unadorned expression of Panamanian terroir — a beautiful bottle to reach for when you want golden, harvest-lit comfort in a glass.
Trediberri Barolo DOCG 2020
Trediberri
Trediberri makes some of the most approachable yet authentic Barolo on the market. The 2020 vintage brings warmth and ripeness while maintaining the elegance and restraint that defines La Morra. At this price, it's one of the best entry points into serious Barolo — structured enough to age but generous enough to enjoy now.
Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2023
Feudi di San Gregorio
Fiano di Avellino is one of southern Italy's noblest white grapes, and Feudi di San Gregorio has been its most consistent ambassador. The 2023 delivers the grape's signature interplay of fruit richness and mineral tension at a price that makes it an easy recommendation. A serious food wine that punches well above its weight.
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