Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company started with one mission: resurrect forgotten barrels of whiskey and share them with the world. Driven by the desire to share great whiskies, good times, and good friends, Orphan Barrel scoured the globe to find these incredible lost whiskies and the Rhetoric series is certainly no exception. The original barrel of this bourbon was found in the legendary Stitzel-Weller warehouse and was created by Bernheim Distillery sometime between 1990 and 1993. For the last 4 years, Orphan Barrel has been releasing the Rhetoric bourbon and then aging it another year and this year is quite spectacular. Adorned with an intricate label filled with chaos and confusion, a lone hummingbird rises above to find clarity. The Rhetoric 23-Year-old Bourbon ($120) clocks in at an astounding 90.6 proof with dried fruit notes on the front moving into rich, smooth coffee, cacao, nuts and anise flavors then finishing with a long gentle oak taste with a bit of smoke on the tail. True enthusiasts will want to grab a bottle of each year’s release to compare how the aging process affects bourbon. This is not a whiskey that you should pass.