Rare and Vintage Collection | 2021 Release | Proof and Wood Vertigo Blended Light Whiskey | 52.5% Abv | 30ml Sample

Will Change Your Mind About Blended Whiskies — For the Better

The Proof and Wood Vertigo Blended Light Whiskey significantly raises the bar for blended whiskies in general, and the use of American Light Whiskies in particular. This is a passion project brought to market by David Schmier of Dynamic Beverages — the visionary behind the Redemption Rye and Bourbon series, the Dead Wood Series, the River Boat series, and Funk, a Jamaican high-ester pot still rum. Vertigo represents a bold new venture in a higher-end direction.

The Whiskey

Sourced from the former Seagrams plant — now MGP — in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, this is a masterful merchant bottling of some of the finest whiskies available on the open market. The barrels selected represent both exceptional quality and, perhaps more importantly, exceptional skill in selection and blending.

Geeky Details

A blend of four whiskies, all sourced from MGP, Indiana:

• 1992 American Light Whisky
• 2008 American Light Whiskey
• 2012 95% Rye Whiskey
• 2015 Bourbon — 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley

Bottled at 105 proof — widely considered the sweet spot for showcasing aged bourbon character without tipping into excessive woodiness.

Production run: approximately 600 bottles (~4 barrels). Rarer than Pappy Van Winkle 23-Year. If you want one, act now.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Clear, lovely mahogany red — a beautiful promise of the aging process within.

Nose: A fantastic, well-integrated bouquet at the peak of aging. Mint, vanilla, cinnamon, pipe tobacco, hints of corn sweetness, and a gentle spice from the grain blend. Pavlovian for bourbon aficionados.

Palate: Wonderful mint, toffee, and vanilla with a background of char, tobacco, and caramel toffee. Earthy notes of mushroom, alkali, and loam provide an intriguing counterpoint to the more aromatic elements. Medium-long finish with a slightly oaky, lingering aromatic quality.

Serving Suggestions

• Manhattan: Beautiful with a drier vermouth; loses some nuance with Antica.
• Neat / Splash of Water / Ice: Opens up more vanilla notes and softens the proof beautifully.
• Old Fashioned: Lean and subtle — elegant rather than bold.

The Bottle

Heavy clear glass with a solid angled punt. Pleasing cylindrical shape with a gently angled shoulder, short neck, and dark blue sealing wax — reminiscent of many premium bottlings. A simple cream-coloured label with a watermark eagle in the background. Simple and elegant.

Final Word

More accessible and far cheaper than a Pappy product. Not as rich and cushy as some older or younger heavyweights like Eagle Rare or Buffalo Trace — but that's the point. Much like a vintage sports car over a sedan: lean in body, but that leanness lets everything it has shine through.