Tastes

I never had a chance to taste the 13y BiB but from reading descriptions it seems that the two bottlings don’t differ substantially. If so maybe the 2y difference in age is was partly negated by a few hotter TN summers... anyway, enough speculation. The nose resembles roasted pecans and a wonderful vanilla frosted cinnamon roll. The palate lands with sweetness and then a big kick of cinnamon spice. There’s mid-sip heat and a mouth coating feeling. The finish is medium or longer with notes of oak, charcoal, spice, maple and tobacco. In ways the finish reminds me a bit of the earthy Eagle Rare 10y finish. Definitely a winner and hopefully becomes easier to find.

Bottle has been open for a few weeks and the profile seems to have changed a bit. The honey, subtle oak (despite being so prominent in the nose), raisin and odd mineral note that make certain ECBP, Remus Reserve and GTS so special for be is there as well. There is a nod toward the 9yr age statement Mexican fried ice cream-cinnamon bomb but it comes toward the finish. Definitely an easier sipper than the 120 proof, there’s never much burn to speak of. Worth the $20 premium over 9yr statement but would likely still take a comparable age in a barrel pick instead and save a few dollars. On the plus side it’s widely available - but then again so is bookers which gives a longer finish and richer mouthfeel. Regardless, this is dang good and I regret nothing.

Freshly opened bottle - the nose is immediately oak, creme brûlée and earthy notes resemble the of the Beam peanut shell funk. There’s a tickle of ethanol as well but not the eye burning single barrel effect being 20 proof lower. No sting up front, just soft oak and sweetness with heat and a bit of candies cherries and slight cinnamon kick on the end (which more closely resembles the mid-palate 9 year age statement single barrel). It has more of the floral, oak and leather tones than its 9yr age statement sibling. For the price I think I prefer the heat and spice of the younger sib but this is still a good sipper and likely take enough to please the masses. For the price would take Bookers any day of the week though.

Nose is sweet and sour like an apple pie before going in the oven. No real oak or chat on the nose. Thin but incredibly smooth. Fruity, slightly sour and oak on the tongue with a hint of heat and spice on the finish. Very straightforward, very easy sipper. At the price point this would go well vs Buffalo trace or a four roses single barrel for those who are into that sort of thing... As time goes on I’m liking this more and more. A lot of classic bourbon flavor with virtually zero burn. There are sweet caramel, oak and spice notes. Really nothing not to like about this one. A higher proof, non-chill filtered version might show its true colors but why bother! This is just flat out pleasant to drink neat all day long...

Thin quick legs and light amber. Nose on a very old, mostly empty bottle is a bit like whole grain pancakes and maple syrup. There’s a hint of oak and mint with some ethanol on the end. It’s smooth. Lightly toasted oak, caco and maple come through. There’s a tinge of something like leather on the end. It’s an interesting and easy palate to sip but not overly complex or satisfying. Good for beginners and can’t imagine mixing it into much... New bottle (and many other bourbons later), this one comes across like bananas foster, nutmeg and leather on the nose with the only palate additions being a bit of barrel spice and a swell of an earthy funk. The earthiness probably comes from the wheated mash bill and reminds me a bit of Buffalo Trace. Between the two I’d lean BT but as a HH fan I will say I appreciate the effort to put out an affordable, balanced wheated bourbon.

Nose is sweet with vanilla, sour mash and baking spices. A bit hot on the palate with heavy barrel char, oak, leather, cinnamon and pepper with a relatively short earthy/spicy finish. Seems a bit unique. Not a personal favorite but if not for the rarity could consider paying MSRP but not much above.

First crack of the bottle - nose reminds me of the old Forster profile at first - peanut, oak, spice, vanilla. In between 1910 and 1920 (sweet like 10, oak like 20). It gets sweeter as it breathes for a few minutes - caramel, a little ethanol. First sip is dark caramel, leather, oak and a hint of sour mash and ethanol. Pretty smooth for 100 proof - only mild heat and no bite. Revisiting the nose and palate there something a bit medicinal in there, almost like a spearmint? Finish is medium length, warm and balanced with vanilla and oak as well as some tobacco/earthy tones. It reminds me of another 10yr - Eagle rare but a bit more marshmallow sweetness?. Something that would be fantastic with a cigar... Also like eagle rare this is solid at $30 but sadly cost me $45 (since been spotted at $34). It’s an easy drinker that I would like to keep around if I’m not wanting to face the heat of ECBP, Bookers or other full-proof NCF bourbons for (which are hands down favorites for me). ———— Random update, poured this after ECBP B520 and very similar but subdued (and less flaming hot) cherry and wood notes punching their way forward. The caramel sweetness is there but no nuttiness to be found on the palate tonight. So easy to drink, so HH, so good. Could this be a proofed down ECBP? The DNA is there.

Plastic screw top, unassuming price of $25. Quick legs, medium amber... decent nose with something of a Buffalo Trace funk. It’s lively with sour mash, mint and oak. Smells like May in Kentucky... Initial tingle on the tongue, then cherries and an explosion of brown sugar, browned butter, cinnamon and rye bread. This brings me to price point. This is not an uncut, unfiltered party in your mouth... but it almost tastes like one. While the mouthfeel is thinner than Bookers the explosive brown sugar and spice are there. Random update - paired with a rice krispy treat this was absolute heaven. You know, for those of you who are into that sort of thing...

Nose of ethanol, wet oak, more ethanol, some leather and spice but nothing rich or warm which I would expect for such a high proof. Palate is hot and thin but more vanilla and oak than the nose would suggest. Not terrible but seems too thin for the proof and much better options out there for the $.