Tastes

Nose: toffee, honey, vanilla Palate: bright but a notch below what I’d call rich; smooth, more honey and vanilla, cinnamon Finish: medium finish, but not hot, relatively smooth for a rye. Hints of leather and maple sugar linger.

Nose: classic rye, some peppery oak and honey, hints of buttered biscuits Palate: spices kick in here with a good deal of vanilla, lemon and honey Finish: decent finish especially for a $20 whiskey This is a sleeper whiskey pick right now.

Coming back to this bottle after a couple of months. It has faired well. 126 proof, barrel select (Cox/Evergreen, KY) OESV Nose: brown sugar, maple syrup, candy corn, tobacco leaves, toffee Palate: rich and sweet, creamy, not as spicy as other Four Roses recipes which makes sense Finish: medium, good rye spice warmth; not too dry, semi-sweet, more brown sugar, candy corn and some vanilla, decent spice but nothing like some of the higher rye recipes (such as OBSV)

This was a lower-rated bourbon for many as it did not live up to many of the fantastic Bookers batches released before it. It is, however, a supercharged Jim Beam, echoing the traditional mainstream whiskey with rich flavors and balance all its own. Nose: charred oak and sweet corn—it’s a more complicated and satisfying Jim Beam white label Palate: candied nuts, bright fruits, hints of butterscotch Finish: very warm and long when neat, but more approachable and sweet after several drops of water; it’s slightly drier than the nose and palate predicted but it’s a good balance, vanilla baking spices at the end, but still it’s a rather sweet finish A solid Bookers batch and if I were recommending a specific batch to Beam lovers to expand their horizons this would be it.

Nose: rich corn, toffee and dark fruits Palate: again, a rich palate with hints of cherry, charred oak, butterscotch Finish: bright and short but a nice sweet and spicy vanilla finish to a hidden gem bourbon that has been discontinued

At cost, availability and overall quality, there is hardly a bourbon out there than beats Russell’s Reserve 10-year. I’d say Eagle Rare is about the only other one in that category and it’s becoming harder to find. Don’t get me started on McKenna 10. Nose: bright but rich, butterscotch, hints of cinnamon, oak and fruits Palate: creamy candy corn, more cinnamon and vanilla Finish: more of the rye spices come in here but not too overwhelming. More light oak, baking spices, vanilla This isn’t the most complicated bourbon in the world but at 90 proof and the continued age statement this is a great supper and fantastic buy.

Barrel Select: Cox/Evergreen (KY) Barrel Pick #1 - 2019 Nose: pleasant and balanced, sweet peanuts, oak, butterscotch leather, fruits Palate: more butterscotch, hints of vanilla and spices Finish: spice comes through here but not too warm, hints of cinnamon It’s a little bitter and dry for my tastes at the end. A solid store pick. I’ve had better of the ECSB barrel picks but this is still quite representative of their small batch store picks.

Nose: small batch 1792 has a bit more sweet and dark fruits on the nose but this starts out with leather and rye. Not a super spicy nose but the earthy rye is definitely there. Hints of tea, honey and corn. That’s a predictor of things to come. Palate: the rye nose gives way to a balanced, rich, brown sugar sweet with hints of cinnamon and butterscotch. More honeyed flavors here too. Finish: the rye comes back here with spicy warmth. Vanilla and nutmeg. Is quite a complex journey from start to finish for this bourbon. This is a different experience than the small batch I’ve had. It’s different in a unique and pleasant way.

Bottled: 2018 Age: unknown Proof: 98.6 Nose: a perfect balance of corn, oak and leather, hints of butterscotch, subtle earthy tones from the high rye mashbill Palate: quite spicy, with dark fruits and vanilla, mid palate peppers Finish: this bourbon starts sweet and punchy, then spice on the mid palate and after peaking finishes with a bit softer flourishes, hints of toffee and more vanilla, baking spices This is the best 1792 has to offer based on what I’ve tried. If a bourbon can crescendo, to borrow a music term, this one delivers. It’s excellent. Because it’s a single barrel, your mileage may vary.

Barreled: February 2007 Barrel# 5132368 Nose: sweet corn, cereal notes, and hints of cherry Palate: rich, slightly bitter and drier than I expected, hints of Butterscotch Finish: more dryness here, additional bitterness, but more sweet fruits and brown sugar than at first Richer than the standard bottom shelf Rebel Year, the quality of this bourbon is about the same as easy to find wheaters such as Makers 46. While the nose is quite good, the palate and finish are not as complex and a bit bitter and brittle. While Heaven Hill is reported to be the source for this bourbon, it’s nowhere near the quality of the Old Fitzgerald aged stated releases. I’ve seen this whiskey upwards of $90 and it’s not worth that. But for a 10-year-old wheated bourbon it’s quite unique. However I’d rather have a Makers 46 over this any day. And since that bourbon is readily available and less expensive, I’m docking this bourbon a few ticks.