Tastes

Nose: Subtle grain, corn, like freshly baked bread Palate: Vanilla, baking spices Finish: Short-medium with more of those baking spices, oak, leather, and a little nuttiness A solid example of how bottled in bond has created a standard of quality in bourbon. 1897 is indeed richer and fully bodied than Old Forester's standard expressions, perfect to mix into a cocktail.

Nose: Butterscotch, with a hint maple syrup Palate: Rich caramel and a little vanilla that slowly transitions to some baking spices Finish: Short with a little spice but it does have a richness that coats the mouth Double casks and finishes are all the rage right now, this is a great example though how finishing helps amp up the wood sugars and adds a decadent feel. Enjoy it on the porch or after a good meal.

Nose: When you get past the proof, sourdough bread along with grains and a hint of spearmint Palate: Vanilla and oak, baking spices, caramel Finish: Short-medium mostly spicy with a little tannic bitterness after a few sips A step up when compared to the classic 86 proof, a little more complexity and strength that makes this both a good budget sipper and a perfect base for a cocktail.

Nose: Burnt brown sugar, apricots Palate: Vanilla, with more apricot, some baking spices usher you to... Finish: A short finish, nothing much lingers maybe a little oak and spice but nothing remarkable Overall a basic bourbon with a thin mouthfeel, nothing complex. At best a middle-of-the-road budget sipper with a sweet and somewhat fruity profile.

District Made Spirits in Washington, DC describes itself as, "The Spirit of DC Made With the Heart of Rye." Their limited release of a bottled in bond bourbon embraces that ethos with a Corn/Rye mash bill of 58% Corn, 25% Abruzzi Rye, and 17% Malted Rye. The rye shines in this expression, from the nose to the palate. Despite the heavy rye content and 100 proof, the finish is rather short. If you are a rye fan then this is a bottled in bond for you.

Washington, DC's Republic Restoratives, this rye is a 5-Year 95% Rye/5% Malted Barley mash bill that was distilled in Kentucky (BBC? New Riff?) This inaugural batch of barrels are a mix of barrels aged in Washington, DC and Kentucky. On the nose, there's a more floral note before a sweet maple enters. The floral notes linger at the top of the palate before giving way to a soft rye and a sweeter finish, medium-length.

From Washington DC's Republic Restoratives Distillery, "Madam" is a 50/50 blend of their 5-Year Purpose Rye and 7-Year Borough Bourbon. The combination of the two spirits results in a mashbill of 58% Rye, 37% Corn, and 5% Malted Barley. The pour is a very sweet affair from beginning to finish. On the nose are honey, vanilla, and caramel. The palate is a vanilla frosting that drifts into a short/medium finish with more sugar notes. Even though the blend is technically a rye- this drinks more like a bourbon. An easy sipper and crushable pour.

Nose: Corn, some astringency with a hint of fruit Palate: Buttery, creamy vanilla at first but more hints for fruit but now in the form of berries Finish: Short finish, with a hint of spice at the end. While we won't know what "very old" means, this pour is a very crushable one with a hint of proof but not too much to make it unapproachable. It's not classic in its flavor profile but it is familiar enough to sip on.

Nose: Vanilla, a little floral Palate: Vanilla on the tip, followed with strong baking spices Finish: Medium-long with a hint of oak For 13 years, this expression brings out the wood sugars without a lot of wood.

Nose: All sorts of baking spices, vanilla Palate: Spices continue but then gets vanilla sweet towards the finish Finish: Lots of tingles on the sides of the tounge and jaw as the sweet notes linger for a long finish. A good full proofer is strong but not harsh. Weller Full Proof is a solid example of a robust version of an expression.