Tastes

I’m always on the lookout for Belle Meade’s 12 year cask strength, but it’s impossible to find. I grabbed this to give it a try. It’s not a bad bourbon, but it isn’t anything special either. It lacked a flavor profile I was looking for when spending $60 on a bottle. The heat is a tad much for me on the nose and the tongue, so that could be masking some of the more interesting notes. I’ll give this a few drops of water or ice if I have some again.

This is the best bourbon I’ve ever had (to date). My father and I blinded this with: *Russell’s Reserve 10 Year SB *Henry McKenna 10 Year SB *Bulleit 10 Year Single Barrel *Old Bardstown And we both agreed it was the best. Flavors can get skewed when trying multiple bourbons in one night, so I picked up a bottle recently to see if it still held up. It’s so so good. I’ve had plenty of different kinds of bourbon over the years, but this one is above the rest. On the nose it’s not that hot, especially for 116 proof (58%). Most of the time if I have over 55% I’m getting a good bit of heat on the nose, on the tongue when first trying, or in the throat after consuming, but Rare Breed Barrel Proof drinks like a 50%~ ish bourbon. The heat kind of ‘slips past your tongue’ on the front, and then dances on the back, and the heat is only a warmth on the backend. Definitely an enjoyable experience drinking this bourbon. Great complexity with every pour. I’ll absolutely be buying more of this. I drink it neat. Can’t comment on what this tastes like on ice or with any water (yet), but will update this if I do.