Tastes

Can’t beat a classic. Friend hooked me up with a bottle on one of my last days in my hometown before I moved mid country. Glad he did. I’ve had a few bottles of a few different barrels over the years, and yea it’s over priced and yea it’s overhyped, but it’s a good consistent bottle when found at msrp. And it’s a bottle that tastes and feels like home.

It was the only one on the shelf at Total Wine and the bourbon guy said they get them one at a time.... so I had to... right? Well it’s got the fruit and the decadence of a bourbon that does in fact have a wine influence. There’s some solid grain in the linger too. And a little bit more heat than I would expect from a 90 proofer. So to address the question. It is interesting and complex and I’m glad I tried it. Not as sure I’m glad I went in at 91$, and probably wouldn’t again, but that just means I need to drink this bottle nice and slow. I’ll bust it out with friends more for the story, than the actual substance it brings to the table.

Goody goody twisted my arm to pick this up with my old soul single barrel. It’s good. Definitely complicated, and fresh to me considering it’s not a true bourbon. The story intrigues me. Distilled by MGP, aged 12 years, then produced by another much smaller distillery in Ohio. Want to know the mashbill. I get a lot of corn, and probably some malted barley in there. The spice is evident but very light. A lingering intensity lives on in it and it punches pretty well for something I know almost nothing about. Would love to see batch 2 of this come out at cask strength, or in some form of a single barrel. Would buy again for the price as a unique bottle to keep around, but tell me more Hooten Young!

I love barrell to death... and love tasting it everywhere I go.... but averaging 70-150$ a bottle is tough on my low budget wallet. Welcome stellum. Simple, affordable, cask strength, well aged, balanced, straight to the point. It doesn’t lie about it’s origins. Low age (probably 2 years), straight outta Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, blended by barrell, and full proof: full bodied. Had some nice notes all around, lots of balanced light oak, fruit, some maple as well. Subtle lingering heat and barrel spirit from the 118 proof, but just great all around. The guys who did this KNOW what they’re doing. It’s an example of an expert distiller/blender who makes easily 80-100$ bottle giving the entry level or cheapies something to have ready to sip in between barrell fancy releases.

This is pretty solid, all things considered. Picked this up off a $10 credit i had with a local liquor store. I heard very mixed reviews, mostly good. It definitely drinks like a 10 year, lots of oak and light spice opening to vanilla and a light crisp finish. Honestly, another one I don’t mind. Wouldn’t pay 70$+ again, but would definitely drink again. I like it a lot!

Very light. Not a bad bottle. Has some nice honey and very subtle light oak... but light. An easy sipper but not an easy sipper I’d shell out $60 for on a regular basis... glad I tried it. Won’t make that mistake again.

Very sweet, a little “rambunctious” if that makes sense. A young and vibrant bourbon with honeysuckle, light caramel, and a very crisp almost sharp finish. But still drinks with some nice heat and a filling body. Drinks way above what it should. Will definitely buy again.

This will consistently always be one of the greatest bottles I will always and forever buy when I can find it at MSRP. The best 40$ bourbon to ever exist. Butterscotch, caramel, and the slightest rye spice, but with a nice consistent finish. I’ve had many pours of this guy, and have never not enjoyed it

Very pleasant sweetness with a full body. Like chewing on a giant caramel filled pie. No burn or spice but a long finish.

Not bad. Picked it up on a whim because it’s one of the cheaper 10 year KSBWs I’ve had the pleasure of buying... but not amazing. Very light, subtle butterscotch and sweet corn on the nose, with a very light but pleasant fruity nutty finish. Easy to sip, and good to have tried, but wouldn’t pay 60$ again for it.