Tastes

Yet another KC barrel select I picked up. These never disappoint. Great nose of brown sugar, vanilla, carmel and maybe a touch of fruit. The palate starts off the same way, but then comes the oak and heat. Finish is long and hot, but that’s what you expect from these 120 proof KC picks. Add a cube and you start getting a peppery finish. For under $50 bucks, these are a steal. Thank you Louisville Bourbon Club (whoever you are)!

Mecklenburg County ABC Board pick. OESV, 10yr 2 mo, 103 proof. The bottle is getting low so it’s been a while since I’ve had a pour. Shame on me. This bottle is fantastic. Nose is great and prepares you for the initial sweet vanilla, fruity, brown sugary taste. Then comes the rye spice and alcohol burn. Finish is long and equally pleasing. Just a great pour from start to finish. Would like to try other variations of barrel proof private selections as well.

Haven’t tried this in a while so thought I would refresh myself. Not exactly how I remembered it. Butterscotch on the nose? Starts sweet but then you get spice and burn that drowns out most of the flavor. Added a cube and the finish got way better. The ice definitely moved my rating up a bit. Really good bourbon and a nice daily drinker at retail $30-35. But there’s so many other good bourbons in this price range, it makes no sense to pay significant mark up.

A friend inspired me to dig this one out of the cabinet. Honestly I can’t think of a bourbon that compares from a nose and taste perspective. I remember this being “interesting”, but I actually really enjoyed this tasting. Nose and initial taste is as advertised...cherry and smoke. But not like Campfire smoke, more subtle. I tried with a cube, and with a little melt, the smokiness subsided a bit and the sweetness came forward. Pleasantly surprised with this one!

Better than I remember from my earlier tastes. Drinks pretty light. Fruity finish that’s hard to pin down. Seems like peach?

Three tastes and it continues to score the same, with a lean higher. Brandy finish is great!

I was a little down on Blanton’s a while back, but it’s working it’s way back up on my list. Finished up a bottle and cracked another so maybe this is just a better bottle? Either way, it’s back to the way I remember it...a really solid pour!

First time tasting this one. I can’t get past the “young bourbon” taste. It’s on the higher end of young, craft bourbons but really not my thing.

Tasting this tonight as a comparison to Dickel BiB. Heard several times that it was “the new McKenna 10”. Sorry but I’m going McKenna 10 BiB all day. This is such a solid pour and a great value. Never disappoints.

I was skeptical about this one at first. Almost double the price of KC 15 yr 120 proof barrel picks, and I’ve had some fantastic KC picks, but I really enjoy it. The lower proof vs the barrel picks takes the heat down a bit and showcases the flavor profile. Finish is nice and long. Glad I decided to pick this one up.