Tastes

Distilled by: Undisclosed Bottled by: Jefferson’s Parent Company: Castle Brands Proof: 90 proof Age: NAS, but the Ocean Aged at Sea project originally took a blend of 6-7 year aged bourbon that was then aged an additional 6 months at sea. Mash Bill: Undisclosed Barrel Char: Undisclosed Price: $79.95 at NC ABC Rested 5 minutes in a Glencairn, and then another 5 minutes because I got distracted. Neat. Nose: A lot of burnt sugar up front. Caramel. The oak comes through with some ethanol heat, with a slight touch of dried fruit underneath - ever had craisins? That. Palate: The fruit that was hiding a bit on the nose comes through in the palate. Pepper, with some kind of baking spices mixed in (clove? Allspice? Not quite sure). This palate is unique: it’s not like any of the other bottles I’ve had so far. The profiles aren’t overly complex, and you have to sort through them a bit rather than them having a nice progression. It’s a touch hot for the proofing, but not unpleasant. Finish: Medium-long. The fruit disappears pretty quickly, leaving the mouth coated with straight oak and tannins. It’s a bit bitter, and a bit tangy. Raw pecans pop up as the finish fades. Not bad. Overall: This glass, like I mentioned in the palate notes, is unique. It’s good, but a bit hot for 90 proof. I like to justify my ratings based on what I feel the value is rather than a score, and at $80 this... doesn’t do it for me. $80 is going to set the bar mighty high anyway, but this feels like a gimmicky bourbon that somehow got popular enough for the parent company to get away with the price tag it has. It’s a bottle with a fun story, if you’re into that.

Distilled by: Bardstown Bourbon Company? Honesty I don’t know. This brand is seriously lacking some transparency. Bottled by: Three Springs Bottling Company for Western Spirits Parent Company: Bardstown Bourbon Company Proof: 92 proof Age: 10 years Mash Bill: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% Malted Barley *Barrel Char: Undisclosed Price: $79.95 at NC ABC Rested 5 minutes in a Glencairn, neat. Nose: Ethanol right off the bat, followed by artificial banana and cedar. Something else is there that I can’t quite place, but it’s not unpleasant. A lot of the traditional bourbon profile is missed here, overpowered by the other notes. Palate: That ethanol burn is right at the front again. Banana Runts and banana peel. Medium mouthfeel, along with some earthy tones. Finish: Medium. The ethanol burn gives way to the banana again, with some bitter citrus oil flavors. This glass is slightly analgesic, a bit more than I would like. A bit of tobacco makes a surprise appearance, but isn’t quite enough to impress. Overall: Let me start by saying that this glass isn’t bad. It has a bit more ethanol burn that I think is acceptable at only 92 proof. A blind test would have had me guessing closer to 100+. With that being said, I won’t be paying $80 for another bottle. It was missing the profile I want from a bourbon, and drank a little rough for the price.

Distilled by: Heaven Hill Distillery Bottled by: Old Evan Williams Distillery Parent Company: Heaven Hill Company Proof: 86.6 proof Age: 6 years 11 months Mash Bill: 78% corn 10% rye and 12% barley. Barrel Char: Char #3. Price: $34.95 at NC ABC Rested 5 minutes in a Glencairn, neat. Nose: Classic bourbon: vanilla, oak, and spice. A touch of ethanol burn with the slightest hint of licorice and leather. Palate: a bit thin on the mouthfeel, not coating much even when I swish it around a bit. Oak is the most forward flavor here, pushing out nearly everything else. A small touch of cocoa from the barley manages its way through, but pretty boring overall. Finish: Very short. A bit earthy, almost musty. Again, fairly boring. Overall: The nose was the best part of the glass, and it was misleading. For $35 I’m disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, this bottle is fine, but I can think of a lot of other bottles I’d rather have at the price-point. If it goes on sale and I’m out, I may pick up another bottle.

Distilled by: Barton 1792 Bottled by: Barton 1792 Parent Company: Sazerac Company Proof: 93.7 Age: NAS, but this bottle originally sported an 8-year age statement. Mash Bill: estimated 74% corn 18% rye 8% barley. Barrel Char: estimated Char #3/4. Price: $29.95 at NC ABC Rested 5 minutes in a Glencairn, neat. Nose: Soft and sweet, caramel and brown sugar with banana peel. Palate: Bananas Foster, wonderfully sweet, but not over powering. Burnt sugar, and a touch of alcohol burn. Finish: Medium-long. The peel of the banana makes a return with the alcohol hanging around and having a slightly analgesic affect that I’m not mad about. Overall: I quite enjoy this, especially for the price. The fruit flavors do a great job of supporting the traditional bourbon flavors rather than overpowering them. The fact that my wife also enjoys this glass ensures that I’ll always have a bottle (or 2) in the cabinet.