Tastes

Opened for a special occasion. Ridiculous whiskey, in the best way. AFAIK the bottle I had is a mostly (or all) corn single grain, aged in ex-bourbon barrels... closest thing you can buy to a 40-year-old bourbon. Tastes closer to bourbon than to any scotch I've ever had, but incredibly delicate and rich; popcorn notes present, against a complex backdrop of oak. Like nothing else I've ever had, and I've had die-hard bourbon fans go gaga over this one. I'd buy a case if I could.

Fun variation on the base 1792. A little sweeter, a little more complex. Not amazing whiskey, and certainly not worth secondary-market prices, but a respectable and unusual dram. We were gifted a bottle, and it's been worth having. It's most enjoyable now, as the port-flavors go well with fall-into-winter days. It's the dram I chose to sip on while decorating for Christmas, if that helps put it into it's place. There aren't a lot of port-finished bourbons on the market (though the number is quickly escalating). Of the three I've had, I prefer the Angel's Envy port-finished to the 1792, though the 1792 comes out well ahead of the Abraham Bowman Port-finished. I haven't had all three in the house at the same time to do a blind tasting, so that's based on memory, but for most things the Angel's Envy should be the go-to--it's not worth the time to track down the 1792.

Excellent bourbon for the money. I've used the 8-year in two different blind bourbon tastings, pairing it against bourbons far more expensive (including Weller 12-year and Old Rip Van Winkle 10), and it's come out in the top-two both times. Easy win for the money. This isn't my favorite sipping whiskey, but it's a real crowd pleaser if you can find it.

Solid mixer and decent enough as a sipper. Good value bourbon.