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Bardstown Bourbon Co. Origin Series Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Distiller Score 92
The nose is rich and enticing, with butterscotch, caramel, and peanut brittle. That nuttiness continues onto the palate, which also offers a surprising of red fruits, including apples, orchard fruits, plums, and grapes. The finish is lengthy, and showcases chocolate syrup, Tootsie Rolls, tannic oak, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Hancock's President's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 88
A light, sweet nose with caramel, tobacco, tropical fruit, and apple greets you on the nose. For a high-rye bourbon, the rye spice certainly doesn't exert itself, leaving the palate to lush, rich caramel, mocha, mango, toasted oak, and orange. The rye spice sneaks in at the end but doesn't draw much attention. The finish delivers dried apricots, oak, and caramel.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Stagg Jr Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 1
Distiller Score 90
The nose fills with brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon--easy like Sunday morning. The palate finds heat, cherry syrup, more brown sugar and new hints of citrus. The finish is very long with smoke and sugar taking control.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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1792 Aged Twelve Years
Distiller Score 88
The 1792 12-year has many of the same flavor traits of it younger siblings, while expressing its maturity through a host of more subtle and precise characteristics. The familiar sweetness comes through in a rich and layered maple syrup note that is countered by drier, rye-influenced Turkish apricot aromas. This bourbon rolls across the palate with a round and creamy structure that, while not overly complex, is immensely enjoyable and well balanced.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Belle Meade Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish
Distiller Score 94
Nose offers a combination of vanilla and baking spices, dry oak and a red wine influence, along with light mint and herbal notes. The palate is rich, with more vanilla, dark red fruits and wine tannins, oak, clover honey, and rye spice. A moderate length finish continues on the sweet and rich sweet side, with vanilla, char, chocolate, brown sugar, and just a touch of black pepper. Delicious, and an excellent job interweaving the Madeira influence with the bourbon itself.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Jefferson's Rye Cognac Cask Finish
Distiller Score 93
The cognac is prominent on the nose with violets and dandelions atop oak, molasses, licorice, and mint. Those influences switch on a rich palate that's whiskey-forward upfront, offering rye spice, salted caramel, and brown sugar leading into grapes and blackcurrants. A lengthy, pleasing finish offers dark chocolate and vanilla, followed by a touch of heat wiped away with luscious raspberry syrup, leaving a close of tingling tannins and barrel char.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2016
Distiller Score 94
The nose is wood-heavy with both oak and cedar, leading into baking spices, banana nut muffins, and light citrus. Palate enters soft then reveals rye spice with plenty of vanilla and custard, as well as cornflakes and banana bread. Manages to be both smooth and layered, leading into a big, rich and long finish, with caramel, vanilla pudding, rye spice, oak, and a minty-medicinal kick.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Russell's Reserve 13 Year Bourbon (2021 Release)
Distiller Score 89
The nose offers stewed fruits and prunes, with baking spices and dark chocolate syrup. The palate is big and bold, with Tootsie Rolls, raisins, and stone fruits including brandied cherries and canned peaches. The finish is hot and lengthy, with cassia bark, spearmint, and vanilla, along with cedar, oak, and leather. Add a touch of water to bring forward more of a rich, chocolaty sweetness.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Wyoming Whiskey Double Cask
Distiller Score 92
Find notes of grape jelly, oak, dark brown sugar, and cinnamon on the nose, along with a background of nail polish. The palate showcases a slightly syrupy mouthfeel, and is rich and sweet overall, with milk chocolate, big vanilla notes, spice, and sugary dried fruits. The finish is lusciously smooth and rich, with dry oak, pepper, more baking spices, and dark red fruits.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2015)
Distiller Score 98
As you taste this bourbon you may be reminded of the dessert scene in "Young Frankenstein" when Igor is accused of making "yummy sounds." Vanilla, milk chocolate, almond and Bing cherries (collectively, the flavors of a tonka bean if you've ever tasted them) waft from the glass and onto the palate. Comforting, buttery shortbread, honeysuckle and the most delicate acidity of lemon oil follow. Given its considerable proof, it's hardly noticeable, perhaps distracted by its truly yummy and balanced flavors. Mmmmmmmm.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B520
Distiller Score 95
The nose displays rich aromas of coconut, caramel cream, and vanilla along with a solid char smoke. Rich on the palate, the flavors from the nose carry on here with layers of barrel spices, oak, and baked apples. These Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches have been highly sought after in recent years, and for good reason. It has an everlasting gobstopper of a finish. Drinkable as is, but if you must, add just a touch of cool water or make one hell of an Old Fashioned.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Booker's Bourbon Batch 2015-03 "The Center Cut"
Distiller Score 92
This aptly named bourbon really does taste like it spent some time in the proximity of a meat smoker! Its aroma is very similar to that whiff of sweet, maple steam that comes off a New York City nut cart in the winter. Vanilla, smoked ham and candy apple also play a huge part, with a touch of lemony tartness. Its big, brawny proof could use a big ice cube to tame it down and release some of the more subtle flavors or sage, pinewood, cinnamon and clove. This bourbon would be amazing with barbecue.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster