Amador Double Barrel Bourbon Finished in Napa Valley Wine Barrels

No thanks. Ethanol.

This is in the port-finish/other-finish division of my finished bourbon bracket. Quick recap of the blind taste tests so far: Joseph Magnus, Noble Oak, Wild Turkey Revival, Rabbit Hole division. WT Revival won division. This division: Isaac Bowman vs Angel’s Envy IB won. This next round is Amador Double Barrel vs Jefferson’s Grand Selection (Sauternes). After this is Jefferson’s old rum cask vs Beer Barrel Bourbon. Did I mention that this is for science? Nose on this is a double-Oaked bourbon, or maybe plain Jack Daniels. And by that I mean banana, sugar, and a bit of wood. Body delivers on that banana and wood, but in a really bizarre and unpleasant way. The doubled-Oaked profile is bitter and dry, but the white wine finishing here introduces an unforgivingly sweet profile. And rather than neutralize or meet in the middle, this bitterness and sweetness is still fighting it out in my mouth. I do not like that one bit. Finish goes back to the banana and wood. So I threw some shade at a banana flavor profile clashing with dry, port wine. This little guy is way worse. I’m reading through the other tasting notes for this one, and I just don’t get it. There are times when I thought it would trigger a gag reflex. And I don’t think the flavors are gross, I think it’s the mouth feels. Will not buy again, but I’m hoping that before the bottle is gone, I can find more enjoyment from it. Jefferson’s wins this round.

Love this stuff.

Nose: Dark Fruits, plums, fig, grape, vanilla, honey Palate: Brown sugar, dark oakiness, dark chocolate, more fruit Finish: Long and complex

light and smooth with a soft wine finish. probably wouldn't spend a fortune on a bottle, but wouldn't turn down a dram either.