Calumet Farm 14 Year Single Rack Black Bourbon

I have no idea why I broke down and bought this but I did. So lets see how it does. Getting to test out a new REAL copita glass and not my generic one. Nose - Struggling with this new glass, tiny nose hole? Mouth hole? Anyway spicy, vanilla and oak tannins. Thin and light, very little oil, and at 48% no shocker. Very classic bourbon, but not getting older notes. Corn alcohol and vanilla and oak. It's pleasant, inviting, and a good showcase of what bourbon does. I think this is a good example of a more classic traditional bourbon, but again not an old one. No leathers, no darker elements, just some spices giving hints of age. Taste - Apples and baking spices, simple syrup, oak tannins, and a cream corn finish. Very simple, very basic, but clean and well done. Mouth feel is thin but the finish does have some linger effect which helps. So this is a barton mash bill and I'm without a doubt a fan of their bourbon and this is a nice enough bourbon. 2 star, well made but lacking the impact of age that you'd expect with the price and 14 year age statement. Night and day however better than the 12, but I think I might still like some of the 10 year single rack or store picks I've had. Shockingly little to say about this one, almost reminds me of a buffalo trace in the simplicity and that's despite a good bit more rye and spice in the mash bill and certainly older than any of their core offerings.

I've always ignored Calumet in the past, but this 14 Yr caught my eye. It's a 19 barrel blend, so a fairly small release; but there seems to be a fair amount of it around my area right now. Nose - brown sugar, charred oak, cinnamon and baking spices, vanilla & orange peel Palate - follows expectations from the nose: brown sugar, oak, barrel char, cocoa & baking spices. Medium finish is mostly on the mid-palate, with oak, char, and some vanilla. Mouthfeel is both oily and thin at the same time. I can't help but wonder what it would be like at a higher proof. Overall it's pretty good. It's definitely recognizable as Barton 1792, but with more oak and complexity. The oak comes across as more charred than tannic, which I like. I do wish it was a bit higher proof just to concentrate the flavors and mouthfeel. As for as value goes, I'd say it's middle of the pack. I can think of some that are better for the same/less money (KC 15, ECBP), but compared to Cream of Kentucky or Woodford Batch Proof I'd say it holds its own. I don't regret buying a bottle, but won't be purchasing another.