Coopers' Craft Barrel Reserve 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Vanilla, Caramel, oak, spice. Smooth with a strong mouth-feel.

Blind tasting

I've been told this is one of those bottles to chase down before prices go up and the hype gets out of hand. I've also been told that as it opens up, it kinda goes flat so i'm reviewing my second pour (maybe 3rd....I had a few drink the last time i opened this so I might have gone for seconds). nose -well my first thought is I get brown foreman, or more directly I get old forester. Some chocolate, almost a raisin that's been oak soaked, brown sugar, a touch of maple, caramel...and this might sound crazy but it's almost got a dr pepper meets rootbeer thing going on. All classic elements I get in certain brown foreman expressions. taste - so I get a from start to finish light oak note, I don't always get oak at the very start, but it never goes from being just this light oak flavor. This is on the sweet side and yet it's somewhat bold. Vanilla, oak, a bit acidic, a touch of maybe banana, the finish has some youth to it with a bit of alcohol flavor in a bit unpleasant way. There's some chocolate as well. After some water I'm starting to get a touch of a nutty note at the end, all mixed in with that chocolaty, dr pepper/rootbeer note. Overall this is pretty good for 30 bucks. I could see myself icing this one however as the finish is clearly showing some youth off. Still for 28 bucks, this is a pretty nice bourbon and at 100 proof I'm all about recommending it as an alternative budget bourbon for those where 30 is budget. 1.75 out of 5. 2.0 is an average whisky. 1.0 is quality all be it not something I enjoy, below a 1.0 is simply not worth drinking. Please note, my average whisky is based on well over a decade of drinking and a willingness to explore some rather expensive and amazing spirits.

Excellent value and a good pour. Try it.

Full flavor, creamy, warm spice. 100 proof so some ice makes it a little less spicy, sweetness comes out.