Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Best bourbon out there for the price!

Very mild on the nose spicy ethanol. Tasting has a tinge of a bite with vanilla and herbal notes sitting atop muted baking spices, not cinnamon forward, just warms you up. The sweetness dissipates into a faint leathery smokiness that holds on surprisingly long for a flavor so mild. Overall, great for sipping with an emerging variety of light flavors. But also great for mixing at a price this low for the quality of the spirit. Personally it checks all the boxes.

Neat in a glencairn. An appealingly deep coppery-amber. The nose offers toffee, caramel, baked apples, clove, cut jalapeno, and a hint of raisin... but carries some fumes, so prepare thy nostril. The palate is thick, hot, and strong. Boldly-flavored caramel, oak, and spice. Loads of brown sugar with banana, vanilla, and that cherry cola version of spiced oak that I find quite pleasant. Charred orange. A drying sweetness lingers nicely and invites anther sip. The best bold flavor profile + cost comparison I can think of is Wild Turkey 101. This is simultaneously more flavorful, more viscous, and cheaper ($22/L) than it's closest Brown-Forman comparison, Old Forester Signature, all at the same proof. I have honestly thought to myself "wow, this stuff is delicious" each and every time I've tasted it and am more than a little scared to draw comparisons with my much-adored Old Fo' 1920 whiskey spouse for fear of poisoning the love we share. I react with an eerie similarity to it, but it is much, much, much, much more expensive. I'll just enjoy my pour and leave that for another day.

Such a surprise pour. This is an outstanding value bourbon. To me, a vanilla bomb with some subtle complexity. I think Lux Row got a great batch of barrels in, because this aged incredibly well. Assuming 4-5yrs, this gives you all you need to know on the nose. Vanilla, spice, and a hint of bright fruit. Definite vanilla bomb. You get some oak, but nothing old or dusty/musty. Solid finish. This is just as good as it gets for a 4-5yr old whiskey. 4.2/5

Wow. Barrel char and leather with some vanilla and slight dried fruit flavor. Amazing at its price point. Well done B-F.