George Dickel No. 12

Nose: Cereal mash, ethanol, a little caramel, some leather and orange, oak. A somewhat dry and hard nose. Not unpleasant, but very bready and cereal-forward and certainly not soft. A touch of toasted coconut. Palate: A sharp and spicy arrival with wood in the background. Something floral or aromatic herbal. Quite dry overall. Finish: Medium, tannic, very dry and frankly a bit rough and metallic. This one was not to my taste at all until I added a teaspoon of water. This helped a great deal by taming the ethanol on the nose and the rampant hard spices throughout, and unleashing a wave of sweetness. Not that it suddenly became Jack Daniels-like sweet, it just all seemed to come into balance and focus. I don't think I've ever said this about any other spirit but this is one that I'd prefer to buy bottled at 40% instead of 45%. At 90 proof it feels like I'm being shouted at by the village idiot - dropped to 80 there is a pleasant conversation going on. Not a particularly complex whiskey, but great when diluted either with some still water as a sipper or with soft drink. I certainly prefer its dry profile to the other big Tennessee whiskey's sweetness. It goes very well with cola, not so well with dry ginger, but very well indeed with coconut water (try it - you'll like it). A great standby all-purpose bourbon to keep in stock. "Average" : 79/100 (2.75 stars)

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