George Dickel 15 Year Tennessee Single Barrel

Not a huge fan of this one. A little too sweet for me.

Apparently, the single barrel program by Dickel can range from 40-52% ABV and this one came in at the lower range with 42.2% ABV. The nose starts with a creamy mix of chalky fruit flavored vitamins and antique furniture store then dark chocolate Reese’s peanut butter cups followed by fruits of sour apple, poached pears and tangerine orange that transitions to cloves, spearmint, old leather and polished mahogany with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting slightly sour and bitter with chalky fruit flavored vitamins and freshly lacquered wood then dark chocolate covered peanut brittle followed by fruits of apple jolly rancher, baked pear tarte and orange sports drink that transitions to cloves, spearmint and polished mahogany with light ethanol burn. The finish is short with dark chocolate covered peanuts, baked apple pie, cloves, spearmint, leather and polished mahogany. This is a well-executed whiskey that manages to bring in traditional bourbon notes with that chalky Dickel flavor and old oak that veers toward a slightly sour and bitter start on the taste before quickly correcting to find its path with those same notes from the nose before finishing short. Sadly, this was bottled at 42.2% ABV and is quite thin on the palate that makes those flavors lighter than I prefer and could have really used a few more percentage points to help intensify them. These appear to be selling for around $60 and I think are a great VFM that allow for customers to experience what a 15-year-old whiskey can taste like without having to spend an absurd amount of money. A huge thanks to @jonwilkinson7309 for the generous sample.

Strong alcohol note

Excellent at 104.6 proof, packs a ton of flavor.

Just really good