Hancock's President's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

The good: Pleasant flavors of the “fruity and spicy” variety; green apple, cherry, caramel, and cinnamon (ever had Cinnamon Gummy Bears? This tastes very similar); decent oily mouthfeel, no off flavors or ethanol. The bad: somewhat muted, short-to-medium length finish, not complex or deep in flavor profile. Verdict: A nice sipper hence the rating, and what’s here is presented really well. If this was $30 I would buy it all day, but just not deep or layered enough to justify a rebuy at $50.

Liquor Barn pick. Really enjoying this so far. Not the most complex bourbon I’ve ever had but there’s a lot to like about it. If you’re able to find it, it’s definitely worth picking up as an every day sipper.

Similar profile to Stag Jr and Blantons. If you can get this for regular price it’s a very good bourbon. Definitely not a >$50 a bottle bourbon though.

This is a very easy sipper that you don’t have to think much about. Think: Blanton’s but brighter Nose: hints of cherries, butterscotch, raisins Palate: baking spices as the rye comes in a bit on the palate as opposed to the nose Finish: pleasant and soft. Slight warmth, with hints of citrus, almonds and baking spices It’s a like spicier Buffalo Trace at almost the same proof.

So good, has the spicy fruit nose and taste of a rye without the rough licorice. One of the best high rye bourbons I've had. I wish they offered this in NC. I picked it up in Kentucky for roughly $30 or $35 and have never seen it on the shelf here, so I have to make it last!

Liquor Barn (KY) store pick (2018) Nose: similar to Blanton’s as it shares the same mash bill at Buffalo Trace. A little more toasted oak up front though. Sort of like a blend of Blanton’s and McKenna 10 from Heaven Hill because of some toasted nutty notes. Vanilla is there as well. Palate: more spicy vanilla and slight butterscotch. Sweeter than Blanton’s but considering the 15% rye in the mash it’s not that spicy at all. Finish: short and sweet. Not much bite. Kind of a muted, sweeter Blanton’s/ETL. Will have to come back to it. Doesn’t rise to that level though as Blanton’s is a four-star pour for me.