Kings County Peated Bourbon

This is one of those bottles that you see for a long time on the shelf and aren’t too interested, and then when you are it’s disappeared everywhere. Was able to find a bottle today and it’s quite expensive for only 375ml, but the hunt is over so maybe it was worth it. The nose first brings musty, wet hay and corn husks, but after a little time there is sticky toffee, molasses and vanilla. The final layer shows just a hint of citrus and some malt. Your classic bourbon this is not. Palate begins with more damp grass, and a light handed peat, but not smokey, just earthy and vegetal. It transitions in more traditional American flavours with the brown sugar, orange and baking spice. Unfortunately it’s just not oily enough (or high enough proof) to carry those flavours very long.. a tad on the thin side. With that said finish is short, with some dry woody notes and a little malt crying for attention. Overall it’s good but not great, and for 20 bucks less you can snag the WR Kentucky Straight Malt and have a similar profile minus the peat, and get all 750ml. However there is something to be said for finally getting your hands on something you’ve been looking for, so no regrets here at all.

Nose - fruity bourbon Palate - fruit, cherry, something spice-like Finish - smooth and short Overall - very good, easy to drink but enough flavor to be interesting

Incredibly smooth

Nose: salt, caramel, grass Palate: vanilla, more salt Finish: slight smoke, earth The peat adds some earthiness to it but not much smoke. Would be more interesting with more smoky notes.

That is weird

Smells of maple syrup, honey, and bourbon. Ooh...a hint of green apple and caramel! Yes, bourbon, but with a sultry smoked peat that's not overpowering. I like that the bourbon is not THE dominant sense. A little caramel and black pepper at the end with sugar syrup. After a few minutes the empty glass smells like an unlit, chocolate infused cigar. And there's that little green apple... Amazing! Looking at the other tastings I see flavors all over the place, which is interesting, but that means it could have a broad appeal. Rating based on neat sipping.

Assessed in a Glencairn spirits nosing glass. Aroma - Neat - Fudge, gentle oak, graininess, black tea leaf and a VERY restrained peat smoke (think grilled meat). Adding a splash of water . . . This really has developed it. Huge hit of fudge, mild custard, brown sugar and burnt twigs. Taste - Neat - Absolute knockout. Prominent old leather, cigar tobacco, dark chocolate and a very refined smokiness (think smoked Salmon, not Islay scotch). Adding a splash of water . . . This has expanded on the sweet notes, now getting some vanilla custard, but unfortunately has also stifled the leather and tobacco, which I prefer. Final thoughts - This is absolutely stellar. I’m giving a score of 4.75 out of 5.00 because this is so damned interesting. I love smoky flavors and while I am a fan of Islay’s, I was really worried they were going to just basically make an Islay scotch that can be legally called a bourbon here. Not the case at all. The peat is used with such restraint here that it just really accentuates those savory tones in a bourbon like woods, leathers and tobaccos that much more. I DO prefer this one without water. I hope to see other bourbon’s try this technique as it’s created something very unique and in its own league in my opinion.

- bourbon, grain, mid pep, sweet, caramel, JD like 2.5 light sweetness, thick oily, woody, grain-like 2.5 oak mid sustain 2 2.25 Muted and so unique - jeans-denim, mid burn, cherry dark fruits, 2.5 Pungent, oily, dense, bitter, chemical-like, earthy, mid pep 0.25 sustian woody, dense oil 1 1.25