Cornmuse
Reviewed
August 3, 2023 (edited August 17, 2023)
I'm just finishing the last dram of my bottle. I came to this whiskey with no real knowledge of its origin story. That's one of the problems with bourbon in particular; there are so many stories and most of them are from brilliant marketing minds. At this point in my journey I tend to tune most of that out, sampling new expressions based on recommendations from friends, acquaintances and the occasional random bon vivant.
Either that or I buy based on an interesting label, concise shelf-talker, or colorful stack-out.
This is a pretty cool bottle and the shelf-talker mentioned Legent being finished in wine and sherry casks, so it was almost inevitable that it would end up in my rotation. This last sample from a bottle that's been open several weeks was enjoyed from a grappa coppita.
The nose delivers a caramel and tart wine greeting followed by milk chocolate covered cherries. These are the notes I get, but somehow they are delivered sans saccharine or excess sweetness. The bouquet is ultimately woody and dry, moderately complex and slightly spicy.
On the palate this opens with a sweet note that quickly dries, leaving a sweet aftertaste. There is a bit of ginger and black pepper, keeping this nicely balanced. Overall this is an above average sipper that combines the sweetness of a Jim Beam Single Barrel with a little bit of the bite of Old Grand Dad and the fruitiness of something like a Starward Nova.
The finish is short and clean.
Legent is just a bit thinner than optimal and that keeps this from getting a full four stars from me. That said, it is very nice and a good value.
Where this whiskey really can shine is in a Manhattan cocktail. This bourbon loves vermouth. Carpano Classico, Carpano Antica, Cocchi di Torino, Martini & Rossi Ambrato all blended beautifully. Another bottle will likely find its way back into my collection as the weather cools this autumn and the clear drinks give way to darker spirits, and Manhattans take over from Martinis at the cocktail hour.
34.99
USD
per
Bottle