Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon 12 Year

I’ve had several pours from my bottle now and this is a Bourbon I really wanted to like. I certainky hoped for more traditional vanilla and caramel flavors from hand selected 12 year bourbons. To me the high rye recipes overwhelmed the ageing and resulted in a younger rye recipe bourbon flavor profile where light citrus and baking spices dominate everything. Don’t get me wrong this is a good bourbon and likely very good for people that really enjoy high rye recipe bourbon. That’s just not me.

Huge brown sugar and spice on the nose. The palate is smooth with vanilla, brown sugar, and cherries. The finish is long and enjoyable. Great pour!

It’s been some time since I pulled a shared sample, switched on a Mets game and taste. But tonight, a Friday night stars align. A quiet night. A well pitched, low scoring game on both sides. And now a sample to taste with no constraints. N: As it opens, breakfast aromas greet and meet you. Vanilla-soaked French Toast smothered in maple syrup and confectionery sugar (but alas, no coffee and bacon aromas). As it expands, some earthy notes come through. Tanned leather, like a baseball glove, walnuts, ground cinnamon. As it further expands and loosens, fruity notes of apple cobbler with cherries and toffee bookends the breakfast. Drizzle some salted caramel for good measure. The high proof is ever present as whiffs of vapor punches every now and then. Gentle reminders that as sweet and earthy it is, it’s still muscular and a force. P: A semi-dense feel with some bite. As you chew, maraschino cherries, pecans, dark chocolate and caramel atop apple crumb pie. The earthy leather lingers in the background. The longer you chew, the spicier side comes forward and the black and red pepper muscles up, prickling the tongue. W: A touch of water softens the bite and reveals the rye side of the bourbon. It also allows some orange zest to become detectable. F: A nice, long finish that just sticks everywhere. Wood char, nutmeg, cloves, tobacco, dark chocolate and spearmint. O: This is a quality bourbon. Some muscle. Some sweetness. Some bite. Some warmth. Similar to Noah’s Mills, but more refined. From the nose to the finish, there is always something to stir the senses. Always moving and evolving. I am sure there are subtleties that are escaping my senses that with more time and more to pour I would draw out. With so many whiskies on the market these days vying for your hard-earned pay, finding quality becomes a expense and a chore. This is one worthy to seek. (Mets lost to the Blue Jays 3-0). Thank you @pkingmartin for sharing. Not sure if I would have sought this one out, until now. [92/100][Tasted: 6/2/23]

Good - still a 4.25 star

High rye with a sweet nose. Great heat on the finish but not too much. Lovely almond, little citrus, a fair amount of oak, and a lot of fun!