Rhetoric 25 Year Bourbon

Complex in a delicious way! Slight Kentucky hug at first which lends way to leather, tobacco and spices before a smooth finish. Great sharing or special occasion bourbon. 12/24/18

Purchased 11/23/18 $145 Myrtle beach, sc

Dusty, tart green apples on the nose with a hint of mint and candied sweetness. The complexity on the palate is beyond unique. You do pick up on the nutmeg and allspice. Definitely oak forward (25 yrs will do that), but I love it. Warm, figgy sweetness with zero "spicy" finish as they advertised. I preferred the 24 to the 25, but this is one of the best I've ever tasted.

This is pretty decent but if I’m being honest it’s not worth the hunt/price. I’ve had far younger bottles that were faaaarrr smoother.

Oak, allspice up front with a lingering pepper and vanilla finish. Up there with Pappy in terms of flavor and drink experience. A bit overwhelming and complex. but let it breath and add a dash of ice to open it up.

One of the best tasting bourbons I have EVER had. For my palette, I will take it over van winkle bourbon any day regardless of year. (And yes, I’ve had pappy 23 at a whisky tasting event.) Complex is usually not a word used to describe bourbon, but this is the exception. This noses as dark dried fruit, like figs and cherries with allspice and oak in the background. A deep rich scent that reaches into your sinuses and tickles your brain. The taste up front is smooth and sweet with the spiciest of the rye coming through that first swallow. As it hits the back of your tongue, ghosts from 25 years in the barrel rise up, letting sample a variety of oak tones as it fades into a slight sweetness and after tones of vanilla. An amazing sip of history that will be remembered long after the bottle runs dry.

I had the good fortune of purchasing a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20 2016 when I got into this hobby two years ago. This is the closest I have come to that experience. When I first cracked the bottle I was not too impressed. A week later, and wow; it's really impressive. If you like oaky, complex bourbon get a bottle. You won't be disappointed.