Well, after a week off from reviews while I was preparing for and performing at Tip Up Town USA (if you’re not familiar with it just google it),I’m back home recovering from the marathon weekend. I took an extra day off work to help the recovery and I decided to do a bourbon review. I got a sample of this 15 year old from Orphan Barrel from my Michigan bourbon buddy John. Bottled at a peculiar 45.25% ABV and a natural color of copper and I am guessing that it is chill filtered. The nose is dominated by cinnamon and clove. Plenty of oak as well with some light vanilla. Heavy corn influence, as is to be expected from the high proportion of corn in the mash bill. Mint and some light dill. Letting it sit a while reveals a nice toffee and caramel note with maple syrup. Somewhere in the background there is an orange-like citrus. Even though it’s a bit simplistic, there’s a nice nose to this bourbon. The palate, unfortunately goes the opposite direction. Sweet at first, but turns quite bitter. Very bitter dark chocolate, sharp oak and butterscotch. Pepper and cinnamon bring it to a close. A medium bodied mouthfeel that is slightly oily and dry. A medium long finish that is on the bitter side with cinnamon and oak. This is the third Orphan Barrel that I’ve tried, and I have to say that I haven’t really enjoyed any of them. I hate being overly critical of samples given to me by others, but over valuing them would be disingenuous. At $70 it’s not as expensive as the others I’ve had, but it’s still overpriced. I really did think the nose was good, similar to Buffalo Trace or Wild Turkey or a mix of the two, and that’s why it’s getting a 3 from me and not lower due to the overly bitter taste. Thanks for the sample John, even though I didn’t love it, it’s still fun to review whatever I can get my hands on. Cheers