Zachary-Robbins
Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
June 7, 2019 (edited August 14, 2019)
I was looking to try another ~$30 small batch but spotted this, and an ABC employee said they just got it in that day. I couldn't exactly remember reviews of this, but I knew it was not a bourbon we normally see in North Carolina so I impulsively picked it up due to the small quantity available. I usually wait to do reviews until I'm almost finished with the bottle but I think my opinion is settled after a few days.
This is unlike a lot of bourbons I've had recently. It hits you hard with floral oak notes, smelling like it is over 100 proof. It initially is light on the palate but then a strong oak and nut flavor takes over. The finish however lingers with a more spicy dessert flavor mixed with nuts and cloves. To me this is floral, oak, and nutty. It lacks sweetness that many other bourbons have, which could be due to age since the mash bill is similar to many big bourbons I've had recently. If you like more rye/malt influence in your bourbon you may like this a lot. A unique bourbon that is a good change of pace, but not something that I'd consider a good daily sipper.
By the way, adding a little water only dulled the nose and flavor. And I really like the bottle design. It pours easily with no dribbling. And the boxy shape has dimples on the side making it comfortable to grab. More bottles should include dimples.
Barrel information - #4696 and bottled on 05-06-19. I wish they included the cask date, I'm confident it is under 6 years given the taste.
39.95
USD
per
Bottle
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Me either until I broke out the only bottle of ET Lee I own with the hopes of cracking it open with my brother who was visiting from Texas. We never got the opportunity (we were at my mother's teatotalling household, so I knew it was a long shot). My ETLee remains unopened.
@BDanner Did not know that
One reason we like that bottle shape? It’s the same bottle that BT uses for Elmer T.
@Zachary-Robbins I agree. I KNEW it wasn’t 8yo, but my eye kept going to it and thinking 8yo.
@BDanner The Whiskey Vault pointed out how deceiving that 8 looks
Same here. Went into the ABC for Tequila (I make a lot of margaritas for the family over the 4th holiday) and the manager pointed this one out (along with forged something or other, but it was $60) so I picked it up. I second you on the bottle design. I’ll review after a few pours. That script “Eight” on the front seems like an attempt to make consumers associate it with an 8yo bourbon.