Sonic8222
Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
August 31, 2020 (edited December 18, 2020)
Liquor Barn 2020 "Quarantine #1," barrel #1-B3-0623. Distilled in Louisville, KY, aged in new, charred oak. Missing data infuriates me but hey, they'll let anyone drive, work, vote, etc. I didn't want really want to get this, especially after seeing the odious name for the barrel pick itself, but I've already passed up other barrel picks before, and something was telling me that it's not likely that Bulleit will disappoint.
The caramel and vanilla scent is super strong here, and although there's obvious rye usage, the spice factor doesn't seem separate, but instead smells as if you added cinnamon, clove, and other warm baking spices directly to chewy caramel candies. There is no alcohol burn at all to the nose.
The flavor is very deep, and hits strongly upon first taste with tobacco, potent cinnamon, and barrel spice. The vanilla is actually the winner during the taste, but the caramel is still there as a close second. The burn (which is surprisingly strong for only 104 proof) begins to die down, and the finish is more of the sweet same, with the spice coating the gums on it's way out.
There's no doubt that I was impressed with this one. Bulleit has a lot of products that are good in their own right, and then some that combine some of the flavors together for a special offering. However, even with this new single barrel, I still firmly believe Bulleit does not produce a Bulleit-labeled product that is worth more than $60. This one is the closest, probably along with the first Blenders' Select and the 12 Year Rye, but still fall slightly short of worth. In the end I'm still happy with having it, but likely won't buy again unless I taste the specific single barrel and can't be without it.
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