BeppeCovfefe
Western Reserve Small Batch Blended Bourbon
Bourbon — Ohio , USA
Reviewed
November 8, 2020 (edited January 22, 2022)
Surprisingly this isn't a bad try at bourbon for an "Ohio" distillery, the minimum 4 year age worked wonders with a smooth deliberate caramel sugar nose working with some spices almost yielding a Woodford like experience.
Unfortunately the taste won't hold up to that standard but even so it doesn't come off as an immature and green product, more like one that just didn't get the extra year or two it needed to really stand out, (that being said, I've tried the 8 year and it really didn't seem to help).
The chew and taste gives a tingling on the tongue and again mild spices with good bourbon sugar notes along with some dry nibs and tobacco hints, what comes in first and foremost however are the sweet bourbon notes. Nothing wrong with that, it follows through with the brown sugar notes intact tapering off very easy.
I'm almost ready to bet this is sourced from our favorite outsourcer of bourbon, MGP. Perhaps this is a throwback attempt to the 86 proof wild turkey days, if so not a bad attempt. I like the bottle style as much as anything and would not mind dropping a few Hamilton's for one. The claim is 4 year blended with 14 year, (cont, sorry about that) if this one falls in the 20-30 range it should be a decent value bottle for most enthusiasts.
As with most sourced products the real question is continuity of quality, the answer to that one remains to be seen. Cheers!
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
@ContemplativeFox agree, not only is the 8 year NOT better, it tastes as though it comes from an entirely different distillery, one named Barton. I would give this standard blend a chance if found at a good price, it should be in the low 20's so I'm thinking it's going to be one of those "deals" you might want to give at least one shot at. Thanks.
It's disappointing that the 8 year wasn't a whole lot better. That and teaspooning the 14 year in this so they can claim an old age (I presume) does not give me much faith in this brand.