Distilled by an Undisclosed Kentucky distiller - rumored and thought by many to be Barton - this release is bottled by Calumet at a very generous 52.5% ABV with a price tag that strays into the firmly reasonable: a welcome sight to many bourbon drinkers. Let's dive in!
An honestly impressive effort from Calumet here - a great blend of flavors without going too heavy on the tannin. Complex, sweet, savory, dry where it counts. Winner.
For its complexity, this whiskey is on the sweeter side than most older bourbons I’ve come across (and it’s possibly a tad too sweet for me on occasion). That may appeal to the occasional low-proof bourbon drinker looking to venture — albeit not too far — into edgier, oakier terrain.
Barrell Bourbon batches are 2/3 this price but deliver way more complexity per pour. But this bottle right here is the epitome of a generic bourbon that’s not worth what its being sold at.
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House Review
Nose:
Bold char, cherry, vanilla bean and spice. Reminds me of cherry bark bitters on the nose, with a fat scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, graham cracker, touch of cocoa and some cream.
Taste:
Big and bold again, full of char, brown butter, caramel, honey, some light minerality and a bucket of cherry cordials. Oaky and dry, pleasant and complex.
Finish:
Long finish. It’s a touch hot, but not punishing, and the sweetness carries nicely with the proof. Loving the “just right” amount of oak here - brings a lot of complexity here. Cocoa, cherries, brown sugar sees it off.
Overall:
An honestly impressive effort from Calumet here - a great blend of flavors without going too heavy on the tannin. Complex, sweet, savory, dry where it counts. Winner.
Score:
88
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources