Sourced from undisclosed distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee and bottled by the young, quickly rising non-distilling blender 15 STARS, this is the brand's "Platinum" release. This is a blend of 10-, 15- and 18-year-old bourbons.
15 Stars Platinum Fine Aged Bourbon’s big price is backed up by its big mature oak content, and the result is surprisingly satisfying for fans of old bourbon.
It’s a whiskey that drinks fine freshly poured but which benefits greatly from time in glass, the finish tempering some of its more leathery qualities with a lasting spice note.
The tannin shows through a bit more than I’d expect given the lower proof, but this makes for a really strong introduction to high-age-statement American whiskey that won’t tear your face off and still embodies plenty of complexity.
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House Review
Nose:
Heavy and sweet on the nose, this whiskey presents toffee, salted caramel, hot fudge and loads of French vanilla. It’s all dessert and decadent sweets.
Taste:
Moderate palate — a touch thin in terms of viscosity but plenty of oak structure, baking spice and sweetness to make for a complex sip. Behind a dab of bitter oak sits tons of french oak spice, cinnamon, a touch of anise, caramel, toffee and crème brûlée sweetness, plus more of that hot fudge character.
Finish:
Long finish, heavy on oak, crème brûlée, espresso, cherry and cocoa.
Overall:
This is an interesting pour in that it’s built from some bruisers in terms of whiskey components but isn't bottled at an eye-wateringly high proof. The tannin shows through a bit more than I’d expect given the lower proof, but this makes for a really strong introduction to high-age-statement American whiskey that won’t tear your face off and still embodies plenty of complexity. It'll be up to you though if the price makes this enticing or a pass in favor of better values in the market.
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