Distilled by Dickel and released at an extremely lucrative price point - it's hard for whiskey drinkers not to assimilate this bottling with a gem of the past - old bottlings of Knob Creek Single Barrel with teenage age statements and $55 price points. Weighing in at 15 years old, this particular batch is bottled at 50.4% ABV and procured locally for $62.99.
While I haven’t had it, I have to image that if you are a fan of Elijah Craig 18, this would be a solid replacement that is cheaper and more available.
The palate is chewy and full-bodied, pepped up with cinnamon and dried ginger, and lengthened by grape jelly, Coca-Cola, Corn Nuts, and dried cherries. A full and lengthy finish sings with ginger, peanuts, and chocolaty oak.
If you add a splash of water, you get some nutty aromas as well. But you can absolutely drink this as is. Really solid whiskey. If the price is right, pick up a bottle.
It’s not quite as balanced as the well-layered Bottled in Bond, but this is a single barrel, after all. Your mileage will certainly vary with these, but for 15-year-old single barrel American whiskey of this quality, it’s hard to imagine a better value right now.
Honestly, this is impressive stuff. While it could have a bit more body on the palate, all the right notes are here and the age has helped reign in those mineral Dickel notes without becoming a tannin bomb. Really well done.
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House Review
Nose:
Sweet honey, powerful butterscotch, brown butter and toffee candies for days. No sign of minerality, just pure dessert.
Taste:
Moderate mouthfeel, caramel and waffle cone, cocoa and orange peel. Light Dickel minerality, but nothing too crazy - something many will rejoice in.
Finish:
Long, oak driven finish with cocoa, honey nut cheerios, toffee and a light butterscotch drizzle.
Overall:
Honestly, this is impressive stuff. While it could have a bit more body on the palate, all the right notes are here and the age has helped reign in those mineral Dickel notes without becoming a tannin bomb. Really well done.
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
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