We’re almost there – the realm of bourbons that cost $100 or less. The anticipation is palpable and you can likely taste it. But first, we’re spotlighting bourbons priced just under $90 per bottle. There are some real gems here, including a few that would hold their own in higher price brackets.
This is a part of the bourbon aisle where standout bottles thrive, rarity increases, and flavor profiles expand. Let’s be real, if you’re shelling out $80 to $90 on a bourbon bottle, it’s for a special occasion or because you’re a fan of the brand. Hence, it has to pass one important test – it better taste extraordinary.
Below, I’ve put together a list of twenty absolutely delicious bourbons. These whiskies are the ones that everyone should try at least once. They’re palate enhancers, unique small batches, special single barrels, one-off masterpieces, and so much more. All that being said, they’re ranked according to the depth of their tasting profiles. The rankings range from “Wow, this is a great bourbon” to “Holy cow! This is in a league of its own!”
Does that sound good? Let’s dive in!
ABV: 45.5%
Average Price: $80
This whiskey is derived from a careful selection of bourbons from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. After the manual selection, the barrels are transported to New York. Here, they are mixed in small batches, each batch containing no more than five barrels. The blend is then proofed with limestone mine water from New York and subsequently bottled. The cost is justified by the precision and expertise involved in the process. It lies in finding prime barrels and proficiently combining them to create a superior end product.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Raw pancake batter opens this one on the nose with sweet yet spicy mulled red wine next to orange rinds, soft vanilla pudding, and light mint waxiness — almost like a fresh candle.
Palate: The taste has a mix of marzipan next to dark chocolate and real maple syrup on the front before descending into soft notes of creamed vanilla honey, cherry compote, and orange-spiced tobacco layered into soft old oak.
Finish: The finish adds some more sweet spicy stewed cherry to that dark chocolate with layers of woody birch water cut with soft winter spice barks and more of that oaky tobacco.
Bottom Line:
Widow Jane’s extraordinary blends and single barrels are splendidly introduced in a manner that’s profound, delectable, and definitive. It’s a sipping whiskey that each time you revisit, offers something new. With the presence of cherry, chocolate, and orange, it makes for a phenomenal old fashioned.
ABV: 50%
Average Price: $83
This whiskey from Virginia offers a grain-to-glass experience. It’s prepared from locally sourced grains, specifically 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley, all mixed with local spring water from the Shenandoah Valley. After a span of five years for maturation in Appalachia, a handful of barrels are batched together and proofed to 100 proof before the bottling process.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The first impression is reminiscent of aged porch wicker combined with floral honey. Further exploration reveals hints of scorched orange and black tea leaves, all underpinned by a typical woody cherry and vanilla aura.
Palate: The taste deepens the honey impression while introducing notes of mild oak and cherry pie filling. There is a whisper of vanilla malt alongside mulled wine spices, the latter dominated by star anise, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon, complemented by a sprinkle of mace or cardamom.
Finish: The finale manifests as a dark chocolate wrapped espresso bean essence, followed by a gentle dried cranberry hint. This transitions into a suggestion of strawberry-rhubarb-walnut crumble accompanied by a scoop of vanilla malt ice cream, before reverting to the opening theme of old porch wicker, now intertwined with dark cherry tobacco and dry cedar bark.
Bottom Line:
This bourbon is a subtle surprise. Initially, it seems typical, providing a deep sense of familiarity, before leading you into rich wooden spices, vintage coffee houses and sweet malt treats that elevate it beyond the standard whiskey. This exceptional pour is worth your time and effort, best savored slowly.
ABV: 46%
Average Price: $85
Bib & Tucker represents an outstanding example of the magic of skilled blending with sourced whiskey. This Tennessee whiskey is a combination of 10-year-old whiskeys matured in the least charred barrels possible. It allows more interaction with the dried wood sugars compared to black charcoal filtration. Afterwards, the barrels are blended and their proof is reduced with soft Tennessee water.
Taste Profile:
Aroma: The initial sensation is of vanilla bean, embracing aspects of the pod, seeds, and essence, accompanied by nuances of spicy chewy tobacco, dry oak bordering on pine, and a faint echo of fresh corn husks.
Flavour: The palate notably maintains the creamy vanilla, as the corn husks turn dry and impressions of orange-infused dark chocolate mix with the spicy tobacco, kindling a hum on your palate.
Conclusion: The finale is elongated, exhibiting traces of the dry pine, and persistently echoing both the vanilla and dried corn husks.
Final Thoughts:
Bib & Tucker shines best here. This is a rich whiskey which sips very smoothly, offering a fruity, vanilla-dominated taste profile. Consequently, you can comfortably enjoy this neat, or incorporate it into your preferred whiskey-centric cocktail. However, I would recommend concentrating on the former, as Bib & Tucker’s 6-year variants are better suited for cocktail blending.
Alcoholic Volume: 55%
Average Price: $89
Old Bones stands out with their 10-year-old bourbon releases, yet this one is slightly different, being a late 2023 release. The bourbon originates from Bardstown, Kentucky, composed of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley mash bill. After 9 years of undisturbed aging, it’s then batched and bottled with a gentle touch of water.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Expect classic Kentucky bourbon on the nose. It has a strong vanilla aroma balanced with the subtle scent of soft orchard fruits, cherry stewed with spices, and a hint of an old barrelhouse’s earthiness.
Palate: The palate is characterized by sweet and spicy tendencies, featuring dark cherries flavored with cinnamon syrup, complimented by a serving of vanilla sauce and shaved dark chocolate. An undertone of oily tobacco and cedar bark creates a unique tasting experience.
Finish: The finish emphasizes the tobacco and cedar, highlighting deep, woody winter spices, stewed fruits, and a hint of smooth vanilla.
Concluding Thoughts:
This relatively new release arrived unexpectedly, but managed to deliver an unrivaled bourbon-tasting experience. It encompasses all the desirable elements of a rich and delicious bourbon, with an extra kick that elevates its status beyond ordinary. For best results, try sipping it neat.
ABV: 47.5%
Average Price: $83
This whiskey was distilled at Castle & Key back in 2018. 200 of those barrels were hand-picked for this release to take a look back at the past two years of Blue Run and “reflect” upon the trials they brought and the successes they’ve had in making tasty whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The fragrance begins with a clear note of sour yet slightly sugary cherry accompanied by butterscotch candy, gentle firewood, and a touch of pancake batter.
Palate: The pancake batter evolves into a pile of pancakes topped with butter infused with vanilla, maple syrup, and a few tossed nuts. This gives way to a herb garden filled with rosemary shrubs, fresh thyme, and a bit of piercing spearmint.
Finish: This savory element subsides through the mid-palate as a sprinkle of nutmeg rounds out the finish with traces of wood-like maple syrup and a final reiteration of that sour cherry.
Bottom Line:
This is another one that takes an extra step. The deliciously rich herbs and subtle winter spices blend perfectly on the palate, as the dessert-like elements bring a balance between a sweet, satisfying breakfast and an after-dinner liqueur. Serve this after a large meal and let its flavors envelop you. It’s sure to do wonders.
ABV: 47.65%
Average Price: $81
This new offering from Sazerac’s alternative distillery, Barton 1792 Distillery, has established itself as a standard annual release. The specific details about the whiskey are mostly kept as a secret, but it is known that the bourbon is given a finishing touch in Cabernet Sauvignon casks for a certain period before the processes of blending, proofing, and bottling take place.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The initial scent carries notes of stone fruit and vanilla. Additional hints include the fragrance of brown-butter sugar cookies, the tartness of bright peaches straight from the tree, and the subtle odor of vintage, mellow oakiness infused with the earthiness of an old cellar.
Palate: On the palate, flavors transition into hints of cherry bark and juicy plums. This is complemented with sharp spices from mulled wine and the creaminess of vanilla. The taste of woody sassafras subtly progresses towards grape must with a slight presence of fruity yeasts.
Finish: The palate’s spices lead to notes of vintage boot leather and more of the soft oak. There’s also a hint of sweet potting soil. The finish is plummy, lush and darkly sweet with a faint hint of smudging sage lingering in the background.
Key Takeaway:
If you’re looking for a hidden gem, this is it. Frequently unnoticed on store shelves, this is a superb whiskey for pairing with food or appealing to wine enthusiasts. The red wine undertone beautifully complements the robust bourbon flavor. Enjoy it slowly and revel in discovering the subtle intricacies of its taste profile.
Afterwards, consider using it to create a Manhattan cocktail, it’s destined to be delightful.
Alcohol By Volume: 49%
Average Price: $83
This bourbon originates from Penelope’s popular four-grain bourbon. The whiskey is later re-casked into Spanish Vino de Naranja casks from Valencia, culminating in a delicate small-batch, proofed, and bottled product.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Exhibits a gentle aroma of burnt orange and cinnamon toast, followed by subtle notes of cherry vanilla cream soda, chocolate chip cookies, and orange zest.
Palate: We experience a transition of orange zest into chunky orange marmalade upon tasting, accompanied by notes of buttery southern biscuits, warm mulled wine spices, moist brown sugar, and oily vanilla pods.
Finish: It concludes with a pleasing bitterness associated with the orange rinds and seeds, serving a hint of orange blossom alongside salted dark chocolate.
Final Thoughts:
This is a purposefully crafted pour that hits the mark. The presence of orange is unmistakable and resonating. It captivates with its vibrancy and playful feel, harmonized perfectly by the traditional bourbon notes amplified with the burst of orange taste. This makes it an excellent choice for creating an orange-forward old fashioned or simply relishing it over ice.
ABV: 40%
Average Price: $89
This bourbon is technically “flavored”, but it’s unlike any flavored bourbon you might have experienced before. It is Garrison’s Small Batch Bourbon which has been infused with Burleson’s Texas Wildflower Honey. The bourbon was stored in a steel tank, while the empty barrels were transformed into smaller wooden cubes and soaked in honey until completely honey-soaked. These cubes were then placed back into the steel tanks of bourbon, infusing the whiskey over an extensive period of seven months. The flavoring process in this case is more similar to additional aging than merely adding a sugary syrup.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: We start with a distinct bourbon whiff, combined with the scent of weathered leather, dry straw, and apple. This gives way to elderflower, lusciously ripe peaches and apricots, concluded by a dash of pure honey.
Palate: The honey note continues onto the palate providing a transition. It brims with wildflowers, essence of orange, cinnamon-laced buns sprinkled with a bit of pecan, and a honey drizzle finale that gives a creamy sensation.
Finish: The finish provides an equilibrium between the depth of honey and a clear bourbon hint. The flavors of cinnamon spice, dry pecans, and orange oils permeate into a pot laden with honey.
Final Thoughts:
This honeyed bourbon is perfectly balanced. The taste embodies a floral lightness complemented with deep, stormy bourbon undertones. The flavors in this pour sing in harmony making it an enjoyable and unique sipper for those looking for it.
ABV: 47.5%
Average Price: $87
This four-grain bourbon from Colorado starts its journey with traditional aging in new American oak for two years. Barrels that hit the right mark are chosen, batched, and re-filled into cognac casks for additional aging. When these barrels deliver the right flavor profile, the whiskey is transferred into a 50-year-old French oak foeder, a large barrel, where it rests before bottling. This foeder is never fully emptied, honoring the heritage of all the bourbon that passes through it year after year.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The unique bouquet of this season features the essence of Earl Grey tea leaves subtly paired with champagne. Undertones of stewed plums and apples mingle with hints of Saigon cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg, and allspice.
Palate: The taste profile is rich and lush, characterized by the thickness of apple butter and nuanced spices alongside impressions of charred cedar and apple bark. Underneath, luxurious flavors of rum-raisin, creamy eggnog, and a touch of pear come through.
Finish: The conclusion leaves a creamy and lush feeling, offering a bouquet of vanilla and nog combined with a hint of holiday cake-infused tobacco. Hints of cellar oak and a rich caramel sauce linger on the palate.
Conclusion:
This bourbon continues to broaden your taste experience. It offers unique and fresh flavors that blend well. It’s a drink to be savored slowly. Whether diluted with water or served over ice, take the time to smell and taste it again — this whiskey will consistently reward your persistence and efforts with superior quality.
Alcohol Volume: 59.11%
Typical Cost: $84
The latest offering from Barrell Craft Spirits is definitely a distinctive one. The whiskey contained in the bottle comprises a blend of Indiana bourbon (from five, six, and nine-year-old barrels) and Maryland bourbon (from five and six-year-old barrels). After blending, this whiskey is then re-casked into rum casks and Islay whisky casks, before being batched again and bottled at cask strength, completely unaltered.
Tasting Experience:
Aroma: Upon first sniff, the aroma is heavy with notes of bananas foster, peach cobbler, and blackberry crumble, layering in aspects of roasting herbs, smoky sage, aged cedar kindling, along with a rich undertone of vanilla-chocolate malted tobacco. Traces of Cherry Coke and Almond Joy can also be detected.
Taste: The taste is rich and opulent, opening with impressions of dark chocolate-covered espresso beans, candied orange peels, and candied almonds, complemented by black cherry soda, cream soda, plum pudding, and mincemeat pies lightly dusted with powdered sugar. The experience is beautifully rounded off by the arrival of dark and mildly smoked oak.
Finish: That smoky oak leads to pepper brisket fat and salted butter cut with cedar tobacco before veering toward blackberry pie and red currants swimming in dark chocolate with a faint whisper of fresh vanilla pods.
Bottom Line:
Keeping on the “palate expanding” train, this one is a must-have. The subtle notes of smoke that sneak into this one are just brilliant. It helps that the base whiskey is pretty amazing already but that finishing touch takes this from a 10/10 to an 11/10 easily. Sip it slowly and enjoy the ride over to Scotland via Kentucky.
ABV: 50%
Average Price: $83
The Remus Repeal Reserve has launched its seventh edition for 2023! This edition is crafted from a blend of Indiana bourbons from Ross & Squibb. The proportion of bourbons used in the blend is as follows: 6% is a 2007 21% rye bourbon, 26% is a 2013 21% rye bourbon, another 26% is a 2013 36% rye bourbon, 21% is a 2014 21% rye bourbon and the remaining 21% is a 2014 36% rye bourbon. After being batched, the whiskey is lightly diluted with water before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma is captivating with scents of pecan waffles slathered in salted butter and fresh maple syrup. Accompanying these notes are the scents of candied cherry, rum raisin, and apple cider spiced heavily with cinnamon. It also has a hint of fresh pipe tobacco along with creamy vanilla to complete the olfactory experience.
Palate: The silkiness results in a lush palate brimming with rum raisin, cherries soaked in brandy, cinnamon sticks steeped in mulled wine, Christmas cakes rich with walnuts, and a gentle touch of oakiness complimented by a sweet tobacco note.
Finish: The finish is pleasantly warm and bursting with cinnamon and creamy vanilla that lends an eggnog-like quality, lightly sprinkled with nutmeg and doused with salted caramel. A hint of peppermint candy cane emerges, underpinned by a deep sense of matured oak cellars.
Final Thoughts:
This bottle of bourbon is a necessity for any collection. It is exceptionally complex, fascinating, and extravagant. It encompasses everything one could possibly desire from an American whiskey and more. Savor it slowly or incorporate it into one of the finest whiskey cocktails your money can acquire.
ABV: 49.5%
Average Price: $89
This new release from Redwood Empire out in California is a very small batch — only 25 barrels — of good straight bourbon. The mash is super unique with only 51% corn supported by 45% rye, 2% malted barley, and 2% wheat. Those barrels rested until just right for batching, proofing, and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a compelling mix of simmered red fruits combined with a potent yet warm spice mix. It’s finished off with hints of soft leather, cedar bark, mellow pipe tobacco, and a dash of cherry syrup.
Palate: The taste chemistry emphasizes the cherry with a rich clove, allspice, and cinnamon aroma. It then leads to a touch of grassy rye and buttery grits. The bouquet seems to be ensconced within an aged leather tobacco pouch and stored in a worn humidor infused with the scent of brandied cherries.
Finish: The conclusion provides a refined perception of classic bourbon, encompassed by a comforting touch of wooden spice, dark, simmered red fruit, and a deep velvety vanilla essence. A whisper of nutshell and tobacco can also be detected.
Bottom Line:
Redwood Empire has consistently delivered impressive releases. In the past six months or so, they’ve truly outdone themselves, producing standout products that are leaving a significant mark in the industry. Their bourbon is extraordinary, managing to elevate beyond the standard while still holding on to a nostalgic charm. It’s akin to revisiting your old home, but finding it wonderfully updated and improved.
Make sure to savour this bourbon slowly on a day when you have time to appreciate it. You won’t regret it.
ABV: 50%
Average Price: $89
Bainbridge Organic has been producing exceptional whiskey in Washington for a significant number of years. Their first attempt at creating bourbon is represented by this whiskey. The mash bill is a distinctive concoction of 60% heirloom corn, 25% ancient Triticale variety (a combination of rye and wheat), and 15% gentle white wheat blend. The whiskey is aged undisturbed for five years and six months prior to being batched and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The initial scent carries a hint of aged corn husks that transitions to salted caramel confections dipped in rich dark chocolate, topped with dried lavender and charred orange.
Palate: The taste begins with a sweet palette of caramel and chocolate, subsequently leading to a vanilla-cherry ice cream flavor. This is combined with a superbly creamy sensation juxtaposed with subtle touches of verdant spices and brand-new oak barrels straight from the production line, infusing a sweet, freshly toasted wood nuance.
Finish: The grassy spice and toasted sweet oak dry the finish out as more cherry-vanilla creaminess balances out the finish with a hint of marmalade and cedar-infused scone on the very end.
Bottom Line:
This is a true hidden gem. You’ll probably have to be in the Pacific Northwest to source this. That said, it’s 100% worth seeking out as it’s perfectly balanced and delicious while offering a sense of place (that moment of cedar at the end will transport you). Just make sure to sip this one slowly and add water along the journey to let it bloom in the glass.
ABV: 53.55%
Average Price: $88
The bourbon produced by Kentucky Peerless is roughly five to six years of age, deriving from a single barrel that accentuates the true flavors of the grain. The spirit is then transferred to another barrel providing prominence to the rich, oak features. The final product, bottled at cask strength, showcases the exquisite combo of the bourbon and the deep oak aging process.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The first aroma that greets your nostrils is that of salted butter, followed by gentle undertones of soft, subtle leather, and mild notes of vanilla bean. Other notes that become noticeable in the background are a hint of sweet toffee and freshly cracked walnuts that have a distinguishing dry aspect.
Palate: The flavor is reminiscent of an oak barrel, enriched with notes of woody spices like allspice berries, star anise, and cinnamon sticks. It features undertones of dry cherry tobacco leaves, salted caramel, and an exceptionally mild leather touch.
Finish: The taste evolves into a mid-palate filled with dark red fruits stewed in mulled wine spices, sweetened with a hint of fresh honey. The lingering aftertaste is akin to an old wicker chair, a distinct and unique cellar funk, enhanced with a dash of dried mint.
In Conclusion:
The Peerless offering stands as a top-notch product in their line, representing a unique take on the “double oak” concept without overwhelming the overall flavor with woodiness. This is a relatively warm pour, so water and ice could be used to properly appreciate its complex flavor profile. Worth mentioning is its potential for making a strong whiskey-led cocktail, particularly a Sazerac.
ABV: 56%
Average Price: $85
Wilderness Trail is viewed as the whiskey of choice for connoisseurs. Its High Rye Bourbon consists of 64% corn, 24% rye, and 12% barley grains, fermented with a unique Wildness Trail yeast through the sweet mash procedure. The whiskey ages for four years and nine months before it’s bottled unfiltered and minimally proofed.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The scent carries a gentle hue of festive cake, blending brown spices, rich nuts, and dried fruits. Also present are hints of sweet oak, chocolate draped berries, and buttery biscuits.
Palate: The flavor carries a berry-jam-on-a-buttered-biscuit impression, tinged with winter spices, a dash of sweetened vanilla, and a gentle bite of chewable tobacco subtly freshened with winter mint. An elusive note of sage lies concealed in the backdrop.
Finish: The finale is lasting and warm, echoing the dark, jam-packed fruits as the smooth combination of vanilla and spice fills the mouth.
Conclusion:
This berry-rich whiskey is enticing to the palate and beckons for another glass. Slow sips along with a splash of water unfold layers of velvety creaminess, salty caramel, mixed with a hint of cafe mocha and dark, jammy berries.
ABV: 46.5%
Average Price: $81
In terms reminiscent of iconic Heaven Hill, this wheated bourbon — a base of 68% corn, 18% wheat and 14% malted barley — is distilled in contract. Aged for an unspecified timeframe, the whiskey is filled into only 15 Casknolia Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for every batch, marking as a genuinely small-batch bourbon. The fusion within these barrels is blended and finally softened with mild Kentucky limestone water before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Fruit shines through on the nose with fresh raspberries mingling with strawberry jam, Bing cherries, and dried plums and apricots with a hint of leather and winter spice baking that fruit up.
Palate: The palate really embraces those fruits with a tart and sour vibe to the cherries and red berries while the leather leans raw and the spices lean toward cinnamon and tobacco with a caramel mid-palate.
Finish: The sweetness fades quickly as the finish continues with berries and spice while the cherry attaches to the tobacco and soft cedar on the end.
Bottom Line:
The fruitiness of this whiskey is so succinct and inviting that it makes this an excellent all-round sipper. The depth continues endlessly and will reward revisits and judicious mixing into whiskey-rich cocktails.
ABV: 52.05%
Average Price: $80
The exceptional whiskey produced by Starlight, a cherished craft-distilling brand based in Indiana, is an exquisite mixture of distilling and aging. The elixir is derived from a high-corn mash, gently spiced with rye and malted barley, and balanced with locally sourced water. The fiery spirit is then aged in new white oak Canton barrels for an approximate duration of four years before it’s transferred to meticulously selected Pineau des Charentes casks from France (a pleasantly light grape-flavored fortified wine) for its finishing period.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The initial whiff is gentle sultanas drenched in brandy with a mild echo of a vintage cheese cellar. Further notes include oak beams, vanilla wafers sandwiched with floral honey, almond crescent cookies, powdered cinnamon, nutmeg, and an orange-clove marmalade with a subtle hint of a savory scone.
Palate: The palate extends the nose’s narrative with added dimensions of dark berry fruit leather, spiced holiday cakes adorned with dates, allspice, and a substantial touch of almond (possibly even some walnut). Accompanying these are elements of chestnut chutney balanced with orange, pear, sultana, and a generous quantity of winter spices. There is also a subtle nexus of caramelized dark ale subtly present beneath these flavors.
Finish: The end is a supple landing in softly spiced and dark fruity bourbon notes by way of a luxurious holiday cake soaked in brandy.
Bottom Line:
This is sold out for the moment. Hopefully, we’ll see another batch soon. If you can find a pour (likely at a great whiskey bar), get a double. This is so freaking tasty and delightful as a sipper that it could easily be ranked number one (that basically means that I’m really splitting hairs from this point on in the ranking).
ABV: 51%
Average Price: $89
The whiskey we’re going to talk about is a revival of a brand that fell into obscurity centuries ago. The revival is led by the new company established by Andrew Shapira from Heaven Hill alongside Pablo Moix and Peter Nevenglosky, under the banner of Rare Character Whiskey. This whiskey comes from six barrels of six-year-old whiskey, meticulously batched and bottled with a slight infusion of local Kentucky water.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The initial scent presents a wonderful mix of fresh orange blossom and nasturtiums. This is coupled with a rich honeycomb aroma complimented by stewed plums with subtle hints of clove and allspice.
Palate: The palate is luxurious with a taste of salted caramel, cherry Dr. Pepper, and sticky toffee pudding accompanied by a generous helping of winter spice, salted toffee, orange zest, brandy butter, and dates soaked in black tea.
Finish: The finish conjures images of plum pudding with burnt sugars and orange tobacco delicately infused with anise and clove. These flavours are neatly rolled up with notes of wild sage and cedar bark and presented in old leather pouches.
Bottom Line:
This is quintessential Kentucky bourbon in every sense of the word. If you’re searching for the perfect Kentucky whiskey to savour or use as a cocktail base, look no further. This bottle is a must-have addition to your home collection. Complementing any occasion as an ideal slow sipper, this bottle is one you won’t regret investing in.
ABV: 55%
Average Price: $83
This is a high water mark of what standard Wild Turkey can achieve. The Russells select the “honey barrels” (those special barrels that are as much magic as craft) from their rickhouses for single barrel bottling. The resulting whiskey is non-chill filtered but is cut down slightly to proof with that soft Kentucky water.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma is a delightful blend of vanilla cream, infused with orange oils and a hint of toasted coconut. Spicy oak and a hint of butter cake lend depth, rounded off by the warming scent of winter spices and a hint of sour mulled wine.
Palate: The first taste reveals notes of marzipan and subtle dried roses, followed by the comforting sweetness of vanilla pods. Winter spices return and mingle with the unique taste of singed cherry bark.
Finish: The finish brings to mind an Almond Joy candy bar, but with a twist. Elements of cherry tobacco bathed in chili-infused dark chocolate provide a surprising taste journey, rounded off with a dash of salt, a hint of cedar dust and notes of aged leather saddles.
Verdict:
This Kentucky bourbon is everything you hope for – it’s easy-going without losing its complexity or detail. Sipping this whiskey slowly, perhaps over a large ice cube, is an absolute delight.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV):
53.5%
Average Price: $83
We’ve been graced with the arrival of Jack Daniel’s 12-year Batch 2! The base for this whiskey is a mash made of 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye. The grains are processed on-site and mixed with cave water drawn from an on-site spring and Jack Daniel’s proprietary yeast and lactobacillus. The mash then goes through fermentation, followed by double distillation in large column stills. The resulting spirit is filtered through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal produced at the distillery. The resulting whiskey is stored in new American oak barrels with a charred exterior and left to age in a warehouse. After 12 years, select barrels are chosen, batched, minimally proofed, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The initial impression is of vibrant and soft fruits, reminiscent of a pack of Starbursts. This is followed by notes of stewed prunes and figs, mulled wine spices, and the decadence of vanilla cookies soaked in brandy and dipped in salted caramel chewing tobacco.
Palate: The Starburst motif is amplified on the palate, with a full spectrum of fruity sweetness. A rich and velvety vanilla develops, guiding the taste buds towards flavours of charred orange and vanilla biscuits lightly coated in Nutella and tobacco.
Finish: The aftertaste sees the tobacco melding harmoniously with the creamy vanilla, accentuated by layers of dark chocolate, the heady aroma of an old barrel house, and the gentle smoky scent of autumn leaves bundled up in apple-infused tobacco leaves, all contained within an ancient cedar box.
Bottom Line:
It’s true that the cost will exceed the MSRP listed if you don’t make your move promptly. In the upcoming weeks, this whiskey will be released and retailed at this price, but then it’s projected to escalate up to around $500 per bottle.
This whiskey is definitely worth waiting in queue for. Presenting the finest Jack Daniel’s release and age-stated whiskey in recent times. Its exceptional quality positions it as a potential bourbon of the year already. If feasible, purchasing two is suggested as this batch isn’t expected to return till 2025.
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