Notes: This whiskey is produced at the scenic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort (close to Woodford Reserve Distillery if you are touring) home
of numerous other whiskies such as Blanton’s, Rock Hill Farms, Hancock Reserve, George T. Stagg, and Elmer T.Lee. (See our Adventures Sectionfor a tour of the distillery). This is a Single Barrel bourbon (Unlike many other single barrel bourbons this one does not have a lot of information on the bottle – most have years of distillation, bottling, batch, barrel number, and in some cases warehouse and location within it).  Part of the antique series.

Appearance:  Red orange in the bottle, honey gold shows its age quite well.  On swirling, it leaves a thicker coating on the glass and has more legs and heavier body than George T. Stagg or Buffalo Trace Bourbon. It’s more uniform and has less legs or trails down the side of the glass than the 17 year-old version of this bourbon. It’s heavier-bodied than its older sibling also but a still light body for a whiskey.

First Impression: Faint sherry notes, leather, and on more warming: char, persimmons, vanilla, some spiciness, and a nuttiness like almonds, or toasted granola with traces of nutmeg and mace.

Taste:  Oily mouthfeel, leather, dried fruit , sweet char and oak – sweet, dry, and spicy in rapid turns. Like being locked in a mail bag with several pythons (and I mean that in a nice way *) – there is so much going on with this whiskey it is hard to keep track.

Drinks:  Makes for very subtle, but outstanding drinks, careful with this one, you might wake up somewhere else if don’t watch out.

Bottle: Same bottle as all the antique series, labels are of course somewhat different. The long, thin, clear glass, and small labels show off the color of the whiskey to good effect. The clear glass bottom lends a nice visual effect and give the bottle a decanter type feel and weight .Colonial script is silk-screened on the bottle and a small paper label near the bottom has an age statement and relevant dates. A printed rectangular label on the back has a has a piece that would be much better suited to a hang tag or shelf talker so you could see the whiskey more, otherwise you have to hold the bottle sidewise to see the color (or soak the damn thing off!).

Final Thoughts: An amazing whiskey especially for the price. Only  brain damaged frat boys or fashion victims would consider buying anything else in its $20-30 price range. It is worth about twice the money if you compare it in quality. A best buy for the low end (in price that is). Highly recommended for bars, but reference the drinks section on serving.

Website: http://www.bourbonwhiskey.com

Fast loading with a slightly annoying intro (no need for it). This however is followed by a display of all the bourbons they make (over 20, not counting overseas variations). Extensive information  and good pictures of each one, with reviews and ratings by different people and organizations.

*For those who are still confused read Prizzi’s Honor .