33 open bottles in my collection ranked through multiple blind tastings. Counting them down! #22: Benjamin Prichard’s Double Barreled. Bourbon. 45% ABV. NAS, but states aged a minimum of 8 years. Paid $104 Overpaid. Regrettable purchase. At $100, I should be able to get a good cask strength bourbon. Prichard’s gimmick here is that they age in charred new oak for 8 years, cut from 125 to 95 proof, and then age a second undisclosed length of time in charred new oak. This is supposed to return the flavor lost during the cut, while remaining true to bourbon because the company specifically lashes out at wine finishes. 1) Wine finished bourbons (and ryes) can be delicious. 2) Whatever this second aging does, I would prefer just giving me one 8 year maturation at cask strength. Having said that, this does have more depth and richness than the average bourbon at $30-40. Very honeyed and candied on the nose and palette. There’s a decadent spicy molasses on the finish. But it’s rather simple for the price, and this countdown has two much better bourbons for around half the price. MARK: 87/100 PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN: #23: High West Campfire. $62. 46%. NAS. 86/100. #24: Balvenie Single Barrel First Fill. $59. 47.8%. 12 years. 86/100. #25: Bulleit Barrel Strength Batch 5. $55. 62.7%. NAS. 84/100 #26: Glenkinchie Distiller’s Edition. $46. 43%. 2004/2016. 83/100. #27: Macallan Sherry Oak. $66. 43%. 12 years. 82/100.
About this bottle
This whiskey is produced from a mash bill containing white corn (yellow corn is the norm), rye, and wheat. The whiskey is aged in new, charred American oak for 7-9 years and brought to 92 proof. It is then re-barreled in new, charred American oak for an additional 3-5 years.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 17 parsed reviews.
A rich yet strangely youthful aroma greets the nose. Enough alcohol punches through to let you know it means business without being harsh. Notes of crisp fresh fruits, apple, lemony citrus, mixed berries, and even guava tango with caramel, cream soda, Ceylon tea, plus a dash of allspice and a pinch of cloves or perhaps vanilla cavendish in an Italian leather pouch. I can’t seem to stop sniffing this one. Firey on the tongue initially, with a peppery spice, yet it sweetens quickly. The flavors are Fireball candy, cayenne pepper, cherry syrup, apple pie filling, pumpernickel bread, some maple sugar candy, and butter. Medium bodied, it has a sufficient mouthfeel. Legs descend in two phases. First, side streaking veins fall quickly. Next, heavy tears take their time to develop and catch up. A moderate finish, and pleasant. Some of the tartness fades leaving soft barrel tannins reminiscent of walnuts and mildly bitter herbs, plus fruit lingers with a bit of smoke. Adding ice balances things, taming the nose while enhancing the body and flavor. Aroma: 10 Taste: 8 Body: 8 Finish: 8
This one's my go-to at my local, which isn't a whiskey bar per se. Solid choice and way more fun to drink than the typical non-brown spirits bar offering.
Nose = Maple Syrup, Wood Palate = Smooth, not too complicated, warm wood notes + oak; random light sweetness mixed in
Tastes like a vintage whiskey from befores the 60s. Toasty and full flavor, richness.
Very good Bourbon. Please drink it straight (no rocks) to get the full taste of it.
11 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
