Blade and Bow Bourbon

[10.29.2025] Well, the new job has its perks and a tour of the Stitzel-Weller was one of them. Learned about black ethyl alcohol-digesting mold, the first Van Winkel, how Old Fitzgerald got its start as a rot gut swill, the Stitzel-patented racking system, what a blade and bow are on a key, and how the whiskey is made. They won't outwardly say it but pretty clear the old barrels are being blended into new pot still bourbon so take my tasting notes with a grain of salt; I'm not sure how relevant they'll be when the barrels run out. Maybe it's because we drank Bulleit (yikes) then Harper (does it taste like anything?) before but I was pleasantly surprised by Blade and Bow. Smooth(er), reasonable proof, small batch effect with typical barrel flavors and a healthy dried fruit throughout. Mellower than I expected for a start-up brand and that's how we learned about the blending - ask a lot of questions and learn a few things. Decent brand that's only a little overpriced.

The nose emanates Oh’s Cereal, with strong vibes or honey, grain, and toasted coconut at the front end. A hint of cinnamon and raisin bread bring up the back end. Upon the palate, the cinnamon/cereal meld together while interjecting raisin and honey to conclude into the finish. The finish is smooth, bringing Pear, Apple Pie, and Sugared Cream of Wheat to the roof of your mouth. This is a very balanced and consistent whiskey, that you’ll never go wrong with. The consistency and price, justifies an addition to any connoisseur’s collection. As a good introduction to the world of whiskey or recommendation as a daily driver, you can’t go wrong with this whiskey!

Medium color with yellowish ting , fruity nose , well balance full flavored mouth feel with a great aftertaste of loads of caramel .Second sip caramel and butterscotch continues to explode in the back of your mouth. Since this is the predominant flavor it does lack some complexity did not get much of the oak or vanilla flavors found in some of the big boys in the lingering finish. Still a great value for a well made Bourbon. This is legitimate unlike some I am now suspecting of adding flavoring too,

The nose is very pleasant. A little of all spice or maybe cinamom, and brown or burn sugar. For these notes are what i consider traditional bourbon notes. The palate brings forward thise spices and oak, tart notes with a medium finish. For me this is a ok boirbon that can be enjoyed neat or with a cube of ice.

Fruity and sweet nose that is not very complex. Very reminiscient of green apple with hints of vanilla. Sweetness translates to the palate with the same apple and vanilla notes present from the nose. Short finish that has a slight bit of heat, pepper and oak. Easy sipper that is light, sweet and enjoyable.

Nose: Vanilla, toasted oak, a little astringent Palate: Sweet vanilla, some hints of wood and an herbal undertone Finish: Short. The sweet profile transitions to baking spices Overall a fine middle-of-the-road sipper, it is indeed sweet after the bottle opens up.