Buffalo Trace Single Oak Project Bourbon

This was a sample from barrel #68 which was constructed from the wood of the bottom half of the tree that had 12 rings that then received a level 4 char before aging a high rye bourbon mash bill that entered the barrel at 125 proof and was stored in Rick K. The nose starts with butterscotch hard candy, powdered sugar dusted over sautéed cinnamon apples and mild sawdust then candied pecans and blonde roast espresso followed by candied orange peel and cherry cough syrup that transitions to a moderate spearmint, cloves and slightly worn catchers mitt with light ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with candy corn, powdered sugar, and sour caramel apple lollipop that quickly veers towards a moderate bitter spice that slowly fades to slightly burnt walnuts and cacao nibs followed by charred orange peel and watered down maraschino cherry juice that transitions to moderate spearmint, black pepper, cloves and slightly worn catchers mitt with medium ethanol burn. The finish is short with cacao nibs, slightly burnt walnuts, black cherries, sour apple jolly rancher, black pepper and moderate spearmint. The nose was promising with a creamy fruitiness with a mild sour astringency and moderate rye spices, but the palate failed to live up to the nose with a heavy oakiness and youthful astringency that doesn't come together well before finishing short with earthy and spicy rye flavors. I'm not sure why these were bottled at 45% ABV and not at cask strength to really showcase those flavors from the individual trees that sadly had to perish for this thin and average bourbon. I hear other barrel numbers turned out better, but I'm in no rush to find out. The single oak bottles appear to have sold for around $50 at MSRP, but you'd unfortunately have to pay around $400 for one of these 375ml bottles today which is just outrageous and either price isn't justified IMHO for what you get.

For those who may not know this, Buffalo Trace did a bunch of experiments and then bottled them in 375ml bottles and are charging a fairly premium price. The bottles all have barrel numbers on them so reviews will be for specific barrel numbers. There's an entire singleoakproject website to talk about what this is. Just clarifying it's not a single bottle/flavor profile - so these ratings and reviews are all going to vary widely!

#130 Very cool to try these projects & experiments from Buffalo Trace as well as other distillers. Nose is oaky, fruity, some spice, some rye... Palate tasty, rye, not thin Finish, a little hot, long, pleasant Note: Thus far all my tastes to date are at room temp and neet. No water ever added but utilized between tastes of each pour as palate cleanser.

Barrel 108 Very interesting. Nose: Glazed Doughnuts, Vanilla, White Chocolate, Almonds, Pineapple Syrup, Brown Butter Cake, Honey, Bananas, Peaches, Grass, Cloves, Licorice, Starfish Palate: Vanilla, White Chocolate, Peaches, Marshmallows, Sunflowers, Lavender, Honey Finish: Vanilla, Marshmallows, Almonds, Toasted Oak, Leather, Maple Syrup, Coconuts

Just got four bottles of this at work and was fortunate enough to try it out. By far the best bourbon I've had in a very long time. They're doing great things at Buffalo Trace. Absolutely worth the price tag on the bottle. Bonus: each 375mL has a unique taste and is labeled according to which barrel is was batched in. A truly unique experience.

Cracked open barrel number 52 for Memorial Day. A fragrant nose that reminded me of a bouquet of flowers. The initial taste was sweet. This bourbon is smooth as a baby's behind and an easy drinker. I give it an A for effort but honestly when I pay this much for a bourbon I expect a tad bit more of an impression.