Calumet Farm 12 Year Single Rack Black Bourbon (Discontinued)

On the palate, there’s lots of vanilla, banana, and caramel. Not much of anything else if we’re being honest, but that’s okay. Calumet is very much shooting for the bananas foster, creme brulee territory, and that’s not a problem. No flaws and no off-flavors either. As for the finish, 12 years and 47% gives it some significant tannin bite, but not quite on the Weller/Van Winkle level. It kinda straddles the line between plain enjoyability and super strong enthusiast-level flavors (similar to McKenna BiB in this regard). I can’t help but wish the proof was a little higher. It’s not quite nectar-of-the-gods status, but it wants to be, and that extra strength would’ve probably pushed it over that edge.

I found the Calumet farm 12 year black to be earthy & grassy on the nose, with hints of herbal and vanilla notes. There is an acidic hint also on the nose of acetone. The acidity and alcohol are much more prevalent on the taste, as these elements rush to the roof & back of my mouth. Unfortunately the finish is short & leaves me somewhat “hollow” in remembering what I tasted. In sum, an OK “drinker”, but not at the price point. In short, too pedestrian to pay up for, in my humble opinion.

This bourbon wants to be so much more....but it’s not. The flavor profile just lacks cohesion, which is unfortunate when drinking it neat. Yet, this has made some of the best Old Fashioned drinks that I have ever had. The smokey, unbalanced flavor profile, and moderate oak notes find their harmony with the sugar and bitters in the cocktail. I would get this again, under the premise that I am making some darn expensive mixed drinks!

Sweet, oak, light char. Thin feel. Smooth with minimal kick. Finish is medium to low . I like it but prefer a longer finish. I don’t hate it either. It’s ideal as a daily pour maybe...but it so mediocre. But for twelve years old I expected more rich taste. One dimensional blah. Update: after three pours I dumped the bottle into the drain. Wasted my money.

Nose is mild but nice, sweet, butterscotch. Taste is nice and balanced, nothing is jumping out it’s just mellow and awesome. Well rounded honey, sweet corn, minty, creme brûlée, toffee. Finish is very pleasant, not overly long, with a little corn sweetness

Fairly soft nose of banana cream and black cherries with honeyed almonds. Again, soft on the palate with more prominent almond and raw hazelnut. Vanilla and oak tannins ramp up in the finish. A very enjoyable whisky, but at a price...