Chestnut Farms Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Revisited this on 1.26.22 Although my notes really won't change on this, the rating will. I made the note upon my an original rating that I would have knocked it down 0.25. Today, I most certainly do that and even consider dropping it an additional quarter point. It would be a sure to pay $100 for this ever again. Beautiful golden with amber tint. Really hangs on the glass, leaving a ring of beads. Nose is butterscotch, vanilla cookies, a hint of eucalyptus and clove. Beautiful sweetness throughout the drink. Butterscotch up front, turns more to caramel over time. Light char notes, but lots of wood on the mid-palate and into the finish. The vanilla makes a strong return along with a hint of maraschino cherry. The finish is long and wraps up with toasted oak, dark honey and sticky caramel. This is a good bourbon. Well rounded with excellent balance and a medium- long finish. At $100/bottle I nearly knocked it down .25 points, as one can do as well (or better) at $50, but those are getting awful hard to find

No big surprises here. Typical fruity, sweet, vanilla, oak nose with alcohol burn to match the 100 proof. Taste was not quite as sweet as I was expecting. Some hints of oak but not much. Pleasant. Nothing I can complain about--balanced without any off flavors. However, with all the amazing bourbons we have around, most of which I still haven't gotten around to trying, I don't see myself paying $100 for another bottle of this stuff. I'd consider getting it again under $60. EDIT: I'm back after finishing the bottle. My opinion on this lowered over time. It's "fine," but I am still shocked at how young and light it tasted for the price.

Nose: really really good nose. Fruity and caramel. Similar to new riff but a bit more rich. Palate: very good. Fruity but not a typical fruit taste. More dark berries. A good clean mouthfeel, super oily. Very late, if any, burn. Finish: fruity and very long. This is well done Overall: yes it’s $100 and I have no clue what the age on it is but we know it’s at least 4 years old. Honestly I think this is amazing. I want to see a barrel proof version and I definitely need a couple backups of this.

An elegant, high rye, BIB Bourbon Whiskey from Barton Distillery in Bradstown, Kentucky made with iron-free limestone water from the Tom Moore Spring, corn, rye & malted barley; aged for a minimum of 6 years & bottled at 100 proof. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, dried fruits & spices; while a full & balanced life adds hints of banana, corn, rye, oak, caramel & cinnamon; that led to a delicate & balanced death of medium length. December 2021 / July 2022

This whiskey is like a scoop of apple and vanilla Ice cream covered in chili caramel sauce and topped with a sprig of mint. Sweet caramel and mint on the nose. The palate is sweet and spicy warming up to a full creamy mouthfeel. The finish is a strong pepper and chili spice, fading as quickly as it stings. Adding a little water brings out a little more apples and mellows the finish.  Its a yummy whiskey and it has an especially fun mouthfeel!

This one needs to breathe a bit and becomes wonderful after a little bit of oxidation 1-2 weeks. Taste is light and clean for the proof (almost refreshing?) and flavors of caramel, caramel covered popcorn, candy corn and brown sugar/ vanilla, rounded. No alcohol bite after about 1-2 weeks oxidizing past the shoulder. Not sure on availability but haven’t been able to find another bottle.