Clyde May's 5 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Selected by Premium Wine and Spirits, barrel #605, barreled on 03FEB2017. Nice tattoo photo. A lovely gift from a family member for Christmas, someone who knows I'm a sucker for single barrel selects. While creating a standard single barrel select entry for Distiller (the specificity allowed on here always astonishs me), I found out that there are a lot of stated age selections on the Clyde May's brand, something that I definitely consider rare from the American whiskey industry. After reading the incredibly busy and eye-straining label front-to-back, I confirmed that this bottle has a barreled date, but not a bottled date, which is sketchy even with the 5 year age statement; if you're going to put this much detail on your label, you might as well include all the logistics instead of just some. Also, having already not heard great things about the Clyde May's line, I'm now even more scared to try it after learning it comes out of Bloomington, but I'll give benefit of the doubt up front despite having drunk the water there. A slightly darker color than expected, instead being as dark as a 6 or 7 year bourbon, but it does appear the oak is fairly heavily charred by color alone. A fairly potent ethanol up front, followed by fresh cherry, cinnamon, spearmint, a slight mixed fruit (with an emphasis on banana), as well as vanilla and toasted oak. A standard nose that hints to a high rye blend, but also showcases enough of the younger corn without being too young all around. A little dry up front, but does start to coat the gums fairly quickly, although doesn't penetrate that deeply. Definitely a fair amount of rye on board, but the corn is teetering between a younger, fresher flavor and the broken down, sweeter body of a slightly aged distillate. All of the notes from the nose are present and tasted, with more barrel present that presents some sweet but turns fairly dry on the finish. Only after some air and a few minutes does a decent hit of rye move into the finish to spice things up. Overall, a fairly plain but still tasty bourbon, with nothing special to offer other than the difference between the barrels, of course. Not to discredit it or to say I wouldn't want to try different barrels, but it certainly affects the price point, and since I didn't buy it, I can only say that I would only be comfortable purchasing this at $55 or below, and no more. Still, it's a versatile bourbon that can be used in any manner, neat, mixed, or anywhere in between, and will be tasty while also simple without pause.

This was a gift, so I didn’t really have expectations either way. Not that gifts aren’t nice—it’s just that this was not really on my radar when I got it. I’ve had the standard Clyde May’s, which I don’t particularly recall though I do think I found it to be decent. Barreled 02/03/17. Barrel No. 642. Nose: Vanilla, caramel, and toffee. Cocoa. Sawdust. Black tea. Lemon/lemon rind. Tapioca. Almond and walnut. Black pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Caramel, vanilla, milk chocolate, fudge, toffee. Almond and pistachio. Golden raisin and caramelized apple. Dried apricot. Sweet tea. Cola. Cocoa. Black tea. Pipe tobacco. Black pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak spice. Finish: Kicks off with Lemon-Lime—almost like you’re washing down a Sprite. Followed by pistachio and almond. Caramel and fudge. The same black pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak spice notes round this one out. It’s a long finish. Interesting bourbon here. The nose had my expectations a little low. It gives off a young-ish aroma. But the palate was a marked improvement, and the finish was fantastic. Unique profile, again, especially true of the finish. It’s very respectably proofed at 51% ABV and while doesn’t boast a substantial age statement, it’s nice to see one at all. The body and finish certainly drank like an older bourbon. 4/5. At $46, it’s a fantastic value. It’s a single barrel, so mileage may vary, but I recommend it based on this one. Looking forward to exploring more of Conecuh Ridge.

Nose: light apple and pear. Tough of vanilla extract and brown sugar. The nose is light and sweet fruit forward. Very nice Palate: caramel, brown sugar and slight tobacco hint. Back end is all barrel spices. Finish: long and lingers not in the chest like a Kentucky hug but full mouth lingering. Overall: 4.25/5 stars. This is a smoking barrels bourbon society club pick. The drinkability is phenomenal on this pour. Super easy to knock back. Subtle fruit and sugars with spice is all very well balanced. I would highly recommend any Clyde mays group pick. 👏🏿👏🏿

2nd pour off this bottle. VA ABC Store pick, this is at 105 proof but couldn't find it here and this one seemed apporiate. Off the nose I get a bit of bubblegum then the sweet corn. A nice toasted taste off the inital hit, then hits with corn. Sorta one note, not too much complexity. The burn is consistent but not too long.

Store pick: Not much on the nose. Taste is a little oaky with a slight spice of some sort. A little heat on the finish that last a little while. Overall a decent sip. Nothing special.

Tasted with a small ice cube. Strong scent of vanilla. Had some lighter fluid on my hand that interfered. Vanilla, apple, pepper. Soft on the tongue. Delicious and complex.