First West (15 Stars) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Small Batch

A rich, Small Batch Straight Bourbon crafted with a blend of 5-, 6- & 7-year-old bourbons. The 5-year-old component boasts a unique red, white, & blue corn mash bill that is bottled in batches of 25 barrels or less at 51% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grains, wood, fruits, nuts, herbs & spices; while a rich & complex life adds notes of corn, banana bread, caramelized apple, ear, golden raisin, sugar cream pie, dried cherry & honey-sweetened fruit salad; that led to a warm & sweet death of medium length with notes of oak spice, nutmeg, burnt caramel. damp forest, tobacco & cigar box.

Very nice solid sipper. First West has done an admirable job. Here’s the challenge it’s very similar to Eagle Rare 10 year. It tastes younger than Eagle Rare but at a higher proof (51 compared to ER at 45). Eagle Rare has a richer, more flavorful sip than First West small batch. First West Small Batch on the 15 Stars website is about $60.00 a bottle vs. about $40.00 SRP for Eagle Rare 10, if you can find it at SRP. The flavor profile for First West Small Batch isn’t different enough from Eagle Rare 10 for me to have it in my liquor cabinet

TASTING NOTES NOSE / Subtle sweet notes of banana bread, caramelized apple, sugar cream pie, dried cherry, and honey are balanced by nutmeg, cigar box, and seasoned oak. PALATE / Fruit flavors of pear, golden raisin, apple, and vanilla rest on top of notes of damp forest and tobacco. FINISH / A burst of honey-sweetened fruit salad quickly fades into a long finish of oak and tobacco.

Flaviar Advent 2025 #7. Clear golden body with thin legging. Sweet caramel vanilla fruit aroma. Sweet vanilla fruit caramel flavor. Medium body moderate warming. 9/4/8/4/17 4.2

Dark amber color with aromas of corn and oak on the nose. A silky smooth mouthfeel and with a warm finish. Rich with flavors of corn caramel and vanilla.

Honey on the nose. Tons of sweet honey and caramel on the tongue. Way too potent straight but lovely with an ice cube.