George Dickel 8 Year Bourbon

George Dickel is primarily a Tennessee whisky distiller, though in my view Tennessee whisky is a variety of bourbon. However, they label this bottle as bourbon - from what I've read, because it comes from barrels that don't fit their standard profile. It goes through the exact same Lincoln County process as Dickel Tennessee whisky, but when picking barrels these went to the bourbon line while the rest become Tennessee whisky. This stuff is 90 proof and eight years old. A fifth cost me $31.99 at Kelly Liquors. The color in the glass is copper gold. NOSE: The nose is the best part of this whisky. It begins with corn sweetness, then brings in a little honey, something musty and warm, a faint nuttiness (but not the pecan note that I associate with Dickel juice, and which was present when I first opened the bottle), and vanilla buttercream icing. MOUTHFEEL: Thin but soft. TASTE: All I got from this glass was honey. FINISH: The finish is also a single note - oak - and is just shy of being medium length. SUMMARY: I've waited for this stuff to get better as it interacts with air, but it never did. Indeed, it lost the signature Dickel pecan note that I like. This bourbon is little if any better than Jim Beam. I won't buy it again. RATING: On my hick scale there are eight levels, 1 being the lowest and 8 the highest. This juice comes in at 2, which I call Poor. That's the same as 1.25 stars, 25/100, or 2.5/10.

Upon first nosing I immediately detect stewed cherries and spice, with equal parts sweet and tart to the fruit, also a good hit of alcohol but without any harshness or burn. Further nosing and I get red apple skins, cloves, ginger, just a hint of rye, rose water, and finally charred sugar maple. On the tongue it’s a bit like cherry cough syrup at first. As the sugary sweetness fades, the spice starts to emerge with cayenne pepper and ginger taking the lead. Red apples and plums briefly appear, followed by an orange citrus tinge. The body is pretty good, syrupy but not too heavy. The legs are extremely slow to develop, and very thin and quick at the start, but then a delicate string of beads rims the glass and hangs on for quite a while before dispersing. The finish is very mildly dry and oaky, nutty, and somewhat short. There’s slightly bitter cocoa, and a final note of cherry pie. Over ice everything becomes muted and rounded, the finish is more strawberry rhubarb than cherry, and a bit of mint comes out at the very end. Nose: 9 Taste: 8 Body: 9 Finish: 8

Let me start by saying I am a Dickel fan. I enjoy the flintstone/smoky vanilla custard vibe in the 12. This is a little different. Its great that we get an age statement of 8yrs for under 30 bucks that is a win for sure. Nose and palate repeat with caramel for wrapping apples, some of the 12's smoky vanilla and some distant watermelon jolly rancher. There are a couple flavors that come to the front though. Its brown sugar but not deep or dark and its got a not quite leather note. I keep thinking light brown sugar and suede over and over just saturating my taste buds. Decent charred barrel oak as well this is very flavorful and crushable at same time. Good coconut milk and vanilla finish with the char fading last. Not complex by any means but an easy rotation spot with amazing value.......88/100.......will need to put this up against the 12 but think for most this is the way to go. I got this for $23 at the Twins sale so screaming deal imo

This was a $30 bottle for an eight year bourbon which aligns with a lot of the other Dickel products where you get a lot of age for the price.  The nose is actually very pleasant, sweet and very traditional from a bourbon standpoint. I don’t get that strong Dickel vitamin note that a lot of people do on this bottle. The taste translates well from the nose. Some really strong vanilla notes a bit of caramel just very traditional. Nothing outstanding, but certainly nothing that is offensive in anyway.  Not a long finished, but I do get a little bit of nice hug in the chest, especially from a 90 proof. For $30 this is really one that you can’t go wrong with. Not one that I’m gonna rush to drink or go out and rebuy but an eight year old bourbon for 30 bucks that holds its own… not too shabby. 

Bourbon whisky aged 8 years and bottled at 45 ABV. Tasted neat. Dark copper color and good coating legs in the glass. Nose is sweet corn and light sugar, with dry grass and a little sour to temper the sweet. In the mouth, thin sweet followed by tannic oak and then dry spicy/grassy rye, and an ethanol (even menthol?) burst. Mouthfeel is dry deep, and maybe a little sour, through the long finish. Ice smooths down the rough edges and makes this easy to drink or mix, if a little thin. So, I have a soft spot for Dickel from college in the 1970s. It's nostalgic for me. Lots better whisk(y)ies out there, but this 8 year is not bad, maybe better than the 13 Year Dickel in my Distiller tasting notes. I still think the #12 at 45 ABV beats both, especially for $23.

Nose: Very sweet, but also light. Big caramel covered apple with the nuts with cinnamon and clove. There is also a peach cobbler note with a light grassiness. Palate: Soft medium viscosity. Leans onto classic bourbon here. Sweet vanilla and caramel is balanced out by barrel char, barrel spice, and a dusting of cinnamon. There is a little bit of that signature Dickel flavor here. Whether it comes to you as minerality, Flintstones Vitamins, or sweet tarts. For me, it's sweet tarts this time. Finish: Medium in length. Sweet oak tannins and a little barrel char. Summary: $30 for a nice 8 year Bourbon is always welcome. A good one for beginners, but enthusiasts can appreciate it as well. Great daily driver if you like that signature Dickel flavor.