Jacob's Pardon Small Batch American Whiskey Recipe No. 1

This is a blend of two mash bills, one from barrels of 15-year-old MGP light corn whiskey, with 99% corn and 1% malted barley that makes up 86% and the rest coming from an 8-year-old Tennessee sour mash whiskey with a mash bill of 70% corn, 22% rye and 8% barley that makes up 14% and bottled at 48.6%. The nose starts with a mix of light butterscotch, rum and herbal notes then floral notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom along with a pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt then a mix of cereal and fruit with apple peel, peach ring candy, and smarties then milk chocolate covered toasted peanuts nuts followed by very light oak spices of a whole cinnamon stick, ginger and lightly brewed black tea with light ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel that starts with a mix of light butterscotch, rum and herbal notes then floral notes of rose water, honeysuckle and orange blossom before a mild spice of black peppercorns along with a pinch of Himalayan sea salt that fades to fruit notes of green apple jolly rancher, caramelized peaches over vanilla pudding, and lemon drop candy then comes milk chocolate covered toasted marshmallow followed by ginger and freshly brewed black tea with light ethanol burn. The finish is short with honeysuckle, orange blossom, milk chocolate covered peanut brittle, caramelized peaches and lightly brewed black tea. From the first nosing of this, you can tell it’s a light whiskey based on those light rum notes intermixed with florals, candied fruits and light oak spices, but the Tennessee whiskey adds some new flavors with peanuts and toasted marshmallow in the taste. I decided to do a side by side of this with my Proof and Wood 25 year and even though the Proof and Wood is only a slightly higher ABV of 51.15%, the Proof and Wood is so much thicker with bolder flavors. American light whiskey seems very similar to single grain Scotch and seems to require long periods of aging to really come together. These barrels seem like they could have benefited from a few more years of aging or a higher proof to intensify that mouthfeel and flavors, but it’s still a very enjoyable drink.

Light flavor on the nose. Reminds me of that melted butter just before it gets poured onto a bag of popcorn. It has that initial smell when you open the plastic wrapper on butterscotch hard candy. Lastly some cotton candy or candy corn mixed in the scent, can’t decide which.Very smooth on the tongue, cool and pleasant. Just a little reminder that it’s whiskey at the end and medium finish. Taste is definitely corn and some rye spice. I like it! Not a traditional whiskey but reminds me of a Armagnac....fruity flavor. Great for after a dinner meal as the final offering to finish the conversation. I had three servings while writing this review. Price is more for the limited release. There’s better stuff for under $90 but honestly...this is unique enough to justify the cost, plus a really neat bottle that will stay in use. I’d buy it again. Oh, orange peel...add that to the nose.

Bottom Line: Great nose, but leaves a lot to be desired, lacks complexity, hard to recommend at $80-$90. I suspect this same exact pour would be so much better concentrated at 110pf. The only person I would recommend this to is someone who really likes to buy lighter whiskeys that drink around the 90 proof range, whose primary measure of good whiskey is how exceptionally "smooth" it is, and/or who wants a fancy looking bottle to show off. The same kind of person who might consider spending $100 on secondary on a bottle that's only worth $60 (Blanton's) might be better served buying this one instead. Nose: Rich, sweet, full of molasses and Demerara sugar. Smells almost more like a low-ish proof (

The nose is straight on burnt sugar. Palate hits with butter and cinnamon sugar cookie, but fades very quickly. Finish is non-existent save for the chest hug. The nose and initial flavor of this whiskey are very nice, but there is no relaxing with it. It leaves you with nothing in between sips so has no time to express much. Too bad, it starts with a lot of promise. I stepped away from this whiskey for several months and without reading my first review got the exact same impressions. The nose on this almost hits you like well aged rum, very nice but all down hill from there.

Warm cinnamon and silky vanilla. Never heard of this whiskey, but it is rich in brown sugar and nutmeg. Finish is moderately long. This would be excellent by a fire in the cold mountains.

Batch 2, 54.65%. 8 years Smoky nose. Earthy and grainy Palette: strong malt back bone, some rye, sweet and smooth for the proof. Dry finish.