Jefferson's Reserve Single Barrel

JEFFERSON'S RESERVE SINGLE BARREL (BARREL 18/BOTTLE 168) (Working my way through a backlog of notes, so you may get sick of me for a few days.) *NOSE: Oak Spice, Cedar, Leather, Unlit Cigar, Carmelized Sugar, and a Dollop of Heat. With time in the glass a Fresh Cut Grass note emerges. *NEAT: Nice Coating Mouthfeel. Lots (and I do mean LOTS) of Oak Spice without being overly tannic. Vanilla Creme, Hazelnut, Cinnamon, Yellow #2 Pencil. The Tingly Cinnamon/Oak Spice really ramps up and coats the palate on the Long Finish with a nice blooming KYHug deep in the chest. *SPLASH: Nose loses some of the Heat and gets some Tartness. Rhubarb? On the palate the Oak gets a little Less Spice. The Tartness makes its way here as well, with Tart Cherry over Vanilla Ice Cream. Still a good bit of Spice on the Finish. I'm thinking this will stand up to a Large Cube of Ice very well. *VERDICT: Curiosity got the best of me. Can a company known for blending barrels from various sources put out a decent single barrel? In short, YES. I really like this. Spicy Oak and Cinnamon Heavy but with just enough Sweetness to keep the Tannins in check. I love a Bourbon that can pull that off and this one fits that description to a tee. Keep in mind that as a Single Barrel, YMMV.

Pick by Bull City Bourbon Club; Named "Moving On Up" Barrel No. 138; No age statement Open 3.5 months Nose - Caramel, peanut brittle, crème brulee, vanilla, cinnamon, light orange peel, light oak, and light ethanol. Palate - Smooth caramel and vanilla, salty peanut shells, toasted bread, cinnamon, clove, and a touch of bitterness. Finish is medium-short with dry oak tannins, a bit of rye spice, peanut brittle, grain, and sweet fresh-cut grass. This was my first purchase of anything Jefferson's. I've avoided it because the general consensus is it is overpriced for basically every bottle they sell. For a 100 proof single barrel this isn't bad, but I have to agree with the masses. You can get similar or better stuff in the $30-40 range, primarily from Heaven Hill and Wild Turkey. This is a weak/smooth 100 proof neat. I would bet Elijah Craig, Evan Williams SiB, Russell's Reserve 10Y, and WT 101 would all do well blind against it. At $60 this is kind of a ripoff considering what else is available. In summary, this is a pleasant sipper but an unpleasant purchase.

The bottle that I am trying was store picked (by Coast Guard Exchange). This nose is soft with notes of nuts, like almonds. There's a little sweetness, but it was hard for me to pick it up. On the palate, the nutty flavors come through a little stronger, but not overwhelming. The finish is soft, light, and somewhat short. I don't mind this, but it doesn't wow me. I do have to say that the nutty flavor is a little surprise.

Store Pick Single Barrel, 100 proof Nose- muted. Ethanol is prominent with some faint sweet oak and a candied note that reminds me of circus peanuts. Bit of a letdown Taste- a pleasant nuttiness that i typically get from HH products, a faint bit of chocolate and light caramel Overall: an easy sipper that hits some solid sweet/nutty notes. Would be a great daily pour if the price weren’t so high

Great flavor on the front end with a mild oak flavor and a nice spice. The finish is what loses me. It’s a bit odd and acidic in a not so friendly way. If it had a better finish it would get a much higher rating, but it really puts me off.

Was on sale at Montgomery County Oak Barrel & Vine Burtonsville. Barrel 757 bottle no 172. This is PHENOMINAL. Smells like baking spice. Vanilla, mild baking soices, and mild caramelly oak. Absolutely fantastic