O.K.I. Reserve Blended Bourbon Whiskey (Batch 1)

A friend knows I am quite fond of high rye bourbon and we both enjoy older MGP juice. He was intrigued by the label on this one and picked up a bottle, It's a blended whiskey with nearly half being 12 year old MGP high rye, 12% 14 year rye whiskey and nearly a quarter of light whiskey and the balance being slightly younger bourbon and rye. All MGP yet bottled in Bardstown. I find it (surprisingly?) quite good. I was initially concerned about the "light" component but it doesn't seem to come into play. There is deep butterscotch and stone fruit on the nose along with some baking spices and maybe a touch of hazelnut. It's dark amber with slow forming legs. It's got a creamy texture with caramel, vanilla and stone fruit on the palate. It reminds me of the Remus Repeal releases but I have none to taste side by side. It evolves nicely on the palate but that little bit of the young stuff goes bitter at the end and interferes with an otherwise most enjoyable dram. I like this one but it doesn't seem to be readily available and internet search shows the price near Remus which is the better of the two.

Taste- neat 2oz in glen cairn Nose- flat cherry cola and sticky caramel dominate. Slight hint of leather or dried tobacco keeps you on your toes. Palate- the first thought is what a wonderfully thick, viscous mouthfeel! This is so rich and buttery to me. Cola and caramel carry through with a bit of nutmeg or perhaps eggnog flavor. There is some nice older wood notes but nothing soggy. I do get hints of milk chocolate with the caramel reminescent of Snicker's bar. This is what a bourbon should be 100%. Finish- lingered longer than I thought it would at 100 proof, and left on a nice chocolate cream note almost like chocolate mousse. Overall- I am REALLY digging this, and not really surprised. Reminds me alot of the Remus Repeal lineup, but more rich. The blending here is superb. I actually want to see how this stacks up with some of my most favorite 4rs Limited Editions. It is THAT good.

Oh MGP (or whatever they’re calling themselves now) how do I love thee - notes of cedar and dill (hallmark) are present but this is softened and wrapped in a caramel blanket. I suspect the latter is thanks to the light whiskey component. For comparison, Smoke Wagon uncut is more edgy and spice forward and not as sweet. Belle Meade cask strength has a similar balance and sweetness, and higher proof - so possibly a winner. None have the complexity of a Remus Reserve. This is quite good, and would love to pay around $55-60 but sadly is running $70-80 locally. I’ll enjoy it, but don’t anticipate missing it.

One can tell this is expertly blended. A lot going on with the nose, but nothing that necessarily draws you in as exceeding great … just good. Sweet with some refined grain notes … a touch of brown sugar hiding in there and you can tell it should come with a punch of spice when you drink it … which it does. Quite spicy … taste follows the nose but the spice is a bit overwhelming on the other notes. Nice warming finish in the throat, but wouldn’t say it a long lasting. Quite nice and looking forward to seeing how this opens up.

This is a surprising pour. Very well balanced that overshoots it’s price point. Though blended the age of the oldest barrels stand out. Great balance of oak and brown sugar and graham crackers on the nose. Taste is of vanilla wafers, oak, honey, and a hint of chocolate on the finish. The body is oily and quite the mouthful. An excellent pout that goes under the radar.

An almost instant palate saturation of sweet orange rind and earthy woody mineral charcoal. Baking spices as soon as the orange fades. Unlike anything I've had. Could pass as a cocktail straight on its own. A dank cannabis like herbal finish and then the spices kick back in.