Old Bardstown Estate Bourbon 101 Proof

Color: Medium Copper Nose: Very nice nose! Sweet and sugary with Cinnamon Red Hots; molasses (?). Don't want to reach too far, but I think I'm getting a faint "bubble gum" note, as well. Palate: (drank with an ice cube) Wow! Very sweet — almost fruity-sweet on the very first sip. Definitely one of those palates that follows the nose. Fairly light mouth feel, and not much burn at all. The oak starts to come through on subsequent sips... and the back of the palate reveals the first signs of spice. But, yes... "fruity", as in stone fruits. That's the key take-away here. There's more going on, but I can't pinpoint it... I think it's "honey" that I'm detecting. I'm also getting a faint "citrus" note as I continue sipping. Finish: I'm giving this a "long" finish with spices and oak being the predominant characteristics. There's a slight bitterness involved, as well. But nothing off-putting. Final Thoughts: This is one of those very "different" and "interesting" bottles. It's not my typical "smokey and rich" jam... but it's indeed very good. For some reason, I thought this was a Bardstown distillate. Maybe because of that word, "Bardstown". Ha! Turns out, it's a Willett distillate (Heh heh). This makes total sense to me, because it reminds me a little of "Pure Kentucky" by that same Distillery — though I would say this is better. Not complex, but there's plenty going on to hold one's interest. I had been looking for this for a while now, but it proved fairly elusive. So the next time I locate it, I'll probably buy again. Solid 4.0 stars.

A really nice Christmas time chocolate orange slice nose awaits you. This comes off as a holiday in a bottle bright sweet orange and slight cinnamon clove with just a nit of the old ethanol. The age and proof really come through on the nose. The front is a bit harsh, amazingly the proof bite is real. As it rolls around on the tongue you get some of that orange and syrup spice melange, it's not a bad bite just a bit of the youth coming through, another few years in the barrel may well have done wonders for Old Bardstowns Estate version. The finish unveils some dusty barn door oak along with some nutty cola, not overly complex yet still appreciably full bodied. For the low 30s this is some pretty well done work. Letting this bottle air out a bit will help unleash some of the packed in flavors. Easy to enjoy. Cheers!

Really great easy sipper!! A must try/buy for your “everyday dram”. Nose: Cinnamon candies (more sweet than spice), and white bread (Wonderbread to be specific). Palate: Pure Ceylon Cinnamon, Oolong Black tea, and corn syrup. Subtle orange citrus. Finish: More of the cinnamon and black tea, and that sour mash tang. There is cinnamon from start to finish, but it isnt necessarily super spicy. Very sweet and buoyed by other unique flavors. I have never tasted such prominent Black/Oolong tea in a whiskey and was very surprised. This is a great “everyday dram” and is worth the money in my opinion. This isnt the most complicated, but what it delivers is unique and interesting. Again, easy to get into and excited about without it stealing the show. If you want a change in your usual line-up, sub this guy in for your everyday.

First time review on this one. Enjoying neat. Nose - spicy spicy spicy at first but once it settles you can pick up some goodies. Think caramel and oranges with some brown sugar and honey. Very unique nose once past the initial spice. Taste - good mix here of sweet and fruity start and finishes with a long salty treat. I get more oranges on the palate, some chocolates and honey. This transitions into a nice long lasting finish with some light burn, oak, and salty and bitter very ending. Overall - I like this one. The nose is spectacular, the taste is well rounded, this is a good cheap bourbon that’s easy to sip. Willet did a good job on this easy going bourbon.

Nose: very clean and classic Bourbon notes are apparent right off the bat. Butterscotch and vanilla dominate, while there is a hint of caramel that lurks below the surface. Almost alcohol, which is notable because of the Proof. Palate: The vanilla continues on the palate with some nice cinnamon and brown sugar notes that make an appearance. Some slight wood spice is also detectable towards the back. Finish: The finish is mild, but pleasant, with some pepper spice lingering around. Overall, this is much more enjoyable pour than it's 90 Proof cousin. Not spectacular, but a classic pour front beginning to end.

The first sip is incredibly earthy and tastes like green tea machia powder mixed with vanilla. Instant heat but not overly so. Very Willet like profile. Second sip blasts grassy notes, all-spice, and huge bursts of cinnamon. It has that Willet 'funk' that I really am growing to like in small end of night sips. The finish is more spice and pungent oak. I think this works best as does Noah's Mill as a third or fourth pour to gently sip at the end of the night. I'd guess this isn't for everyone but if you like earthy and pungent flavors it's a nice bottle for under 30🦌.