Old Carter 12 Year Straight American Whisky Batch 1 (2018 Release)

Said I was done till the weekend but this followed me home and I wanted to get some notes out early as possible on it. Plus...I'm pretty excited. Full disclosure, I have zero idea what this is beyond being whisky and 12 years old and 134.9 proof. Nose - One hell of an alcohol kick here. Oh this is unique. There's a grape/plum type fruit nose over good american oak, and I think some vanilla. Water brings out that butter scotch note I get on the flavor profile. it's still super fruity. Taste - Oh flavor is all butter scotch and then a fruity funky oak finish. Oh man...this is special. I'm getting a nice tobacco note (maybe because I smoked cigars this weekend I'm getting it), touch of leather, and i swear this note could be some kind of soda even, it's this fruity and vanilla. Then I get some nutty notes. I'm really impressed with this. Their rye (batch 2) is decent stuff, their bourbon (batch 2) was really nice but to me a touch young. This is better than the other two. A lot better, but you really have to like this butter scotch and oak.

Aroma - apples, pepper, oak, leather, really awesome nose. Taste - first sip and it’s mind blowing. Just a super decadent beverage. Tons of sweet notes cuts out all the heat. Layers upon layers of caramel and vanilla. Tons of mixed berries… blueberries, blackberries come to mind. Creamy finish. Dammit this is amazing. Complexity is insane. Damn. This is just an unreal whiskey. At 67.45% ABV it drinks like it’s 50% ABV. Massive thanks to my buddy for providing the sample. Had a Willet 25 year many years ago and that was my all time favorite… this offering is just as memorable.

I’m reviewing the Old Carter Batch 1-LA. Only 570 bottles were produced. The nose is amazing. Heavy fruit and vanilla and rye spices. Very dark caramel is the color. The palate is fantastic. A smooth clove and spearmint on the palate and a hint of black pepper. A long and rewarding finish. The 117 proof is perfect for this bottle. Another amazing pour by Mark and Sherrie carter. Old carter is some of the best bottles you can get.

Worth it if you have a chance to try it. Rarely do you get a whiskey at this proof that is so incredibly flavorful. Dangerously easy to drink. Fruit forward on the nose and palate. Brown sugar and figs.

Nose is all butterscotch, and really appealing. Palate has a lot of wood, is a bit drying, but really pleasant with a moderately long finish.

spicy. rye forward brown sugar and oak candy figgy, grapeskins with a butterscotch finish