Old Emmer Kentucky Straight Bourbon

I tasted Old Emmer's Cask Strength last year and was pleasantly surprised. It was sweet, complex and satisfying. So recently, as I perused the aisles at my local Total Wine for some affordable daily drinker options, I had to snag up a bottle of their non-cask strength to give it a whirl. The nose is quite compelling on this bourbon. Viscous honey with bright, vibrant apples take center stage while slightly tannic oak and creamy vanilla set the backdrop. There's just a tiny whiff of ethanol as you nose down into the glass but it isn't as pronounced as their cask strength selection. The taste starts soft and sweet with honey and caramel. There's a slightly odd, floral character mid taste which I wasn't expecting. As that quality dissipates, some tart cherries come into play which actually stay until the transition to finish. The finish is pretty one dimensional but pleasant. Tart cherries on the front and a little hit of tannic oak on the back. It feels somewhat thin, compared to their cask strength. This is an easy sipper. Although in the $45 segment you can certainly do better but in comparison with their cask strength selection: I'd definitely go cask strength for its complexity and body that allows it to mix easily into a good Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

A delicate, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by IJW Whiskey in Kentucky crafted with a high-wheat mash bill using an ancient wheat strain known as Old Emmer; aged in new charred American white oak barrels for a minimum of 4 years & bottled at 46% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, fruit, wood & spice; while a rich life adds notes of wheat, apple, sherry, caramel & vanilla; that led to a balanced death of medium length with notes of honey-oak. September 2023 / May / October 2024

Exceptionally smooth with a pleasant vanilla finish. I was recommended this as a close to Weller Special Reserve at the liquor store that is easy to get. It is quite similar to Weller and much easier to obtain. Very good and now my go to when i cant get Weller.

A 50ml sample seems like not enough to give this a fair shake. Intial blast of ethanol dissipates to reveal wheat toast, vanilla, honey and baking spices. Its a bit hot for the proof. Shortish finish. Empty glass smells of vanilla and graham crackers.

Nose: smells exactly like Makers 46 Taste: nothing like Makers 46, very bland and one dimensional Finish: lighting quick, hardly any lingering finish at all

Nice bourbon for $45. On the sweeter side with a peppery finish. Not very complex.