This is a different single barrel barrel proof pick from Vintage Wine and Spirits in Nashville, TN. Barrel #65 of 75 released in 2019. I have heard very little about Wathen’s or the Charles Medley Distillery, but after some research I’ve found that at the moment they are allowed full access to an unnamed distiller (Heaven Hill) to do their distillate runs using their own mashbill. It is then aged (I assume in KY because it’s a Kentucky Straight Bourbon), then bottled by them in California. Regardless this particular bottle has peaked my interest. The nose is sweet with notes of white vanilla frosting, caramel, sweet corn, a slight grassy/mustiness, caramelized red apples and plumbs, barrel char, and milk chocolate. Very welcoming. The palate is sweet with a slightly thicker/oily mouthfeel, which a little dryness on the palate. There is sweet corn, hint of dark fruit, leather, vanilla, barrel char and a note of a can of mixed nuts. The finish first hits with that grassy not and then has lingering barrel char, caramel and sweet corn for a long finish. What a pleasant surprise! I really didn’t know what to expect, except possibly a Heaven Hill profile (which it totally has). It’s like if you took Heaven Hill Bottled In Bond and made it barrel proof. I really like this a lot!
About this bottle
This expression is made from a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley that is fermented with a yeast strain that has been passed down through the Medley generation for 8 generations before being distilled in a copper pot still. It is bottled at 58.68% ABV, with a limited release of 25 barrels.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 17 parsed reviews.
One of my go-to bourbons at my local whiskey bar. It's medium bodied, but with a wealth of flavors to contemplate on a loooooong finish that dries out my mouth and leaves me reeling. A bit musty, with notes of grass, vanilla, and buttery caramel.
The bottle I had was a barrel select at a local bar. Nose - spicy and sweet, like honey juniper berries Taste - spice forward with a bit of citrus and caramel Finish - lingering and hot, spice stays with you for awhile
Not bad, very spicy however may need to open up. A bit bland compared to others I have tried. More alcohol taste vs. the corn or nutty flavors.
Smooth. The alcohol has an airy quality and fills the mouth. Acidity, (I like the oak sawdust, lightness and wood quality) bright.
It taste like eating sweet corn in a field of cut grass. I love the taste. If you add a little ice it makes it even better.
11 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Same style and price bracket, best rated first.
