10 - 12 YEAR OLD BOURBON TASTING

This month’s theme: 10 to 12-year-old Bourbons, all from Kentucky. Included were expressions from most of the major distilleries.

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 Eagle Rare 10 

Distillery: Buffalo Trace 
 

Background: Introduced in 1975, ER10 started off as an 101 Proof Big Batch Bourbon and remained that way until 2005.  Since then it's not only dropped to the current 90 proof, but there was about a 10 year period where the regular release was Single Barrel.  While currently back to being a vatting, Single Barrel releases are available as Store Pick Exclusives, like this one.

Stats: Single Barrel #316 bottled exclusively for K+L Wine Merchants (California).  ABV = 45%. Bottled 2017. 
 And actually an 11 Year.

Tasting Notes: Smooth and full flavored. 
 The smaller percentage of rye in the mashbill reduces the spice notes and accentuates the vanilla.  Could be the best value going right now for a 10 year bourbon.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Pour?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
 Elijah Craig Small Batch 12 

Distillery: Heaven Hill 
 

Background:  
This used to be the best value going for aged statement bourbon, but the 12 Year was phased out in 2015.  The Small Batch 94 Proof is still around, just no age statement.  If you find a dusty 12 year on the shelf, do not hesitate to pick it up.

Stats: ABV = 47%.  Bottled 2013.
 

Tasting Notes: Spicier, so guessing higher percentage of rye in the mashbill.  And the rye notes definitely reveal themselves on the finish.  Bigger overall flavor range compared to the ER10. Classic.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
 Michter's 10  

My overall favorite
from both flights

Distillery: KBD? 
 

Background: Michter's was originally distilled in Pennsylvania from the 1950s thru the 1980s.  Prior to that the Distillery was known as Bomberger's and before that Shenk's, dating back to pre-Revolutionary War days.  The current Michter's brand was resurrected in the 1990s albeit in Kentucky.  While Michter's has two in-house distilleries currently producing a variety of their products, single barrels like this are still outsourced, most likely from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) aka Willet.

Stats: Single Barrel #17B280. ABV = 47.2%. Bottled 2017. 
 

Tasting Notes: Balanced nose. Excellent range of flavor.  Smooth rye notes throughout.  Nice char yielding a range of vanilla notes.  Pretty damn tasty. A touch of licorice and coffee.  Complex!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Henry McKenna 10 

Distillery: Heaven Hill 
 

Background: Hidden gem.  Ten year old Single Barrel for around $30?  How does it stay on the shelves these days??  Perhaps its recent win for Best Bourbon at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition will change that.

Stats: Single Barrel #3008. ABV = 50%. Bottled 2016. 
 

Tasting Notes: Spicy Creme Brule nose.  The rye spice is nice but a little sharp.  Pumpkin spice finish.  At around 50% ABV, i consider adding water to taste, but not needed with this smooth bourbon.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
 Weller 12 

Distillery: Buffalo Trace 
 

Background: Wheated Bourbon with same mashbill as the Van Winkles.  AKA Poor Man's Pappy.

Stats: ABV = 45%. Bottled 2016 
 

Tasting Notes: Even after this one jumped to over $100, it was still one of those i wanted on my shelf at all times.  But during this tasting, it came across pretty light probably due to the previous selections in the tasting.  Or perhaps my tastes have evolved?  At any rate, I tasted again on its own and while still light, there was more of the corn sweetness, wheat softness, and somewhat lingering finish that I do enjoy.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 2
 Van Winkle 12 

Distillery: Buffalo Trace 
 

Background: The notorious Van Winkle Family Reserve "Lot B" was first released in 1992, the year after the one and only "Lot A".  1992 was also the year the infamous Stitzel-Weller Distillery closed.  Van Winkle distillate was then mostly sourced from Bernheim until 2002 when Buffalo Trace took over.

Stats: ABV = 45.2 %. Bottled 2015
 

Tasting Notes: What better way to follow up Poor Man's Pappy, than with Pappy itself!  (Well, the 10- and 12-year Van Winkles aren't exactly "Pappy's" but you know what I mean.) This one has a bigger range than the Weller, more robust.  Still, I prefer the higher proof 10 Year Old Rip Van Winkle.  

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 3
 Rebel Yell 10  

Distillery: Luxco (Heaven Hill/Bernheim) 
 

Background: Another wheater with roots at Stitzel-Weller.  Luxco now owns the brand, but the juice is produced at Heaven Hill/Bernheim.  Traditionally a No Age Statement bourbon, the 10 Year Single Barrel was first released in 2016.

Stats: Single Barrel #5083200. ABV = 50%. Bottled 2016.
 

Tasting Notes: Licorice Char.  Blackberry.  With water, it becomes softer as expected without losing the long finish.  A pleasant surprise.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Evan Williams 12 

Distillery: Heaven Hill
 

Background: Exclusively produced for the Japanese market, but can also be found at the Distillery shop in Kentucky. 
 

Stats: ABV = 50.5%. Bottled 2016.
 

Tasting Notes: More licorice notes.  Not as big a range as I'd hope for a 12 year at 101 Proof, but still great mouthfeel. Corn Sweet and Rye spice.  Woody finish.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 5
 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 12 

Distillery: Heaven Hill
 

Background: First released in 2013, the Small Batch Barrel Proof still exists as a 12 Year Age Statement.  But for how long?? 

Stats: Batch #A117. ABV = 63.5%. Bottled 2017.


Tasting Notes: Rich and powerful, just as you would expect from this 127 Proof monster. 
Flavor just keeps going and going.  Really growing on me.  A bit of water helps open it up further.  Butterscotch!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]