u/Archaeo-Frog

Reviews #100-101: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection battle: Eagle Rare 17 vs. E.H. Taylor BTAC (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

For reviews 100 and 101, let’s try something fun: a blind battle of 100- and 101-proof limited editions 😀

In 2025, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection did something it hadn't done in nearly two decades: it added a new member to the lineup. E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon joined the five BTAC staples this fall as the collection's first expansion since 2006 (when Thomas H. Handy Sazerac was brought aboard). This blind pits 2025’s BTAC newcomer against one of the elder statesmen of the group: Eagle Rare 17.

Both E.H. Taylor and Eagle Rare use Buffalo Trace's low-rye Mash Bill #1, and on paper they sit closer together than you might expect from a "new release vs. long-running icon" matchup. E.H. Taylor leans on its Bottled-in-Bond pedigree — aged 15 years, 4 months, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. Eagle Rare 17 goes a touch further in both directions, aged even longer than its name suggests (18 years, 4 months for this release) and bottled at 101 proof in tribute to Eagle Rare's original 1975 launch strength.

Given this, any real difference here likely comes down to barrel selection and each label's underlying philosophy, rather than their proof or age doing all that much heavy lifting (if any at all). Eagle Rare 17 comes into this blind in with decades of pedigree and a well-earned reputation as one of the most consistent age-stated bourbons in the country. E.H. Taylor, on the other hand, comes in as the new kid in the BTAC lineup, looking to to live up to the Colonel's name and to prove that it truly belongs there.

So, without further adieu, let’s see if the rookie can hang with the veteran in a blind!

ABOUT Eagle Rare 17-Year

*From the Distillery: We have hand-selected our very best available barrels to produce the finest possible whiskey. In tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975, this whiskey is bottled at the original strength of 101 proof. The crystal-clear glass bottle we’ve chosen showcases the whiskey’s gorgeous amber color. Every bottle was handbottled and labeled to ensure the highest quality finish.

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

*Filtration: Chill Filtered

*Release Year: 2025

*Age Statement: 18 Years, 4 Months

*Proof: 101

ABOUT E.H. Taylor BTAC Bottled-in-Bond

*From the Distillery: We have hand-selected our very best available barrels to produce the finest possible whiskey. This release pays tribute to Taylor’s pursuit of perfection and his pivotal role in passing The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. That piece of legislation cemented Taylor’s reputation as the Father of Modern Bourbon and set in motion a quality standard for whiskey that was more rigorous and exacting than any standard set before or since. The crystal-clear glass bottle we’ve chosen showcases the whiskey’s gorgeous amber color. Every bottle was handbottled and labeled to ensure the highest quality finish.

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

*Filtration: Chill Filtered

*Release Year: 2025

*Age Statement: 15 Years, 4 Months

*Proof: 100

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REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes.

Appearance A: Coppery amber; not terribly oily or viscous

Appearance B: An ever-so-slightly lighter shade of amber; maybe slightly more viscous, but that’s far from a sure thing

Nose A: Lots of Buffalo Trace grape hits right off the bat. There’s also some sweetness like buttercream frosting and a little oakiness as well. Cinnamon quickly joins the grape at the forefront, with the slightest touch of pepper in the background as well. Once the glass is empty, grape and leather remain.

Nose B: This one has cherry front and center rather than grape. It smells like a combination of dark luxardo-style cherries and straight-up pie filling. Oak, allspice, and maybe a little nutmeg are there as well. Once the glass is empty, there are still cherry, subtle grape, and leather notes in the glass.

Palate A: Medium mouthfeel. This is interesting – it takes a couple sips for the grape from the nose to really show up on the front of the palate, but once there, it’s plenty strong. It’s joined by a lot of sweet, mature oak and tobacco, along with cinnamon, a touch of pepper, and some allspice, vanilla, and caramel. The grape continues into the mid-palate, where it melds with caramel-vanilla, a chocolatey note, and still more oak. Ultimately, this tastes like a very mature whiskey.

Palate B: The cherry sweetness is definitely present on this one! There’s the slightest hint of astringency, but along with that are some very nice flavors, including confectionery sugar and semi-sweet chocolate. The flavors get a bit darker as the sip shifts from front to mid-palate, with some stewed fruit or raisin-type flavors making an appearance along with some caramel, cinnamon, and just a touch of pepper.

Finish A: Pretty long and oaky (and somewhat drying), with a bit of pepper at the beginning of the aftertaste. From there, it evolves into a nice leather-and-tobacco flavor.

Finish B: Relatively long and very sweet, with cherry front and center, along with some oak, caramel, and baking spices of some sort that I can’t quite identify – maybe a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg? The cherry stays present throughout, and is joined by leather in the aftertaste.

Rating A: 8.7

Rating B: 8.9

Thoughts: These were both really, really good bourbons. Both highlighted what Buffalo Trace’s mash bill #1 can be when allowed to mature and when blended from specially-selected barrels. With its strong grape notes, A struck me as a pour of Eagle Rare turned up to eleventy. Add in the oakiness (which was a bit drying on the finish, but not in a distracting way), and it seems like that one must be the Eagle Rare 17. B, on the other hand, was very cherry-forward, and its combination of confectionery sugar and caramel came across to me as an E.H. Taylor small batch that had been aged and blended to near-perfection. That’s the rationale behind my predictions, so let’s see which is actually which!

Prediction A: Eagle Rare 17

Prediction B: E.H. Taylor BTAC

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Actual A: E.H. Taylor BTAC

Actual B: Eagle Rare 17

More Thoughts: Well, I got that one backward! It’s interesting to me that I got so much more oak on the palate and finish from the whiskey that was exactly three years younger than its counterpart in this blind. The grape being so strong on the Taylor was surprising to me because I tend to associate that more with Eagle Rare, while the cherry pie filling and darker mid-palate flavors on the ER17 made me think Taylor. I also expected the one with more oakiness on it would be the older of the two, and the fact that wasn’t the case points to the true expertise that went into balancing the integration of oak into the older Eagle Rare.

Based on my preconceived expectations, I thought that I was rating the newest BTAC offering – E.H. Taylor – higher than one of the most storied expressions in the lineup. It turns out that’s not the case, as ER17 edged out EHT in part by virtue of its masterfully-integrated oak and less-drying finish.

Obviously, neither of these was a loser: they were both really great bourbons, and I really can’t recommend either highly enough. The huge and obvious issues of price and availability aside, if you get a chance to partake in either of these, I don’t think you’ll come away disappointed. I know I didn’t!

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Previous Ratings (all reviews are available in my archive, but there may be some discrepancies in numeric rating, as these are updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
New Riff Balboa Rye (5.4)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)
Lasso Motel 18yr ALW (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (6)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
Buffalo Trace (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Peerless DO (6.1)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)
Ampersand Opimus (6.9)

7 | Great | Well above average
Blanton’s Gold (7)
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Rock Hill Farms (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.5)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
E.H. Taylor BP 16 (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.8)
E.H. Taylor Cured Oak (7.8)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (8)
Starlight 10yr (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8.3)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.6)
E.H. Taylor BTAC 2025 (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)
Eagle Rare 17yr 2025 (8.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 11 days ago

▲ 229 r/bourbon

Review #93: E.H. Taylor Cured Oak

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Earlier this year, Buffalo Trace re-released younger versions of a couple of E.H. Taylor expressions that hadn’t been seen in more than a decade: Four Grain and Cured Oak. I’ll be reviewing the former pretty soon, but today we’re focusing on the latter.

One major difference in the re-release of E.H. Taylor Cured Oak is the age of the whiskey. While the 2015 offering was aged 17 years, the new version spent just a decade in the barrel. Otherwise, Cured Oak is similar to the standard E.H. Taylor bottled-in-bond offering, except for the fact that the barrel staves have been “cured” for over a year instead of for the standard six months. In theory, that should give it a bit more of a deep, complex, and oaky flavor than the usual Small Batch expression has, even despite the lack of age that the earlier version of Cured Oak featured.

Let’s see if that’s the case, and how it is overall!

From the Distillery: E.H. Taylor Cured Oak Bourbon is aged inside oak barrels made with staves cured for 13 months, more than twice as long as typical barrel staves. This extended curing process extracts the rich characters deep within the wood. Barrels were aged inside of Warehouse C, built by Colonel Taylor in 1885 as a prime aging warehouse. As a special limited edition release, it is a bourbon of great character, in honor of the man who would accept no less.

Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

Proof: 100

Price: $79.99

Appearance: Medium amber, with medium viscosity.

Nose: Grape, cherry, and confectionery sugar, along with more oak than usual for an EHT. It kind of reminds me of the Starlight 10-Year on the nose, but with a bit more fruit and sweetness. Once the glass is empty, it’s mostly oak and toffee.

Palate: Not an amazing mouthfeel, but not overly thin either. This is definitely oakier than usual for an EHT expression! Along with the wood notes, there’s the usual caramel and vanilla, a bit of graham cracker, allspice, and cinnamon, along with some cherry pie (complete with filling, crust, and toasted sugar).

Finish: Medium-length, dry, and oaky, but not in a bad way at all. There are also baking spices (cinnamon and allspice primarily), as well as some pepper. This fades into an aftertaste of tobacco and caramel.

Thoughts: I don’t know if I’d be able to identify this as an E.H. Taylor expression if I didn’t know ahead of time that’s what it was. It’s a very enjoyable pour, though – one that, in my opinion, is a decent buy for up to twice its MSRP (but not more than that!).

In fact, this whiskey really reminds me of Starlight’s 10-year bourbon (which I also really liked), to the point that I want to blind to two together soon to see if I can really tell the difference!

Rating: For me, E.H. Taylor Cured Oak rates a 7.8 (between “Great – Well Above Average” and “Excellent – Really Quite Exceptional”).

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Previous Ratings (all reviews are available in my archive, but there may be some discrepancies in numeric rating, as these are updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
Blanton’s Gold (7)
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Rock Hill Farms (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.5)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
E.H. Taylor BP 16 (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.8)
E.H. Taylor Cured Oak (7.8)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8)
Starlight 10yr (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8.3)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.6)
E.H. Taylor BTAC 2025 (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)
Eagle Rare 17yr 2025 (8.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 25 days ago

▲ 38 r/bourbon

Review #91: Starlight Distillery 10-Year Bourbon (Batch 2, 2026)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Starlight Distillery is a grain-to-glass (in their words, “farm to bottle”) operation. The Huber family farm in Borden, Indiana grows its own heirloom corn (yellow, white, red, and blue varieties) and its own non-GMO winter rye, sweet-mash ferments it, and double-distills it on Vendome pot stills, and then ages the whiskey all on the same estate. (More information is available in u/comingwhiskey’s review of this bottle from a few months ago.)

This is the second year that Starlight has offered a 10-year bourbon. The 2026 expression is a blend of ten barrels made up of two different mash bills (one corn/rye/malted barley, the other a four-grain). Only about 2,000 bottles exist, and at $250 a pop, the MSRP reflects that scarcity. How does what’s in the bottle stack up, though? Let’s find out!

From the Distillery: Starlight Distillery’s 2026 10-Year Reserve Bourbon is a true reflection of patience, precision and family legacy. Produced entirely grain-to-grass using grains grown and harvested on the Huber family estate, this limited release showcases the highest level of craftsmanship. This ten-barrel blend was carefully selected from some of the oldest bourbon resting in our rickhouses, featuring both signature 3-grain and 4-grain mash bills built on rare heirloom corn and Indiana rye. Sweet mash fermented and double pot distilled on our Vendome copper stills, each barrel was entered at low proof and aged slowly for a full decade to develop exceptional depth and character.

Initially matured in the distillery’s original warehouse, these barrels were later transferred to Warehouse #2, West Side, the warmest pocket of our rickhouses. This dynamic aging environment pushed the whiskey to its peak, intensifying body, oak integration, aromatic richness and layered complexity. Hand selected by the Huber family – Ted, Blake and Christian – each barrel was bottled only when it reached absolute maturity. Bottled at cask strength at 114.2 proof, this bourbon represents the highest expression of Starlight Distillery’s commitment to authenticity and world-class American whiskey.

Mash bill: Blend of 60% corn/20% rye/20% malted barley and 51% corn/20% rye/20% malted barley/9% wheat

Proof: 114.2

Price: $249.99

Appearance: Deep amber; coats the glass nicely. (Also, the bottle is just gorgeous!)

Nose: Lots and lots of oak. Also some maple, cherry pie, vanilla, and darker fruit, along with a little graham cracker, cola, and some definite nuttiness, as well as a touch of chocolate. There’s also something slightly grassy, likely from the wheat in the mash bill. Once the glass is empty, the primary notes are dark toffee and oak.

Palate: Some ethanol and lots of oak right off the bat. Aside from that, the main flavors seem to be cola, nuttiness, dark toffee, and perhaps some sweet tea. Once we get to the mid-palate and beyond, oak and barrel char largely take over, along with a touch of toffee and cola.

Finish: Mostly spice and oak, followed by a combination of tannins, char, and a little vanilla toffee. The aftertaste maintains the oak, but it’s joined there by rich caramel.

Thoughts: If you like oak and barrel char, Starlight’s 10-year bourbon is definitely a winner! Personally, I was looking for a little more sweetness than I got here, particularly of the caramel/vanilla variety, as that’s my preferred bourbon profile. That being said, this was still a really good whiskey – it’s just very oak-forward. I recommend it if you can find a pour, although I don’t know that I’d recommend paying the $250 MSRP for a bottle (but your mileage may vary on that one)!

Rating: Starlight’s 10-year bourbon is really good, even if it is the slightest touch bitter-oaky for my taste. I rate it an 8: “Excellent – Really Quite Exceptional.”

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Previous Ratings (all reviews are available in my archive, but there may be some discrepancies in numeric rating, as this list is updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (6)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
Buffalo Trace (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Peerless DO (6.1)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
E.H. Taylor BP 16 (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 1 month ago

▲ 87 r/bourbon

Review #89: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel vs. Buffalo Trace Single Oak Rye Bourbon (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

This is a different one, and hopefully a genuinely interesting one as well: Elmer T. Lee, the cult favorite built on Buffalo Trace's high-rye Mash Bill #2, against the new-in-2026 permanent release from the Single Oak Project, which was one of the most exhaustive bourbon experiments the distillery has run.

Back in 1999, Buffalo Trace filled 192 barrels, each one featuring a unique combination of seven variables (mash bill, entry proof, stave seasoning, wood grain, char level, tree cut, and warehouse floor type), and let thousands of consumers taste and rate the results over more than a decade. Barrel #80 – a rye-recipe bourbon with an entry proof of 125º that was aged in a concrete-floor warehouse for eight years – emerged as the favorite. In Spring 2026, Buffalo Trace turned Barrel #80’s winning formula into a standing release: Single Oak Rye Bourbon.

Both Elmer T. Lee and Single Oak Rye Bourbon are bottled at 90 proof, and both trace back to the rye-forward side of Buffalo Trace's portfolio. However, they represent two completely different philosophies for getting there.

Whatever you think of its value and its current quality, Elmer T. Lee is a single barrel bourbon that built its reputation over time, to the point where people will drop $200 to grab one from stores and on the secondary market.

Single Oak Rye Bourbon, on the other hand, is essentially the opposite: it’s a whiskey that’s been reverse-engineered from a controlled experiment and consumer voting, which is designed to indefinitely replicate a specific, data-validated result.

So, here’s the question: does an actual designed-by-committee bourbon, built from thousands of data points and a decade of testing, actually deliver something special? Or does Elmer T. Lee's old-fashioned approach have the edge?

Let's run a blind and see which one wins out!

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ABOUT Elmer T. Lee

*From the Distillery: Named after Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee, this whiskey is hand-selected and bottled to the very standards he set. Perfectly balanced and rich, just as declared by the man who knew great bourbon intended.

*Age Statement: NAS

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #2 (high-rye)

*Proof: 90

ABOUT Buffalo Trace Single Oak Rye Bourbon

*From the Distillery: The Single Oak Project began in 1999, marking Buffalo Trace’s first and most comprehensive experiment to date as it explored the impact of seven variables including mash bill, entry proof, aging location and barrel construction. The experiment comprised 192 unique bourbon barrels, each crafted from specific sections of hand-selected oak trees and filled with either a wheat or a rye recipe before undergoing varied maturation approaches. Consumers were invited to taste and evaluate the resulting bourbons, ultimately selecting Barrel #80 as the standout expression in 2011.

In April 2026, Buffalo Trace Distillery began building on this landmark experiment with the introduction of Single Oak as a permanent, continuously-released whiskey brand. Its inaugural release, Rye Bourbon, faithfully recreates the precise mash bill and barrel aging conditions that defined the celebrated Barrel #80, offering enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience the result of one of the industry’s most extensive bourbon studies to date.

In 1999, 96 oak trees were hand-selected from the Missouri Ozarks. Each tree was cut into a top and bottom section, yielding 192 unique pieces of wood and transformed into 192 individual barrels.

Seven variables were intentionally manipulated to study their impact on the final whiskey:

• Mash bill (wheat or rye recipe)
• Entry proof (105 or 125 proof)
• Stave seasoning (six or 12 months of air drying)
• Wood grain size (tight, average or coarse)
• Barrel char level (number three or number four char)
• Tree cut (top or bottom half)
• Warehouse type (wooden rick floor or concrete floor)

Single Oak Project Barrel #80 entered the barrel at 125 proof and was aged in oak harvested from the bottom half of the tree, featuring average grain wood, staves seasoned for 12 months and charred at a level four. The bourbon was aged in a concrete floor warehouse for eight years before bottling at 90 proof.

*Age Statement: 8 years

*Mash bill: Undisclosed (maybe mash bill #2?)

*Proof: 90

****************

Appearance A: Light amber; not terribly viscous

Appearance B: Almost identical to A, if not ever-so-slightly darker

Nose A: Primarily grape, cherry pie filling, and baking spices (allspice and a little cinnamon). There’s also a little graham cracker in there.

Nose B: A touch spicier, with a buttery caramel scent alongside some slightly darker, stewed fruits. It smells slightly less sweet than A, and somewhat more mature.

Palate A: Pretty watery. A touch of grape alongside leather, cinnamon, and some rye spice, as well as some caramel.

Palate B: Slightly thicker and definitely spicier. The vegetal notes associated with rye are present, although none stands out as a singular flavor. Rye breadiness is also there, along with some mild astringency. Not overly saccharine; some stewed fruit carries over from the nose, but the pour is definitely more spicy than it is sweet.

Finish A: Relatively short; primarily grape and cinnamon at first, before giving way to leather.

Finish B: Medium length, and marked by rye spice and moderately-drying oak.

Thoughts: Neither of these was a banger, as they say, but given my proclivity for less-spicy bourbon, A was a better whiskey for me today. It had some classic Buffalo Trace sweet-fruit notes and a minimum of rye spice, while B was the darker, oakier, and definitely spicier of the two. That leads me to think that B is the “Rye Bourbon” (whatever that actually means), and that A is the 90-proof single-barrel stalwart Elmer T. Lee.

Rating A: 6.5

Rating B: 6

Prediction A: Elmer T. Lee

Prediction B: Single Oak Rye Bourbon

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Actual A: Elmer T. Lee

Actual B: Single Oak Rye Bourbon

More Thoughts: This was interesting, in no small part because I had previously had the Single Oak Rye Bourbon rated much higher (it held a 7.6 in my previous ratings!). Here, though, its spice profile came across as a bit harsh, especially when paired with the fairly sweet and generally inoffensive Elmer T. Lee.

I liked ETL about the same amount that I always do (maybe a touch more, given its comparative lack of sharpness here). ETL isn’t a world beater by any means, but it was plenty good in this blind, and its positive features helped highlight some elements of Single Oak Rye Bourbon that I didn’t really enjoy all that much.

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Previous Ratings (all reviews are available in my archive, but there may be some discrepancies in numeric rating, as these are updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (6)
Buffalo Trace (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Peerless DO (6.1)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8.3)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.6)
E.H. Taylor BTAC 2025 (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)
Eagle Rare 17yr 2025 (8.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 1 month ago

▲ 26 r/bourbon

Review #88: Copper & Cask ‘Boston Rum Party’ Rye vs. Sazerac Full Proof (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

These two whiskeys sit at opposite ends of the rye spectrum. Sazerac Full Proof is Buffalo Trace's own house rye, built on the same barely-legal rye mash bill that underpins Sazerac 18 and Thomas H. Handy. It's bottled at its full barrel-entry proof of 125°, and its $39.99 price tag is objectively amazing for what it delivers.

Boston Rum Party, on the other hand, from Rhode Island-based Copper & Cask, goes the opposite direction entirely. It features a 95/5 mash that is sourced from MGP in Indiana, aged 8 years, and then finished in rum casks for another year. This 2,000-bottle release, tied to America's 250th anniversary, comes in at 121.2 proof.

So, the question here is whether Copper & Cask’s higher rye content and rum-cask influence actually makes it the superior pour, or whether Sazerac's simpler, bargain-priced approach holds its own. Let's blind them and find out!

****************

ABOUT Copper & Cask ‘Boston Rum Party’

*From the Producer: This rye is a blend of two rye lots -- one aged for 8 years and the other for 10 years. Both have a mash bill of 95% rye, 5% malted barley. The whiskey was finished in rum barrels for over a year. For this release, we wanted to find rum barrels that would complement the bold, spicy character of our rye with a sweeter, softer tone. The result is a bold yet approachable whiskey that is full of flavor with plenty of cinnamon spice and just the perfect amount of rum influence.

*Age Statement: 8 years (blend of 8 and 10 year whiskeys)

*Mash bill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley (MGP)

*Finished in: Rum barrels

*Release: 2,000 bottles

*Proof: 121.2

ABOUT Sazerac Full Proof

*From the Distillery: Bottled at 125 proof, Sazerac Rye Full Proof amplifies the brand’s signature spicy, peppery, and dry profile, delivering a sipping whiskey of remarkable intensity. At the same time, it highlights the versatility of Sazerac Rye and reflects Buffalo Trace Distillery’s commitment to crafting exceptional whiskey experiences for enthusiasts at every stage of their rye journey.

This non-chill-filtered rye whiskey foregoes chill filtration to preserve all the naturally occurring residual oils and flavors that occur during the distillation and aging process (potentially making it appear cloudy at cold temperatures).

*Age Statement: NAS

*Proof: 125

********************

Appearance A: Light, honey-colored amber, with fairly runny legs on the glass

Appearance B: Darker and oilier with more persistent legs

Nose A: Thin and fairly vegetal, with some ethanol right off the bat. Behind these notes is a blast of buttercream frosting and graham cracker, which are combined with some of the mint and dill that you’d expect from a rye. It’s an interesting combination.

Nose B: Darker and seemingly more balanced, with far less ethanol. There’s some dill here, as well, along with mint, butterscotch, ginger, maple, and confectionery sugar.

Palate A: Vegetal like the nose, with plenty of astringency. The rum finish comes through eventually, smoothing the experience out a bit and allowing for some apricot and red fruit to surface. For the most part, though, this is an astringent and herbal pour.

Palate B: Also astringent, but with more and better flavors behind the initial ethanol wave. Much thicker and oiler than A, with a kick of rye spice on the mid-palate to go along with orange peel, a little mint and dill, brown sugar, and molasses.

Finish A: Too long for how thin, astringent, and herbal it is.

Finish B: Thick and bready, with a touch of dill and citrus to go along with it. All of these flavors carry over into the aftertaste. The finish might be my favorite part of this pour.

Thoughts: Neither of these was amazing, but B was definitely better than A, at least at this sitting. The former was thick, robust, and full-flavored while the latter was thin, herb-forward, and very astringent. Overall, A isn’t a rye that I’d choose to go back to very often (if at all), and it’s also not one that I’d push on my friends. B, on the other hand – though also not a world-beater – was a much better representation of what a rye whiskey can and should be, with its lighter notes of citrus and sugars and its almost chewy breadiness.

Rating A: 5.8

Rating B: 6.5

Prediction A: Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party

Prediction B: Sazerac Full Proof

********************
Actual A: Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party

Actual B: Sazerac Full Proof

More Thoughts: I can’t say I’m terribly surprised here. With just a few exceptions, Copper & Cask generally tends to underwhelm for me, and that was certainly the case here. Its usual problem, at least in my experience, is that it is astringent and lacks bold flavors, and that was definitely the case here.

Sazerac Full Proof, on the other hand, was much more of what a rye should be (at least in my mind). It was very on-profile, with the flavors pretty dialed in and well-balanced. I still prefer other ryes to this one (particularly Lasso Motel’s 13-year MGP and Thomas Handy, which are my two favorites), but I wouldn’t have any hesitation offering this one to a friend, particularly if they’re into higher-proof rye whiskey!

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews; all reviews are available in my archive)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
Buffalo Trace (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Peerless DO (6.1)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 1 month ago

▲ 296 r/bourbon

Review #87: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection: Eagle Rare 17-year (2025)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

It’s time for one of the big guns: the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection’s own Eagle Rare 17-year. Clocking in at 101 proof and (in the case of this 2025 release) carrying an 18-year, 4-month age statement, this highly-allocated bourbon is one of the original BTAC whiskies, and still tends to be one that I hear folks speak most highly of.

Interestingly, ER17 is actually a mid-tier expression in the Eagle Rare lineup, with the 20-year-old Double Eagle Very Rare, Eagle Rare 25-year, and now Eagle Rare 30-year superseding it.

However, it’s supposed to be pretty amazing all the same, so I’m excited to see how it stacks up to the other whiskeys I’ve had the opportunity to try. Let’s see how it is!

From the Distillery: Eagle Rare 17 Year-Old is one of the distinguished bourbons in the award-winning Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Aged in oak barrels for nearly two decades, this rare bourbon is released in very limited quantities each fall.

We have hand-selected our very best available barrels to produce the finest possible whiskey. In tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975, this whiskey is bottled at the original strength of 101 proof. The crystal-clear glass bottle we’ve chosen showcases the whiskey’s gorgeous amber color. The back label provides a full product description for you to read while enjoying a taste. Every bottle was hand-bottled and labeled to ensure the highest quality finish.

Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (a low-rye combination of corn, rye, and malted barley)

Filtration: Chill filtered

Distilled: Spring 2007

Bottled: Fall 2025

Age Statement: 18 years, 4 months

Evaporation Loss: 89%

Entry Proof: 125

Proof: 101

Price: LOL

Appearance: Dark amber; almost mahogany. Leaves fairly nice legs on the glass

Nose: Right away is a huge burst of oak, grape, and confectionary sugar. Behind these, in much more muted fashion, are tobacco, leather, toffee, and something like cherry pie filling – it’s surprisingly bright overall. There’s also some pepper and spice. Once the glass is empty, it’s all confectionary sugar and leather, with a touch of dark chocolate.

Palate: Initially, oak and some surprising astringency. It’s also a little thin, which is to be expected given the proof, but not so much so that it’s in danger of being watery. There’s more grape (lots more grape) and confectionary sugar, but – though it may seem contradictory – the sip isn’t overly sweet, as there’s also a ton of oak on the palate. Leather and dark chocolate also serve to balance out the fruit (grape and cherry now); this is then further complemented by maple candy, brown sugar, and a slightly nutty note.

Finish: Long and drying, leaning primarily into oak with a little fruit added in. However, it pleasantly transitions from that flavor profile into a strong (and very nice) combination of maple syrup, vanilla, and caramel, with a bit of pecan praline added in. Something like that praline flavor — deep, rich caramel with a slight nuttiness — then lingers as a really, really nice aftertaste for what seems like forever. This is actually the best part for me.

Thoughts: This was very good, and seems much more complex than its 10- and 12-year-old brethren. There’s a lot of oak involved, as you might expect from an 18-year-old bourbon, but it’s largely well-balanced. The classic Buffalo Trace sweetness is there, as well, but it too is balanced out by a touch of oaky bitterness, making for a pour that’s not super sweet by any means.

Eagle Rare 17’s combination of complexity and relatively low proof was pretty remarkable, and it’s something I really appreciated given my own general proclivity for lower-proof whiskey. While there was a touch more initial astringency than I expected, I suspect that’s because this review was based on the first couple pours from the bottle. The nose and palate were very enjoyable, but for me the finish was the star of the show, transitioning through flavors before settling into a really excellent praline note that, as I said above, seemed to last forever.

Overall, this was a classically excellent bourbon that largely lived up to its hype.

Rating: Buffalo Trace’s Eagle Rare 17-Year is really good. It earns an 8.9 from me, just shy of being “Incredible – An All-Time Favorite.” I highly recommend this if you encounter it at a price that doesn’t break the bank. Good luck and happy hunting!

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews; all reviews are available in my archive)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 122 r/bourbon

Review #86: Copper & Cask #14 Double Oak vs. Peerless Double Oak (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Here we have two double-oak bourbons, going head to head in a blind.

Peerless, which uses their own sweet mash, takes a blend of 4-to-6-year-old barrels and re-casking them for a second round in fresh-charred oak. It's barrel proof and batch-variable, typically landing somewhere in the 107-110 range (this one is 108.6º).

Copper & Cask, on the other hand, takes the source-and-blend route: MGP distillate in a mix of low-rye and high-rye mash bills, aged a full 8 years before the current batch (#14) was re-casked into new American oak Wave Stave barrels for at least 10 months. It's cask-strength, non-chill-filtered, and bottled at a considerably hotter 120.2 proof.

So, to boil it down, what we have here is a home-grown, self-distilled, younger bourbon versus an older sourced-and-blended one – essentially, two whiskies that are chasing the same double-oak effect, but from different directions.

Does Copper & Cask's extra age, proof, and supposed blending expertise translate into a richer, more complex pour? Or does Peerless's approach, and lower proof point, make for the more polished whiskey? Let's blind them and find out!

****************

ABOUT Copper & Cask #14 Double Oak

*From the Producer: This Double Oak release is a 19-barrel batch composed of both low-rye (21%) and high-rye (36%) Bourbon, aged for a minimum of 8 years. The barrels were blended and then re-casked into new American Oak Wave Stave barrels for a minimum of 10 months.

Tasting notes: On the nose, this whiskey is robust with aromas of cocoa powder and burnt sugar. Once sipped, sweeter flavors of creme brûlée and vanilla cola appear before giving way to richer notes of espresso and molasses. The finish is long and layered with hints of dark maple syrup, pipe tobacco and praline.

*Age Statement: 8 Years

*Mash bill: 4 barrels of 60% corn/36% rye/4% malted barley; 15 barrels of 75% corn/21% rye/4% malted barley

*Finished in: New American Oak Wave Stave barrels (minimum 10 months)

*Release: 3,600 bottles

*Proof: 120.2

ABOUT Peerless Double Oak

*From the Distillery: Exposing Peerless Bourbon to two separate casks allows for two full barrel extractions. The result? Supercharged notes give this whiskey supreme complexity and mouthfeel. Our dedicated tasting team strategically selects barrels with prominent grain, fruit, and herbaceous notes as they are complemented well by the extra barrel character. This ultimately makes for a population of barrels that are packed with flavor, yet balanced enough to uphold the Peerless name.

*Age Statement: NAS

*Mash bill:

*Proof: 108.6

****************

Appearance A: Beautiful shade of mahogany, with decent legs on the glass

Appearance B: Almost identical in color, but with slightly thicker and more persistent legs

Nose A: Along with plenty of ethanol, there’s caramel, vanilla, maple syrup, clove, and allspice, as well as some sweet cherry.

Nose B: A little less sweet and fruity. Oak and cinnamon primarily, along with some caramel and vanilla. After a bit of nosing, a tiny hint of grape surfaces as well.

Palate A: Nice medium-thick mouthfeel. Oak is the primary note, but it’s nicely balanced with vanilla, caramel, maple, and spice, all of which combine to make for a slightly sweet, but certainly not dessert-y, experience. Strangely enough, there’s a touch of BBQ sauce, as well.

Palate B: A touch thinner, but still medium mouthfeel. More astringent. The flavors are darker overall: there’s toffee rather than caramel, and the maple syrup note – also here, as in A – is of the thick, dark variety, with some bitter coffee notes there as well.

Finish A: Thick and medium-length, with oak, allspice, and a hint of mesquite, along with a slight plasticky note at the very end (probably thanks to oak tannins).

Finish B: Some ethanol burn accompanies slightly bitter oak and spice. Tannins carry through into the aftertaste, making it a largely bitter experience overall.

Thoughts: A was thicker and smoother, while B was more astringent and had less complexity. B was also more bitter, signaling less well-integrated oak. A, on the other hand, struck a very nice balance between sweet notes and oak, making for a more enjoyable pour overall.

Rating A: 6.6

Rating B: 6.1

Prediction A: Peerless Double Oak

Prediction B: Copper & Cask #14 Double Oak

********************

Actual A: Copper & Cask #14 Double Oak

Actual B: Peerless Double Oak

More Thoughts: How interesting! This is the first time that any Copper & Cask blend has performed well for me, either in a blind or in a stand-alone review. Based on how these two compared, I was certain that the one I liked less – glass B – was the Copper & Cask expression.

Needless to say, I’m surprised that Peerless’s Double Oak Bourbon, which generally receives good reviews from across the bourbonsphere, came up so short here. It was surprisingly one-note on the palate and bitter on the finish, which is not how I remember this whiskey being in the past.

Likewise, I don’t recall Copper & Cask 14 being as complex as it was here. I guess giving the latter some time to open up has really helped out, as it was the clear winner today!

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews; all reviews are available in my archive)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 26 r/bourbon

Review #85: Redwood Empire Emerald Giant vs. New Riff Balboa Rye (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Today’s blind features two high-rye whiskeys from craft producers that bring two different philosophies to the table.

Redwood Empire's Emerald Giant leans on a mash bill that features 92% rye, which blends California-distilled rye with sourced Indiana and Kentucky rye and then ages that expression for 4 years before bottling it at a very approachable 90 proof.

New Riff's Balboa Rye takes the opposite path: it’s distilled in-house in Newport, Kentucky, and is built from a mash bill that contains 95% heirloom Balboa rye, which was grown specifically for the distillery. Balboa rye, for those who don’t know, is a nearly-extinct 1940s grain variety that hadn't been used in whiskey production in decades before New Riff brought it back. This expression is Bottled-in-Bond, meaning it’s a minimum of 4 years old and 100 proof by law.

So, this blind essentially comes down to two different craft-whiskey strategies: Redwood Empire's source-and-blend philosophy versus New Riff's heirloom-grain, single-distillery approach. Does building around one rare, specific heirloom grain actually translate into a more distinctive (and enjoyable) glass, or does Redwood Empire's blending approach get you somewhere just as good, if not better? Let's find out!

***************

ABOUT Redwood Empire Emerald Giant

*From the Producer: Down a winding trail and along a meandering creek in the Redwood National Park rises the massive trunk of Emerald Giant. Yawning high above at over 360 feet, this August Sequoia is the fastest growing Redwood in the world, gaining over 50 cubic feet and more than 1500 pounds of mass each year.

Named after the fastest growing Redwood in the world, Emerald Giant is a fan favorite in the craft Rye whiskey world. Spicy with an exceptionally smooth finish, it is a great choice in your classic whiskey cocktails.

*Mash bill: 92% Rye, 5% Malted Barley, 3% Wheat

*Age Statement: 4 Years

*Proof: 90

ABOUT New Riff Balboa Rye

*From the Distillery: Balboa Rye is one of New Riff’s first “specialty whiskeys” and remains a fan favorite. As part of our distilling team’s creative exploration with heirloom grains, Balboa was among the first to showcase the distinctive character these grains can bring to whiskey.

The story began with our trusted corn farmer who introduced us to Balboa Rye, a variety originally popular in the 1940s. He had been growing it on his farm for years, keeping this heritage grain alive, and we saw an opportunity to transform it into something special. We distilled Balboa into rye whiskey, likely the first time in decades that this grain had been used to craft whiskey and quite surely the only example on the market today.

Aged to perfection at 4 years and Bottled In Bond Without Chill Filtration, Balboa Rye offers shimmering notes of spiced fruit that set it apart from our flagship rye. Over the years, it has become a highly anticipated release, celebrated for its rich history and exceptional taste.

*Mash bill: 95% Balboa Rye, 5% Malted Rye

*Age Statement: 4 Years

*Proof: 100

***************

REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes.

Appearance A: Light, orange-ish amber with fairly runny legs on the glass

Appearance B: Much darker, with an almost caramel coloring and slightly thicker legs

Nose A: Pretty light, primarily featuring rye and orange. There’s also some cinnamon and clove, to go with a touch of caramel.

Nose B: Darker and spicier, with more ethanol. Some red apple is there, along with clove, pepper, and some breadiness.

Palate A: Medium-thin mouthfeel with no burn. The overall experience is very light: rye spice is there at first, before giving way to caramel, citrus, and dill.

Palate B: Much thicker and spicier. Clove and anise are the main flavors, along with citrus and some rye breadiness that carries over from the nose.

Finish A: Fairly short, primarily featuring oak and dill with a touch of citrus.

Finish B: Medium-length and very spicy; also features some ethanol to go with a funky aftertaste.

Rating A: 6

Rating B: 5.4

Thoughts: Rye A is one I’d definitely give to folks who were interested in trying rye for the first time but who weren’t looking for a “bourbon-drinker’s rye,” if you know what I mean. Some people might find it to be too watered down and lacking in flavor, but I think it does what it sets out to do very well, providing a light dram that can be enjoyed at pretty much any time.

Rye B, on the other hand, is much heavier and darker, not to mention spicier: you’d need to be in the mood for a fairly intense pour, at least from a spice perspective, to appreciate this one. I tend to enjoy lighter and less intense pours unless I’m in a very specific mood, so I rated A a bit higher.

Prediction A: Redwood Empire

Prediction B: New Riff

********************

Actual A: Redwood Empire

Actual B: New Riff

More Thoughts: I’ve never tried a New Riff product that I really enjoyed, and this Balboa Rye is no different. It leans into a very spicy profile that doesn’t align well with my preferences. The Redwood Empire, on the other hand, had a lightness to it that kept it from being really memorable flavor-wise, but what was there was plenty enjoyable. I’m interested in trying some of Redwood’s higher-proof and more high-aged offerings, because this one suggests that what they’re working with has good bones. Either way, though, Redwood is the winner here for me today!

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
Buffalo Trace (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 109 r/bourbon

Review #84: Buffalo Trace

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Today, let’s go with a classic: Buffalo Trace, the distillery’s eponymous flagship expression. It bears no age statement, is built from the distillery's low-rye Mash Bill #1, and is bottled at a modest 90 proof. It shares its mash bill with heavier hitters like Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, and George T. Stagg, making it an entry point to that particular side of the Buffalo Trace family tree — and, quite frankly, it makes for a nice entry point to bourbon overall.

Depending on where you live, Buffalo Trace may be overpriced and, thanks to allocation silliness, it may not even be available. As we all know, in a normal world this would be a shelfer everywhere, and at its MSRP it should be a good budget option for sipping, sharing, and mixing. While things are finally beginning to normalize, Buffalo Trace was long another casualty of the broader bourbon boom – a bottle whose reputation and street price have at times outpaced what it was ever designed to be, which is a solid, unpretentious daily pour.

Let's see how it is!

From the Distillery: Buffalo Trace is our flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that carries over 200 years of heritage in every bottle. Made from the finest ingredients, it ages in new, charred oak barrels for many years in century-old warehouses until reaching its peak maturity.

Tasting Notes: This deep amber whiskey has a complex aroma of vanilla, mint and molasses. Pleasantly sweet to the taste with notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak, toffee, dark fruit and anise. The finish is long and smooth with serious depth.

Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

Proof: 90

Price: $49.99 (1L)

Appearance: Nice caramelly amber, with surprisingly decent legs on the glass.

Nose: Light and sweet, without any overpowering flavor notes. It’s mainly caramel and oak with some allspice thrown in for good measure. After it opens up a bit, I get a whiff of classic Buffalo Trace cherry. Once the glass is empty, the remaining scents are vanilla and leather.

Palate: Caramel, a little cherry, brown sugar, and some cinnamon … and that’s about it. The flavors are pleasant, although they’re pretty weak and watered down. There’s also no burn whatsoever.

Finish: Again, pleasant, but also short and lacking in flavor “punch” of any kind. The cherry and caramel carry over, along with some oak, but they’re very faint.

Thoughts: This was pretty much what I expected: a 90-proof shelfer that is great for beginners and in an Old Fashioned, but that’s not really going to wow anybody at any point on their bourbon journey. One thing I was a bit surprised by was how not sweet this was, given that this mash bill also produces liquid candy like Eagle Rare and E.H. Taylor.

Buffalo Trace frankly reminds me a bit of Weller C.Y.P.B., in that – while the flavors that are there are perfectly pleasant – there really isn’t all that much flavor to speak of overall.

I’ll probably blind this against Eagle Rare at some point just to confirm that relative lack of sweetness. I’ll probably also blind it against Elmer T. Lee in the future, for the purpose of comparing the 90-proof expressions from mash bills 1 and 2 to see which one is generally the most inoffensive.

Rating: Buffalo Trace was perfectly pleasant, so it’s easy to rate above whiskies that I just don’t really like. However, there’s also not all that much to grab onto here: it makes for a perfectly cromulent, and perfectly unremarkable, pour. In that light, it earns a 6 from me, a score that I also gave to 1792 BiB (a bottle to which I think it is pretty comparable).

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Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 70 r/bourbon

Review #83: Mister Sam Batch 4 vs. Found North 012 (blind battle of the blends!)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Here we have two premium blends, going head to head in a blind!

Mister Sam is Sazerac's tribute to Sam Bronfman, the Canadian businessman who built Seagram into the largest spirits company in the world and famously declared that "distilling is a science; blending is an art." The whiskey itself is blended by Drew Mayville, Sazerac's current master blender and, fittingly, the last man to hold that same title at Seagram's – a direct link back to Bronfman's own blending lineage. Needless to say, that's some pretty amazing clay from which to form a dynamite blend, and Batch 4 serves as the highest-proof Mister Sam expression yet.

Found North has the opposite kind of hype: it doesn't have the huge distillery name recognition of a Sazerac; it just has a reputation built one batch at a time. Founded by brothers Nick and Zach Taylor in 2021 as a non-distilling producer built entirely around sourcing exceptionally mature Canadian whisky and blending it into something new, Found North has leaned hard into transparency as a selling point, publishing exact component whiskies and ratios for every numbered release. This one, batch 012, comprises an 11-component blend of 16-to-22-year-old Canadian corn and rye, finished in a mix of new American and French oak (more specific details are below).

Both are cask strength, but the money tells two different stories. Mister Sam changes hands for between $1,000 and $2,000 on secondary (off a $250 retail price). Found North 012, on the other hand, retails for around $150 and doesn't have the secondary market value of higher-end Sazerac products like Mister Sam. In fact, when it comes to distribution, one of Found North's claims to fame is the direct access it provides to members of its mailing list.

So: blind, with the price tags and the hype stripped away, does Mister Sam's proof and pedigree actually taste like a whiskey worth many times its retail price? Does Found North's well-aged product hold up to Sazerac's powerhouse blend? Is one or both of these whiskies driven more by hype than by what's in the glass?

Let's and find out!

****************

ABOUT Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey (Batch 4)

*From the Distillery: Created to honor Sam Bronfman, or “Mister Sam,” as he was affectionately known, this blend was created by Sazerac’s Master Blender Drew Mayville whose career included 22 years at Seagram’s where he was the fourth and final Master Blender under the Seagram dynasty. Mayville had an arsenal of Sazerac’s best American and Canadian Whiskey stocks at his disposal while developing Mister Sam. This project holds a special place in Mayville’s heart, a native Canadian now living in Kentucky. “Creating Mister Sam has been one of the highlights of my career,” said Mayville.

Montreal served as the headquarters of the legendary Seagram Company and its patriarch Sam Bronfman. The ties between Sam Bronfman’s Seagram’s Company and The Sazerac Company span nearly 80 years, when Sazerac’s owners became one of the first distributors of Seagram brands in the United States, forging a long-lasting relationship between the two companies. Today, Sazerac owns 15 former Seagram’s brands including the iconic Seagram’s V.O., Seagram’s Five Star, and Seagram’s ’83, along with its own Distillery in Montreal.

Despite Sam Bronfman’s humble origins as an immigrant to Canada from Imperial Russia in the late 1800s, Bronfman would go on to propel Seagram’s into the then largest and most successful distilled spirits company in the world. Relentlessly focused on making and blending the finest whiskies possible, maintaining the highest quality standards in the industry, creating cutting edge packaging to appeal to consumers and driving incessant product innovation, “Mister Sam” created some of the world’s most iconic spirit brands while at the helm of the Seagram’s empire until his death in 1971.

The first release of “Mister Sam blended whiskey in 2019 was lauded by spirits industry heavyweights and received several prestigious industry awards. Highly regarded spirits reviewer and author F. Paul Pacult gave it Five Stars and noted that it is “An Instant Classic” with a finish “that’s hugely satisfying.” Davin deKergommeaux, a foremost expert on Canadian Whisky, noted “Mister Sam” was one of the greatest whiskey achievements he had ever tasted. The initial release also earned a Gold Medal at the 2020 and 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a Gold Medal (96 points) at the 2020 International Wine and Spirits Competition, and Best Blended Whiskey in the 2021 World Whiskies Award.

*Age Statement: NAS

*Proof: 131.08

*Price: MSRP is $250, but it goes for $1,000 or more on secondary

ABOUT Found North Batch 012

*From the Producer: At the heart of Batch 012 is a 16-year corn component matured for 11 months in lower-warehouse conditions in ISC Cooper's Reserve, 24-Month Air-Seasoned, Heavy Toast, Char #2 New American Oak. It presented a savory, lightly phenolic and high-vanillin profile notably distinct from previous Batches.

All of the 11 components, ranging from 16 to 22 years old, were critical to the blend, but these three anchor the new wood profile. Layered together, they form a burnt brown sugar and roasted marshmallow quality that sets the course for the entire blend:

- 2009 Corn in ISC Cooper's Reserve, 24-Month Air-Seasoned, Heavy Toast, Char #2 New American Oak
- 2003 Corn in Kelvin Heavy Toast, Char #1 New American Oak
- 2004 Rye in Chevalier Heavy Toast, Char #3 New American Oak

Because the 2009 corn component aged in 24-Month Air-Seasoned, Heavy Toast, Char #2 ISC casks was a treasure. The smoldering toasted notes allowed our blending team to take Batch 012 and give it the distinctiveness that we always search for with our Batches.

“Component blends” have become a key part of our process. We have found that components often benefit from blending before we rerack them. 5 of the 11 components in Batch 012 were part of a component blend that we aged in Heavily Toasted French Oak:

- 16yr corn in New American Oak, ISC 24-month Air-Seasoned, Heavy Toast, Char #2
- 20yr corn in Used American Oak
- 20yr corn in New American Oak, ISC 24-month Air-Seasoned, Heavy Toast, Char #2
- 22yr corn in New American Oak, Kelvin Heavy Toast, Char #1
- 20yr rye in Used American Oak

The other 6 components were:

- 16yr corn in New American Oak, ISC 24-month Air-Seasoned, Heavy Toast, Char #2
- 20yr corn in New American Oak, ISC 18-month Air-Seasoned, Heavy Toast, Char #2
- 22yr corn in New American Oak, Medium Toast, Char #2
- 22yr corn in New American Oak, Kelvin Heavy Toast, Char #1
- 20yr rye in New American Oak, Chevalier Heavy Toast, Char #3
- 22yr rye in Used American Oak

*Age Statement: 16 Years

*Proof: 128.2

*Price: $149.99

*******************

REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes.

Appearance A: Deep, dark caramel; relatively viscous, with very nice legs.

Appearance B: A slightly lighter shade, more amber-like. Also appears fairly thick.

Nose A: Grape and stonefruit meet graham cracker crust and buttercream, with a little bit of chocolate-covered cherry thrown in. After a bit of time, caramel rises to the surface, along with that chocolate note – it’s like a Rollo candy or a slightly-sweeter Heath bar. Once the glass is empty, the remaining notes are primarily leather and sweet caramel.

Nose B: Slightly lighter, as well as fruitier. It’s also simultaneously floral and vegetal, with the former coming on first and the latter following on. After a bit of time, some red fruit appears (primarily sweet cherry), along with a bit of spice, including cinnamon and clove. The vegetal note, though, stays strong through all of this. It’s still there once the glass is empty, where it combines with a pleasant oakiness.

Palate A: Proof burn right off the bat, behind which is a wave of flavor – this really is a “flavor bomb.” Cherries pop right away, after which I get cinnamon, allspice, and plenty of oak. Other stonefruits – primarily apricot – also rise up on the mid-palate, along with graham cracker and plenty of dark chocolate.

Palate B: Wow, this is completely different! A wave of sweet, buttery caramel hits the front of the palate right away, which is very nice. The caramel is immediately followed by graham cracker and some spices – particularly cinnamon, but also some nutmeg and allspice. This, in turn, shifts into a very strong set of vegetal notes on the mid-palate, like roasted kale and steamed broccoli. That’s…different.

Finish A: Very long, with lots of oak, as well as some leather and tobacco. The sweet notes mostly fade away, although they’re not completely gone: a touch of cherry resurfaces on the aftertaste, to be followed by a lasting note of tannins and dark caramel.

Finish B: Also pretty long. The strong vegetal profile carries over into the finish and the aftertaste, leaving me feeling like I’m tasting the remnants of a side dish of broccoli that I had at dinner. This eventually settles a bit onto a less-vegetal aftertaste, which is comprised mostly of oak tannins, some floral notes, and a bit of the caramel from the palate.

Rating A: 8.6

Rating B: 7

Thoughts: Glass A didn’t have the thin floral or vegetal notes that I associate with Canadian whisky (which I don’t love). Instead, it was robust and full of flavors that were balanced very well with each other and with the oak that was so notable on the palate and finish. I really enjoyed pretty much every aspect of it, aside from the initial kick in the mouth provided by the proof (as I’ve said many times, I’m not a proof chaser by any means!). However, that proof point also made this into a true “flavor bomb,” in the best way.

On glass B, the initial wave of sweetness was very nice and enjoyable, as was the second wave of flavor, which was primarily made up of spices. However, the strong vegetal notes that followed aren’t so much ones that I associate with good whiskey as they are ones that I associate with side dishes at dinner. I didn’t necessarily see this pour going in that direction, and it wasn’t as pleasant as it could have been.

Prediction A: Mister Sam 4

Prediction B: Found North 012

********************

Actual A: Mister Sam 4

Actual B: Found North 012

More Thoughts: This didn’t end up being a very close match at all, did it? Mister Sam absolutely dominated, and quite frankly I would have been both surprised and disappointed if it hadn’t, given its ultra-premium status and the fact that this blend can be made up of the absolute best that Sazerac has to offer. The initial burn, followed immediately by a powerful burst of cherry, reminded me right away of sampling the 2025 William Larue Weller (which may well be a part of this blend!). I didn’t love WLW overall, but that burn-followed-by-wave-of-flavor experience has definitely stuck with me since I tried it many months ago. The rest of the palate, and the scents left in the empty glass, have elements that remind me of another high-proof Buffalo Trace offering that I like: Blanton’s SFTB. Who knows? That too may be a part of this blend!

I enjoyed this Found North offering when I reviewed it on its own, but here it was up against a powerhouse that it just couldn’t measure up to. That’s not to say that it’s a bad pour, so much as it isn’t – to my taste, at least – anywhere near the same league as Mister Sam. I realize that Mister Sam is generally unobtainium, but if you do ever get a chance to try it, I really, really recommend it.

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 171 r/bourbon

Review #82: Stagg 25B vs. Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

This blind features two uncut, unfiltered bourbons facing off against each other. Both come from Buffalo Trace, and both carry steep price tags in stores and on the secondary market. Where they primarily diverge is in bottling philosophy and mash bill.

Stagg (formerly Stagg Junior) is a blend of barrels built from low-rye Mash Bill #1, which is also used by stalwarts like Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, and George T. Stagg.

Blanton's Straight From the Barrel, on the other hand — which is the highest-proof entry in the Blanton's family — is a true single-barrel expression that comes from Mash Bill #2, the higher-rye recipe that also underlies fellow single barrel bourbons like Elmer T. Lee and Rock Hill Farms.

This blind also carries a bit of unfinished business with it: Stagg has always bothered me, as there’s a flavor note I can't quite put a name to that shows up and dominates the profile. I’ve even tried using Stagg as a mixer (I know, I know) in an effort to mask that taste, and it hasn’t worked. It's some kind of "funky" character, of the type some drinkers embrace and others (like me, apparently) find overwhelming and distasteful. What I still don't know is whether that note is baked into Stagg generally, whether it's tied to specific batches (I've picked it up on both 25B and 25D), or whether it's something that might fade into the background when paired with another whiskey, as I'm doing here.

That's where Blanton's Straight From the Barrel comes in. It's a good test case precisely because I already know that I enjoy it: SFTB earned an 8 in my stand-alone review, one of the higher scores I've given out.

So: does Stagg's "funk" note stay quiet when poured alongside Blanton’s? Or does it show up with a vengeance, potentially souring the whole pairing? Let's set up the blind and find out!

*******************

ABOUT Stagg 25B

*From the Distillery: Stagg is a barrel-proof bourbon that’s uncut, unapologetic and aged in charred white oak barrels for eight years. Released without filtering or dilution, it offers a bold, full-strength experience for those who appreciate whiskey in its most powerful form.

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

*Age Statement: 8 Years

*Proof: 126.9

ABOUT Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel

*From the Distillery: Not just one of the world’s best bourbons – this Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon is Blanton’s at its purest and most powerful. Created for connoisseurs of cask-strength whiskey, Straight From The Barrel is uncut, unfiltered and bottled directly from the barrel. The high alcohol by volume is intense and powerful, yet inviting. Unfiltered, uncut, unbelievable.

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #2 (high rye)

*Age Statement: NAS

*Proof: 125.3

*******************

REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes.

Appearance A: Rich, dark, orange-ish amber; thick and oily-looking.

Appearance B: Almost identical to A, except with a bit more orange in the hue.

Nose A: Ethanol first and foremost – so much that I’m having trouble getting past it to find other notes. Eventually I find what may be some cola and dark chocolate hiding behind the proof heat. There’s also a note that I don’t particularly care for, which smells sort of like sweaty socks.

Nose B: Also a big blast of ethanol, but as that fades I get caramel and some orange peel. After a bit more nosing I also get some classic Buffalo Trace cherry pie.

Palate A: Hot! Some of the flavors that hit right away are dark cherry and cola, along with vanilla and cinnamon. This part is nice. What’s not nice is another note, which I associate primarily with Stagg and which I just don’t like. It’s the one that I called “sweaty socks” on the nose.

Palate B: Nice and viscous, if also pretty astringent. Cherry is there, along with lots of caramel, oak, and orange zest, as well as a hint of cola, but they’re hiding behind quite a bit of proof heat! All in all, this is quite the concentrated “flavor bomb.” It frankly tastes like Blanton’s, but with a lot less water and a lot more flavor.

Finish A: Astringent and earthy, with some dark cherry and lots of spice (primarily cinnamon and clove).

Finish B: Pretty hot, but also lengthy and flavorful. Oak is the main feature here, along with lesser amounts of vanilla, citrus, and cinnamon.

Rating A: 6.3

Rating B: 8.3

Thoughts: This one is pretty easy to predict, and pretty easy to rank. Glass A had that singular note in every pour that I’ve now identified as smelling and tasting like gym socks. There’s no question in my mind, based on that note, that it’s the Stagg. That being said – and it may sound silly – A was actually pretty good other than that part. Glass B, on the other hand, drank the way high-proof fans say this type of bourbon should: it had concentrated flavors in spades, and was very enjoyable outside of its proof heat.

Prediction A: Stagg 25B

Prediction B: Blanton’s SFTB

****************

Actual A: Stagg 25B

Actual B: Blanton’s SFTB

More Thoughts: I really tried to give Stagg another chance here, but the “gym socks” note is such a turn-off. I’m still not certain what it actually is; perhaps an earthiness combined with cola and leather? Either way, it’s the reason this bottle rates so low for me, and it’s also the reason I almost never reach for it.

Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel, on the other hand, continues to not disappoint. It was viscous and had super-concentrated flavors that were really enjoyable, like drinking a high-proof Werther caramel candy with a cherry on top. I’m definitely going to keep reaching for this one when I’m in the mood for a high-proof “flavor bomb,” and I highly recommend it to anybody else who wants great flavor and doesn’t mind some proof in their whiskey!

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Found North 012 (8)
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8.2)
Blanton’s SFTB (8.3)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.5)
E.H. Taylor BTAC 2025 (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 188 r/bourbon

Review #81: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection: E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond (2025)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Since 2006, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection has been made up of five ultra-premium whiskies: WIlliam Larue Weller, George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare 17, Sazerac 18, and Thomas H. Handy. That changed this past fall, when E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond joined the lineup as the sixth BTAC release, marking the collection's 25th anniversary with its first genuine expansion since Thomas H. Handy came aboard 20 years ago.

On paper, it’s a fitting addition, as the Taylor name is one of Buffalo Trace’s biggest and most expansive. Like most EHT offerings, this expression is built on Buffalo Trace's low-rye Mash Bill #1 (the same one used for Eagle Rare and George T. Stagg) and bottled at exactly 100 proof by law thanks to its Bottled-in-Bond status. Unlike its peers, though, this Taylor is aged 15 years 4 months — the longest of any EHT except the elusive 18 Year Marriage expression.

That's a genuinely long rest for a BiB bourbon, especially since bonded whiskey seems to be skewing younger every day. Holding barrels this long means eating years of evaporation losses (in this case, 62% went to the angel’s share) and running a real risk of tipping into over-oaked, tannic territory before the whiskey ever makes it to the bottling line. Whether Buffalo Trace threaded that needle successfully, or whether this is just old bourbon that got lucky with a seriously high-priced label, is a question this bottle has to answer for itself.

Let's see if the newest member of the BTAC family really belongs in that company!

From the Distillery: E.H. Taylor Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon is the first new addition to the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection since Thomas H. Handy joined the portfolio in 2006. Aged 15 years and 4 months in the Distillery’s warehouses and hand-bottled at 100 proof to meet Bottled-In-Bond standards.

We have hand-selected our very best available barrels to produce the finest possible whiskey. This release pays tribute to Taylor’s pursuit of perfection and his pivotal role in passing The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. That piece of legislation cemented Taylor’s reputation as the Father of Modern Bourbon and set in motion a quality standard for whiskey that was more rigorous and exacting than any standard set before or since.

The crystal-clear glass bottle we’ve chosen showcases the whiskey’s gorgeous amber color. The back label provides a full product description for you to read while enjoying a taste. Every bottle was hand-bottled and labeled to ensure the highest quality finish.

The nose opens with warm vanilla, seasoned oak, charred undertones, and a drizzle of maple sweetness. On the palate, balanced sweetness and baking spices mingle with gentle wood note. The lingering finish carries oak and vanilla into soft caramel with a hint of cherry.

Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

Filtration: Chill Filtered

Release Year: 2025

Age Statement: 15 Years, 4 Months

Proof: 100

Appearance: Deep amber; neither oily nor terribly viscous

Nose: Grape, cinnamon, allspice, and buttercream frosting all hit the nose at first. Behind this is a wave of cherry pie, the slightest hint of mint, and caramel vanilla. It’s a very nice, balanced, and nicely-aged smelling nose.

Palate: Not very oily or viscous, as expected, but also no proof burn whatsoever. The grape and cherry carry over along with some toasted sugar, while buttercream, cinnamon, and caramel really pop on the mid-palate. There’s also plenty of oakiness.

Finish: Medium-length with lots of oak. It’s neither overly tannic nor overly drying, though, and is quickly balanced out by other flavors. Some of the spices carry over, and are joined by caramel-vanilla and leather.

Thoughts: This pour was an absolute pleasure. I'm picking nits in a major way to find a complaint, but if I have to list one, it's the oakiness on the finish. It's not like that was bad, either; it was just — for a very short period of time — a little strong and the slightest bit sour. That was quickly balanced out by the sweet and spicy notes from the palate, leaving a very pleasant aftertaste. The rest of the experience was just outstanding, and not in a "this is only a bottle for special occasions" way; rather, this is a bottle that some friends and I could easily kill in one sitting (much to our wallets’ chagrin!). In my opinion, even up to three times MSRP this is worth at least considering for purchase, if not an auto-buy (depending on your personal budget, of course).

Rating: The latest addition to the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is really, really good. It strikes me as being the slightest bit less sweet and more oaky than the Small Batch, as you’d expect from a bourbon’s more mature cousin, but it also drank like something that was greater than the sum of its parts. It would have been interesting to see how an uncut and unfiltered E.H. Taylor BTAC would have been, but what we have here is plenty enjoyable as it is. For me, it rates an 8.7: it really is Quite Exceptional.

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Found North 012 (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8)
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8.2)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.5)
E.H. Taylor BTAC (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 79 r/bourbon

Review #80: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs. Penelope Marshmallow Toast (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Two producers, one trick: take a bourbon that's already fully matured in a standard charred oak barrel, then dump it into a second barrel – this one toasted rather than charred – for a finishing period that’s meant to coax out sweeter, dessert-like oak notes without piling on more char bitterness. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel does this with Heaven Hill's own Small Batch, bottled at an easygoing 94 proof and priced to be an everyday bottle. Penelope's Marshmallow Toast takes the same basic concept and cranks it up: sourced whiskey, aged 4 to 5 years, finished in a heavy Char 3 toast barrel, and bottled uncut at cask strength – 110 proof, no dilution.

So this isn't really "toasted vs. charred" — both of these are playing the same finishing game. It's a question of execution and intensity: does Penelope's higher proof and heavier toast actually deliver more complexity, or does Elijah Craig's gentler, cheaper expression have essentially the same effect? Let's blind them and find out!

*******************

ABOUT Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

*From the Distillery: Made to honor the innovative spirit of Elijah Craig, this twice-barreled expression takes our award-winning Small Batch Bourbon to new heights. After it’s fully matured, we finish it in a second, custom toasted barrel, where it picks up an added layer of sweet oak complexity. Charred to start. Toasted to finish. Toasted Barrel relies on a custom finishing process that adds an extra layer of sweet oak complexity to our Bourbon.

*Mash bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye

*Age Statement: NAS

*Proof: 94

ABOUT Penelope Marshmallow Toast

*From the Producer: Our Toasted Series is a testament to the power of serendipity. When we began to explore toasted finishes, we weren’t expecting each barrel to be so different — so we decided to embrace this variety of chars and toasts that make every bottle in our Toasted Series truly one-of-a-kind. After full maturation in charred new American oak barrels, Penelope Bourbon is finished in a new, hand-toasted barrel. While it can be hard to predict the flavor profile of each bottle in our Toasted Series, the deep notes of vanilla imbued by the toasting process add another dimension to our signature flavor profile.

*Mash bill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley

*Age Statement:

*Proof: 110

***************

REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes.

Appearance A: Dark amber; almost mahogany. Appears fairly viscous.

Appearance B: Slightly lighter amber but still darker than average, with a bit of orange tint. Seems less oily and viscous than A.

Nose A: Lots of leather and a bit of both vanilla and chocolate. Very sweet, with almost no spice on the nose at all. Once the glass is empty, it’s primarily young leather and grass.

Nose B: Slightly earthier and with more ethanol up front than on A. Oak is initially paired with mild scents of vanilla, cinnamon, and a touch of chocolate, after which before more of a marshmallow/creme brûlée-type note comes through. Once the glass is empty, the main remaining scent is mainly toasted marshmallow.

Palate A: The palate is similar to the nose, albeit with some burn on the front end. Vanilla and caramel stand out the most, with a bit of baking spice (primarily cinnamon and allspice) rounding out the flavors on the mid-palate.

Palate B: Thicker and velvetier mouthfeel than A, along with less ethanol than I expected given the nose. Lots of vanilla and a little caramel hit on the front of the palate, after which the caramel increases and some cinnamon, chocolate, and toasted marshmallow join the party.

Finish A: Some grassiness or youngish grain notes are the main features, followed by a decent amount of vanilla, barrel char, and allspice.

Finish B: Slightly astringent at first. The main notes are dark chocolate and marshmallow, along with some leather.

Rating A: 5.8

Rating B: 6.8

Thoughts: I enjoyed B more than I enjoyed A, for a couple reasons. First, there was more of a dessert-type profile to it (which was balanced nicely by the proof, thickness, and some slightly darker flavors). The second was because of something it lacked: the grassy note I always seem to pick up on with Elijah Craig bourbons. I don’t love that note: it’s why I rated A so much lower than B, despite other aspects of A being perfectly enjoyable, and it’s also why I’m guessing that A is ECTB and B is the Penelope.

Prediction A: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Prediction B: Penelope Marshmallow Toast

********************

Actual A: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Actual B: Penelope Marshmallow Toast

More Thoughts: No surprise here, I guess: Penelope had the promised marshmallow flavor on both palate and finish, with a nicely toasted profile that wasn’t overwhelming at all. I think that this is a nice dessert-ish bourbon which is sweet but not cloying, and I’d be interested to see how it stands up in a blind to something like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. I’d also like to try it in a chocolate Old Fashioned!

As to the Elijah Craig: this brand continues to disappoint me a bit. As I noted above, there’s a green-grassy note I get on their bourbons that really doesn’t speak to me. It’s sort of like the funk you get in a wheated bourbon, but less mature and developed than that. It’s also unexpected, given that this isn’t a wheater. Whether that note results from their lack of age or from all that barley in the mash bill, it’s been a consistent note for me across their expressions, from Barrel Proof to this Toasted offering.

Ultimately, I won’t be reaching for the ECTB very often in the future, but I probably will be checking out this Penelope offering a bit more often, even if only at dessert time, as it was surprisingly good overall!

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 250 r/bourbon

Review #79: Weller Craft Your Perfect Bourbon (C.Y.P.B.)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Most bourbons get their identity from a master distiller's palate or from a family recipe passed down through generations. This addition to the famed Weller Rainbow, on the other hand, got its identity from … a spreadsheet.

As most of you already know, in 2015 Buffalo Trace turned the question of "what makes a perfect bourbon" over to the internet, building an online survey that let more than 100,000 consumers vote on elements like mash bill, warehouse placement, age, and proof. The results, according to the distillery, converged on a wheated recipe that was aged for 8 years near the top of the rickhouse and bottled at 95 proof. What came out the other side was is a bottle carrying the same wheated DNA as the rest of the Weller lineup that is so relentlessly chased on the secondary market — but built by committee, rather than by craft.

As a result, evaluating this bourbon requires considering more than just its nose, palate, and finish. It’s also a question of whether crowdsourcing a bourbon recipe actually produces something that’s worth the hunt and the sometimes-insane price tag (I’ve seen it in stores for up to $500!), or whether that process just gets you the most inoffensive whiskey possible, ultimately pleasing nobody in an effort to please everybody.

I’ve never tried C.Y.P.B. before, so I’m curious to dive in and see what the answers to those questions might be!

From the Distillery: Born from a “Craft Your Perfect Bourbon” consumer survey, this 95-proof expression reflects what bourbon lovers asked for: a wheated recipe, aged on the highest warehouse floors and bottled at an approachable strength.

Age: 8 years

Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #3 (Wheated)

Proof: 95

Price: $69.99 at MSRP; insane in stores and at secondary

Appearance: Nice amber color that largely matches the rest of the Weller lineup. Medium-ish thickness, and not very oily (no surprise, as this whiskey is chill filtered).

Nose: Very light. There’s more to it than there is to, say, Weller Special Reserve, but it’s definitely not knocking you over with scents here (either in strength or in notes). I’m mostly getting orange, along with some leather, vanilla, graham cracker, and a touch of grape. Once the glass is empty, leather is the primary remaining note.

Palate: Also very light, in terms of both mouthfeel and flavors. No proof burn at all, as you’d expect given the fact that it clocks in at just 95º. I’m getting some leathery oak right off the bat, along with some wheat. The citrus also carries over from the nose, and is joined by a classic Buffalo Trace note of cherry pie filling.

Finish: Not overly long, but not nonexistent either. I primarily get wheat, some slightly drying oak, and vanilla, with the oak lingering the longest. Once that sour-ish flavor starts to fade, there’s a remnant of orange zest, a touch of tobacco, and some nice leather.

Thoughts: Perhaps the best name for this would have been “Craft Your Perfectly Good Bourbon.” I found it to be perfectly enjoyable, both in terms of proof and of flavors, but what I didn’t find it to be was remarkable in any way. It lacked the flavor of other Wellers like Antique 107 and Full Proof, while its asking price is well above what I’ve seen those for.

In other words, Weller’s Craft Your Perfect Bourbon expression wasn’t Perfect by any means. That isn’t to say that it isn’t good – frankly, it was plenty good — but when you have a bourbon with the word “Perfect” in its name (which goes for $300-$500 at stores and on secondary!), you want more than that. A lot more, in fact. This, unfortunately, didn’t deliver on that promise.

Rating: This clocks in at a 7.2 for me: I’ll give it an “Above Average,” but as I said, the claim of Perfection – plus the secondary/store price – militates against “above average” being good enough here. I do recommend it at MSRP, but there’s no reason to go crazy hunting or overpaying for this whiskey.

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Stagg 25B (5.3)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Pursuit United DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Weller CYPB (7.2)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 26 r/bourbon

Review #78: Sagamore 9-year Single Barrel Rye vs. Copper & Cask 8-year ‘Boston Rum Party’ Rye (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Here we have two independent bottlers with very different philosophies for turning sourced rye into something distinctive.

Copper & Cask's Boston Rum Party takes an 8-year rye and finishes it in rum casks for over a year — a limited, 2,000-bottle release tied to America's 250th anniversary, bottled at a hefty 120.2 proof, aiming for cinnamon spice softened by rum-cask sweetness.

Sagamore's approach is entirely different: their 9-year Single Barrel program takes one barrel of high-rye and blends it with low-rye juice, letting Maryland-style blending — not a secondary cask — do the work of shaping the final profile, landing in this case at 110 proof.

Same general age, same rye-whiskey foundation, but two competing theories on how to make sourced rye stand out: dress it up with an outside cask, or lean into a house blending technique. Poured blind, let's see which philosophy comes out on top!

***************

ABOUT Sagamore 9-Year Single Barrel Rye

*From the Producer: It’s all about the barrel. The Sagamore Barrel Select Program is a unique 9-year-old Maryland-Style straight rye whiskey. This whiskey is crafted using a single barrel of high-rye whiskey that is expertly blended with a low-rye whiskey mash bill by our distilling team. No two expressions taste the same and you are guaranteed to enjoy a one-of-a-kind product. In a copy-paste world, our Barrel Select Program offers independence and individuality. Find your flavor and share its spirit.

*Mash bill: Combination of 95% rye/5% malted barley and 51% rye/43% corn/4% malted barley (MGP)

*Age Statement: 9 Years

*Proof: 110

ABOUT Copper & Cask 8-year ‘Boston Rum Party’ Rye

*From the Distillery: This rye is a blend of two rye lots -- one aged for 8 years and the other for 10 years. Both have a mash bill of 95% rye, 5% malted barley. The whiskey was finished in rum barrels for over a year. For this release, we wanted to find rum barrels that would complement the bold, spicy character of our rye with a sweeter, softer tone. The result is a bold yet approachable whiskey that is full of flavor with plenty of cinnamon spice and just the perfect amount of rum influence.

*Mash bill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley (MGP)

*Age Statement: 8 years (blend of 8 and 10 year whiskeys)

*Proof: 120.2

*******************

REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes.

Appearance A: Light, coppery amber. Not terribly oily, and the legs are pretty runny.

Appearance B: Nice dark honey color. Seems a touch more viscous, with better legs on the glass.

Nose A: Grape, vanilla, and confectioners sugar. A touch of rye and some sweet cherry, like pie filling.

Nose B: Deeper, darker, and stronger than A. More oak along with caramel and créme brûlée. Some grape and cherry also eventually rise to the surface.

Palate A: Medium mouthfeel. Rye spice hits right away, along with some grape, cardboard, and proof heat. On the mid-palate, there’s some citrus – like orange peel – along with a little mint.

Palate B: The first thing I notice here is astringency. After a couple sips, a few flavors start peeking out, including some rye breadiness and maybe a touch of caramel, but it’s really hard to get past all that ethanol, both at the front and on the mid-palate.

Finish A: Relatively short. Rye spice, citrus, and mint to start, although strong dill and sour oak notes quickly take over and remain front and center through the aftertaste.

Finish B: Short and sharp. After more ethanol burn, what’s left is mostly mint and dill, with just a touch of that breadiness from the palate.

Rating A: 6.3

Rating B: 5.3

Thoughts: Surprisingly, these two ryes weren’t all that close to each other. A clearly had more flavor from nose to finish (although the finish was its weakest part), while B – after a nice nose – took me on a journey through an ethanol forest, with little to offer aside from significant astringency.

While I would have put money on the Sagamore being the better of the two before this blind started, my guesses as to which is which are going in a different direction. I’m going out on a limb here, though, because historically I’ve really enjoyed Sagamore and haven’t been as big a fan of this (or any) C&C expression. The primary reasons for this are that the appearance and nose of B remind me of previous encounters with the Sagamore, while those same elements of A remind me more of the Copper & Cask.

Prediction A: Copper & Cask

Prediction B: Sagamore Single Barrel

****************

Actual A: Copper & Cask

Actual B: Sagamore Single Barrel

More Thoughts: I’m very disappointed in the Sagamore. Previously it was among my favorite ryes, with a 7.4 rating. The Copper & Cask ‘Boston Rum Party,’ on the other hand, was in the 6s along with the rest of C&C’s expressions, all of which have tended to drink hot (to me), and none of which have typically struck me as being masterpieces of blending. While neither the Sagamore nor the Copper & Cask was truly excellent here, the latter was still superior by a pretty wide margin.

Surprisingly, almost all I got from the Sagamore was ethanol, despite going back for sip after sip in hopes of picking up some of the notes that I so enjoyed when I drank it on its own (and when I blinded it against the Willett 4-year –– a blind which the Sagamore absolutely dominated). Eventually, I’ll go back to the Sagamore on its own once again to see what happened and whether I still really enjoy it as much as I thought I did, but for today, Copper & Cask wins going away.

I do wonder whether the experience would have been different had their order been reversed, but that’s how blinds go – you don’t get to pick the order!

********************
Previous Ratings

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Stagg 25B (5.3)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
1792 BiB SiB (5.5)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6.3)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Pursuit United DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6.5)
Elijah Craig Toasted (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Weller Full Proof (7.6)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Found North 012 (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8)
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8.2)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.5)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 68 r/bourbon

Review #77: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

I’m generally a fan of toasted bourbons – particularly the sweet, vanilla-forward flavor they usually feature. I’ve reviewed a couple here already (Penelope Marshmallow Toast and Peerless Toasted), and now it’s time to try out Elijah Craig’s Toasted Barrel bourbon.

As you probably know, this expression takes the brand's Small Batch — already matured in the traditional #3 char — and dumps it back into a second barrel for a finishing period. That second barrel isn't charred, but toasted, a process meant to bring out sweet, dark-sugar oak notes without piling on more of the harsh char flavor a standard barrel could add. It's Heaven Hill's answer to the finished-whiskey trend that's shown up all over the category, from Woodford Double Oaked to Michter's Toasted Barrel Finish, and at 94 proof and a genuinely reasonable price point, it's positioned as an easy, affordable way to see what a second, gentler barrel actually does to an already-good bourbon.

The question, then, is whether that second trip through the barrel adds real complexity, or if it layers on sweetness without much underneath it. Let's find out!

From the Distillery: Made to honor the innovative spirit of Elijah Craig, this twice-barreled expression takes our award-winning Small Batch Bourbon to new heights. After it’s fully matured, we finish it in a second, custom toasted barrel, where it picks up an added layer of sweet oak complexity.

Charred to start. Toasted to finish. Toasted Barrel relies on a custom finishing process that adds an extra layer of sweet oak complexity to our Bourbon.

Tasting notes: Lots of toasted oak with rich caramel. Big, rich, and complex. Delightful spice and pepper notes fade to milk chocolate with just a hint of smoke. Nicely warming, with lingering chocolate and baking spices.

Proof: 94

Mash bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye

Age Statement: NAS

Price: $54.99

Appearance: Nice deep amber; not terribly oily or viscous-looking. The legs on the glass are pretty runny.

Nose: Lots and lots of vanilla, along with plenty of toasted (young-smelling) oak. Also some cherry pie notes, maybe a little graham cracker, and not much else.

Palate: Once again, loads of vanilla, as well as a hint of chocolate. There’s also an almost grassy, youngish-grain note (which I also picked up on ECBP C925), along with sweet cherry that carries over from the nose. There’s not a lot of complexity here: those flavors fade primarily into oak on the mid-palate, and that stays with you through the finish.

Finish: The faintest hint of red fruit is there, as well as a touch of remaining vanilla, but like I said above the oak from the mid-palate stays with you through the finish. It’s not too sour, but it’s also not a sweet oakiness by any means. On the aftertaste, a bit more of the fruit, vanilla, and chocolate find their way to the surface, but the youngish grain and oak are still the main remaining flavors.

Thoughts: This had some highs and lows. I really like vanilla and sweetness, and it provided some of that, but there were also elements that frankly seemed underdone. The grassy/young-grain note that I picked up on the palate reminds me a bit of the C925 barrel proof that I reviewed before, which definitely needed more aging. This too seems like it could have done with more seasoning in the barrel.

All in all, I think this was a perfectly fine toasted bourbon, but it wasn’t a world-beater by any means. Perhaps a blind against Peerless’s toasted expression will help solidify my thoughts about this, so look for that review before too long. In the meantime, I have to say that this is a bourbon that I’ll be offering to others who like low-proof toasted more than it is one that I’ll be reaching or myself, at least with any frequency.

Rating: Elijah Craig Toasted Bourbon was fine, but it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped. I give it a 6.5 rating, between “Very Good” and “Great,” thanks to that young, green flavor that sticks with you throughout the sip. That’s a perfectly respectable rating, but I wish it could have been higher.

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Stagg 25B (5.3)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
1792 BiB SiB (5.5)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Pursuit United DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6.5)
Elijah Craig Toasted (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Weller Full Proof (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Buffalo Trace LEP Wheat 15yr (7.6)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 201 r/whisky+1 crossposts

Review #76: E.H. Taylor Small Batch vs. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Right off the bat, I need to make a confession: as I’ve noted at least once before, I have a problem with the small batch/single barrel concept. Conventional wisdom tends to hold that single barrels are superior to small batches of the same whiskey. Logically speaking, though, it seems to me that the opposite should be true, because the blending involved in the small batch gives the distillery the opportunity to ensure that every bottle is on the intended profile, every time. Single barrels, to me, are a risk precisely because they don’t afford that safety net. Now, in theory that risk wouldn’t matter, since the barrels selected for the Single Barrel expression are presumably chosen specifically because they’re exemplars of the intended profile (in which case my logical concern wouldn’t necessarily apply). However, I remain skeptical, and am looking forward to testing both theories in this blind.

In essence, then, this competition is less about picking a winner and more about testing the theory itself: does single-barrel expression actually produce something more distinctive and enjoyable than a well-blended batch, or are Buffalo Trace's blenders good enough that the difference barely shows? Poured blind, side by side, let's find out which philosophy actually wins the glass!

***************

ABOUT E.H. Taylor Small Batch

*From the Distillery: Handcrafted in small batches and aged in the century-old warehouses built by Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr., this bourbon reflects his unwavering pursuit of perfection. Each barrel is carefully selected and blended to create a whiskey of exceptional balance, depth, and character. A true sipping bourbon, it honors the uncompromising legacy of E.H. Taylor, Jr.

*Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

*Age Statement: NAS

*Proof: 100

ABOUT E.H. Taylor Single Barrel

*From the Distillery: Aged in the historic Warehouse C, built by Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. in 1885 and renowned for its exceptional aging conditions, each barrel is carefully chosen for its individual character and depth. Bottled in Bond at 100 proof, this bourbon reflects Taylor’s uncompromising standards and timeless craftsmanship, offering a one-of-a-kind expression worthy of his name.

*Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

*Age Statement: NAS

*Proof: 100

***************

REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes.

Appearance A: Nice caramel shade of amber; not terribly oily

Appearance B: Perhaps a slightly lighter shade of amber, but it’s tough to tell; they could honestly be exactly the same

Nose A: Deep, rich caramel and confectioners sugar, with some underlying oak. Very nice and balanced.

Nose B: Starts off with a huge whiff of medicinal grape. Under that is some caramel, vanilla, oak and perhaps a bit of cherry pie.

Palate A: Caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon; fairly sweet, but not cloying. The sugariness from the nose is present but in the background, where it presents more like buttercream. A touch of ethanol accompanies a nice medium mouthfeel. Not overly complex by any means, but what’s there is enjoyable.

Palate B: The grape hits right away, in combination with confectioners sugar and some oak. There’s a bit more bite than there was in A, and more baking spice on the tongue – particularly cinnamon and allspice.

Finish A: Starts off with some sour oakiness and develops into a combiation of leather and subtle caramel-vanilla.

Finish B: Similarly to A, the main flavors are oak, leather, and – deep in the background – some subtle sweetness.

Rating A: 7.6

Rating B: 7.2

Thoughts: Both were good, so the breakdown that follows shouldn’t be taken as declaring either to be a bad pour. That being said, one of these was clearly better to me. A had deeper flavor and was more complex than B. Its darker caramel, combined with some vanilla and oak (and its lack of medicinal fruit) also made it more enjoyable. The finish was a bit sour at first, but it improved over time (this was the case with both pours). B, on the other hand, featured fruit notes that were almost sickeningly sweet. It reminded me of how Eagle Rare came across when I blinded it against E.H. Taylor Small Batch: in the context of those two pours, its grape and cherry notes seemed to be turned up to 11, especially on the nose. B was similar in its presentation here, except that the medicinal quality — which isn’t my favorite — also carried over to the palate.

I honestly don’t know which is which here. The common sentiment seems to be that E.H. Taylor Single Barrel is superior to the Small Batch. However, A seemed to me to fit with what I’ve come to expect from the Small Batch expression, whereas B struck me as being a bit off-profile for E.H. Taylor overall. Because of this, I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that the superior one is the Small Batch, and the slightly more medicinal and less on-profile one is the Single Barrel.

Prediction A: E.H. Taylor Small Batch

Prediction B: E.H. Taylor Single Barrel

********************

Actual A: E.H. Taylor Small Batch

Actual B: E.H. Taylor Single Barrel

More Thoughts: Well, I guess that’s the risk you take with single barrels! As I noted above, the Small Batch was perfectly on-profile with what I’ve come to expect from E.H. Taylor, whereas the Single Barrel didn’t really line up with that. I’m fortunate enough to have a backup Single Barrel bottle, so at some point I’ll have to crack it and see if the result here is because of an off-profile barrel, or if Buffalo Trace actually intends for E.H. Taylor’s flavor to be more in line with this specific expression.

Going in, I laid out my case for why blending could win out over single barrels: consistency breeds consistently good whiskey. However, I would not have been at all surprised had the conventional wisdom proven me wrong, given the way that single barrel expressions are specifically hand-picked for limited releases. Instead, the Small Batch came out ahead, earning a 7.6 to the Single Barrel's 7.2. The gap isn't massive, but it was still clear. The Single Barrel leaned into too far into medicinal notes, as the grape and cherry in the pour took on a cough-syrup-adjacent quality rather than reading as ripe or jammy. It wasn't a bad whiskey by any means, but it read as a narrower, more one-note pour. E.H. Taylor Small Batch, by contrast, was the more complete experience: more well-rounded, more complex, and with a deeper flavor profile that gave you more to chase across the glass rather than one dominant impression.

If there's a lesson here, I guess it’s the one I hypothesized going in: that blending isn't just a consistency play, it's also a complexity play. A well-built small batch bourbon can layer flavors from multiple barrels in a way that a single barrel – however carefully selected – might not be able to replicate on its own. That having been said, this was a sample size of exactly one barrel against one batch. It certainly doesn't prove single barrels are inferior across the board; it just means this barrel didn't do what the marketing around single-barrel bourbon promises, as (for me at least) the Small Batch expression was preferable to the juice that came from this particular single barrel.

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Stagg 25B (5.3)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
1792 BiB SiB (5.5)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Pursuit United DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Buffalo Trace LEP Wheat 15yr (7.6)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 28 r/uniwatch

Georgia Bulldogs unveil all-whites

They’ll be wearing them against Western Kentucky. What do you think? I’m a fan of traditional unis — especially Georgia’s — but in my opinion these are pretty awesome.

instagram.com

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 293 r/bourbon

Review #75: Blanton’s Single Barrel vs. Blanton’s Gold (blind comparison)

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Blanton's built its reputation in part as the bourbon that arguably started the single-barrel boom, and in part as one the best-looking bottles around. Blanton's Gold exists as its slightly-higher-proof, slightly-harder-to-find sibling — same single-barrel program, just turned up a notch and gilded for the export/allocation market.

As most of you already know, both of these come from Buffalo Trace's Warehouse H. The main difference is proof: Blanton's Single Barrel is bottled at 93°, while the Gold expression clocks in ten points higher, at 103°. The other main difference is price — Gold typically runs two to three times what regular Blanton's SiB goes for. The other other main difference, of course, is the color of the all-important horsey stopper.

The obvious question, then, is whether that bump from 93 to 103 proof actually changes the whiskey in a meaningful way, or whether "Gold" is doing more work as a marketing tier than as a flavor difference.

I’ve done stand-alone reviews of both of these bourbons (Regular Blanton’s | Blanton’s Gold). In the latter, I concluded that Blanton’s Gold was noticeably better than Blanton’s SiB, but that it wasn’t worth its exorbitant price tag. However, I do try to leave value and availability out of my numeric ratings.

Let’s pour a blind and see how different they really are, and how they actually rate!

ABOUT Blanton’s Single Barrel

*From the Distillery: This bourbon made history as the first ever bottled from a single barrel, and it still carries that sense of discovery today. Once shared by Colonel Blanton only with a close circle of ambassadors and friends, Blanton’s Original is now here for anyone curious to experience a bolder side of bourbon. Discover the bourbon that set a new standard.

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #2 (high rye)

*Rick: 27

*Barrel: 302

Bottle: 206

*Dumped On: 6-10-2025

*Proof: 93

*Price: MSRP $69.99

ABOUT Blanton’s Gold

*From the Distillery: Crafted for those who seek something rare, Blanton’s Gold Edition builds on the legacy of the world’s first single barrel bourbon with even greater intensity. Originally created for discerning international markets, this expression offers a higher proof and a deeper, spicier complexity that rewards the adventurous palate. A bold evolution of a bourbon icon. We believe this is the finest bottle of whiskey ever produced, affording you extra flavor, bouquet and character.

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #2 (high rye)

*Rick: 20

*Barrel: 805

*Bottle: 204

*Dumped On: 4-1-2025

*Proof: 103

*Price: $149.99 (but stores near me regularly ask $300 for it)

***************

REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes. Also, for those who are interested, both bottles have stoppers that feature the letter “N.”

Appearance A: Light amber with an orange-ish hue. Appears fairly watery.

Appearance B: Ever-so-slightly lighter shade of amber. Also appears to have pretty low viscosity; like A, it doesn’t coat the glass in any meaningful way.

Nose A: Right away I get that classic Buffalo Trace grape, which is balanced out somewhat by caramel and leather. There’s the slightest touch of ethanol, as well, along with lighter notes of cherry pie, graham cracker, and vanilla, along with a touch of cinnamon. Once the glass is empty, it’s all leather with the slightest hint of caramel.

Nose B: Much lighter on the nose, with whiffs of grape and cherry doing most of the heavy lifting. There may be a touch of oak in there as well, but not much else. I really have to make an effort to get much of a nose at all, in fact. Once the glass is empty, the nose is the same as A, but toned down just a bit.

Palate A: A touch of rye spice complements caramel, vanilla, and leather. There’s a bit of ethanol, as well. Little if any of the fruit carries over from the nose to the palate. There’s neither a ton of complexity nor a significant number of tasting notes, but what is there is perfectly pleasant.

Palate B: A little ethanol and more than a little grape and cherry, both of which have a bit of a medicinal quality. The same caramel and vanilla that I tasted in A (albeit slightly weaker) are also there.

Finish A: Relatively short with very little heat; mostly baking spices (cinnamon and allspice) along with some sour-ish oak, which eventually fades into a more enjoyable leather flavor.

Finish B: Also relatively short and with even less heat. While spice (rye and allspice) are the chief flavors, some oak eventually rises to the surface as well.

Rating A: 6.3

Rating B: 5.5

Thoughts: Neither of these was a world-beater. A had slightly more flavor, and seemed to have slightly more proof, which suggests to me that it’s the 103º Gold edition (and, therefore, that B is the standard single-barrel offering). There wasn’t a whole lot of flavor present in either, and the sweetness that I appreciate from most Buffalo Trace products also seemed to be missing from both of these pours. They certainly don’t stand up in enjoyability to Rock Hill Farms, their 100-proof mash bill #2 counterpart (although I’ll probably blind Blanton’s Gold against RHF in the future just to be sure).

Ultimately, I found both of these to be fairly middling whiskies, which I could take or leave. A was the better of the two, but that’s honestly not saying all that much. Perhaps Blanton’s really is all hat and no cattle, as my Texas friends would say.

Prediction A: Blanton’s Gold

Prediction B: Blanton’s Single Barrel

****************

Actual A: Blanton’s Gold

Actual B: Blanton’s Single Barrel

More Thoughts: Well, I guess that was predictable – that Blanton’s Gold was the better of the two, anyway. I was a bit surprised that neither stood out as being particularly good, though. Ultimately, while these bottles are inarguably nice to look at, there are just too many examples of better juice out there to waste too much time and money chasing these (especially the three-times-as-expensive Gold expression!).

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Stagg 25B (5.3)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
1792 BiB SiB (5.5)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.3)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Pursuit United DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
E.H. Taylor BTAC 2025 (8)
Found North 012 (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8)
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8.2)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 2025 (8.5)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 2 months ago

▲ 100 r/bourbon

Review #74: Colonel E. H. Taylor Single Barrel

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

I’m a fan of E.H. Taylor Small Batch, but have yet to try the label’s Single Barrel expression. I’ll admit up front, though, that the idea that single barrels make for superior bottles is still not one I’m totally sold on, as it seems to me that a blend of barrels would yield a more consistent (and therefore more consistently good) product.

I do understand that single barrels are specially selected for their profile, and that this means they can stand apart as superior examples of a given expression. However, it stands to reason that they could also do the opposite, right?

Let’s see which way this E.H. Taylor Single Barrel swings, then, shall we?

From the Distillery: Aged in the historic Warehouse C, built by Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. in 1885 and renowned for its exceptional aging conditions, each barrel is carefully chosen for its individual character and depth. Bottled in Bond at 100 proof, this bourbon reflects Taylor’s uncompromising standards and timeless craftsmanship, offering a one-of-a-kind expression worthy of his name.

Tasting notes: The aroma carries lightly toasted oak, with dried figs and butterscotch. One sip brings flavors of sweetness balanced with tobacco and dark spices. The finish is just long enough to prepare the palate for another sip.

Age: NAS (at least 4 years)

Proof: 100

Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

Price: Often 2-3 times that of the Small Batch

Appearance: Dark amber and semi-viscous with pretty decent legs on the glass.

Nose: Right away is a blast of grape and oak. Retuning to the glass, I also get butterscotch and some light cola, as well as bright red fruit. Once the glass is empty, very strong and very pleasant scents of butterscotch, confectionary sugar, and leather remain.

Palate: Semi-viscous mouthfeel. The grape and red fruit carry over somewhat from the nose, along with caramel, baking spices like clove and allspice, and a sweet note like confectionary sugar or buttercream frosting. There’s also a classic cherry cobbler flavor with toasted crust on the mid-palate, but as the sip moves to the rear of the palate it’s accompanied by a bit of an ethanol burn that’s surprising for the proof point. Between that and the spice, this isn’t quite as sweet and gentle as I expected, particularly based on the nose.

Finish: Medium length and oak-forward without much else flavor-wise, at least at first. After a bit, the smallest amount of caramel and leather float toward the surface, but there’s really no sweetness to speak of here at all.

Thoughts: I’ve been looking forward to trying an E.H. Taylor Single Barrel for some time now, at very least to see what all the fuss is about. Now that I’ve had it, I don’t think it’s head and shoulders above the Small Batch expression, which is both lighter and sweeter than this Single Barrel was. Not only was the palate not as sweet as I expected, especially based on the nose, but the finish was all oak and spice with very little sweetness at all.

I can’t say that I’m disappointed in this pour, but I also can’t honestly say that I’m wowed by it. Overall, this barrel was good but not great. I’m looking forward to trying another SiB at some point in the future to see if a different barrel might be superior to this one. I’m also planning to blind this against E.H. Taylor Small Batch to see how my impressions here stack up when the two expressions are set up to compete face to face, sans label.

Rating: The Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel expression was plenty good but, to me, it fell short of excellent. With the caveat that this is a single barrel (obviously), and therefore that there could be better ones out there, I have to give it a 7.2 on the modified T8ke scale (slightly closer to “Very Good” than to “Great”), which is close to a half-point lower than EHT Small Batch earned from me previously. Ultimately, this single barrel was a plenty good pour, but it didn’t strike me as being superior to the small batch — let alone worth the store/secondary markup prices.

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Stagg 25B (5.3)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
1792 BiB SiB (5.5)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Pursuit United DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Buffalo Trace LEP Wheat 15yr (7.6)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

u/Archaeo-Frog — 3 months ago

u/Archaeo-Frog

Reviews #100-101: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection battle: Eagle Rare 17 vs. E.H. Taylor BTAC (blind comparison)

Review #93: E.H. Taylor Cured Oak

Review #91: Starlight Distillery 10-Year Bourbon (Batch 2, 2026)

Review #89: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel vs. Buffalo Trace Single Oak Rye Bourbon (blind comparison)

Review #88: Copper &amp; Cask ‘Boston Rum Party’ Rye vs. Sazerac Full Proof (blind comparison)

Review #87: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection: Eagle Rare 17-year (2025)

Review #86: Copper &amp; Cask #14 Double Oak vs. Peerless Double Oak (blind comparison)

Review #85: Redwood Empire Emerald Giant vs. New Riff Balboa Rye (blind comparison)

Review #84: Buffalo Trace

Review #83: Mister Sam Batch 4 vs. Found North 012 (blind battle of the blends!)

Review #82: Stagg 25B vs. Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel (blind comparison)

Review #81: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection: E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond (2025)

Review #80: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs. Penelope Marshmallow Toast (blind comparison)

Review #79: Weller Craft Your Perfect Bourbon (C.Y.P.B.)

Review #78: Sagamore 9-year Single Barrel Rye vs. Copper &amp; Cask 8-year ‘Boston Rum Party’ Rye (blind comparison)

Review #77: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Review #76: E.H. Taylor Small Batch vs. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel (blind comparison)

Georgia Bulldogs unveil all-whites

Review #75: Blanton’s Single Barrel vs. Blanton’s Gold (blind comparison)

Review #74: Colonel E. H. Taylor Single Barrel

Review #88: Copper & Cask ‘Boston Rum Party’ Rye vs. Sazerac Full Proof (blind comparison)

Review #86: Copper & Cask #14 Double Oak vs. Peerless Double Oak (blind comparison)

Review #78: Sagamore 9-year Single Barrel Rye vs. Copper & Cask 8-year ‘Boston Rum Party’ Rye (blind comparison)