I've been eyeing this bottle for a couple of weeks. It's Bourbon, Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey to be exact.
The distillate comes from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky where it is distilled one or two times (depending on who you read), then shipped to the A Smith Bowman Distillery in Virginia where it is distilled one or two more times (again) to make it to the Triple Distillation proudly stated on the bottle.
The most common thing I've read about it is that it's a Buffalo Trace #2 mash bill which contains 12-15% #rye. Other notable whiskies of this mash bill are Elmer T Lee, Rock Hill Farms and Blanton's (among a couple others).
It's rumored to be aged about ten years and the A Smith Bowman distillery ages their barrels upright, which is a fairly unique and floor space consuming way to age your whiskey. I believe the mash bill rumor as it tastes like the richness of Elmer T Lee and the earthiness of the Rock Hill Farms. It would be nice to get all four out and do a side by side comparison.
The color is darker, mahogany or dark amber.
The nose is appealing with spice, rye grain, caramel, a bit of bubblegum, strawberry, cinnamon, wood/oak, toffee and a light menthol.
The palate is medium plus in weight, dry, but with a sweeter note of grain, dust, earthiness, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and brown sugar.
The finish is medium length with well-integrated heat, oak, dustiness and a smooth caramel/toffee.
I really enjoyed this bourbon and am glad I gave it a try. Most places it runs right around $50 so it is not an every day sipper. It is worth it if you like richer, smoother whiskey with that dusty, grain like note, or if you are into the three other whiskies listed above.
Broaden your palate and try whiskey from Virginia, New York, Colorado, Indiana and Utah...you will be glad you did.
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