Recent Bourbon Tasting (with some reviews)

I know the guy who was sponsoring the tasting, so needless to say, I could drink however much of any of it. I decided to take the opportunity to do some side by side tastings.

First one I did was the "everyday" bourbons: Woodford Reserve vs. Eagle Rare. To me, the Eagle Rare was the clear winner in this battle. It had more complexity and smoother for the $$. The Woodford had a lot of woodiness, but not much else. It's good enough, but not great.


Woodford Reserve
Nose: Charred oak, chocolate, caramel, maybe a little citrus

Taste: Mostly wood, little honey, slight chocolate, sweet corn

Finish: Somewhat short with only wood notes lingering




Eagle Rare 10 year
Nose: Vanilla, almonds, raisins, oak char, banana, tobacco

Taste: Dried fruit, vanilla, oakiness, leather, sweet corn, mildly viscous and oily

Finish: Moderate length; wood and leather hang around a while

I recently had done a review of the Black Maple Hill in my Christmas whiskey thread LINK

Here it is for your reading enjoyment.

Nose: Tanginess, forward corny notes, cocunut, maple syrup, honey
Taste: Much like it smells, tangy and corny, honey and maple flavors and black cherry flavor, sour then it becomes a little spicier and woody
Finish: Moderate length, maple syrup, smokey oak

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Dr Beardface have you tried the Jefferson Select 17 year vs the 18 year?

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I've only had the 17 year. I have a review of it versus the Pappy Van Winkle in this thread.

I went to the bar looking to try the 18 year, but they only had the 17 year. Likely next time I go it will be the 18 year since they were low on the 17 year. For those I've talked to that had both, they are very similar. Probably can't go wrong with either one.

Next Review: Russells Reserve 10 year. This stuff is made by Wild Turkey. I have to say that this was the low point of the tasting. I had it up against Black Maple Hill which I've already reviewed and a pretty big fan of. The Russells left me and my buddy (who owns the shop) just wanting more. It had an ok flavor, but not much complexity. I expect a bit more from a 10 year bourbon (like the Eagle Rare). It's fairly cheap if I recall (a little less than Eagle Rare) and it shows. At this price range, a safer bet would be Eagle Rare or Elmer T Lee or even Knob Creek.


Nose: Cedar, leather, pepper, sour smell, mild vanilla

Taste: very woody, mildly minty, semi spicy

Finish: Short and leaves something to be desired

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Liked your posts so far, will try some of the bottles that you reviewed some time in future. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this info.

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I think you're doing it right. Start with the mid range bourbons and get used to picking up the different flavors and how to properly taste them. If you haven't already, I'd definitely recommend getting an actual tasting glass rather than a rocks glass. The Glencairn glass is a great one especially for starting. They have a small one with good broad base. They are very reasonably priced on Amazon, etc. They have some other ones that are nicer and look nicer, but more expensive.

ETA: This is the one I'm talking about since they have a couple made by Glencairn



Good luck in your bourbon journey

Last of the reviews from this tasting: Blanton's vs. Rock Hill Farm. Both of these bourbons are made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery from the same mash bill: mash bill number 2 (as does Elmer T Lee). They don't list the age of these bourbons, but theory is that Elmer T Lee is the youngest one, Blanton's is in the middle (8-10 year range), and Rock Hill Farm is the oldest (10-12 year range). I have been a big fan of Blanton's for a long time and I had recently picked up a bottle of Rock Hill Farm for my little bro for his bachelor party (before knowing what it was). After I tasted it, I was impressed and looked up the info. I was excited to see both of these side by side to do a line tasting of them. After trying them together, I have to give the slight edge to Rock Hill Farm. It's only a couple dollars more than Blanton's at most places. Blanton's will still have a place on my shelf, but Rock Hill Farm will definitely earn a place as well.


Blanton’s
Nose: Apple cinnamon, pear, rye, corn, caramel

Taste: Nice spiciness, pear , tangy corn, charred oak, little vanilla/honey flavor

Finish: Moderate length, maple syrup, some spice




Rock Hill Farms
Nose: Mint, apple cinnamon, pear, nuts, slight citrus, dried cherries

Taste: Minty, oak, apple, corn, caramel, nutty, dark cocoa, tobacco, honey

Finish: Moderate to long, sweet

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Do any of these taste like bourbon?

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In their own ways. I think there are some flavors that do really become the "bourbon" flavors like vanilla, caramel, oak tannins and that char flavor.

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Truthfully, I'm jealous. Good reviews. I'd just slug them down and miss the highlights.But, I'd at least avoid the mixers.

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It takes some getting used to, but tasting these good bourbons is kind of like tasting a good wine. You learn to pick up some of the differences slowly but surely after several tastings. It's definitely not for everyone, but congrats for avoiding the mixers