Very Old Barton - Review

Stats

Very Old Barton

Kentuck Straight Bourbon Whiskey

No Age Statement (NAS) - Aged at least 36 Months

80 Proof

Barton Distilling Company - Frankfort, Kentucky

Retail Price: $14

Poured Neat in a Glencarin

Color: Amber

Nose: Caramel Corn right off the bat! You know that feeling when you push in the side of the cardboard of a box of Cracker Jack's? That's the initial smell I pick up. Once the liquid is swirled, I pick up a slight citrus and Granny-Smith apples and a hint of baking spices.

Palate: So, the first sip actually packs a punch. Don't get on me about this only being 80 Proof and there's no punch to be had. Hear me out. The punch isn't because of the proof. This is a very flavorful dram. Toffee and vanilla keep the sweetness pretty well rounded. There isn't as much spice as I expected based on the nose, but still plenty of flavor.

Finish: Thin. A slight linger and very light coating.

Overall: A very good budget bourbon if that is what you are searching for. I'd love to see this age stated, especially with the title "Very Old". The lower proof really doesn't bother me as the flavors are still very evident. If you are on a tight budget and looking for some full flavor, this is one to "check-out" and still have a few bucks left over for a bite to eat.

Library Rating: 7.4 / 10

Nashville Barrel Company Straight Rye - Review

Stats

Nashville Barrel Company

Straight Rye Whiskey

Rare Release

Single Barrel Selected by Bourbon Finds

Barrel 155

Aged 8 Years

117.12 Proof

Distilled in Indiana

Retail Price: $100

Poured Neat in a Glencarin

Color: Dark Amber

Nose: As soon as I poured this, a scent of spearmint filled the Glen. After resting for about 30 seconds and a slight swirl, I started to sniff out some caramel, vanilla bean and heavy oak tones. The mint takes a back seat the longer it sits but still a pleasant aroma, nonetheless.

Palate: First sip hits me with a very inviting sweetness. A sweetness which can only be described as a creamy vanilla frosting. The sweetness starts to morph into a dark cherry cordial and plenty of hints of spicy oak.

Finish: Sweet, spicy and a long, warm and oily coating.

Overall: The journey this review took me on was something I wasn't expecting. All these flavors and scents work really well on their own, but I would have never thought they would work so well together. I was quite pleased with this particular barrel selection. This was also my first taste of any offering from Nashville Barrel Company.

Library Rating: 8.6 / 10

Thrifty Thursday

For a few months now, I’ve been featuring budget-friendly bottles on my Instagram page. For the sake of argument, I’m defining “Budget” as a bottle $25 or under. The hunt doesn’t always have to include bottles being held behind counters or in locked glass cases. There are plenty of diamonds in the rough if you give them a chance. I chuckle to myself when folks speed down the Bourbon Aisle in hopes they find a hidden Weller or Blanton’s just chilling on the shelf. In North Carolina, that is almost guaranteed never to happen. Those speedsters zip past mid-level to lower level bottles and usually walk out disappointed and immediately post on their local group pages that such and such store “had nothing.” They couldn’t be further from the truth. A little research and a little understanding will lead you to those ankle-biters. Big name distilleries like Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Barton, Jim Beam and more, put out plenty of unicorns, but they also produce those unicorns in younger and more experimental forms. There are some great finds available at stores all the time. You do not have to chase a truck all around town. Tons of everyday sippers are available at your disposal and those bottles will not break the bank. Hey, I’m in to saving money while enjoying quality whiskey...I don’t know about you...

Be sure to follow along on my Instagram page each week when I feature a new Thrifty-Thursday find.

Cheers All! 🥃📖🥃