Old Dominick Reserve Bourbon 8 Year - Review

Old Dominick 8 Year Reserve Bourbon

Distilled, aged, and bottled by Old Dominick Distillery — Memphis, Tennessee

Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Barrel Info: West Tennessee White Oak, Char #4

Non-Chill Filtered | Small Batch (Min. 6 barrels)

Age: 8 Years

ABV: 50% - 100 Proof

Old Dominick 8 Year Reserve

Nose

The aroma opens confidently with a wave of caramel corn, immediately conjuring the warm, buttery sweetness of a fall fairground. This is quickly followed by sweet cream and vanilla, which soften and round out the profile. As it sits in the glass, light toasted oak emerges, carrying hints of old lumber and charred sugar. It’s a rich but approachable bouquet—classic, southern, and distinctly inviting.

Palate

The first sip reinforces the nose but dials up the dessert-like character. That caramel corn note returns with layered sweetness, soon giving way to a frosted pastry impression—like biting into a flaky vanilla danish. The texture is full and creamy, thanks to the non-chill filtration and 8 years of slow maturation. Mid-palate, vanilla ice cream rises to the top, providing a cooling, velvety contrast to the oak backbone. The rye in the mash bill adds just a nudge of spice, but never overpowers the sweet-driven profile.

Finish

The finish is medium in length, with a dry and slightly spicy taper. Wood tannins begin to grip the tongue gently, bringing balance to the earlier sweetness. A distinct white pepper note emerges at the tail end, lingering just long enough to leave a warm impression without overwhelming the senses. It fades with a touch of charred oak and toasted grain, a nod to its high-char barrels and traditional craftsmanship.

Overall Impression

Old Dominick Reserve 8 Year is a confident and comforting Tennessee bourbon—one that leans into rich sweetness without becoming overly syrupy, and shows maturity in both flavor and structure. The use of West Tennessee white oak and deep char #4 barrels imparts excellent barrel influence, which harmonizes beautifully with the vanilla and pastry notes.

For fans of dessert-forward bourbons that still retain complexity and backbone, this is a highly enjoyable pour. It’s particularly suited to sipping neat, though it could also elevate a classic Old Fashioned with its creamy vanilla and subtle spice.

A big THANK YOU to the team at Old Dominick for sending this amazing Media Box for my unbiased review.