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Jefferson’s Bourbon Review – Presidential Select 21 Year Old

By Patrick "Pops" Garrett on April 8, 2013 in Bourbon Reviews

Almost a month ago, I posted news about Jefferson’s planned April 1st release of their new Presidential Select 21 Year Old bourbon. After waiting impatiently for weeks I was thrilled to arrive home a few nights ago to find a tasting sample nestled in the safety of a well-padded FedEx box. As I carefully removed the sample bottle all I could think about was whether or not the Presidential Select 21 would measure up to previous Presidential Select releases like their 17 and 18 year olds which consisted of stock from the legendary Stitzel Weller distillery.

Here are a few details about this release that we received directly from Trey Zoeller, Jefferson’s Master Blender:

There’s no wheat in the mash bill
Bourbon was not distilled at Stitzel Weller
Aged in barrels with a No. 3 charr
Release yield is 1,800 6-bottle cases
Big flavors with an outstanding finish

Add it all up and it’s plain to see – Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21 Year Old is going to be totally different juice than previous Presidential Select releases.

The lack of common ground with previous Presidential Select releases is part of the reason I’ve been looking forward to getting my hands on a sample. I need to know if it measures up to previous releases and is worth the hefty price tag set by Trey and his team. The other reason I’ve been looking forward to it is the fact that I really enjoy older bourbons. Many folks regard 8-12 years as the sweet spot for bourbon, but I have to say that an older and well-aged bourbon is something really special. I can only hope that Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21 year is worthy of that distinction.

Before we get into my official review let’s revisit the official press release issued by Jefferson’s Bourbon in early March:

Castle Brands is proud to introduce Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the latest addition to its line of “Ridiculously Small Batch” whiskies and the Presidential Suite (Jefferson’s Bourbon, Jefferson’s Reserve, Jefferson’s Presidential Select and Jefferson’s Rye). Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21-Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged in new oak barrels for 21 to 24 years and bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV). Inspired by its namesake Founding Father, this mature, complex and exceptionally full-bodied aged Bourbon will be released nationally on April 1, 2013.

“This is precious bourbon since there are very few bottles of this age with this complexity,” says Jefferson’s founder and master blender Trey Zoeller. “This limited release whiskey aged beautifully. Because of the nuanced flavor profile, this Jefferson’s Presidential Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey is sure to become one of our most coveted bottlings.”

Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21-Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey consists of 15 lots of bourbon aged from 21 to 24 years. Bourbon of this age is extremely fragile; Zoeller discovered that these stocks had aged undisturbed for many years in a cooler area of the warehouse, which added further nuance to the spirit’s flavor profile and engendered a later peak. The resulting blend is a uniquely robust and extremely flavorful bourbon with deep, concentrated notes of vanilla, toffee and leather that finishes extraordinarily smoothly. Because of the evaporation that occurred over the aging period, Jefferson’s will have just 2,000 cases to release of this rare, complex spirit that embodies a presidential combination of age, purity and strength.

To learn more about the Jefferson’s line of spirits, please visit www.jeffersonsbourbon.com. Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey is priced at $119.99 for a 750ml bottle and is available for purchase at fine spirits retailers across the country.

Sounds really good, right?

I love the marketing and mystique around bourbon and Trey’s team are some of the best at telling the story of their “Ridiculously Small Batch” releases. Fortunately for them, and for us, their bourbon typically lives up to the marketing hype. However, even though I’ve come to expect great things from Jefferson’s Presidential Select line, the new release’s $119 price tag concerns me a bit. That’s a lot of money in my opinion, considering that one of my favorite bourbons, Elijah Craig 18 Year, was available for $55 in my part of the country until they put a hold on releasing it.

Trey promised me that I won’t be disappointed. If it’s as good as he says, I’m sure the price won’t be an issue. The issue will be finding a bottle locally before it’s all gone.

Let’s get on with the review and dive in to see if it measures up to my expectations.

Bourbon Name: Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21 Year Old

Proof: 94

Age: 21 years

Year: 2013

How I Drank It: Neat, in Glencairn whiskey glass.

My Nose Noticed:* Leather | Oak | Lots of Spice | Hint of Orange

First Sip: Honey | Vanilla | Spice & Black Pepper | Oak

The Burn:** Much to my surprise there wasn’t much of a burn. It finishes extremely smooth and is rather mellow. There’s a faint lingering burn in the back of the throat but if you’re not paying attention you’ll miss it.I really expected something a little bolder based on its nose and was a little disappointed. But then again, once you get used to it being a lighter profile bourbon, especially compared to its nose, it’s actually pretty nice. There are also some very pronounced (strong) wood notes in the finish that linger quite a long time. But that’s to be expected from a bourbon of this age. If you’re not a fan of a strong oak finish, you’ll probably not enjoy this one.

Neat, Splash or Rocks: I enjoyed it neat but when I added in a bit of water the honey and vanilla notes became more pronounced. At the same time the pepper/spice flavors got bolder and help to drive the oak into the background a bit. And then the big surprise, by adding in water it actually accentuated the burn and got closer to the type of lingering back of throat burn that I really enjoy. I can’t explain why it caused it to happen but I’m glad it did. I would definitely repeat adding water whenever drinking this one.

Share With: As with any older bourbon there is a price premium associated with drinking Presidential Select 21. That alone changes who I would drink it with, but I think that despite the price, it’s best shared with someone who has a good base level of bourbon knowledge and is interested in comparing how this fairs against previous Presidential Select releases. I’m afraid it’s not quite up to the task of knocking someone’s socks off so don’t invite your boss over unless he’s really into bourbon.

Worth The Price: Is it worth it worth $119? That’s the million-dollar question. To help answer that I question I had a small glass of Presidential Select 18 for a quick comparison. The Presidential 18 is in a totally different class. It’s richer, more complex and has the flavor profile that I really enjoy. In comparing the two I think the Presidential 21 is ultimately too oaky and lacking in flavor complexity to suit my tastes. That doesn’t mean you won’t like it but it’s definitely something to consider.

Bottle, Bar or Bust: After comparing it side-by-side with Jefferson’s Presidential Select 18 Year, my recommendation is to buy yourself a glass at your local bourbon establishment before investing in a bottle. As much as I was looking forward to this one I have to say that this one misses the mark for me. Your mileage may vary, as they say, but for my money I’d rather hunt down a few more bottles of the 18 Year where no one is looking for them.

*I like to let my bourbon sit in the glass for at least 5 minutes before I start to smell it or have a drink. I personally find that it’s better to let some of the alcohol waft off before diving in. If I’m drinking bourbon on the rocks I skip the waiting and dive in both feet first.
**Some of you refer to this as the “finish” but let’s be honest. Don’t we all just want to know if it burns good?

In summary let me say that while Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21 didn’t meet my expectations, it is still a well crafted product and Jefferson’s continues to impress me with their ability to put out solid bourbons as a blender. I personally prefer their Presidential 18 over this new release and I’m glad that I stocked up before it disappeared from the shelves. I’ll be happy to enjoy this one again though if you want someone to help taste your newly purchased bottle. I just won’t be going out and spending $119 to get my own.

If you happen to get a bottle please let us know what you think in the comments. As one of the first official reviews of this release I’m curious to hear what others have to say about it.

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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon Review

By Patrick "Pops" Garrett on February 27, 2013 in Bourbon Reviews

The weather in St. Louis this past week has been pretty crappy. Lot’s of ice and snow. Based on what I’ve heard about Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, I decided it might just be the perfect bourbon to review for the site, and to fend of the cold Winter winds.

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is the single barrel version of Beam’s Knob Creek bourbon, one of four Bourbons that make up Beam’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection. (Basil Hayden’s, Baker’s and Booker’s round out the Small Batch Collection.)

Here’s what the Knob Creek website has to say about their single barrel version:

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve encounters no detours or distractions. It’s just the big, pure flavor that Booker Noe set out to create over two decades ago.

Most bourbon is blended together from multiple barrels to create a consistent taste. However, each barrel of Single Barrel Reserve is bottled individually to become one-of-a-kind. Each batch we handpick will have slight variations in taste, color and aroma based on its final age, rack placement and other proprietary methods passed down for eight generations.

Best yet, it’s bottled at a 120 proof, so it’s an even bigger expression of our signature flavor. You’ll find more pronounced flavors and a smokier aroma. And although it packs a high proof, the finish is still smooth and complex.

I had the opportunity on last year’s Bourbon & Banter Pilgrimage to taste Knob Creek right out of the barrel while they were dumping it at the distillery. It was absolutely amazing. I reached right out and put my hand in the stream of bourbon as it was poured out by our tour guide. In fact, the photo at the top of this post was taken right before I stuck my hand in the bourbon stream for a taste.

So how did it compare to what they’ve put in the bottle? Let’s jump right in and explore the findings of my Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve bourbon review.

Bourbon Name: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve

Proof: 120

Age: 9 years

Year: 2012

How I Drank It: Neat, in my special bourbon glass (please don’t be jealous)

My Nose Noticed:* Cinnamon | Maple | Fruit | Leather (hint of)

First Sip: Mint | Clove | Black Pepper | Vanilla/Maple (hint of)

The Burn:** Wow! This one is full of flavor and won’t disappoint your tastebuds. Each sip is a burst of flavor followed by a long finish with a nice deep throat/chest burn. In fact, the burn keeps coming back again, and again. I love that!

Neat, Splash or Rocks: This is a big bourbon at 120 proof but it’s not overpowering like so many other high proof bourbons. The flavors are so rich and deep that I suggest drinking it neat if you can. I added some water, but I found that it diluted the vanilla and maple notes too much. I think adding water to this one should be avoided at all costs.

Share With: This is a bourbon that you drink when you’re hanging with good friends. It’s robust enough to handle even the most intense banter. I’d also suggest taking it up to the cabin in the woods when you’re looking to get away from it all.

Worth The Price: At roughly $40, Knob Cree Single Barrel Reserve is only about $10 more than regular Knob Creek. In my opinion, it’s probably one of the best $10 investments you can make. I also think it’s a great buy on it’s when you compare it with other bourbons in the $40 range.

Bottle, Bar or Bust: If you’re a fan of robust bourbons that deliver an amazing burn, this is one for your home bar. It might not be an every night sipper, but it’s definitely one to have when friends come over or you’re trying to get over an especially hard day at the office.

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve bourbon is a wonderfully rich and robust bourbon that should be on the shelf of any serious bourbon lover. Whether you pour yourself a glass to ward off Winter’s chill or to enjoy banter with your friends, you won’t be disappointed.

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Heaven Hill’s Larceny Bourbon Review

By Patrick "Pops" Garrett on August 30, 2012 in Bourbon Reviews

One of the things I love about bourbon are the stories and traditions attached to brands and distilleries. And even though I’ve learned that many brand stories told today aren’t always 100% “accurate” I have to admit that I was immediate intrigued by the story behind Heaven Hill’s Larceny Bourbon that hit the market last week.

Here’s a bit of the back story direct from Heaven Hill:

Larceny Bourbon continues the Old Fitzgerald tradition of using wheat in place of rye as the third or “small” grain in the whiskey’s grain recipe, or mashbill as it is commonly known. The use of winter wheat replaces the spicier, fruitier flavor notes that rye provides with a softer, rounder character that is the hallmark of Old Fitzgerald and other “wheated” Bourbons such as Maker’s Mark and the Van Winkle line.

It is actually the story of the Old Fitzgerald brand, made famous by the late Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr., that forms the historical basis for Larceny Bourbon. According to industry lore, John E. Fitzgerald had founded his distillery in Frankfort , KY shortly after the Civil War ended, making his Bourbon available only to steamship lines, rail lines and private clubs.

This story was furthered by S.C Herbst, who owned the “Old Fitz” brand from the 1880′s through Prohibition, and “Pappy” Van Winkle, who purchased the brand during Prohibition and made it his signature label.

However, it was revealed by Pappy’s granddaughter, Sally Van Winkle Campbell, in her 1999 book But Always Fine Bourbon: Pappy Van Winkle and the Story of Old Fitzgerald , that in fact John E. Fitzgerald was not a famous distiller at all.

He was in reality a treasury agent who used his keys to the warehouses to pilfer Bourbon from the finest barrels. His discerning palate led those barrels to which he chose to help himself being referred to as “Fitzgerald barrels”.

Now Heaven Hill has launched Larceny, whose tagline—”A taste made famous by an infamous act”—sets history straight.

What’s not to like about that story?

I feel that before we dive into the review I need to tell you that I’m a big fan of Heaven Hill. For the money I think their Elijah Craig 18-Year Single Barrell is one of the best buys on the market. I’m also a huge fan of their Parker’s Heritage limited releases. And don’t forget about Evan Williams and their easy on the pocket yet fun to drink Evan Williams Black Label. Or as my former neighbor likes to call it – recession proof bourbon. So to say my expectations were high for Larceny bourbon would be an understatement.

Here’s a few more details you should know about Larceny bourbon before you read my review:

It should be be available in the 1.75 liter, 1 liter, 750ml and 50ml sizes in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia
It is is a true small batch Bourbon produced from dumps of 100 or fewer barrels that have been selected from the 4th, 5th and 6th floors of Heaven Hill’s open rick warehouses in Nelson County, Kentucky
Larceny is drawn from barrels that have aged from 6 to 12 years at this high storage, and is bottled at a full-bodied 92 proof, or 46% alcohol by volume

Now that you’ve got the backstory, an overview of the company Larceny keeps at Heaven Hill and the facts about Larceny itself let’s dive into the specifics of my latest review. And as always let me know in the comments what you think about my Heaven Hill Larceny bourbon review.

Bourbon Name:	LARCENY KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON
Year:	2012
How I Drank It:	Neat, in my special bourbon glass (please don’t be jealous)
My Nose Noticed:^*	Cherry \| Almond \| Oak/Leather
First Sip:	Pepper/Spice \| Oak/Tannins \| Tobacco
The Burn^:**	First sip came across pretty sharp on my tongue and mouth. In fact, it took a few sips for my mouth to become accustomed to it’s flavor profile. I can’t figure out why this is but after having the same experience 3x now I know I’m not imagining it. Once my mouth become accustomed to the bourbon it has a nice finish. The burn isn’t noticed on the way down. Instead it creeps back up slowly and rounds out through the mouth in a very satisfying maner. And there’s a little bit of spice in the middle of that warmth to remind you of your first sip.
Neat, Splash or Rocks:	I’ll be honest folks. I didn’t like this when I drank it neat. For a bourbon that’s aged 6-12 years it sure didn’t taste like it. I thought it was rough for a wheat bourbon. Especially one that is supposed to compete with Maker’s Mark. However, once you add a bit of water (or ice) it starts to shine. A little help from water helps tone down the oak or tannic taste and allows the sweeter flavors to take center stage. It also gets rid of the sting to the tongue and mouth. I highly suggest that you drink this one with a bit of water or on the rocks if you don’t mind them.
Share With:	Share it with those that won’t give you hell about adding a bit of water or ice to your drink. A good next step bourbon for those that got trained on Maker’s Mark.
Worth The Price:	At an average retail price of $25 you can’t really go wrong with giving it a try and sharing with some friends who are interested in doing the same. The bottle I purchase had an introductory rebate form attached to it offering $10 of the 750ml bottle and $20 off the 1.75L bottle. (I don’t know about you but sending in for a rebate on a bottle of bourbon without a handle will be a first for me.)
Bottle, Bar or Bust:	Buy a bottle if you have friends who want to try it out as well. Other than that I think buying a glass at your local watering hole is a good idea before investing at home. I’ll keep my bottle on the shelf and work my through it but I doubt that I’ll be rushing out to replace it once it’s gone.

**Some of you refer to this as the “finish” but let’s be honest. Don’t we all just want to know if it burns good?

PS – Larceny bourbon has a website but it’s pretty bare at this time. You can sign-up to find out when it hits the market and download a few press releases.

Bonus – On the Larceny bourbon website they have a brand overview PDF posted. I‘ve grabbed a copy for everyone and linked it here in case they remove their version in the future.

[notice]If you’ve been considering visiting bourbon country we invite you to join us on a truly one of a kind bourbon experience. Learn more about the 2012 Bourbon & Banter Pilgrimage.[/notice]

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W. H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve Bourbon Review

By Patrick "Pops" Garrett on July 11, 2012 in Bourbon Reviews

Let’s play a quick round of word association. When I say, “William Henry Harrison” what immediately comes to your mind?

President of the United States?
Governor of the Indiana Territory?
General?
Congressman?
Namesake of the first modern-day bourbon out of Indiana?

Bet you didn’t know that last one, did you?

Be honest. If you hadn’t read the title of this review odds are you wouldn’t have known that W. H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve barrel proof bourbon was the first modern-day bourbon to come from Indiana.

W. H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve bourbon is distilled by Tipton Spirits which was founded by several experienced industry execs who have worked for a few small firms you might have heard of like Diageo, Gallo, Jim Beam and Miller. At this time they’ve produced two distinct bourbon releases. One is their Straight Bourbon at 80 proof and the other is our featured bourbon, Governor’s Reserve barrel proof at 114 proof.

Here’s what their website has to say:

W. H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve celebrates the rare balance of boldness and smoothness required in a great leader, and great Bourbon.

Our unique “high-rye” recipe, bottled at Barrel Proof, makes a bold statement upfront but finishes smooth with layers of subtlety.

Best enjoyed on the rocks

Taste Profile: bold, robust upfront, spicy with layers of subtlety through the middle, and an elegant, smooth finish.

So what does Indiana’s first modern-day bourbon taste like?

I’ve been drinking it for the last few nights and I’m really enjoying it. I’m a huge barrel proof fan and there’s a lot to like in this one. It’s a bold, yet approachable bourbon, with a lovely rye flavor which I enjoy immensely. This one is actually 3 bourbons in one. You can drink it neat, with water or on the rocks. And according to their website it makes a great additional to some traditional, and not so traditional, cocktails. It’s definitely a bourbon that you should consider adding to your collection.

As always let me know in the comments what you think about my W. H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve bourbon review.

Bourbon Name:	W. H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve Barrel Proof
Year:	2012 Batch #2
How I Drank It:	Neat, in my special bourbon glass (please don’t be jealous)
My Nose Noticed:^*	Spice \| Maple Syrup (slight) \| Cherry
First Sip:	Oak \| Rye \| Cherry
The Burn^:**	Slow and steady. Very enjoyable and stays right in the back of your throat without heading down south. Lasts a few minutes and then its gone. Sort of like the perfect party guest. Entertaining and social yet knows when to make an exit.
Neat, Splash or Rocks:	As always I started out my review drinking it neat. But I soon added some water and oh my, did it ever smooth this one out. I found the barrel strength approachable (for what it is) but adding water really did an amazing job of making this one drinkable. It makes it a little sweeter but the great burn is still there along with some great flavors. The bottle recommends drinking it on the rocks. I’ve done that as well and found the changing flavors as a result of the ice melting a nice surprise each time I took a sip.
Share With:	Share this one with your bourbon loving friends. You might just be the hero for introducing them to another great barrel proof bourbon.
Worth The Price:	You should be able to pick this one up for about $55. As with a few other bourbons I’ve reviewed the price is high when you consider that this one is only 4 years old. But once again I can tell you that age is not the best way to determine the price of a bourbon. (Old does not mean good or expensive by default.) For those of you that enjoy barrel proof bourbon this one is definitely worth the price. And for those of you who are looking to add a new bourbon to your collection I would also recommend investing in this one.
Bottle, Bar or Bust:	Barrel proof lovers should definitely add this to their bar without question. I would also buy a bottle if you’re looking to add a bold and complex bourbon to your collection or even if you just like a good, well-rounded high-rye bourbon.

**Some of you refer to this as the “finish” but let’s be honest. Don’t we all just want to know if it burns good?

If you’d like to keep up to date on what Tipton Spirits is up to these days you can follow them on social media:

@TiptonSpirits

Tipton Spirits on Facebook

[notice]If you’ve been considering visiting bourbon country we invite you to join us on a truly one of a kind bourbon experience. Learn more about the 2012 Bourbon & Banter Pilgrimage.[/notice]

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Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon Review

By Patrick "Pops" Garrett on June 27, 2012 in Bourbon Reviews

Update: Here’s an update on where Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon was released.

Ever wonder what 4-years at sea means in terms of bourbon aging? Now you know.

“Tonight is a good night. No. Tonight is a great night!”

That’s what was running through my head as I sat down to write my Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon Review. I was, in all honesty, as excited as a grade schooler watching the minute hand on a clock wind down the final minutes til Summer vacation. I was finally going to taste the almost mythical Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon. The bourbon that has occupied my mind ever since I heard rumors of it last year.

Jefferson’s “Ridiculously Small Batch” bourbons have always occupied a special place in my heart. It was the first brand of bourbon that my wife bought for me. It was a sign that despite her lack of interest in drinking bourbon she could still be trusted with making important purchasing decisions. So when I heard that Jefferson’s was coming out with something truly unique and special I was all ears.

Trey Zoeller showing who’s the master of bourbon at sea.

I started digging around on the web and learned all I could about the so called “Ocean” bourbon and called around to my local connections to see if I had a chance to actually get my hands on a bottle. When you hear that only 600 bottles are going to be released you’ve got to put your game face on and call in some favors. Little did I know that I would get a unique opportunity to be one of the first to sample and review the “Bourbon Unicorn” as I’ve come to call it.

I received my sample last week from the kind folks at McLain & Kyne and I’ve kept it under lock and key since then. (Special thanks to Trey and his team for allowing me the privilege to enjoy an early sample of their hard work.)

Trey Zoeller collecting the first pitcher of Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon.

I’m sure many of you have read up on Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon already but here’s a little more information direct from the source:

Trey carries on the tradition of his ancestors, the McLains and the Kynes, who both have roots deep in the bourbon industry dating back to the late 18th and 19th centuries. The Jefferson’s Bourbon brand portfolio, which is distributed in 46 states and 9 countries, consists of four “Ridiculously Small Batch” spirits: Jefferson’s Bourbon, Jefferson’s Reserve, Jefferson’s Presidential Select and Jefferson’s Rye. In the age where small batch bourbons are made from 200-300 bottles in big distilleries, Trey knows good things come in small batches. He carefully chooses from no more than 8-12 barrels to deliver a unique, yet consistent flavor profile for each of his four whiskies.

This summer, Trey will introduce Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon to his line of Ridiculously Small Batch whiskeys. The brand’s new addition is blended in Kentucky, aged in barrels for almost four years on a 126-foot ship, and bottled at a robust 88 proof (44% ABV). Trey was curious about what effects temperature changes, salt air, and continuous rocking of the sea would have on bourbon’s aging process. The result of the experiment is a dark and rich bourbon which rivals whiskeys aged for much longer. There are only 600 bottles of the rare product available and they’re going to be released nationally.

So without any more delay here’s my review for your reading enjoyment.

Bourbon Name:	Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon
Year:	2012
How I Drank It:	Neat, in my special bourbon glass (please don’t be jealous)
My Nose Noticed:^*	Leather\| Prunes \| Cinnamon
First Sip:	Sweet Cherry \| Woody \| Faintly Briny
The Burn^:**	The first few sips bite your tongue for a moment. It finishes smooth but returns with a wonderful warmth that caresses your entire throat. It lingers for a minute or two and then disappears like a ship in the fog. A very nice “burn”, but like a woman pining for her seafaring man, I wish it had stuck around a bit longer.
Neat, Splash or Rocks:	I started off drinking it neat for my initial observations. I then added a bit of water. The added water greatly softened the bite till it was all but gone. This allowed me to take more time in observing the flavors of the bourbon. I noticed that the delicate flavors of vanilla, cinnamon and prunes quickly gave way to the rough flavors of wood, leather and brine. Is this the result of being hyper-aged for 4 years at sea? A fleeting glimpse of flavors usually associated with well aged bourbons. It’s as if this bourbon has two distinct flavor profiles. Curious for sure, but I like it!
Share With:	This is a complex and wonderfully challenging bourbon in many ways. It has a finish that says, “Hey, look I’m only 4 years old but I’ve seen a lot of the world so I’m wiser than my years.” I think it’s best shared with fellow bourbon lovers who can appreciate all the subtleties that this has to offer.
Worth The Price:	I don’t know what the price is going to be when it’s released to the public but all proceeds will go to support Ocearch – Trey Zoeller’s friend, Chris Fischer’s, ocean conservation non-profit. With only 600 bottles being released to the public I definitely think it’s worth the price and effort for serious bourbon drinkers to grab a bottle for their collection.
Bottle, Bar or Bust:	If you’re a true collector of bourbon and you can appreciate what Trey’s done with his Ocean-Aged Bourbon I think you should definitely add it to your collection. But if your just curious to know what it tastes like I think you should skip hunting a bottle down and try to get a glass at a bourbon establishment – if available.

This is a really special bourbon in my opinion. With it’s seemingly dual flavor personality and unique story it is definitely one of the bourbon highlights of my year. I applaud Trey and his team for their dedication and willingness to try new things and get them in the hands of the American bourbon drinker. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I get my hands on a full bottle and continue my exploration of Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Bourbon.