13th Colony Southern Bourbon

Tasted neat in a glencairn, recently opened after a long rest. Nose - sweet, vanilla, caramel, corn, a hint of tobacco, toffee, and maple, almost like candied pecans or peanuts, cherry, a very slight earthiness but the sweet flavors are much more dominant than anything else. Palate - feels thin to me, but carries a significant amount of flavor that coats the mouth surprisingly well for 95 proof. Nose and palate align with vanilla, caramel, sweet corn, slight nuttiness, cherry, cinnamon. Some spice, but not at all overwhelming, and the sweetness persists throughout. Finish - I found this finish quite impressive for a 95 proof, medium to long, with leather, a touch of oak, sweetness still present with brown sugar, and a hint of the candied nuts. Based on the batch I have, I must respectfully disagree with ratings below 4. This has very limited distribution, but if I found it around $35 a bottle, I'd likely buy a case. At $45, I'd still probably get 3 bottles at once. It is incredibly smooth and very easy to drink, almost deceptively smooth, with hardly any signs of youth. It's packed with flavor for a 4-6 year old small batch, boasting a better nose than some bourbons I've had at 8-12 years. The best description I can give is if Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, and Wild Turkey had a child together. It contains flavors I'd typically find in each of those brands. Is it a powerhouse unicorn? No, but that's not what I expect for $35-$45. As an inexpensive everyday drinker with great flavor, 100% yes. Ideally, I'd prefer to see it at $35; I think it competes better in that price range, but this is also a "craft" distiller with limited distribution, so paying more online to obtain it is understandable. If 13th Colony continues to produce offerings like this, they will become very popular very quickly.

I was eager to write about this for some time, but between my job and everyday life, I couldn't get to it. This is the third liquor I've reviewed from 13th Colony; it's quite distinct from the Sour Mash bourbon and should be considered separately. The liquid appears dark in both the bottle and my Glencairn glass, leaving a pleasant coating on the glass's interior. Its aroma is sweet, featuring notes of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of something like brown sugar or maple. The mouthfeel is quite pleasing, delivering a robust flavor that coats the inside of your mouth akin to molasses, accompanied by a noticeable warmth. This bourbon, although 95 proof, can come across as spicier than its 105 proof counterpart, the 13th Colony Sour Mash Bourbon, which I previously reviewed. The finish has a slight astringency and sharpness, though not uncomfortably so. The taste persists in your mouth for an extended duration, a characteristic I truly appreciate in both 13th Colony bourbons. Unfortunately, this spirit is not readily available, but I've started noticing it in South Carolina and in central North Carolina near Fayetteville. Should you encounter a bottle of this or the Sour Mash and prefer bold-flavored bourbon, I recommend purchasing a bottle and giving it a try. In south Georgia, where I initially found it, the price was $40 per bottle, but I eventually located it in my region for $35, making it a regular purchase for me at that cost.

Initially, it tasted quite strong, like a blast of salty rocks hitting you in the face. However, it does calm down after that first intense wave. I detect some cinnamon notes, though not everyone might. I purchased it for $50 at a large wine store. I tried it with 7-Up Ginger, which surprisingly complemented it well, cutting the strength. Honestly, I think I'll stick to plain seltzer water for drinking it this way. This isn't for the faint of heart; you need to be tough to drink this. It's certainly not like those sugary peanut butter or cherry cordial drinks; this is genuine whiskey.

Nose: Smooth vanilla and sweet oak Palate: Vanilla and caramel transition to warm baking spices with subtle fruit and nutty undertones Finish: Brief, yet a sweet and spiced lingering sensation lasts longer than anticipated Yes, the bottle itself is eye-catching, closely resembling the glass used for Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon. Their main bourbon is reportedly a mix of sourced barrels aged between 4 and 6 years. With a mashbill containing 21% rye, we can likely infer the origin. Ultimately, this is a very traditional bourbon with a sweet profile that makes for an easy drink. Priced under $50 MSRP, it offers good value.

NEAT NOSE - Sweet Corn, Caramel, and Honey PALATE - Matches the nose exactly. Extremely easy to drink and would serve as a nice daily option given the price and mellow flavor profile. Not complicated, but good and direct. No oak is detectable on the palate or nose. FINISH - Short. All the notes fade out simultaneously, like movie end credits. BUY? - Yes. BUY AGAIN? - Considering its price, I wouldn't rule it out. It's smooth, sweet, and a great value for a craft spirit, but it's really not exceptional. Nonetheless, it's a pleasant pour.

I'm not sure what I read that made me want to try this. I found a bottle at a favorite stop when traveling through Georgia, and it was a nice surprise. I'm happy I bought a bottle. This whiskey has a very dark orange color and coats the glass. It's solidly sweet but lacks depth. Rich with caramel and a subtle hint of citrus in the background. A pleasant, lingering maple-brown sugar finish.