Ancient Age (80 Proof)

Confession time: 1 - I'm quite the fan of Buffalo Trace. While I don't own a massive bronze buffalo statue, which costs about $400 from buffalotracegiftshop.com, I have definitely thought about it. 2 - Once you're in the "BT fan club refreshment tent" and fully immersed, you discover different levels of devotion. Within the BT fan club, I'm absolutely dedicated to BT mash bill #2. This includes favorites like Elmer T Lee, Rock Hill Farms, Blanton’s, Hancock’s, and, as you might guess, Ancient Age. The other four on that list range from "I enjoy this" to "this is a top-tier favorite." Even though this is no-age-statement, rumors suggest the spirit is around 3 years old. This makes sense for several reasons, so I believe it. 3 - I strongly believe that price should influence a rating. A spirit could be objectively superior to another and still get a lower score because most of us aren't the kind of person who posts videos mixing premium whiskey with soda. Value is important. 4 - It's baffling that no local stores stock this, especially considering some of the unusual items they do have. I spent $15.99 plus tax and $10 for shipping to get this 1-liter bottle from an online California liquor shop. I don't regret that purchase. End confessions. The aroma is sharp and tart. I detect almonds, walnuts, and lemon. I can see how someone might say cherry, but I'd lean towards lemon. There's a hint of yeast and cedar, though these notes aren't as prominent as they are in spirits like Jack, Beam, or Woodinville. The palate features orange, maple syrup, caramel, and powdered sugar. The progression from orange to powdered sugar has a candy-like sweetness that I'm really enjoying. It's vibrant, sweet, and delightful. I can understand if someone suggested apple for the palate, but I'd stick with orange. The finish presents yeast, pepper, and banana. This is where it becomes quite clear to me that the spirit is necessarily younger. I could do without the finish, but that's alright. I'll just consume it more quickly. Considering it's about $0.50 per ounce, why not? This spirit is straightforward, youthful, and enjoyable. It's on my short list for the best spirit under $20, and it's currently my preferred choice for an Old Fashioned. You can definitely mix this without hesitation, but it's also perfectly fine to drink neat. I recognize the connections to the other spirits from mash bill #2, and perhaps a good portion of my appreciation stems from this being a comparative study for me. Specifically, I notice the link to Blanton’s gold (the nutty notes and candy-like sweetness) and Hancock’s (the juicy and fruity character). I acknowledge my bias towards this spirit, but if you appreciate BT mash bill #2, I can't imagine you wouldn't find something to like here. This shouldn't be everyone's top spirit, but it deserves a better reception than its current community score, especially when the market is full of craft distilleries producing lesser spirits at four times the price. I'd recommend it to any acquaintance who enjoys mash bill #2, BT products in general, more affordable bourbons, or excellent mixers for an Old Fashioned.

I have encountered much praise for this and another spirit, which share a similar meaning in their names. I initially disliked the other one, but it grew on me. It's not truly exceptional whiskey, but it piqued my interest, prompting me to purchase this as well. Let's explore its characteristics. Nose: Compared to the other spirit, this presents a less intense aroma, with increased notes of spice and grain, but reduced oiliness and fruit. A subtle malty creaminess is also detectable. Its faint and light profile is rather uninspiring. However, the alcohol presence is not problematic. Palate: Caramel is present, but the overall taste is quite light. The caramel's lightness suggests simple sugar, accompanied by a faint grain note that harmonizes with a mild, smooth creaminess. Vanilla is mingled with the creaminess, and a light, subtly tart fruitiness rounds out the palate alongside a pleasant touch of spice. The mouthfeel is moderate, which is suitable. This is by no means a terrible drink; rather, it's the kind of bourbon suited for beginners or for use in large-batch cocktails for gatherings. Curiously, it bears a resemblance to scotch due to its soft creaminess. The subdued flavors are not particularly appealing to me, and it has a stronger alcohol burn than the other spirit, despite its milder flavor profile. Nevertheless, its mild taste combined with minimal alcohol presence is quite agreeable. Finish: The creaminess endures, which is perhaps the most enjoyable aspect, as it persists throughout. The tartness is initially noticeable but fades quickly. Lingering notes of vanilla and a gentle sweetness from the caramel are also present. This offers a different experience than the other spirit, yet both serve the purpose of an affordable, mild bourbon suitable for newcomers and for casual drinking when deep analysis isn't desired. I am undecided between the two, but I slightly favor this one. It performs better when consumed without having anything else to drink beforehand. The other spirit, conversely, benefits from its richer oiliness when tasted after a bolder bourbon, such as Wild Turkey 101. I am considering a score between 9 and 11, with 10 to 11 appearing most fitting given my slight preference over the other spirit. The difference warrants a score of 11.

Rating: 11/23 Nose: Sweet with notes of cotton candy and a hint of sour mash. There's a touch of alcohol, but also some complexity to explore. Palate: A sort of dusty corn sweetness is present, bringing a light cotton candy flavor. I detect a bit of wood, just enough for a subtle flavoring. There's a hint of caramel, as if the cotton candy was slightly overcooked (though not burnt). The spices are just sufficient to complement the light sour mash tartness. It's not particularly harsh, but there is a slight burn. Finish: The finish is quite light. The sour mash lingers along with that subtle caramel sweetness derived from the sweet corn's interaction with the light wood. - Conclusion - Early Times is smoother but has a more unusual profile. This one tastes like a very young bourbon (almost white dog). While that's not typically my preference, it's an interesting option to consider occasionally. It's a close call between this and Early Times, but I believe this has an edge in fundamental aspects because Early Times doesn't quite convey a compelling reason for its peculiar flavor. I still think this warrants an 11.

Score: 11/23 Nose: A delicate spice and orange peel aroma. Hints of wood-derived caramel and corn are present, though subtle. A whisper of damp grain, reminiscent of a short stay in a mildly warm storage facility. Palate: Smooth and sweet, featuring orange, ethanol, mild caramel, and corn notes alongside a touch of malted barley. It's gentle and very sippable. While the mashbill isn't recalled, a wheat-heavy recipe or perhaps a sweet mash process seems plausible. Finish: A gentle conclusion. The spirit's warmth becomes more noticeable but remains balanced. Orange, grain, and light caramel notes dissipate softly. This remains an unusual yet enjoyable bourbon. Its appeal hasn't diminished. It might not excel as a cocktail component, but its peculiar charm for sipping, considering its cost and youth, is undeniable. The absence of harshness is key, despite the spirit's presence being felt. The prior score of 11 holds. In fact, if asked to identify the spirit type, bourbon wouldn't be the immediate guess. A corn-forward Japanese spirit would be a more likely assumption.

A very subtle, traditional bourbon aroma that leans slightly unripe. Definitely a scent of rye bread, the kind without seeds, alongside chemically treated wood, allspice, a touch of cherry syrup for a cough, sweet corn kernels, a trace of vanilla, and a faint whiff of green apple. Everything is quite subdued, likely due to excessive dilution, but it isn't offensive. The flavor profile offers more complexity. It's sweet, herbaceous, spicy, fruity, and nutty. You'll find candied citrus rind first, then rye, spearmint, a bit of sharp spice, dehydrated apple and cherry, vanilla, peanut candy, and even chocolate. After swirling, the legs are slow to appear, showing up just before the film retreats back into the body of the spirit. The mouthfeel is also delicate, airy and light. The finish is brief. A touch dry, echoing the palate with a hint of acrid wood finish. It's an acceptable bourbon, but avoid adding ice or water to this spirit that already lacks alcohol strength, feels insubstantial, and belongs on the bottom shelf.

A budget option from Buffalo Trace, priced at $11.95 daily. Aged for 3 years in oak, which is ancient for a young spirit. However, it's superior to many on its shelf, and it has been available since 1946, so it's worth considering. It has a light color and medium legs. The nose presents light vanilla floral notes, sweet corn, and a touch of ethanol. It's thin, dry, and dusty, with a slightly sour initial impression. There's some vanilla, but very little body or depth. It becomes sweeter towards the finish, but this transition is neither prolonged nor lasting. Compared to other 'Old' brands (Old Grand Dad, Old Crow, Early Times, Old Tub, etc.), it falls short, but that's the reality. Therefore, mixing it seems appropriate. An equal ratio of the spirit, ice, and ginger ale (no more, no less) works well. Alternatively, choose your preferred soda, but make sure to use more of the spirit than the mixer. It's far better than consuming ivermectin (absolutely do not!).