Bardstown Bourbon Co. Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon

I was quite fond of the Bardstown Bourbon Company's Origin Series Wheated Bourbon, and to my surprise, I can easily find that, their Bottled in Bond, and the standard bourbon at my local Total Wine. Given the quality and price point of this range, I'm very happy they are so widely available. The aroma of this particular selection is sweet and rich. Caramel drizzled over sweet peach ice cream truly evokes a dessert. Deeper within the aroma, you'll find a classic American flavor – a Payday bar with its nutty, roasted peanuts and sweet, sticky caramel. This aroma might suggest the taste will be overly sweet. The initial taste is sweet cream and apricot jam, but interestingly, the mouthfeel isn't as thick as the aroma would imply. There's also a surprising amount of fruit on the palate. Alongside the apricot, notes of orange marmalade and overripe cherries contribute to the fruity profile, complemented by some slightly tannic lemon rind. There's also an underlying hint of bittersweet dark cocoa powder. Speaking of bittersweet, that's the theme of the finish. It's a lengthy one, despite the somewhat lighter mouthfeel. Tannic oak and dark chocolate take prominence, with some slightly spicy cracked black pepper and cinnamon. It's not exceptionally complex but is very well-balanced and enjoyable. I believe their Wheated selection is just slightly better for me when compared to this Bottled in Bond, but honestly, both are excellent bourbons and, at suggested retail price, offer incredible value. Since they are so easy to find, you should definitely go out and purchase the core offerings in this lineup.

Distilled in the fall of 2017. Allow this to breathe in the glass. Even after nearly 8 months open, it still needs more time. When you observe the heavy lacing climbing the glass, it's ready. The nose is rather muted, offering dried peanuts in the shell, hard caramel candies, and the faintest hint of honey. The palate is significantly better: rich, sweet, and oily, with peanuts being dominant but a pleasant backdrop reminiscent of homemade honey nougat that smoothly connects the nuts with cinnamon and baking spices. Small sips with plenty of air reveal a lighter taste of school-lunch fruit salad and much more cinnamon. Swirl it for a few seconds and you'll also perceive some figs and dates. The transition is medium, carrying all the peanut, cinnamon, and nougat flavors to a slightly tannic and drying finish that still manages to feel rich. The flavors are very well integrated, showcasing considerable thought in the mash bill, barrels, and aging. If the nose were just a bit better, this would be outstanding at any price. As it stands, this is a great spirit for a good, fair price; you should purchase a bottle and give it a try.

The aroma brings to mind apples and fruit juice. The taste is sweet, echoing the fruity sweetness of apple cider and vanilla extract. It's a pleasant pour, but it requires a specific mood. Some nights it's fantastic, while other nights the sweetness becomes too much when I'm seeking more classic oak richness. However, considering the cost, it's a great addition to your collection for those times you desire these particular flavors, whether often or infrequently.

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I'm getting a somewhat tart, green apple note, which is then followed by a buttery sweetness, and I'm truly enjoying it. The mouthfeel right away is nicely rich and viscous. The front of the palate has a pleasant, subtle vanilla sweetness. It then lingers nicely through the finish with a soft cinnamon flavor, warming my chest as it goes down. A really pleasant sip. One of my favorites!

The aroma presents considerable heat with an underlying sweetness. It's unclear if the heat comes from the proof, rye, or baking spice. The sweetness might be from honey, vanilla, or something else. On the palate, you encounter a very different profile. The sweetness remains, but with more of a berry note alongside the honey. The heat that was prominent on the nose is significantly reduced.

The legs are strong and hold their position well. The color in a small amount in a Glencairn glass looks shiny gold against the light, shimmering and foreshadowing the sweet vanilla and milk chocolate notes in the initial taste. There's a new lemon custard finish that lingers at the back of your tongue for a while. A great bottle, I'd buy one for myself.