Batch 206 Back Porch Bourbon Straight Bourbon Single Barrel Aged 8 Years

Rating: 17/23 N: This has a less sweet aroma than Batch 206's 7 year Old Log Cabin Bourbon. I still detect some rum character with tropical fruits and fireworks in the smell. There's also vanilla and mineral notes, along with some tartness, similar to the Curacao cask flavor found in Plantation products. P: This genuinely tastes like bourbon. It possesses that sour mash flavor. It's sweet yet tart with significant boldness. There's considerable heat, but apple, banana, and orange emerge. Minerals are present, but the proof makes their flavor substantial enough to work well. The caramel here is light but not artificial. Some cask char is noticeable, as is definite vanilla. Plenty of spiciness, primarily ginger and black pepper. A touch of Grade A dark maple. F: Minerals, vanilla, unripe banana, ginger, with a subtle woody undertone. - Conclusion - This is the finest official release from Batch 206 I've sampled. Unfortunately, it falls well short of amazing, but it's certainly an easy drink. It has some shortcomings, such as the minerality and only decent complexity, yet I actively like this one. Its success relies heavily on the high proof, though. I'd be interested to see how a bottle left open with a quarter removed would taste after three months. This is at least a 16. An 18, however? Unlikely. It seems to be nearing competition with Wild Turkey Rare Breed, but it's not quite there. The minerality here holds it back just enough that I don't believe it can achieve that 18. My overall impression of the profile is a bit of Wild Turkey Rare Breed combined with a substantial amount of Old Forester 1920. I'm feeling generous, so this can be a 17. It's a low 17, though. Upon returning home, I'm realizing Old Forester 1920 is less rich and complex and has more minerals than I previously recalled. At $85 (after tax), Batch 206's offering is becoming more appealing.

A solid rye. A touch too warm, but quite pleasant otherwise.