Ben Holladay 7 Year Bottled In Bond Bourbon

Aroma - wow... not much to report here. Caramel popcorn, buttered rye bread, red apples… Very subtle on the nose. Frankly, I was anticipating more complexity with that extra year… Taste - caramel, red apples, light oak. Very delicate on the palate. Overall - man… I've revisited this bottle three times to provide a thorough review… It's a very good entry-level bourbon. Very subtle on the palate… doesn't present very strong or overwhelming flavors…. There's no lingering finish… no body… “smooth” …No Kentucky hug… Blind tested against Barrel Foundation.. and Foundation significantly outperformed it (and was $10-$15 cheaper). Blind tested against Bardstown BiB… and Bardstown was clearly superior. This is a really good Bottled-in-Bond bottle, but I can't justify the cost when I don't believe it's significantly better than other 100 proof whiskeys or even other BiB options available. EHT would absolutely crush this in a blind test and would cost about the same (if not less, depending on connections). I think Jack Bonded and even OF BiB could even be comparable in quality and still be less expensive. For the Price = 1.00 (so many more flavorful bottles I'd prefer to purchase in the $50-$70 range) For the Bottled in Bond Experience = 4.5 (yeah, this is really good) For the Proof - 3.50 (meh.. it's alright.. I think WT101 could hold its own in a blind test and save you $40)

Nose: It presents a light, subtle scent with sweet corn notes. Lacks depth, but hints of floral elements emerge. Palate: The alcohol content feels appropriate, mirroring the nose's lack of intensity. Feels a bit immature despite its age. Gentle corn and sweet butterscotch flavors are present. Finish: Brief, with a slight rye spice, leaving a tart, dry sensation. Fortunately, I acquired it as an open bottle, minimizing the expense. An acceptable drink that won't blow you away, but I'm pleased to have experienced this Missouri bourbon out of curiosity.