Black Ridge Special Reserve Port Barrel Finish

I've had some enjoyable port-finished bourbons before. Fortunately, I received a sample to try rather than buying it outright. The nose, well, it was nonexistent. This was truly bizarre. My companion and I both detected absolutely nothing. It's the first bourbon I've encountered with no aroma whatsoever before tasting. The palate arrived with cherry and blackberry notes, reminiscent of medicine. It tasted like the cough syrup my mother used to administer. The finish had some sweetness, but the overwhelming sensation was medicinal. Its intensity made everything else disappear. I'm extremely grateful I sampled this before spending money. I'd consider this a drain pour. It's quite awful, and I dislike saying that about any bourbon. I will certainly not be purchasing this. Scale.25

A robust Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, aged an additional 15 months in Ruby Port Barrels and bottled at 90 proof. It begins with notes of dried and red fruits, wood, herbs, and spices. A full body introduces notes of apple, mixed berry jam, toasted oak, caramel, star anise, and vanilla, leading to a balanced, medium-length finish. June / July 2022

Nose smells of cherries and spice, with a hint of baking spices. It's a bit hot at the beginning; the cherry cola flavor is strong, and you get plenty of vanilla in the finish. It's 90 proof and seems a little mild, but overall it's a truly enjoyable bottle. I anticipate trying it again and again.

Blackberry aroma. Harsh start. A burn. Spicy with a pleasant finish. Complex bourbon with a vanilla end. It's acceptable. A friend mentioned it has the same mash bill as Angels Envy, and I prefer AE.

I was told this was comparable to Angel’s Envy Finished Rye. For me, it’s not even close. It’s not bad, but I won’t repurchase it.

Nose: not overpowering, like cherry syrup Palate: very light, subtly sweet flavor Finish: charred oak with a hint of cherry