Black Saddle Bourbon 12 Year

The aroma features hints of burned wood and corn. The taste is acceptable, with notes of white grapes, wood, and mellow wood. It concludes with a pleasing, gentle finish that possesses a good duration. While I hesitate to label it 'smooth,' it does offer a pleasant flavor that doesn't disrupt the initial impression. However, this also serves as a drawback, as it fails to introduce any novel flavors or surprises. I could justify a 3 or 4-star rating, depending on my inclination at the moment. I'm midway through this bottle, and each sampling yields similar characteristics but a different feeling about the bottle's enjoyment. In the end, the liquid is good. My expectations for a 12-year product are still not met, but the price for this 12-year-old spirit is noteworthy.

The nose doesn't present anything strongly. Eventually, some buttered popcorn and vanilla appear, alongside a bit of nougat. The mouthfeel isn't rich but has a buttery quality. You detect more vanilla and some pepper towards the end. It offers a slightly warming, medium-length finish. A little spicy pepper is followed by vanilla and a touch of citrus. Overall, it's underwhelming, especially considering the cost.

The initial smell upon opening was sugary and reminiscent of apples. After pouring, the aroma remained sweet with less apple presence, possibly a whisper of vanilla. The first taste brought a wave of light and spicy-peppery sensations. Once it sat for a bit, the smell and flavors settled into a mild sweetness with a touch of pepperiness. It wasn't particularly special. The flavor profile was quite plain, lacking any depth.

The nose has caramel, orange, and cream. It's very sweet and inviting. On the palate, it's tangy, echoing the orange from the nose. Floral, leafy (perhaps tea leaves). A bit smoky, but less woody than I'd anticipate for a 12-year-old. The finish is somewhat thin. Generally enjoyable, but not my top choice.

Nose: char, smoke, faint vanilla. Mouth: lots of pepper, slight allspice, smoke, leather, a hint of sweet vanilla, and a harsh sandpaper-like ethanol background. Finish: long with pepper, harsh and not smooth. I would not purchase this again. Disappointed for a 12-year-old.

Unremarkable. The cost for a 12yr is fair but I would not repurchase. I was sampling this and then the Weller Special Reserve and preferred the Weller.