Blade and Bow Bourbon

A tour of the distillery provided a learning experience about production methods and history. It became apparent that older barrels are likely blended with new pot still whiskey, so take my tasting notes with a grain of salt, as their relevance may diminish when the supply of old barrels is depleted. Perhaps due to prior tastings of other spirits, I found this surprisingly pleasant. It was smoother than anticipated for a new brand, with a reasonable alcohol content and a small batch feel, featuring common barrel notes and a noticeable amount of dried fruit. It was mellower than expected, and the blending process became clearer through inquiry. A decent spirit that is slightly overpriced.

The aroma offers Oh’s Cereal, with distinct notes of honey, grain, and toasted coconut upfront. A subtle touch of cinnamon and raisin bread emerges at the end. On the palate, the cinnamon and cereal combine, complemented by raisin and honey leading into the finish. The finish is smooth, bringing Pear, Apple Pie, and Sugared Cream of Wheat to the palate. This is a remarkably balanced and consistent whiskey, a dependable choice. Its consistency and price point make it a worthy addition to any connoisseur's collection. An excellent introduction to whiskey or a solid choice for regular enjoyment, this whiskey is a safe bet!

Medium color with a yellowish hue, fruity nose, well-balanced full-flavored mouthfeel with a pleasant aftertaste of abundant caramel. A second sip reveals continued caramel and butterscotch exploding in the back of your mouth. Since this is the dominant flavor, it does lack some complexity; not much oak or vanilla flavors were detected compared to some of the more premium options in the lingering finish. Still a great value for a well-made Bourbon. This is genuine, unlike some I now suspect of having added flavoring,

The aroma is quite pleasing, with hints of allspice or perhaps cinnamon, and caramelized sugar. These scent notes are what I consider traditional for bourbon. The taste delivers those spices and oak, along with tart elements, leading to a medium finish. For me, this is an acceptable bourbon that can be savored neat or with a single ice cube.

The nose is fruity and sweet, but not very complex. It strongly resembles green apple with hints of vanilla. The sweetness carries through to the palate with the same apple and vanilla notes detected on the nose. The finish is short, with a touch of heat, pepper, and oak. It's an easy sipper that is light, sweet, and enjoyable.

Nose: Vanilla, toasted oak, slightly sharp Palate: Sweet vanilla, with some wood notes and an herbal undertone Finish: Brief. The sweetness shifts to baking spices Overall, a solid, average sipper; it does become sweeter once the bottle has been open for a while.