Breckenridge Distillers High Proof Blend

An American whiskey tasting evening occurred in Sydney on September 21, 2018. This was Whiskey #3. Nose: Oak, caramel toffee, treacle, raisins, and a subtle musk – a strong and fragrant nose. A resinous honey note keeps reappearing, along with just a touch of wintergreen. Very pleasing. Palate: A warm, sweet, and spicy arrival with significant heat from the spices, tannins, and alcohol, yet it never becomes scorching. As it develops, deep fruity flavors emerge – plums, dates, raisins, and currants – and a pleasant vanilla note becomes noticeable. Adding water reveals some orange but also makes the palate somewhat dull. The high proof carries all the flavor; diluting it even slightly diminishes its impact. The flavor doesn't change drastically, but it loses richness and impact. Drinking this neat is recommended. Finish: Medium to long. A rich yet soft sweet-spice character gradually fades. This is a well-crafted, enjoyable whiskey. The exact nature of the blend is unclear, but it's believed to be a re-racked bourbon finished in port casks, and the influence of a wine cask is evident. It possesses a buttery, fruity quality and is very smooth without lacking character. This specific whiskey was not available for purchase that evening, as the bottle was provided by a friend of the tasting presenter. It typically sells for around US$60, which would likely translate to about AUS$120. At that price point, it offers acceptable value but is surpassed by other bourbons in a similar price range. Rating: “Above Average”: 82/100 (3.25 stars)

Day 14. The Rocky Mountain water must be special because this was well-balanced. The inviting aroma had warm vanilla and cinnamon. The taste echoed this, but with added notes of dried fruit and toasted grain. The high proof mentioned earlier was quite smooth overall, making it enjoyable without needing water or ice, in my opinion. Solid all around. I wanted more.

An elegant, high-proof blended bourbon from Breckenridge Distillery in Colorado, bottled at 52.5% ABV. It has an aromatic start with notes of grains, wood, nuts, dried fruits, herbs & spices; while a rich & delicate body adds notes of malted barley, butter caramel, toasted almond paste & vanilla sugar; leading to a quick & balanced finish with hints of oak, coffee & dark chocolate.

A nice high proof bourbon with a sweet undertone. Because of the concentration, I would suggest adding water and letting it rest for about ten minutes before drinking (I prefer things neat, so I'm not sure what would be ideal for those who prefer ice). The second serving is typically better than the first. I just finished my first bottle and would purchase another.

NOTE: This review is for the Reserve Blend, not the one listed. The Reserve Blend wasn't available in the app. If I were to introduce a completely new drinker to bourbon, this might be the one. It presented a well-rounded flavor profile and tasted like cornbread. An easy finish.

Nose: Raisin, vanilla, caramel, and rye notes. Palate: Sweetness of butterscotch and vanilla stand out at the front. Mid-palate features more spice-like notes with cinnamon and pepper. Finish: An easy finish with oak notes that lasts a medium to long time.