Buffalo Trace Single Oak Project Bourbon

This was a sample from barrel #68. The barrel was made from the lower part of a tree with 12 growth rings, given a level 4 char, and used for aging a high-rye bourbon mash bill. The bourbon entered the barrel at 125 proof and was stored in Rick K. The aroma leads with butterscotch hard candy, powdered sugar on sautéed cinnamon apples, and light sawdust, then moves to candied pecans and light roast espresso, followed by candied orange peel and cherry cough syrup, evolving into moderate spearmint, cloves, and a slightly aged catcher's mitt with a light ethanol sting. The palate has a thin texture, starting with candy corn, powdered sugar, and sour caramel apple lollipop, quickly shifting to a moderate bitter spice that gradually fades to lightly burnt walnuts and cacao nibs, then charred orange peel and diluted maraschino cherry juice, transitioning to moderate spearmint, black pepper, cloves, and a slightly aged catcher's mitt with a medium ethanol sting. The finish is short, featuring cacao nibs, lightly burnt walnuts, black cherries, a sour apple jolly rancher, black pepper, and moderate spearmint. The nose was promising, offering creamy fruitiness with mild sour tartness and moderate rye spices, but the palate didn't match the nose, showing heavy oakiness and youthful astringency that didn't blend well, concluding with a short finish of earthy and spicy rye notes. It's unclear why these were bottled at 45% ABV instead of cask strength to truly highlight the flavors from the individual trees that sadly perished for this thin and ordinary bourbon. I've heard other barrel numbers were better, but I'm not eager to investigate. The single oak bottles originally sold for about $50 MSRP, but today you'd unfortunately have to pay around $400 for these 375ml bottles, which is just excessive, and in my opinion, neither price is warranted for the quality received.

For those unfamiliar, Buffalo Trace produced a series of experimental spirits, bottled in 375ml containers and priced quite high. Each bottle is marked with a barrel number, so reviews will pertain to specific casks. A dedicated website details the Single Oak Project. To be clear, this isn't a single product or flavor profile, so expect significant variation in these ratings and assessments!

This experimental release from Buffalo Trace, from barrel #130, was a cool experience. The aroma offered oak, fruit, some spice, and rye. The taste was enjoyable, with rye present, and not watery. The finish was a bit fiery but extended and pleasing. Note: All my tastings so far have been neat at room temperature, without water, using a palate cleanser between samples.

Cask 108. Quite intriguing. Nose: Glazed Doughnuts, Vanilla, White Chocolate, Almonds, Pineapple Syrup, Brown Butter Cake, Honey, Bananas, Peaches, Grass, Cloves, Licorice, Starfish. Palate: Vanilla, White Chocolate, Peaches, Marshmallows, Sunflowers, Lavender, Honey. Finish: Vanilla, Marshmallows, Almonds, Toasted Oak, Leather, Maple Syrup, Coconuts.

I recently acquired four bottles of this at work and was lucky enough to sample it. It's easily the best bourbon I've had in ages. The team at Buffalo Trace is doing exceptional work. It's absolutely worth the price. Plus, each 375mL bottle offers a distinct flavor profile and is labeled by its batch barrel number, providing a truly unique experience.

I opened barrel number 52 for Memorial Day. The aroma was lovely, reminiscent of a flower arrangement. The initial taste was sweet. This bourbon is as smooth as can be and very easy to drink. I'd rate the effort an A, but honestly, for the price I pay for a bourbon, I anticipate a bit more of an impact.