Bull Run American Whiskey 13 years old

Nose: pronounced vanilla, strong ethanol, very faint red fruit, absence of wood notes P: layers of vanilla, mild oak appears and disappears quickly, a long alcoholic burn without flavor Overall: this whiskey was irritating; it was distilled by MGP, but they don't disclose that on the label. You can find almost no specific details about it on their website. It was simply compromised by the amount of alcohol that remained on the nose and dominated the finish, even after months of being open. I appreciate high alcohol by volume for its richness and full flavor, and this had neither; disappointing.

This is the #14 batch finished in Pinot Noir barrels. It's a bourbon sourced from MGP and then aged for an additional year in Oregon Pinot Noir casks. The aroma is reminiscent of berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. The flavor includes sweet corn, butterscotch, buttercream frosting, some red wine notes, and a touch of tannins on the finish. It's sweet but not overly so. Truly excellent.

I tried the 13-year edition with a maple syrup finish. Sweetness is the immediate characteristic, of course. It tastes like maple syrup with a hint of alcohol. It makes a nice old fashioned with ice and orange bitters. It's still a bit sweet, but enjoyable if you prefer that type of finish. I added Pikeville rye to mellow it out, and it created a pleasant mixture with reduced sweetness.

A fantastic price for a cask strength whiskey with 13 years of age. It doesn't offer a great deal of flavor complexity but performs admirably in mixed drinks.