Calumet Farm 16 Year Single Rack Black Bourbon (Citation)

I was thrilled to find this for $139. Many strong reviews here led to high hopes, as this was the third most expensive bourbon I had ever purchased. The aroma of this is wonderful, with smoky vanilla, overcooked caramel, and a collection of sweet, aged wood. I imagine this is what it smelled like walking down the staircase on the Titanic. A drop of water can reveal a hint of grassy dill from the rye content. The mouthfeel is thinner than expected, leading to a palate of rich baking spice and scorched caramel with some vanilla-like coconut milk. Then, it hits you... the oak. It's an oak assault, overwhelming like a powerful blow. Some cinnamon and stacks of old newspapers settle in at some point, but the barrel's influence continues. The finish is, as expected, a massive oak fading with a pleasant buttermilk note and some lingering smoky caramel. If you enjoy a STRONG oak influence in your bourbon, don't hesitate, just buy it now. I feel somewhat overwhelmed by it but do appreciate some aspects of the experience. I let this breathe for a while after opening to see if it would mellow, and it did slightly. There's no denying the quality and overall refinement here. If that appeals to you, you'll probably love this. I'm realizing I prefer younger, intensely flavorful bourbons like Cowboy, Booker's, or 1920 (or do I?). Still, I can't give this too low a score as I've enjoyed my bottle and appreciate what it offers, but at around $150, I likely wouldn't repurchase it... 88/100... Your mileage may vary.

Nose: An abundance of aromas; banana bread, light citrus, vanilla, custard, celery (strange!), bubblegum, nutmeg, and a strong but sweet oak. While ethanol isn't entirely absent, it's very subtle. Makes the mouth water. Palate: You'd better enjoy oak because it's the main feature here. Sweet and smooth, the oak is well-balanced with caramel, vanilla, baking spices, and pistachio. The flavors are vibrant. It's not the most intricate bourbon, but the existing flavors are presented exceptionally well. Finish: Offers a hint of anise, clove, cinnamon, and more of that sweet oak found in the nose and palate. The medium-bodied texture is smooth and coats the tongue. I saw positive feedback and decided to try it, and I'm pleased I did, as this provides an increasingly rare experience of a high-aged bourbon. At $150, the price is quite excessive, so I don't anticipate repurchasing it anytime soon, but it is indeed a damn good whiskey.

Nose: It offers a sweet aroma, featuring dark cherry and vanilla. There's a hint of cherry pie, but with a brown sugar quality. Additionally, a tobacco scent emerges, making for an excellent bouquet. Palate: This delivers on the promise of the nose. Tobacco, sweet oak, dark caramel, mature vanilla, cherry, and chocolate are present. The mouthfeel is satisfying, not exceptional but pleasing. The sweetness is well-judged, present but not overwhelming, with some spice appearing in the mid to back palate. Finish: The finish is satisfying and lengthy, evoking the sensation of having just smoked a pipe. Tobacco, smoke, and oak notes are prominent, harmoniously balanced with vanilla and baking spice.

I picked this up for $70, a price point significantly below what most people pay, so I acknowledge that my positive feelings might be influenced by the cost. Imagine an old wooden chair blended into a food processor with burnt caramel, vanilla, cherry, a hint of citrus, cinnamon, and cocoa bits. Some may find the oak presence excessive, but in my opinion, it's right on the edge of being too much. I haven't been drinking much bourbon recently, but this is delightful, and I regret not buying more bottles at that price.

3.5 stars - Very good, 750 ml bottle What separates a good whiskey from a great one? This whiskey strongly resembles Remus Repeal Batch II, an intense oak and cherry profile. It's very good, clearly aged, and distinctive. But is it legendary? I believe this is a two-note wonder; however, I require at least three or four dominant notes for sufficient complexity to be considered 'great'. At half the age, I would favor Booker's for that reason.

It's not often I find myself pleasantly surprised by a $150 bottle of bourbon. These have been decent but unremarkable in the past. The aroma is the standout feature. Salty and sweet caramel with floral notes simultaneously. The palate delivers the salty caramel and adds cocoa bitters. The finish is the weak point. Warmth persists, but with little flavor, slightly pine-like. I'm not claiming this is a top-tier whiskey, but it's superior to its predecessors.