Copper Tongue 16 Year Bourbon

Sampled neat. Nose: A blend of fruit and oak, with hints of vanilla and caramel, but a dominant orange Starburst flavor accompanied by a background of sawdust/oak. The aroma is appealing. Later, the orange Starburst seemed to acquire sherry-like qualities. Intriguing. Even later, some spice emerged, such as cinnamon. Body: Light. Palate: Oak and cooked fruit, with woody caramel. Upon a second taste, I found the spirit to be quite delicate, not as bold in flavor as the nose suggested. More tobacco emerged with time, which was pleasant as it merged into a finish featuring more smoke and char. Over time, I believe this is a very sweet dram, which I enjoy. Finish: Short to medium, with some barrel char that I really like. Note: I approach this dram with cautious optimism. I am intrigued by the 16-year-old Dickel, as I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the 11 and 13-year-old Bottled-in-Bond expressions. Admittedly, I have a fondness for sweetness, so any "Flintstones Vitamins" flavor would be agreeable to me. The initial sip was a pleasant "Oh, that's different." Overall, I am very fond of it. It deviates slightly from typical bourbon flavors, reminding me a bit of the fruitiness in Maker's Mark 2021 Edition.

This marks my initial experience with an Orphan Barrel product, as I've been hesitant to spend the money on random single barrels. Given a more accessible price point, I opted to take a chance on this one. Dickel can yield mixed results, but I typically enjoy their older bottlings, so I decided to give this a go. The nose is slightly oaky with perhaps some apple pie notes. There's nothing unpleasant about it; in fact, it's quite nice, suggesting a decent start. The first sip is less appealing. This one certainly spent considerable time in the barrel. I'm detecting some unusual burnt caramel notes on the edges, almost a medicinal quality in this pour. There's a pleasant charred warming burn on the finish that offers some redemption to the drink, but it concludes far too quickly. Overall, this bottle looks great on display, and at this price, I'd advise leaving it there and choosing something else. I won't be rushing to purchase other, more expensive Orphan Barrel selections anytime soon.

Aroma: Intense, rich caramel and Jonagold apple. It does carry a slight Flintstones vitamins scent. Black tea and light tobacco are present, along with vanilla, peach, and a hint of orange zest. Maple and brown sugar notes emerge. Taste: A dense oakiness bursts forth into strong caramel and fruit. The finish has a robust oaky menthol character. Notes of lemon and peach appear on the finish, with a trace of cantaloupe. Brown sugar and vanilla also surface on the finish, accompanied by a touch of oaky treacle. Adding water enhances the sweetness and gummy flavors while intensifying the fruit notes.

A 1 oz blind sample. Nose: It's subtle, making it somewhat difficult to discern specific notes. There's smokiness and light oak, reminding me of a recent sample of Eric Church JD. Palate: Spicy, with notes of cinnamon/allspice and Granny Smith apple. Again, it was challenging to identify distinct flavors. Finish: Medium in duration. A slight spice lingers on the cheeks, which I appreciate. It finishes a bit dry, likely due to those green apple notes. The finish is perhaps my favorite aspect of this one. Proof: On the lower side, around 95. Overall: Very good – a step above the rest.

Third time sampling this bottle, open for a week. Aroma: Fruity and floral, with notes of orange and cherry alongside cinnamon and vanilla. Taste: Starts light, then builds to a substantial middle and finish. Consistently fruity, featuring orange peel, chocolate, and cherries, ending with a very fruity profile. Overall: A decent bottle with an excellent label. I appreciate the narrative behind all orphan barrel selections. This one is costly, with a retail price of $100 or more. Whether the bourbon warrants the expense is for you to determine.

I had high hopes for this given the price, but it was a letdown initially. The aroma and taste reminded me of jalapeño/pickle brine. As the glass sat and I added an ice cube, the bourbon's complexity emerged. Hints of wood, but more notably caramel and vanilla came through. Mildly sweet aroma and flavor. A tannic, drying sensation on the palate towards the end. Medium finish.