Boone County Eighteen33 Straight Bourbon 10 Year

I bought this on a whim at my local store and it turned out to be one of my better choices. I was unfamiliar with this bottle when I selected it. The bottle itself is eye-catching: the label is a striking blue and orange with an old-fashioned script stating its name and the year William and John Snyder established their distillery on the banks of the Ohio in northern Kentucky: Eighteen 33. There's a compelling narrative on the label about the dedication and sacrifices of those early distillers, concluding with the phrase, “Made by Ghosts”. Given all that, I'd probably enjoy it even if the whiskey was just okay. Fortunately, it's much better than that. Boone County Eighteen 33 straight bourbon whiskey is a ten-year-old spirit made by MGP. There's a great story from the founders of this distillery about how they acquired these 1000 barrels of whiskey to sell while their distillery was being built, but I can't seem to find it to share the link. Anyway, on to the tasting. This whiskey is made from a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. It's bottled at a solid 45.4% ABV. It looks a beautiful dark amber in the glass and forms long, slow-moving legs when swirled. The aroma is a wonderfully sweet explosion of buttery caramel, brown sugar, a hint of vanilla, and light cinnamon. It's like a Cinnabon sweet roll in a glass. In the mouth, it's more of the same: butterscotch and warm baking spices with hints of tobacco and leather. Considering its 10-year age, there's very little oak; just that amazing sweet roll. If sweet whiskey isn't your preference, you might reconsider this dram. But the rest of us will continue to savor it. The rye emerges in the finish with cinnamon and pepper. It's pleasantly warm and leaves you wanting more. This cost $65 locally. At that price point, it's definitely at the higher end of my bourbon budget. But I must say, I'm not disappointed. This is one of the better bourbons I've had recently, and I'm glad I took a chance on it. I'll likely purchase it again when it's gone; it's that good. A 4/5 rating, even considering the price. Cheers!

The aroma is lively with oak and citrus, followed immediately by ample brown sugar sweetness with traces of vanilla. As it sits, the citrus quickly dominates while oak balances it. It's very fresh and bright, definitely not suggesting its age. The taste is gentle and oak-forward. It doesn't coat the mouth but stays localized. In those spots, it becomes chewy, really bringing out the citrus. Vanilla and brown sugar fill out the background, but it remains rather straightforward overall. Straightforwardness isn't negative when executed well. This is done well, though you might anticipate more oak given its age and proof. A great, full-bodied drink on its own, but a bit more complexity would be welcome. The finish is medium, and while the mouth feels tingly for a short while, the flavors vanish rapidly. First the sweetness, then the spice. Oak is the prevailing aftertaste, but the lack of depth holds it back somewhat,

Purchased for about $35 for the 375ml “Snyder’s Flask” 12 year at the Boone County Distilling Co. gift shop. Color: Dark Orange/Auburn Nose: a truly wonderful bouquet- toffee and I think some slight chocolate, caramel and vanilla, honey, slight ethanol, some oak at the end Palate: tobacco and leather, toffee and caramel, ethanol, honey and vanilla on the finish (short) with a slight cinnamon linger Boone County did an excellent job selecting this mash bill and these MGP barrels. Although the experience felt a bit brief, there's a tiny hint of sweet tobacco that tempts you to take another sip.

From a store selection, aged 12 years, 113.52 proof. The aroma is fantastic, with sweet caramel and oak notes. This carries through to the taste, complemented by an earthy undertone. A slight acidic tang is present, along with baking spices and a doughy character. It's truly delightful. 8/24/18 From a store selection, aged 12 years, 114.40 proof. The aroma is initially subdued, but what's detectable is good. It eventually opens up to reveal caramel and perhaps a touch of tart fruit. The taste is reminiscent of cola, and the warmth settles in the chest. 8/24/18 From a store selection, aged 12 years, 121.88 proof. It smells sweet and woody, with a hint of fresh linen. The palate offers a quick burst of spice, followed by sweet oak throughout. It has a warming sensation. 8/24/18

A handsome dark-reddish copper hue. The aroma is quite inviting, led by dark fruit, woody spice, and sweet corn, building high hopes. The flavor is not as bold as the smell, but it's still very pleasant. A smooth texture is enhanced by vanilla, oak, and the sweet fruit notes detected on the nose. This spirit is best enjoyed neat, as water diminishes an already well-balanced, lower alcohol content (46%) bourbon. Rated 3.95.

This recent release from Boone County KY Distillers is a decent drink. It's labeled as 10 Years old, has a slight bite initially followed by a smooth finish. It carries a mild spiciness, less pronounced than Basil Hayden. I find it a bit pricey, costing me over $55 for a 750ml bottle. My understanding is this became available in December 2015. I believe its value is in the $35-$40 range for a bourbon.