First Call Break Maiden Bourbon

A dry, Straight Bourbon Whiskey created by Master Distiller Kevin Curtis for IJW Whiskey Company in Kentucky. It's made from a blend of 40 different mash bills and aged in charred American oak barrels, followed by a Port Cask Finish before being bottled at 90 proof. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of grain, dried fruit, wood, herbs & spices; its rich & complex character adds notes of raisin, crème brûlée, oak & tobacco; culminating in a dry, medium-length finish with notes of dried oats & barley. April / July / August 2023

Sampled neat in the speakeasy with a friend On the nose, it smells sweet, fruity, and autumnal with notes of vanilla, caramel, cocoa slivers, pears, and raisins. On the palate, it's smooth and sweet but not overly so, as well as fruity, with notes of vanilla, maraschino cherries, toasted marshmallow, candy apple, and caramel. This bourbon truly surprised me… it's delicious!

The nose features oak, port barrel, raisin, and vanilla notes along with grain. It's incredibly smooth, sweet, with flavors of grape, port, and oak. A soft grape finish.

This bourbon was impressive. I am quite fond of the double oak variation, and this one follows a similar path.

A solid bourbon with a port wine finish, comparable to Angel's Envy. It has a somewhat noticeable burn after the finish.

Fruity and smoother compared to the regular barrel version.