Flatboat Bourbon

WHISKIES I DON'T LIKE: ROUND 1 Flatboat Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey vs Few Bourbon Whiskey I've been doing some comparative tastings recently. I have a lot of whiskey I enjoy, perhaps too many, but I also have some I'm not fond of. I decided to try and figure out exactly what it is I dislike about them. My previous decision to categorize them as "not my favorite" means they've been set aside for a while. It's useful to see if that initial judgment was correct. The whiskies for round one were chosen randomly. They happened to be two I remembered not liking. Unlike some of my other comparisons (Islay, BTAC, etc.), this tasting isn't about a specific region or type. These two are bourbons, but that's just a coincidence. They are simply two I haven't had much of, if any, because I didn't like them to begin with. Flatboat Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey- Flatboat is a brand owned by Sazerac, which also makes Buffalo Trace, Canadian Mist, Myers Rum, Mr. Boston Vodka, and Fireball, among others. A salesperson at the store where I was shopping mentioned the Buffalo Trace connection, and it cost around $22. I bought it, tried it once at least three years ago, and haven't touched it since. The label offers little info besides "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey" and 90 proof. Since there's no age statement, it must be at least four years old. It has a classic clear tawny orange color. The aroma has a lot of ethanol for 90 proof, plus oaky vanilla, some cinnamon, roasted marshmallow, and cherry pipe tobacco. However, these flavors don't harmonize well, with the ethanol upfront and the other notes clashing instead of blending. On the palate, the harsh and uncontrolled 90 proof is disruptive, like an overeager child. The finish has lingering woody tannins, slightly mellowed by the vanilla and cherry pipe tobacco. It's disorganized but drinkable. It might be suitable with lots of ice on a warm day, or mixed into a punch or other cocktail where the bourbon is a minor component. It's not ideal for sipping neat, or for a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Few Bourbon Whiskey Its color is more orange than the Flatboat. The nose has sawdust, stale Fruity Pebbles cereal, a hint of petroleum-paraffin, and dish soap. The wood character is more like pine than oak. The dish soap note carries onto the palate, like a penalty for something said. I received this as a gift, and while I appreciate the thought, it's just not very good. It lacks typical bourbon characteristics. The finish is tannic and dry. The whiskey makes you pause to try and figure out what's happening, similar to the morbid curiosity at a car accident. My initial impression was correct. The bottle states it's aged "at least one year in charred new oak barrels." That's required to be called bourbon. This bottle seems to be discontinued. The website shows a Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which must be aged at least two years by definition. It's 93 proof.

Aged in oak for an extended period. Is this superior to rapid aging? I'm uncertain. Perhaps Solera aging would be preferable, or maybe not? For reasons unknown to me, the market demanded another budget-friendly Barton product. The rationale behind it is likely a mystery to Sazerac. I can confidently state this outperforms Ten High or Kentucky Gentlemen, though perhaps not by a significant margin. Very Old Barton? Eh, possibly. The aroma of sweet oak is quite inviting, reminiscent of a well-crafted, aged bourbon. In the mid-palate, the texture is simultaneously sweet and somewhat coarse, with oaky notes that lack the smoothness of well-aged oak found in, for instance, Woodford Reserve. The nose's initial promise isn't fully realized. It's akin to a dry, oaky spirit that has been artificially sweetened. Many of the correct elements are present, but like a flawed creation, it doesn't quite come together properly. At just over twenty dollars, it's not a terrible value, but that price point typically allows for the acquisition of Larceny, which would also surpass this Barton offering. It's not a bad attempt, though; it would serve well as a pour at a casual bar in a bowling alley, but be wary of high-end hotels proudly displaying it on their premium selection shelf. Cheers!

I was pleasantly surprised by this. The opinions I had read did not give it the credit it deserved. I taste vanilla, caramel, oak, and a comforting warmth. You should get a bottle if you have the chance and verify if my recommendation was sound. Since I am in Alabama, I will not be able to get another for some time. It is only available in Kentucky.

A more pronounced bourbon character, less sweet than others. Your mouth is filled with the aroma of an oak finish, and there's a pleasant floral and caramel taste that lingers. For a less expensive bottle, it's a nice bourbon to sip. It's worth buying at the sale price of $29 CAD, though I'm uncertain about the regular $40 CAD price.

A solid bourbon featuring some rye spice. Unsure of the mash bill, I noticed a light, floral aroma. The taste had layers of pleasing spice. It felt a little young with minimal oak, but it was a delightful beverage.

A fantastic bourbon for the price. You can get this for around $25. It has a mild aroma, with sweet and enduring caramel and flower notes on the tongue. The finish lasts longer than anticipated. Matured between 4 and 7 years. It's a superb value bourbon.