Forged Oak 15 Year Bourbon

Generally, I try spirits multiple times before reviewing, but this one is too tempting given its rarity as a 15-year-old bourbon. I'm going into this with some bias, expecting it to be disappointing, poorly aged, and only slightly better than a certain other 15-year bourbon that had a wonderful nose but was otherwise a letdown. Also, considering the distillery closed in 1992, for this to be 15 years old and from that distillery would mean it was in steel tanks since 2007, which doesn't really add up. Nose: vanilla, caramel, leather, with a dusty wood finish. Very sweet, among the sweetest bourbon noses I've encountered. The dusty oak is prominent, which is great for oak enthusiasts, but I suspect many will find it too oaky. Taste: Vanilla is the dominant flavor. The caramel notes are in the background as vanilla is overwhelming. There's some bitter oak at the end, providing spice and a bit of a kick. The moderate proof is very gentle, only noticeable on the finish. Adding water didn't significantly change the nose or taste, for better or worse. Verdict: It's too subdued upfront. The sweetness from the nose doesn't translate here. The oak adds significant spice, which will likely bother many, but for oak lovers, it lacks the intense leather or cherry notes I often find. It is clearly an older spirit, with pleasant sweet and balanced mid-palate notes (balanced in that they weren't extreme, like intensely spicy rye or overly sweet sugar notes). For $30, I can get a similar profile from another bourbon, and frankly, that one might be better. 2 stars - If $100 is usually beyond your budget, this should be considered 1 star for you. It's a definite pass unless you're eager to try any and all older bourbons. I was debating between 2.25 or 2.5 stars due to my general appreciation for the age statement and some quality, albeit muted, notes.

After a week away from reviews to prepare for and participate in Tip Up Town USA (look it up if you're unfamiliar), I've returned home to recover from the busy weekend. I took an extra day off work to help with my recovery and decided to review a bourbon. I received a sample of this 15-year-old from Orphan Barrel from a friend in Michigan who enjoys bourbon. It's bottled at an unusual 45.25% ABV and has a natural copper color; I suspect it's chill-filtered. The nose is primarily driven by cinnamon and clove, with significant oak and some light vanilla. There's a strong corn presence, as expected given the high corn content in the mash bill. Hints of mint and light dill are also noticeable. After letting it sit, a pleasant toffee, caramel, and maple syrup aroma emerges. There's a subtle citrus note, like orange, in the background. Despite being somewhat straightforward, the nose is quite appealing. Unfortunately, the palate takes a different direction. It starts sweet but becomes quite bitter, with intensely bitter dark chocolate, sharp oak, and butterscotch. Pepper and cinnamon mark the conclusion. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, slightly oily, and dry. The finish is medium-long and leans towards bitterness, with notes of cinnamon and oak. This is the third Orphan Barrel I've sampled, and I haven't truly enjoyed any of them. I dislike being overly critical of samples shared by others, but overvaluing them would be dishonest. At $70, it's less expensive than the others I've tried, but still carries a high price. I genuinely thought the nose was good, comparable to Buffalo Trace or Wild Turkey, or a blend of the two, which is why it receives a 3 from me and not a lower score due to the excessively bitter taste. Thanks for the sample, friend; even though I didn't love it, it's always enjoyable to review whatever I can get my hands on. Cheers

Nose: Oaky vanilla, cinnamon, a blend of woods like cedar, oak, maple, and apple, with a hint of brown sugar. Taste: A spicy cinnamon tingle and flavor, sweet vanilla caramel, the burnt sugar top of crème brûlée, and a lightly tannic finish, reminiscent of a charred cinnamon stick. Finish: A lingering dry tannic sensation, a sweet oaky vanilla, and a light cinnamon tingle mixed with a sharper white pepper sensation. Score: 86/100 Final Thoughts: The nose is interesting, presenting wood notes beyond just oak, alongside typical bourbon flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. It's not overly complex and is surprisingly potent for its moderate proof. The balance of oak is good, and I didn't find it excessively oaked or tannic, but it had enough to be engaging. It's tasty, but I'm uncertain if the price is justified. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps, if the price is reasonable. Would I buy a bottle? - No, I wouldn't purchase another.

Evokes the feeling of Halloween. This would be perfect for autumn consumption! Flavors include tart apple and woody caramel. The aroma is like the interior of a wooden cabin, with a touch of pleasant black pepper. I also detect the scent of the inside of a plastic Halloween mask. The taste is reminiscent of dead leaves in the fall. It's like a whiskey that a specific establishment on Long Island might serve. Overall, it receives a 3/5 rating, bumping up to 4/5 if enjoyed during mid-autumn. Consider purchasing it if found at a low price. It's unique and would be exceptional depending on the context of enjoyment.

I anticipate bourbons that match their reputation, a fellow enthusiast. This bourbon has a delightful aroma, reminiscent of caramel apples. The body offers notes of cherry, sweet tea, and caramel. It's exceptionally smooth with minimal heat from beginning to end. The finish lingers with lemon zest and ginger. At times, it evokes the finest aspects of a particular brand, and at others, it reminds me of a highly-regarded limited release from years past. It even carries notes of a specific 17-year-old expression. This is genuinely one of the most intriguing bourbons I've encountered and is entirely worth the cost if obtained at its initial release price.

Drank much hotter than its stated proof. Significant oak presence and apparently a high rye mash bill. Some decent spice, but it dissipated quickly. I'm glad for two things. 1) I had the opportunity to try it. 2) I didn't have to pay for the experience, let alone purchase a bottle at that price. So, this reinforces the lesson that more isn't always better. We often hear that aging Bourbon beyond 10-12 years can lead to it passing its peak. I believe this is likely a good illustration of that.