George Dickel 8 Year Bourbon

George Dickel is primarily known as a Tennessee whisky producer, although in my opinion, Tennessee whisky is a type of bourbon. However, they classify this bottle as bourbon, reportedly because it comes from barrels that deviate from their standard profile. It undergoes the same Lincoln County process as Dickel Tennessee whisky, but when selecting barrels, these were designated for the bourbon line while the rest became Tennessee whisky. This spirit is 90 proof and aged for eight years. A fifth cost me $31.99. The color in the glass is a coppery gold. NOSE: The aroma is the highlight of this whisky. It starts with corn sweetness, then introduces some honey, a musty and warm sensation, a subtle nuttiness (distinctly not the pecan note I associate with Dickel, which was present when I first opened the bottle), and vanilla buttercream frosting. MOUTHFEEL: Thin yet soft. TASTE: All I detected from this glass was honey. FINISH: The finish is also one-dimensional – oak – and is just shy of medium length. SUMMARY: I had hoped this would improve with air exposure, but it never did. In fact, it lost the characteristic Dickel pecan note that I favor. This bourbon is negligibly better than Jim Beam. I will not repurchase it. RATING: On my personal scale of eight levels, with 1 being the lowest, this ranks a 2, which I categorize as Poor. This is equivalent to 1.25 stars, 25/100, or 2.5/10.

On initial smelling, I immediately pick up stewed cherries and spice, with the fruit being equally sweet and tart. There's also a noticeable alcohol presence, yet without any harshness or burn. Further smelling reveals red apple skins, cloves, ginger, a faint trace of rye, rose water, and finally, caramelized sugar maple. On the palate, it initially resembles cherry cough syrup. As the sugary sweetness subsides, the spice emerges, with cayenne pepper and ginger taking the lead. Red apples and plums appear briefly, followed by a hint of orange citrus. The body is quite substantial, syrupy but not excessively heavy. The legs develop very slowly and are initially thin and quick, but then a delicate line of beads forms around the glass and persists for a considerable time before dissipating. The finish is mildly dry and oaky, with nutty undertones, and somewhat brief. There's a slightly bitter cocoa note, and a final hint of cherry pie. Over ice, everything becomes subdued and rounded; the finish shifts to strawberry rhubarb rather than cherry, with a touch of mint emerging at the very end. Aroma: 9 Taste: 8 Body: 9 Finish: 8

Let me preface this by saying I'm a fan of Dickel. I enjoy the flinty/smoky vanilla custard character in their 12-year-old. This is slightly different. It's great that we have an 8-year age statement for under $30, which is a definite win. The nose and palate are consistent, featuring caramel-wrapped apples, some of the 12-year's smoky vanilla, and a hint of watermelon Jolly Rancher in the background. However, a couple of flavors emerge prominently: it has brown sugar, but not deep or dark, and a note that's almost leather. I repeatedly get light brown sugar and suede saturating my taste buds. There's also decent charred barrel oak; this is very flavorful yet easy to drink simultaneously. A good coconut milk and vanilla finish, with the char fading last. It's not complex by any means, but an easy rotation choice with amazing value.......88/100....... I'll need to compare this to the 12-year, but I suspect for most people, this is the better option. I got this for $23 at a sale, so it was an incredible deal in my opinion.

This was a $30 bottle for an eight-year-old bourbon, which is consistent with many other Dickel products where you get significant age for the price. The nose is actually very pleasant, sweet, and very traditional from a bourbon perspective. I don't detect the strong Dickel vitamin note that many people notice in this bottle. The taste reflects the nose well. Some very strong vanilla notes and a bit of caramel, just very traditional. Nothing outstanding, but certainly nothing offensive. Not a long finish, but I do get a pleasant warmth in the chest, especially for a 90 proof. For $30, this is truly a can't-go-wrong option. It's not something I'll be rushing to drink or immediately repurchase, but an eight-year-old bourbon for $30 that holds its own... not too shabby.

This 8-year-old bourbon has a dark copper hue and leaves behind viscous legs. The aroma presents sweet corn and mild sugar, balanced by dry grass and a touch of sourness. Upon tasting, a light sweetness is followed by tannic oak and then a dry, spicy/grassy rye, culminating in a burst of ethanol, possibly menthol. The texture is dry and deep, with a hint of sourness that persists through the lengthy finish. Adding ice mellows its sharpness, making it suitable for sipping or mixing, though it can feel a bit diluted. I have a fondness for Dickel, stemming from my college days in the 1970s, which brings a sense of nostalgia. While superior whiskies exist, this 8-year expression is respectable, potentially surpassing the 13-year Dickel I previously reviewed. However, I still find the #12 at 45 ABV to be the best of the three, particularly given its $23 price point.

Aroma: Very sweet, but also light. Big caramel covered apple with the nuts with cinnamon and clove. There is also a peach cobbler note with a light grassiness. Taste: Soft medium viscosity. Leans onto classic bourbon here. Sweet vanilla and caramel is balanced out by barrel char, barrel spice, and a dusting of cinnamon. There is a little bit of that signature Dickel flavor here. Whether it comes to you as minerality, Flintstones Vitamins, or sweet tarts. For me, it's sweet tarts this time. End: Medium in length. Sweet oak tannins and a little barrel char. Summary: $30 for a nice 8 year Bourbon is always welcome. A good one for beginners, but enthusiasts can appreciate it as well. Great daily driver if you like that signature Dickel flavor.