Glenns Creek Café Olé

Café Ole is produced using heavily toasted barley for rich chocolate notes and aged for at least 46 months before being offered as a single barrel release. My barrel, number 14, was bottled at 53.8% ABV. The nose is rich and robust, beginning with a blend of chocolate-covered caramel clusters, dried apricots, and suede, followed by circus peanuts and espresso, then caramelized peaches, lemon zest, and sour cherries, transitioning to light baking spices and mild oak with a moderate ethanol burn. The taste has a rich, syrupy mouthfeel, starting with mild sourness and a bitter spice that gradually gives way to chocolate brownie batter, dried apricots, and suede, then toasted marshmallows, peanut brittle, and espresso, followed by caramelized peaches, lemon candy, and maraschino cherries, transitioning to light baking spices and slightly ashy oak with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is of medium length, featuring dark chocolate-covered espresso beans, sour cherries, caramelized peaches, ginger, cloves, leather, and mild oak spice. This is a rich, decadent chocolatey delight where the toasted barley notes are prominent, supported by tart citrus and mild baking spices. It exhibits a slight youthful astringency on the palate, finishing with earthy dark chocolate and coffee, along with subtle sour fruits and light oak spices. For a bourbon less than 4 years old, this is a real pleasure that any chocolate enthusiast would likely enjoy, but it suffers from a youthful sourness that could benefit from more barrel aging to refine its flavors. It's another enjoyable dram from Glenn's Creek, a distillery creating distinctive spirits and a must-visit location when I travel to Kentucky for a bottle or two. I strongly recommend a visit for anyone able to go to Kentucky; it's a small operation, but the people clearly pour a great deal of passion and expertise into their creations.

This is an absolutely stellar bourbon; I can understand why a certain person named it as they did. The chocolate malt brings out an incredible amount of coffee! I've had the pleasure of visiting the distillery on my last two trips to Kentucky and feel extremely fortunate to have discovered this gem! That individual is doing some unbelievable things in my opinion, and it's truly a craft bourbon. I can't recommend them highly enough! This particular bottle I'm sampling is from batch 5 and weighs in at a substantial 118 proof, though you'd never guess it while sipping. The rye spice is noticeable on the nose, along with some dark chocolate and the evident coffee. The palate is simply astounding; it sips incredibly easily and, again, delivers loads of espresso. The finish is long and lingering – truly an incredible pour! I can see how this might not appeal to everyone, but I challenge you to find a better late-night, after-dinner drink!!

One of the bottles acquired from a friend during a visit to Kentucky last May. An excellent craft distillery unafraid of experimentation. Enjoyed meeting the team and touring the facility. This bottling delivers exactly what the label implies; coffee and chocolate from aroma to a lengthy, lingering finish. Another quite interesting and enjoyable serving from Glenns Creek. Cheers! Barrel #12, Bottle #102 12/21/22 - Re-evaluated this tonight. Less coffee and chocolate this time. Really detecting the oak and barrel char. Not unpleasant, just more noticeable tonight. Finish is just as long, with a drying sensation.

Incredible. Coffee notes detected. How is this achieved?? So delicious.

Hints of coffee. Very delicious