Hancock's President's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

Color: Medium-light copper amber. Aroma: Light nose with oak and a somewhat "fruity" scent. Palate: (First pour neat) Medium mouthfeel. Do you remember those small wax bottles filled with juice from when you were a child? I got that on the first taste. Wow! What a trip down memory lane! I wasn't expecting that... A very pleasant, mildly sweet cherry-wood note. Not very spicy — which suits me fine. I favor "sweet" over "spicy" ultimately. A warm chest sensation arrived quite quickly. For under 90 proof, that was a bit surprising. The "spice" does eventually appear, on the back of the tongue, after several sips. The flavor profile is changing as I continue drinking. I detected a faint hint of mint(?) on my final neat sip. Second pour with an ice ball... The first sip delivered immediate "citrus." Quite noticeable "cinnamon" and "holiday" spices emerge as the ice slowly melts. Very pleasant. Finish: I'd describe it as medium, with a classic tingling on the tongue and more cinnamon and holiday spices. Final Thoughts: I genuinely enjoy this. There's a lot happening here for a relatively low proof. An excellent expression from the distillery. I've come to realize I may have been too generous with my ratings of 4.0 and above in the past. I've decided to moderate my excessive enthusiasm regarding my ratings. However, that's not happening tonight. LOL. This is truly excellent, and I'm giving it a solid 4.25.

Tasted neat from a sample. I've never seen this bottle in person. A friend gave me a sample so I could cross it off my list of things I haven't tried. The aroma is incredibly cherry-forward, with hints of honey and a buttery cracker, similar to those served with dinner. There's also an underlying caramel note. It's a very pleasant smell, especially with the dominant cherry. It has a surprisingly creamy texture in the mouth! The flavors mirrored the aroma exactly. It starts with honey sweetness, then immediately transitions to cherry, which is very prominent. The buttery cracker flavor reappears with a subtle peppery note in the finish. The cherry flavor also has a surprising persistence, lasting longer than I anticipated. This is likely an ideal introductory whiskey. It's welcoming, enjoyable, easy to drink, and has no harsh qualities. I would only buy a bottle if it were available at retail, and I probably wouldn't drink it myself; I'd save it for guests.

Evaluated in a Glencairn spirits nosing glass. Aroma (neat): A fruit basket with mango, nectarine, and orange, gentle and clean, with the faintest hint of cinnamon stick. After adding a splash of water... A caramel, peanut brittle-like confection has emerged. Taste (neat): Buttery, oily, with unsweetened apple and banana, and extremely mild tobacco. After adding a splash of water... More fruit has appeared from the nose, like dried apricots and mango. Final thoughts: This is a very approachable and easy-sipping bourbon. It's not overly complex, but it excels at what it does, primarily fruit. It certainly doesn't justify the hype and collectibility, but I would purchase it again at MSRP if given the opportunity. I prefer it with a tiny drop of water rather than neat.

On the nose, I detect notes of vanilla, oak, apple, and honey. The spice begins immediately and gently, but intensifies as the palate develops. The heat is not overwhelming. On the palate, there is oak and char as one might expect, but I detect a subtle undertone of maple syrup, dark chocolate, and honey once again. Ice only affects the spice. The overall burn is nearly eliminated, leaving behind the previously identified notes. This is a solid offering. It's not available where I live, but I would recommend acquiring it again.

The aroma is absolutely fantastic... sweet with pleasant tobacco notes and the classic fruit notes found in some bourbons. It's the best part of the pour, as the taste is good, but that goodness doesn't fully translate to the palate, lacking a robust flavor or mouthfeel. It's around 89 proof and performs well for that level, but it ultimately holds it back as the finish is also quite short. Worth buying at retail, but don't overpay. My rating might be slightly inflated.

The aroma was strong and very pleasant. Coconut, vanilla, and even almonds were present. As it opened up, a touch of cinnamon appeared. The flavor is creamy vanilla, with a hint of toasted grain. A few drops of water diminished the aroma and brought out a bit more spice. I'm uncertain if I would add water again. (Starting at 89 proof, which makes sense.) Later in the glass, the almond note returned to the palate. The finish is primarily a lingering bitterness.