Hooker's House Bourbon Cohabitation 7/21

This is the last stage of the red wine barrel-finished bourbon competition from my barrel-finished bourbon bracket. This was a blind comparison between Bardstown Pfifer Pavitt and Hooker's House 7/21. The third blind taste test in these divisions is consistently my preferred one. You can practically guarantee at least one outstanding bourbon. Tonight, I experienced two. Bardstown rightfully triumphed in this contest. It surpassed the other on aroma, consistency, aftertaste, and general enjoyment. I anticipate reviewing it soon because it is genuinely remarkable. The tasting of Hooker's House: The aroma is the most exceptional aspect of this spirit, by a significant margin. It has honey, lemon, sugarcane, and a trace of oak. It smells exactly like something I will likely enjoy. The body is somewhat less vibrant than I anticipated. My past experiences with Solera aging have featured incredible aromas with underwhelming bodies, and this instance is no different. The body is adequate, but it's a disappointment compared to the intricacy suggested by the aroma. I detect caramel and maple syrup, with a subtle influence of the red wine. That red wine note becomes prominent in the finish, and that shift occurs at precisely the right moment. Some deep fruitiness on the finish, along with a wonderfully dry mouthfeel. This finish is commendable. Does this bourbon possess merits? Certainly. Will I savor this bottle? Absolutely. Will I purchase another? Definitely not. If you intend to charge $125 for your product, it must be exceptional, and this one simply falls short of expectations, especially when contrasted with Bardstown. I am still awaiting a convincing argument to validate this trend of Solera aging. I have yet to encounter one that doesn't fall short in some aspect, and each time I ponder: why not simply create an aged batch and a young batch? The elements I appreciate about this whiskey (like unique complexity hidden behind an oak barrier) are often found in older spirits. The elements I dislike (like uninspired, if not unpleasant bodies) are frequently found in younger spirits. This Solera aging process, at its worst, can make one struggle intensely to find appealing flavors past an oak wall. Hillrock, I'm thinking of you. At its best (which, to date, this represents the pinnacle of Solera aging), there is a truly intriguing note partway through the tasting that ultimately leads to disappointment. With this spirit, it makes me contemplate what could have been achieved with a smaller, aged batch.