Hudson Baby Bourbon (DISCONTINUED)

WHISKIES I DON’T CARE FOR: ROUND 2 George Dickel Bottled in Bond vs Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey (The initial two paragraphs are largely standard text from my Round 1 review). Recently, I've been conducting several direct comparisons. I possess an abundance of whiskies I adore—perhaps excessively—but I also have some I dislike, so I decided to switch things up and try to pinpoint precisely what I don’t enjoy about them. My internal categorization of them as "not liked" means they've been sidelined for a while; therefore, it's insightful to determine if they truly deserved that status to begin with. The whiskies I chose for this round were selected randomly; they happened to be two I recalled not liking. Unlike some of my other showdowns (Islay, BTAC, etc.), this direct tasting has no connection to a specific region or type; instead, these are simply two I haven't consumed much of (if any) because I didn't care for them initially. George Dickel Bottled in Bond This bourbon was named Whisky Advocate’s Whisk(e)y of the Year in 2019. (A side note: Whisky Advocate is part of Marvin Shanken’s collection of lifestyle magazines, which also includes Wine Spectator, Cigar Afficionado, and other industry publications. WA isn't about finding "the best"; rather, it's about marketing, business, and "spreading the appreciation" so retailers have something new to promote. To be fair, their selection process for the annual Top 20 excludes so-called "hard to find" whiskies. And of course, whisky and whiskey are far from uniform, so the comparison isn't direct. Are there repeat winners, or even repeat top-20 selections? I can't find any since the list began in 2017. I love Lagavulin; but how could Lagavulin 11 Offerman Edition--not as good as the Lagavulin 16, or the Lagavulin Distiller's edition--be the best of that year by any measure? Of course, it doesn't mean all their choices are bad: 2020’s #1, Larceny Barrel Proof, is outstanding. 2018’s #1, Nikka Whisky From the Barrel, is fantastic. 2017’s #1, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B517, is great. This isn't my personal view; it's factual statistical analysis. Five years. 100 whiskies. No repeats. Dickel BiB was #1 in 2019, but hasn't made the top 20 since? ECBP B517 was #1 in 2017, but couldn't make the top 20 again in the following five years? Stepping off my pedestal). As is typical with all whiskies that win WA’s WOTY, this one became scarce for a period. I acquired a bottle during the excitement and considered myself fortunate. Then I tasted it and set it aside. GD BiB is presented at 13 years old. The color is a deep, tawny burnt orange. On the nose, there's a very prominent—and quite peculiar—aroma that many have described as "peanut" but I've likened to "Flintstone's chewable vitamins." I've detected the same note in the only other Dickel I've ever tried (the standard 8-year-old expression). This time, I'm picking up more of the peanut character, accompanied by a certain pervasive richness. Perhaps this peanut-meets-Flintstone-vitamin characteristic is simply a divisive element, much like Julia Child and cilantro. Part of me wants to say something favorable, like concentrated nectar of Snickers, but I just can't bring myself to do it. There's also a cool spearmint note. The palate is an improvement: it's smooth and rich, with a chocolate-covered-cherries sweetness. The 100 proof makes itself known on the back end of the palate and continues into the finish, with a pleasant (and anticipated) warmth, concluding with lingering vanilla and additional cool spearmint. GD BiB is smooth and rich. So is clam chowder, and I dislike clams. But if you enjoy peanuts or children's chewable vitamins in your whisky, you might like it. 2.5 out of 4.5. Naturally, there are other divisive whiskies: one that I adore is Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Five-Malt Stouted Mash (reviewed 5/19/22). But whereas the Woodford was a special endeavor with a defined objective that was (objectively) achieved, the GD BiB is simply…unusual. One final point. I'm not a fan of Dickel based on my experience with two of their products (I'm stubborn, though, and would certainly try another if offered). My opinion became more set when I discovered that this distiller offers a spirit aged in Tabasco barrels. I use the term "spirit" because it doesn't meet the criteria for whiskey (it's only 70 proof). Can any whisk(e)y enthusiast take that seriously? For further details on Dickel’s clever marketing move with Tabasco, check out whisky.com’s Ben Luening’s commentary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wN5CWRHLrk). Jump to 5:17 for the noteworthy segment. Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey Reportedly, this bourbon is now a rarity, having been discontinued a few years ago. It seems that Tuthilltown Distillers, which the label identifies as the first New York distiller since Prohibition, was acquired by Scotland's William Grant & Sons, and the product line has been updated. This particular bourbon appears to have been supplanted by the "Bright Lights, Big Bourbon" brand. This discontinued bottle is only 375ml, 94 proof, "made with 100% New York corn," and aged "under 4 years" without specifying the duration. Had I known the mashbill, I would have included it in my "Corn Whiskey Showdown" (6/29/22). The nose is unmistakably corn and oak. The mouthfeel is pleasant, with a thick, syrupy texture, alongside corn-syrup sweetness. There's some corn sweetness and a touch of spice on the finish. Essentially, it's a single element performing the same note. 1.5 out of 4.5.

I've noticed this bottle frequently priced at $50+ in various bars and shops. I was always curious to try it due to its common presence and had the opportunity for a sample at a bar. Beginning with the aroma, it wasn't particularly pleasant. It smelled strongly of ethanol with an unusual sweetness. I'm struggling to describe it; it was peculiar. It didn't strike me as awful, but rather confusing regarding the taste to anticipate. Almost bland, if you will. The palate became understandable after the aromatic confusion. This was pure ethanol and alcohol. There was virtually no flavor, except for a lingering sweetness from the nose. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good either. It felt like I wasted a sample. Quite odd. The finish offered more of the same. Nothing distinctive. This is likely one of the most peculiar bourbons I've encountered, making me regret ordering this pour. If someone were to begin their bourbon exploration with this bottle, I could imagine them abandoning bourbon altogether – which would be a shame. I would advise against it. There's nothing noteworthy here.

This Bourbon Whiskey, crafted by the founder of Tuthilltown Distillery in New York, originates from 100% New York Corn, sourced less than 10 miles from the Gardiner distillery. The spirit matures in small, 3 and 14-gallon charred American oak barrels within a heated facility for periods ranging from 6 to 24 months. The warmth causes the oak barrels to expand, infusing the Whiskey. Subsequently, as the temperature decreases at night, the bourbon is soothed by low-frequency bass music from a subwoofer. It presents a rich beginning with hints of corn and vanilla; its intricate journey introduces flavors of vanilla, buttery popcorn, toffee, oak, greenery, and blossoms; culminating in a woody finish with notes of dough, oak, char, zesty ginger, and leather. October 2020/ August 2022

Color is dark straw or light molasses and it barely clings to the glass. Smells of caramel, dark toast, cornflakes, some vanilla, and a touch of musty grain. On the palate, it's substantial and thick. The body carries the barrel flavors. It comes across as somewhat "unrefined", but genuine and pleasing. It has a medium-length finish, with lingering vanilla and a hint of burnt molasses. Not outstanding, but enjoyable.

This is so bad they stopped production. Smells like a failed attempt at a peaty scotch. Tastes like burnt coffee grounds, dirty mushrooms & earth. To those giving this high ratings, I'm convinced you are employed by Tuthilltown, were compensated by them, or lack taste buds.

Nose: Vanilla, a touch of cherry, and toffee, with warming spices and some oak. Palate: Smooth and sweet initially, followed by moderate spice and a hint of oaky bitterness. Finish: A mouth-coating honey sweetness that becomes spicier before fading quickly. A solid, well-rounded bourbon that isn't overly complex.