Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 16

Recalling from yesterday: Nose: Intense, detectable from several feet away. Classic bourbon scents of vanilla and caramel, with some alcoholic warmth. Palate: Surprisingly light and floral, with rose-like flavors and some scotch characteristics. Possibly influenced by suggestion, it evokes an ocean breeze. Finish: The light, airy, floral notes transition to traditional bourbon flavors of vanilla and caramel, aligning with the nose. Overall: Certain complexities are likely missed due to the time lapse. It's a solid bourbon, but its lower rating reflects personal preference over what I seek in a bourbon. Potentially worth a 3-3.5 for its novelty and decent flavor profile/complexity. I would not purchase a bottle, but might order a glass if the price is right. Rating Scale: 0-1.5: Undrinkable. Only suitable for mixing or disposal. 2: Poor. Drinkable, but significantly flawed. 2.5: Below Average. Acceptable, but bland or somewhat flawed. 3: Good. Decent, but not compelling enough for repurchase. 3.5: Very Good. A desirable bottle to keep on hand. 4: Excellent. Highly sought after, a go-to for celebrations. 4.5: Incredible. Top-tier, exceptional, and remarkable. 5: Sublime. Nearly flawless and an all-time favorite.

Tasted neat. This is the last of a Party Source Store pick that's been on my shelf for ages. Time to finish it! While I'm not a huge fan of Jefferson's, this particular barrel pick genuinely impressed me. The other Ocean bottles I've tried haven't come close to this one. The nose presents a pleasant salted caramel aroma, along with damp wood and baking spices. There's a very faint hint of berries and cream, creating a very welcoming scent that I can see why my less experienced whiskey-drinking friends enjoy. It's surprisingly creamy for a 90 proof spirit, likely chill filtered. There isn't much flavor on the tongue, just a watered-down caramel sweetness at best. Salted caramel and oak are present in the taste. Oak dominates the finish. That's essentially it. This is simply an overpriced, easy-drinking spirit. It didn't even meet my previous recollection of it. It's smooth and inviting, and the existing flavors are nice, but it's remarkably simple for such an expensive bottle. This bottle serves mainly as a conversation starter.

Nose: Reminiscent of warm candied apples with a touch of sea salt. It's refined and rich, with clear dessert-like characteristics... Appearance: A pleasing deep amber hue blended with light copper... Taste: The sea salt is remarkably present, just as I'd hoped. I can detect the brininess they aimed for. It's bright, peppery, and consistently sweet throughout... Overall: Astonishing. It's truly remarkable how the essence of the sea comes through. While it offers a dessert-like profile for me, the ocean is evident in every sip. Highly enjoyable....

I definitely detect cherry and leather notes. It's unique, very distinctive, and enjoyable. I suspect the concept of aging barrels at sea has less to do with exposure to salty air and more to do with the constant motion of the boats, increasing the interaction between the liquid and the oak barrel. Some reviews mention tasting salt; I don't find this bourbon particularly salty at all, but the leather notes are certainly more pronounced.

If the salt is just a gimmick, it's brilliant. I detect it on the aroma and flavor. Beyond the salt, the aroma has sweet corn. Delicate notes. The vanilla on the palate yields to spice. The spice has good staying power. Those salty sensations are what make this bourbon distinctive.

Overall pleasant with a nice sweet aroma, a solid bourbon character but smooth. Distinctive ocean salt can be perceived, followed by an enhanced Jefferson's black tea finish that invites another sip. A great bourbon for me, though somewhat pricey, so I'll need to make it last.