Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 19 Special Wheated Mash Bill

This marks my official in-depth exploration of Jefferson's. Feel free to skip the introductory parts, as there will be several of these cliché openings, all copied and pasted. ~~~~~~~~~~ Concept: I enter a liquor store and observe numerous Jefferson's bottles, yet my understanding of them is limited. My impression is that I generally dislike their products, but somehow, before deciding to begin this project, I already possessed six different Jefferson's bottles. How did they end up in my possession? ~~~~~~~~~~ Methodology: Step 1: Jefferson's Very Small Batch. The starting point. My first time trying it, so it's an excellent place to begin. This bottle was purchased specifically for this undertaking. Step 2: Jefferson's VSB compared to Jefferson's Reserve (Very Old Very Small Batch). I already owned this one. How did it find its way into my collection? Step 3: Jefferson's VSB compared to Jefferson's Ocean. Is it a marketing ploy? Once again, how did this one end up in my possession? Step 4: Jefferson's Ocean standard versus Jefferson's Ocean wheated mash bill. The same question regarding my collection arises. Step 5: Finished Jefferson's expressions. I have rum, Sauternes, and Prichard Hill varieties. Let's proceed. Step 6: A blind tasting of all seven expressions. Perhaps include the Chef's Collaboration as well. (Seriously, how?) That makes eight. Can I distinguish them based on steps 1-5? Are there any standout Jefferson's releases, or is it all just marketing? The stakes are incredibly low, creating palpable tension. ~~~~~~~~~~ Disclaimer: Beginning this, I generally do not care for Jefferson's. There's a peculiar gummy-bear-like quality that I cannot ignore. I hope to discover my preferred Jefferson's product by the conclusion of this process. ~~~~~~~~~~ JO Wheated, also known as 'Step 4' Voyage 19, for those keeping track. It's quite interesting that this wheated mash bill contains less rye than the standard Jefferson's Ocean, as this expression emits a much stronger aroma of rye whiskey. It smells of salt, brine, and pickles. There's a faint hint of jam in the aroma, which raises concerns, but it is far from the dominant scent. The body delivers on the nose's promise. It's peculiar how one can switch between syrupy sweet jelly and saltiness, but that's precisely what this requires. Some sips are intensely sweet, making your jaw ache. Others taste dry and bitter with salt. Pickles are also present. With effort, I can compel myself to taste the profile I desire, though I cannot quite achieve both simultaneously. I need to give my palate a rest. If I choose my own flavor path, the finish is almost nonexistent. It has low heat and a charred oak flavor. Slightly nutty. It dissipates very quickly. If I opt for the rye-like profile, the brininess truly lingers on the back of your tongue. It's salty and bitter, and it persists. Again, I can select the finish I experience by focusing on the corresponding body, encompassing both flavors and duration. It's remarkably odd. Therefore, this is undoubtedly a complex whiskey, but not in a way that earns awards. It's a genuine puzzle. Wheated bourbons typically do not possess this flavor profile. If you've encountered the optical illusion of the gold/blue dress or the auditory illusion of yanny/laurel, here is your gustatory equivalent. I cannot envision a situation where I would reach for this as a nightcap, as it is more intriguing than enjoyable. However, I am genuinely enthusiastic about sharing this with my friends to observe their reactions. I would not purchase this again, but I might consider buying a future wheated voyage out of curiosity. Regarding the comparison to voyage 17: such an objective was simply a flawed experimental design stemming from a lack of knowledge. 17 surpasses this one significantly, and it's not even close. In terms of tasting notes, comparing 17 to 19 is as pointless as comparing 17 to Booker's. They are entirely different entities. Furthermore, this batch does not evoke memories of a warm, sunny day at the beach. The power of suggestion does not influence my perception.

I must evaluate this as a wheated bourbon. It is remarkably smooth and avoids the common wheater funk that spoils many attempts at this style. The nose is sugary, almost like syrup. Hints of warm baking spices and white pepper. Light cherry and a subtle suggestion of ripe apple. On the palate, it is very sweet and sugary, similar to cane syrup. Fruit is hard to discern in the taste, but the warm baking spices appear in the middle and carry through to the end, revealing pepper and mild oak. The mouthfeel is pleasant but not particularly oily. The finish is medium-short, with baking spices giving way to cane sugar. Contrary to other reviews you might encounter, this is not a bourbon with a long finish. I appreciate the Jefferson's Ocean series. They are consistently good and easy to drink, with an enjoyable and distinctive concept. This particular bottle is not bad, but you could find better options for $70-80. However, it's understood that value isn't the primary reason for purchasing this. It's a unique and somewhat scarce bottle, so if you come across one, acquire it. After all, there aren't many bourbon offerings that provide an 'experience.' So, open it up, pour a glass, and relax to enjoy the journey.

It's remarkable how a different glass can reveal such distinct qualities. Using a tumbler glass with a narrow opening presented an aroma rich with dulce de leche and vanilla, followed by subtle notes of oak and Graham crackers. The palate delivered a burst of tiramisu, amaretto, mascarpone cream, and vanilla with a touch of oak. The finish evoked root beer and sweet cream. A truly exquisite dessert-like experience.

Earthy tobacco and wheat on the nose. The flavor is similar, perhaps with a bit of hay in the finish. It has a smooth and moderately oily mouthfeel. It's not a bad whiskey, but I anticipate more flavor depth from a bottle at this price. (Disclaimer: I recently recovered from a sinus infection, so my sense of smell and taste might not be fully restored yet.)

Considering their price, this might be an unpopular viewpoint, but I've mostly enjoyed the Jefferson's voyages, and this one was excellent. It's very light with a hint of butterscotch, smooth vanilla, and a mild burn afterward that warms the chest. I would buy another bottle if I found one.

This might be my preferred one. I've consumed three bottles. I likely won't buy a fourth due to its price in the upper $70s. However, it's as smooth as anything I've encountered. Very distinct, if not singular. I'll miss it when my final bottle is gone (which might be tonight).