Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 23

This is my first time trying a Jefferson's expression. There's no specific reason why; the chance simply never came up. While I've known about the Ocean series since it began (and find the concept quite clever) - and I've been familiar with the brand for many years - I haven't yet had a glass. This is rather surprising considering I have an unopened bottle of Voyage 11 sitting in my bar. This sample comes from a bottle of Voyage 23, opened about a week ago. I've had a couple of sips. This tasting was done neat from a glencairn, allowing about 10 minutes of rest after pouring. The color is attractive. It's a clear light burnt-sienna and appears quite viscous when swirled. The mouthfeel is creamy. The aroma is like Werther's candy, nougat, vanilla, sweet cream, and a hint of fresh ginger. A touch of white pepper and some ethanol are also present. It's a pleasant scent, though not deeply intricate. It actually resembles Jack Daniel's single barrel barrel proof, but much milder. It's like the intensity has been dialed back significantly compared to the extremely robust profile of the JDSBBP. For clarity, this highlights the massive aromas of the JD and isn't a criticism of the Jefferson's. I find the JDSBBP quite remarkable, and anything that brings it to mind is likely on the right track. The taste has more rye and pepper than the nose suggests. There's also an emergence of brine, vanilla, caramel, burnt sugar, and fresh wood. The middle of the palate offers nougat, a little sweetness, mild nuttiness, subtle baking spice, and black pepper. The finish is moderately long with low intensity, featuring a slight warmth at the back of the throat, some bitter oak, mouth-coating sweetness, and a mild tingle on the lips. This is a very good bourbon. I can definitely see it being outstanding in an Old Fashioned. It has moderate complexity, is engaging, and lacks any major faults. It's a bit saltier than many bourbons I've sampled, almost reminiscent of some coastal Scotch whiskies. It's tasty and satisfying. However, it's not groundbreaking and doesn't reach new heights. The proof is adequate, but I generally believe true excellence in bourbons is found only above 100 proof. The flavor is enjoyable, but not extraordinary. This is a solid bourbon, period. Now, regarding the cost. Over $80 is steep for this. The narrative is indeed interesting. Each "voyage" is admittedly unique. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of this whiskey is contemplating its ocean journey while sipping it. Jefferson's provides a route map for this expression. Still, we have to acknowledge that better drinks can be found for a third of the price, and superior options exist at the same cost. This is better than average, but not quite at the level to be included in my regular selection, which typically scores above 4.0. It's a fine drink and would make a great gift that I will surely appreciate.

Quick assessment: A little salty; could the Sea be affecting my judgment? Lacquered wood. Caraway seeds, quite bitter in the mid-palate. I'm unsure if it's rye, but there's a distinctly bitter quality. Yet, there's an unexpectedly buttery finish. I question if this so-called "smoothness" is the reason for this relatively ordinary Bourbon receiving so much positive attention. The finish has hints of caramel/marzipan. Some hay and black pepper. However, there's a flavor I can't quite pinpoint – Metallic? Mineral? – that is slightly off in the finish. It's an adequate Bourbon: too expensive for its quality and doesn't quite deliver.

A very enjoyable whiskey to sip. The nose is quite traditional, offering notes of vanilla and caramel. The taste mirrors the nose, with some spice but a pleasant mouthfeel for a 90 proof spirit. The finish is medium length with some spice on the back end. I can see this appealing to a wide audience, especially with a bit of background information, as there's nothing off-putting, but nothing particularly outstanding either. It's a solid drink. I'm uncertain about the purpose of the voyage designation; it's likely a marketing ploy. I purchased it below MSRP at Costco, and while it's nice and enjoyable, I would never spend more than the $55 I paid. No regrets, but I wouldn't purchase it at full price.

The main distinctions I detect between this and the Reserve are a more balanced aroma and a significantly longer, smoother finish. On the palate, both spirits share comparable sweet notes, primarily caramel and cinnamon, but the Ocean Aged version exhibits more bitterness that lingers on the finish, along with a bit more salt. For the most part, I consider the ocean influence to be somewhat of a gimmick, although some effects are noticeable. I must admit, given the price difference, I don't find it substantially superior to the Reserve.

The idea behind this bourbon is that its sea voyage exposed it to various climates and the motion of the waves, which might suggest a bourbon with some scotch or Balcones/Texas character. However, it really offers neither, just a salty bourbon. Now, it does taste quite good, not bad at all. It makes a great old fashioned, but it's simply not worth the $80 price. Try some at a bar before buying a bottle.

Received as a present for Valentine's Day in 2022. The color is a lovely medium amber. The aroma is fantastic! Caramel and saltiness are present, evoking a seaside atmosphere! The taste is salty! Butterscotch and caramel with hints of vanilla and an unusual spice, more like a saline spice than a rye spice! Ginger is noticeable, as are some berries. Truly, remarkably good!