Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity

It's not often I feel both excited and impressed by stumbling upon something I was passively seeking, but this happened earlier today. After its release, I had dismissed the possibility of ever finding it, especially in Ohio, yet there it was, on the regular shelf, at the suggested retail price! Regardless of who you are, if you're browsing the American whiskey section and see the word "Singapore," your curiosity is bound to be sparked. Moreover, having tried many, if not all, of Jefferson's products, I've always been fascinated by their innovative finishing techniques, particularly the location-specific ones in the Ocean series. The concept of manipulating the environment during the aging process is a unique and brilliant departure from the conventional, rather uneventful, weather conditions of Kentucky. Given that the Ocean barrels demonstrate noticeable environmental effects, the humid and significantly hotter finish in Singapore suggests a promising and delicious entry into the Tropics series. Considering the extended finishing time in a much hotter climate, I anticipated a darker color due to accelerated barrel interaction. However, its hue falls somewhere between sherry and copper with a hint of light gold. The nose presents nutty aromas and rich dark caramel, accompanied by approachable ethanol and a touch of cinnamon. There's also a peculiar sourness that emerges with repeated sniffing, yet it feels simultaneously raw and sweet, akin to sipping cooking sherry from a sugar-rimmed glass. The initial flavor intensely coats the gums and quickly becomes spicy. In fact, the spice is quite aggressive, comparable to sucking on a cinnamon stick dipped in pure high-proof spirit while chewing Red Hots. This intensity subsides after a short period, giving way to light caramel and young corn notes. This progression continues through the finish, which is dry but dissipates very rapidly. It occurs to me now that, despite high expectations, the inherent simplicity of this expression makes it easier to discern the impact of the finishing process. The intensity derived from the Singaporean climate has produced a whiskey that is both potent and assertive (appealing to cask strength enthusiasts), but it would also greatly benefit from a couple of ice cubes to temper it and reveal additional complexities. I still consider this a commendable debut for the Tropics series, but the premium price is too steep for flavors that can be found in comparable products, some of which boast much older age statements, if one invests the time in searching.

The aroma has notes of toasted marshmallow, root beer, banana, clove, and cedar. It's nicely robust and complex. On the palate, there's bright MGP character with a hint of "darker" notes. Caramel, vanilla, apricot, barrel char, orange, and burnt sugar. The flavors are very rich for the proof. The finish is on the longer side of medium, with flavors gradually evolving into a spicy bloom of cinnamon, black pepper, and allspice, along with the cedar from the nose and some chocolate. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and sufficiently oily to complement the flavor profile well. I'm aware that the Ocean is often criticized as a gimmick, but the line has impressed me so far. It's a bourbon where the "whole is greater than the sum of its parts." I was pleasantly surprised by the cohesive, integrated experience with no significant drawbacks. At the $104 I paid, it's neither a bargain nor overpriced. I would consider repurchasing if my budget allowed, due to the uniqueness of the experience.

After a certain bourbon channel with a drummer theme recommended this, I decided to try it. I still have fond memories of when the Presidential bottles were available. So, I was hoping for something good. nose - They've added a significant amount of oak to what is clearly a young bourbon. It's distinct. It still has a Kentucky bourbon character, unlike, say, a Texas bottle. Light citrus... standard bourbon notes. Taste - This is packed with flavor. It reminds me of a top-tier barrel pick from some of these younger distilleries. Intense oak layered over youthful and still somewhat vegetal bourbon. Frankly, it's a 1.0, but I'll give it an extra 0.5 stars for the immense flavor and presence. However, it's generally below average, just a flavor explosion for those seeking intensity without being too discerning.

I've always held a high opinion of this brand, but recently the Manhattan, Ocean, and McClain versions have let me down. I noticed the Tropics bottle on the shelf, the last one available. I hadn't seen it before. After searching online, I almost left without it, but I decided to go back and take a chance. This bottle restored my confidence in the brand and in distillers exploring unique processes. At 104 proof, I nearly finished it shortly after opening. A very tasty and easy-drinking spirit. I wish more was produced and it was easier to find. A great bottle if you can obtain it.

Nose: Vanilla, leather, cedar. Cinnamon Taste: The initial sip has some spice and caramel. A very pleasant, long-lasting finish reveals nice spice notes, reminiscent of a cinnamon stick. Thoughts: Few bottles are worth a $100 blind purchase for me, but this concept was too intriguing to pass up. Additionally, Jefferson's has earned my respect. I haven't encountered any Jefferson's product I disliked, even a little. Ultimately, I believe it justifies the cost. It's unique compared to anything else I've tried, and the finish is quite pleasing.

This is a fantastic bourbon. To me, the aroma is reminiscent of a cinnamon roll with icing, very approachable and enjoyable. It's remarkably smooth and easy on the palate from the start, and the finish is superb with a long, warming sensation – not overly spicy or too high in proof, just right. A truly delightful bourbon, it bears some resemblance to a birthday bourbon by Old Forester. I mention cinnamon because of the aroma, but it's just enough to be noticed on the taste and largely stays true to the initial scent for me.