Kentucky Senator Bourbon Release #1 (Alben W. Barkley)

This expression shares a vessel with Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series... it must be good. It appeared locally and vanished instantly at $200 per bottle. It's designated as a small-batch Kentucky bourbon (produced and matured in KY). With approximately 1300 bottles, this likely came from about 8-10 barrels of 15-year-old bourbon, accounting for volume loss. The mash bill is the familiar 78.5% corn, 13% rye, and 8.5% malted barley, often seen in other $100+ non-distiller producer bottles recently, with age statements around 13-15 years. There's a narrative surrounding the chosen Kentucky senators who will represent each batch. This initial batch is dedicated to Alben W. Barkley (who also held the position of VP under Harry S. Truman). Notably, he advocated for prohibition and opposed gambling. It's hard not to notice the irony of using the Brown-Forman Old Forester bottle again... Enough about the bottle. I've been misled before, particularly by overpriced non-distiller offerings. A prime example was Sam Houston KY-3 (excessively oaked Barton with banana notes at a low proof, exposing all its weaknesses). There are others, but to save time, the central question today is: considering value for money, would I purchase this again instead of OF 1920? Initially, there are striking resemblances. A powerful combination of cherry and oak hits the nose, with underlying notes of butterscotch, peanut brittle, allspice, and floral elements. This interacts with the palate above its stated 107 proof, presenting a rich texture, a blend of honey and apple notes not as prominent on the nose, followed by a leathery, tannic transition revealing its age. Revisiting the aroma, the leather becomes apparent. Subsequent tastes reveal more cherry, bright citrus (orange and lemon zest), tobacco, brown sugar, and a interplay between acidity and tannins. Curiously, the extended finish is rich with citrus fruit and wood, while vanilla notes take a less prominent role. Alright, so this isn't an over-oaked, diluted version of 1920. It could be from Brown-Forman, Beam, or Barton, but it leans more towards the former for me compared to the others. The prolonged finish, however... so much citrus, wood, leather, and a hint of banana? What is King of Kentucky like? Based on descriptions, I imagine fans of that expression would appreciate this one. Would I choose this over 4 bottles of 1920? That would be a very, very difficult decision to make again. That said, I genuinely enjoy this pour. I suspect it won't appeal to everyone and I wonder what others who acquired it so quickly were anticipating. 1920 would likely be a more universally pleasing choice, whereas the tannic aspects here might deter some. It also drinks higher than its stated proof, although I personally favor this. I likely won't seek out another bottle for backup, but I don't have many spirits on my shelf that compare. If you have $200 to spare and have sampled everything else, then I recommend going for it. If you are still exploring the $40-60 range and prefer Buffalo Trace or Basil Hayden, you might consider skipping this.

To change things up, a friend sent me a series of samples that have either shapes or some code on them to prevent me from being able to know what they are until after I’ve tasted them. This turns out to be my last sample of this set that I saved to last due to the X on it. The reason I saved it for last is due to me being a little kid instead and believing that this is some sort of buried treasure that my friend marked with an X on it. Time to crack it open; channel my inner bourbon instead of rum drinking pirate and find out if this was the best of them all. The nose starts with See’s candies peanut brittle along with a balanced oak spice that then fades to caramel apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, macerated cherries and candied orange peel then light baking spices of ginger, cloves, leather and rustic reclaimed wood furniture with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with dark chocolate Reese’s peanut butter cups with a mild oak spice that fades to sautéed caramel apples with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, macerated cherries and candied orange peel then a medium drying oak spice mid-palate before fading to light baking spices of ginger, cloves, leather and rustic reclaimed wood furniture with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with dark chocolate Reese’s peanut butter cups, candied Granny Smith apple, macerated cherries, candied orange peel, leather and medium tannic oak. This is fantastic polished bourbon that brings in those traditional bourbon notes but with creamy peanut butter candy, but has a slight higher oak spice than I would like and the notes are more dialed back to create a softer, gentler, creamy bourbon than a big, bold, brash flavor bomb like a Bookers or Garrison Brothers Cowboy. In a side by side with the Saint Cloud 7 year(4.5), the Saint Cloud has a better balance and really highlights the higher oak tannins in this one, but this is much better than my Bardstown Goodwood Walnut Brown Ale finish(4.0) with more of the sweet nutty flavors and a better balance coming out on the comparison. Alas this was not my favorite of the series, but was indeed worthy of some buried treasure expedition to uncover this tasty treat which is, rip open this decoder and it is none other than……………………… Kentucky Senator 15 year. A huge thanks to my friend for all the samples as this was a lot of fun and I found a few new favorites as well as a new skill of being able to proof down whiskey to my ideal proof without ending up with some caramel water anymore.

So far I'm a big admirer of that 78.5% corn mash bill 15 year old spirit, and at 190 proof, this one stung, but not as much as most others. Nose - I'm picking up nice fudge and caramel notes with some vanilla icing. I'm certain oak is present, but I can't even focus on it above the other scents. Taste - It starts off quite sweet, without very distinct flavors. Oak and spice emerge, then we transition into beam-like esters and fruity, yeasty components with hints of peanut butter (more like artificial candy peanut butter). Revisiting it, I begin to detect more distinct caramel upfront with a good bourbon character. The oak presence is very strong. This isn't like BTAC or Pappy where the sweetness balances it. No, this is a powerful, full-bodied, intense bourbon, likely barrel proof. This isn't for beginners; it's for those who have years of experience with bourbon and can distinguish BOLD flavor from young ethanol. Even though it's only 107 proof, it packs a punch. I believe I preferred the Lost Soul, but this remains a very pleasing bourbon. Compared to that 12-year Rare Perfection I just reviewed? Oh yeah, I'll likely finish that overpriced bottle before comparing it again. It shares a lot in common with this one regarding mouthfeel. It's hot, bitter, and bites, and yes, it's big boy bourbon. However, this one, despite being bold, is much more enjoyable to drink. Much like the old Carter, both offer a pleasant upfront mouthfeel that is warm, creamy, and rich. The Rare Perfection quickly turns bitter and sour. Too quickly. There's also an unpleasant funk to the Rare Perfection. While The Senator is intense and oaky, it's executed well. All that said, great older bourbons aren't this tannic. The oak elements aren't overdone to the point of masking and harming the overall flavors (which is what I dislike) but rather make the whiskies more intense and slightly more challenging to consume. I'm giving this Senator a 2.75. I'm reserving judgment to potentially raise this to a 3.0 or 3.25, but for now, 2.75 feels right. It's above average and enters the very good category, but it's not great or exceptional. $190 for the bottle? I think this is a $120 bourbon all day. I'd be fine paying $150 and would consider purchasing it again later. I don't hate it at $190, but I wouldn't buy it again.

15-year-old bourbon. Pronounced vanilla notes. A warming sensation at the top of the mouth. Visually appealing legs on the glass. Deep amber color, resembling an aged bourbon, yet with subtle hints of youth in its flavor. Smooth finish with oak and cherry characteristics.

Good harmony, sugary, heat. Details: tasted in a selection at the Bluegrass Tavern, Lexington KY, Jul ‘21