Kings County Bottled in Bond Bourbon

The aroma is full of earthy, charred caramel malt with a hint of cherry. The taste delivers more peach and orange along with baking spices. It brings to mind a 6-year malted BiB from Rieger, but at a much more accessible cost. This expression seems to have more than doubled in value recently. The likeness to the Rieger was quite pronounced, prompting a side-by-side comparison. Both are very good, sharing significant smoky and woody notes. The King's County offers a more refined experience, while the Rieger presents a more robust oak character. It would be challenging to justify a $50 difference between them. It's a pleasing drink, but I don't anticipate purchasing it again given its current premium market price. This bottling was 6 years old, from batch 11.

It shares a scotch-like flavor profile with the single malt, but it's deeper, richer, and more amber. Its character and mouthfeel are a bit closer to their barrel proof expression. While I prefer the barrel proof, the bottled-in-bond is quite good, serving as an excellent link between bourbon and scotch.

It drinks young, yet it's enjoyable. The finish vanishes quickly and it lacks substance. Aromas of snickerdoodles and caramel emerge, evolving into warm spices and vanilla bread pudding after some time. The palate remains rather thin. It requires additional maturation.

The aroma is quite sugary with notes of caramel and brown sugar. On the palate, it's also sweet and toasted, with a fleeting hint of mild oaky smoke. This is followed by sweet caramel and the expected spice from 100 proof alcohol.

From Batch 11, aged six years. I usually gravitate towards bourbon and rye, not scotch. This bourbon does present some scotch characteristics, likely from the English malt used. Nonetheless, it's a pleasant diversion.

It has a full mouthfeel with enough kick to let you know it's a quality drink. The nose offers solid vanilla and oak notes, leading to a very smooth, nearly sweet finish. This is now a top five contender.