Kings County Oated Bourbon Drammers Club

Assessment: 15/23 I'm curious about the impact of the higher alcohol content. The lower proof version seemed lacking in flavor (likely due to its youth), yet it was also excessively tannic. I'm also interested in how the oats contribute. Nose: The aroma is less sweet now. There's a somewhat tart scent that I believe should be associated with fruit, but it's not coming through. There's wood, and a sweetness with a hint of chocolate. I appreciate the mustiness of the wood. Palate: Yes, this has significantly more impact than the lower proof bottling. This time, there's a subtle fruit note that's quite intriguing. It's almost like apricot? Plenty of wood (sawdust) is present, and the burn is more pronounced than in the lower proof version. I certainly detect allspice along with some chocolate. While not overly complex, it thankfully has less tannin than the lower proof iteration I sampled. This isn't as sweet as my bottle of Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength, and the corn and sawdust are less prominent. I'd say the Garrison Brothers is richer and more intricate, while this is bolder, possibly with some creaminess from the oats. Finish: Fortunately, it's not dominated by over-steeped tea, though it's definitely close. A faint hint of apricot remains, along with the same wood and chocolate notes. - Conclusion - I miss the sweetness and grain character of the lower proof offering from Kings County and from Garrison Brothers. The richness here is pleasant, and I'm glad it's relatively less tannic than its lower proof counterpart, but it lacks sweetness and complexity. For a decadent treat, however, this is acceptable. With its abundant chocolate notes, it strongly resembles Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B520. Kings County is on the right track by evoking such a superb bourbon, but this lacks the same depth. This one is difficult to score. I appreciate the pure decadent drinkability of the chocolate flavor, but simultaneously, the tannins are almost overpowering, and the complexity is simply absent. Although I did compare this to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B520 (which I rated a 22), that was essentially to highlight their shared rich chocolate flavor. I believe this needs considerable improvement to reach that level. Still, Kings County has some commendable flavors in this barrel. Approximately two of them, so they have work to do to introduce more complexity into their spirits and manage the tannins. I seriously contemplated a score of 14 and briefly wondered if it might exceed a 15. However, I think 15 is the appropriate score. Many thanks to a friend for sharing this sample – it's exciting to witness the potential Kings County can achieve!

Tropical Storm Henri pours down its rain, but the bite of the wind is nowhere to be found. The anticipation exceeded the reality. On this gray Sunday, I'm revisiting a sample from my backlog. Something warming and American suits the mood. After resting briefly, it presents as spiced cream soda with cinnamon and nutmeg. Subtle hints of wood, Baker's chocolate, and vanilla. Intensely hot on the first taste, but smooth. Moving past the tongue-tingling sensation, I get woody spices, dark caramel or molasses. However, it's difficult to discern much at this high proof, and a splash of water is necessary. Adding water is definitely needed to tame the palate's zing. It becomes slightly sweeter with water. Burnt or darkened S'mores, and orange marmalade. An unusual combination, but this odd pairing is somewhat complementary. A long, lingering burnt toast note leaves the palate with a bitter finish, the marmalade tucked away in the background. It begins simply with a combination of sweetness and spice (baking spices). Flavorful but lacking depth on the palate. The creamy mouthfeel and texture keep the dram afloat. The burnt S'more flavor is distinctive and could be off-putting or enjoyable. A decent whiskey with a good kick. Thanks to a friend for the sample. [86/100][Tasted: 8/22/21]

I first had a small 3 cl pour of this, before I actually went ahead and ordered the full 200ml bottle. This was an exclusive NY Drammers club pick of Kings County Oated bourbon, which is the only Oated bourbon made by them in their ten years of distilling. Oated bourbons aren’t very common, considered more as “experimental “. Generally, I’m hesitant to get a full bottle of anything with a tagline of “experimental”. But this lives up to expectation. Nose is incredible...like allspice and sweet cream. I’d rank 5/5 stars just on the nose. The palette is a bit of a step down, but still damn good, with silky texture, leather and cloves. At over 60%, this bad boy benefits with a liberal dose of water. Extremely unique. I’m glad to have bought a 200ml bottle. A friend and a friend curious to get your take on it