Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon

The aroma presents cherry, then apple, oak, and corn grain. It's quite spicy and a little too intense for a 107 proof spirit. Notes of cinnamon, baking spices, a subtle bread character, and it finishes like a cinnamon candy. Adding water typically enhances the spice, but here it brings out more bread, brown sugar, and even molasses notes. This definitely benefits from the addition of water. Just a few drops bring it into better focus. I detect a lasting flavor of tobacco and molasses. Hints of chocolate and coffee emerge as I consume the glass. This seems to be a spirit that requires patience. Despite my efforts, I cannot rate this a perfect 4.0.

Excessively sweet candy corn, fruit chews, strong oak, maraschino cherry, charred marshmallow, butterscotch, nutty, heather honey, sawdust, ruby chocolate. It has been matured nicely. The origin of distillation wasn't explicitly stated, only that it was bottled in Nashville. The candy corn notes suggest it might be from Dickel. If so, it has improved significantly but still retains that unpleasant gummy vitamin aftertaste. I would suggest Joseph Magnus. It has oxidized well, exhibiting more of a herbal mint quality and burnt sugars. It's certainly sourced from MGP, at least partially, if not entirely.

Nose - dominated by alcohol; seems a bit weak. Toasted, apple and cinnamon. Palate - sweet (much sweeter than the smell suggests), like red-hot candies, roasted nuts, very much like a "holiday spice candle". Finish - lingering cinnamon Overall a pleasant bourbon at a mid-to-high proof with a distinct palate. Would be excellent as a holiday drink or incredible in a spiced apple cocktail. Shared by a friend

Alcohol vapor on the nose and tongue. Standard bourbon notes are present but appear subdued, muted. The texture is thin, and the conclusion is forgettable. I acquired this bottle based on a recommendation from a reviewer, so I was anticipating a superior experience. Perhaps it's the initial pours! I hope it improves over time.

Nose: barnyard, leather, peanuts, with a dusting of powdered sugar Taste: vanilla, nuts, honey, caramel, breakfast cereal. Sweet and balanced. It would serve as a good comparison to Buffalo Trace. Finish: mildly spicy and tannic, medium in length Outperformed Baker’s 7yr in a blind tasting. Placed second to Belle Meade Reserve.

First pour. I am already regretting this purchase. While I didn't expect it to be identical to Belle Meade Reserve, it is remarkably flat and thin on the palate and finish. Without a doubt, the most disappointing bottle I acquired in 2022.