Old 55 Single Barrel Bourbon

To paraphrase a former US president: "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." If only that were true. After paying too much for this bottle once, based on a recommendation from a local shop that did a store pick, I decided to give it another try. And I was fooled again. To be fair, this is one of the better spirits produced by Journeyman. Wait, you say this isn't Journeyman? It possesses that same paint-thinner-like flavor. Are you certain? The aroma is promising, sweet with a touch of caramel. The initial taste brings that unpleasant flavor, likely due to barrel or water sourcing. I've never experienced this from Kentucky spirits, yet everything from Journeyman has it, and now this does too. Honestly, 'paint thinner' is the most accurate description; I cannot get past it. The finish offers a slight reprieve, where the flavor is still present but joined by cinnamon and pepper. To the people of Indiana: why do you enjoy this swill? And by swill, I mean this and all Journeyman bourbon and rye whiskeys. To the bourbon distillers north of Indianapolis: what are you doing? How are you achieving that flavor? Please, for the love of all that is holy, stop. Now, for the positive aspects: this store pick is significantly better than the first bottle I purchased, which was essentially undrinkable. I might use that one to degrease an engine or remove parking lot lines just to cause mischief. Unlike that bottle, this one will likely be consumed eventually. However, I will never purchase an Old 55 bottle again. Few bourbons have prompted me to make such a declaration. As a former president wisely stated, "You can't get fooled again." Let's just assume he was referring to the third time.

Old 55 originates from a small distillery in Indiana, not MGP. For a small operation, it's a respectable bourbon. I've been advised to sample the 100% sweet corn offering from the same distillery. I've tasted this bourbon from two different barrels. The first presented a significant wave of sweetness, a touch of cinnamon, and lingering corn notes. It was relatively smooth, with minimal sharpness. The second barrel was much more subdued, with less sweetness and more pronounced corn, oak, and drier characteristics. It still finished smoothly, with very little burn. Overall, it's a good local bourbon. The first sample was better, offering more flavor and complexity, while the second was adequate, with more subtle and drier flavors.

I found this at my neighborhood liquor shop. Since I previously enjoyed the bottled-in-bond version from Old 55, I was eager to sample this. The bourbon has a very deep color. The aroma offers traditional notes of caramel, vanilla, and sugary sweetness. It has a pleasant oily, thick texture on the tongue. The sweetness persists, accompanied by a moderate warming effect. The finish is quite lengthy, with a numbing spicy cinnamon sensation. It becomes richer and more gratifying with every mouthful. A truly delightful whiskey! Purchased in October 2022 - Batch #18F2, Bottle #49, 113.6 Proof.

I can't adequately express how delicious this is. It resembles and smells like a candy bar, with notes of caramel and chocolate. I shared it with a friend and really enjoyed it; it's become one of my new favorites.

I should mention this bottle is 55% ABV, not 40%. A visually appealing dark brown color. The nose is sweet and is followed by a pleasant caramel flavor with a slight burn that concludes smoothly.

55.3% ABV. Offers a wide range and depth. A personal favorite.