Old Carter 13 Year Kentucky Bourbon Single Barrel #98 (2020 Release)

During a visit to Louisville, Kentucky, a group of us began our day at Copper and Kings with a substantial breakfast of absinthe and root beers before heading to an exceptional venue called Proof on Main. Locating Proof and Main is straightforward; just look for the 30-foot-tall golden replica of Michelangelo's David positioned outside their entrance. Inside, you'll find an astonishing collection of whiskey, gourmet cuisine, and an incredible art gallery, complete with restrooms featuring two-way mirrored waterfall toilets for those who appreciate relieving themselves into a waterfall while observing passersby. Upon entering, we observed a gentleman enjoying what could only be described as a dream tasting lineup: a George T Stagg, Eagle Rare 17, Thomas H Handy Sazerac, Michter's Toasted Rye, and Very Old Carter 27. As he concluded his tasting, we inquired about his favorite, and to our surprise, he declared the Very Old Carter 27 the winner. This immediately piqued our curiosity to try this new brand that managed to outperform some of the most legendary bourbons available. After some deliberation and online investigation, a glass was ordered. The whiskey was absolutely stunning, potentially the finest American whiskey I've ever experienced, which led to a spree of Old Carter purchases. Back home, I discovered four different single barrel Old Carter expressions at one of my preferred liquor stores. With a strong desire for bourbon, I decided to acquire one of each. Thus far, I've reviewed three, and this marks the fourth and final bottle from that acquisition. On the nose, it definitely carries that Old Carter richness, with a fried dough sweetness that evokes a fresh, warm cream puff filled with vanilla pudding and topped with rich caramel. This is followed by chocolate-covered candied pecan nuts, then fruits dominate with caramelized banana, black cherries, fresh Granny Smith apples, and orange zest, before transitioning into notes of old leather and polished mahogany. It concludes with spearmint, subtle barrel spices of cloves, ginger, and cinnamon, and a moderate ethanol presence. The palate starts with a rich, full mouthfeel, leading with that fresh, caramel-covered, warm cream puff filled with vanilla pudding. Then come the chocolate-covered pecan nuts, leading to fruits of caramelized banana, black cherries, Granny Smith apples, and candied orange. Spearmint follows, alongside barrel spices of ginger, cloves, old leather, and polished mahogany, with a pronounced ethanol burn. The finish is long, featuring chocolate-covered candied pecans, spearmint, polished mahogany, old leather, caramelized bananas, orange zest, and Granny Smith apples that linger for minutes. This is another exceptional whiskey from the Carters, with fried dough notes mingling with flavors of vanilla cream, chocolate, nuts, and fruits, along with a balanced amount of oak and leather. It has a Booker's-style burn due to its 124 proof, but ultimately, I believe I would prefer to just purchase Booker's and save the money. All of their barrel selections are delicious, but out of the four single barrels, I only found one that justified the premium price and deserved a 5-star rating. None of them came close to the Very Old Carter 27 experience in Kentucky, but perhaps that's due to the company and the difference in atmosphere.

Rating: 19/23 Nose: Nutty and sweet. Perhaps hazelnuts with caramel sauce. It smells like a delightful dessert. After a little time, some woodiness emerges. It blends in well, adding complexity and maturity. The wood contributes vanilla and spices (ginger, cinnamon, and clove). I detect hints of milk chocolate at times as well. The complexity, balance, and richness are all spot on. It has a very nicely matured aroma. Palate: Big and bold with richness and fullness. Plenty of spice (clove, cinnamon, and pepper) up front, balanced by some slightly sweet but undercooked caramel. There's a distinct layer of wood that's a bit more prominent than I anticipated and really comes forward in the middle of the palate. Hints of milk chocolate are present, but they never become very strong. Some tartness starts to appear, bringing in bitter orange peel. I never quite get a charred flavor from the wood – it's more just a lot of wood with cloves and heat. I surprisingly get little nuttiness on the palate – and what I do detect is mixed with some minerals and sour mash. The complexity here is pleasant, but the balance is slightly off. A few drops of water bring out some more oily, funky mustiness and significantly mellow the heat. It becomes richer and a tad sweeter, with perhaps a bit more nuttiness (though it might just be more toastiness). Adding more water actually, counterintuitively, increases the burn substantially. When compared directly with Belle Meade Cask Strength Reserve, I get a hint of caramel molasses rum flavor from this. Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 also tastes like dessert in comparison. Finish: Wood and spice. A bit of tartness with a hint of orange peel, but that's essentially it. A little more going on in the finish would be really desirable. - Conclusion - Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof (21) significantly outperforms this in terms of complexity. This is definitely not as good of a bourbon. Would I prefer this over Wild Turkey 116.8 (18) or Belle Meade Cask Strength Reserve (19)? It's a difficult decision. This is enjoyable with some bold, mature flavors, but it lacks complexity, and the heat is almost overwhelming. I briefly considered it a 20, but now I'm thinking it's more of an 18 or 19. I'll give it the 19. Thanks to a friend for the sample:)

I recognize its special nature due to its limited release of around 160 bottles. It has a high ABV and dissipates in my mouth. I'm giving it a high score for its uniqueness. It feels like a cinnamon stick in my throat. I enjoy it because a friend tells the best stories.

Simply excellent. High proof, quite sweet, a perfectly rounded bourbon.