Old Carter Straight Bourbon Batch 5 (2020 Release)

Unfortunately, while many of these older Carter releases offer good details, this one does not. I understand they didn't plan to release it initially, but it turned out to be too good to keep hidden. Nose - apples, a spice explosion, and alcohol throughout. I'm adding water here, but I'll finish my initial thoughts first. Water really opens this up. It's an explosion of flavor and aroma. It's not as rich as I'd prefer, but it has intense spices and scents. Taste - With all the batched Old Carters, I notice a dusty oak character. This one opens up surprisingly pleasantly and sweetly. It's so neutral, presenting as a clean, classic bourbon without giving away any distillery cues. Let's add water. Okay, water brings out more of these baked good notes, along with medium oak and tannins. Once again, Old Carter offers a middle-of-the-road bourbon blend, focusing on spice and flavor, but it might not be entirely to my taste. I'm somewhat conflicted because I don't absolutely love it, but I recognize its exceptional quality. I'm rating it a 2.75. It's almost the opposite of a Buffalo Trace bourbon for fans of that style, as it emphasizes spice and kick rather than sweetness. It's also nothing like the nutty profile found in the Beam range. This is a specialized product for a specific consumer.

Tasted neat from a sample. A generous group shared many Old Carter samples, and this marks my initial encounter with the brand. The aroma is quite surprising. It's intensely dark, but not from wood influence. Notes of dark chocolate and rich maple syrup, along with molasses. Pralines and a whisper of walnuts. Dark, dried cherries. Salty caramel taffy. Abundant tobacco. I anticipated oak, but it's barely present. I thought this might be a mix of older spirits, but it seems more like a 7 to 9 year age statement. Remarkably viscous and coating. Again, very dark. Brown sugar and molasses on the palate. This is truly excellent... beautiful caramel and vanilla in the middle, with the vanilla becoming much more prominent on the finish. Pleasant chocolate and nougat notes in the middle, with the chocolate persisting to the end. Dark cherries on the finish. There's a subtle oak presence at the end as well. The finish is what truly shines here; it's fantastic. The mid-palate is pure sweet dessert, but the finish builds, changes, and continues. It just keeps going. One of the most memorable finishes I've experienced. A superb introduction to Old Carter.

I genuinely liked this. It's spicy and sweet. This is definitely NOT the bourbon for you if you're seeking a peanut brittle flavor. I preferred it neat, rather than with a splash of water or on a large ice cube. I've now sampled the Old Carter American Batch 3, the Bourbon Batch 5, and the Rye Batch 4. I thoroughly enjoyed them all, with that order representing my preference. I hate to admit it, but I'm becoming a fan of this (well) sourced whiskey. The cost of any of them is substantial, even at the slightly below MSRP I managed to acquire each one at, but the quality is truly excellent. I frequently read reviews where a bottle is praised, but the reviewer can't justify its price, which is double that of some established, very good options. Personally, I'm reaching a point where I'd rather consume less of something 'great' than purchase two bottles of something 'good.' It's probably a healthier choice too! 😎

This whiskey is a fantastic explosion of toffee and creme brûlée. It presents with sweet corn, toffee, caramel, oak, and vanilla. If tasted without knowing, I would have guessed it was below 100 proof because of its smooth mouthfeel. It lacks significant complexity, but it is a remarkably cohesive spirit that shows its age gracefully.

The aroma is floral and rich with fruit, enhanced by vanilla notes. It's reminiscent of cobbler or crème brûlée. The palate is rich and oily, featuring a perfect amount of upfront pepper spice that quickly subsides. The lingering finish offers a medley of raspberry, oak, and chocolate. Wonderfully balanced and rich.

The aroma is fresh and light, reminiscent of clean linens. It opens up to reveal notes of wood, sour honey, and perhaps a hint of dill, along with pencil lead and car tires. On the palate, this is a classic mature bourbon with notes of leather and baked bread. It has a pleasant spiciness and hints of cocoa nibs. A lingering bitterness is present but not overpowering.