Old Charter 8 Year

I had noticed this for a long time, and given it's a Buffalo Trace mashbill #1 bourbon, I was curious to taste a $16.99 bottle variant. The nose offers fresh banana, vanilla, and light caramel. The palate has a rather thin, yet slightly oily mouthfeel. Notes of banana, vanilla, and very, very light oak are present. The finish is brief, as expected from an 80 proof spirit. I detect a hint of baking spices for a moment. It's acceptable. Nothing unpleasant, which is a positive for anything in this price bracket. It seems somewhat diluted, so the higher proof version is likely more robust. A complete beginner to bourbon might describe this as "smooth."

Old Charter has recently dropped its age statement and is now called "Old Charter No. 8." This review is for the non-age-stated version. Old Charter is made with the Buffalo Trace #1 (low rye) mashbill and tastes as expected: an inexpensive bourbon from barrels that didn't meet the criteria for standard Buffalo Trace. The flavors include sourness, sour cherry, nail polish remover, pecan, green apple, and Sharpie. It also has notes of damp wood and a basement-like quality. Caramel (caramel syrup) and vanilla are present. It's hot in the mouth, chalky, with alternating waves of sweetness and dryness. Crab apples, faint apple pie, and pine wood are also detected. It's very much a "meh" experience.

While being a bit thin and quick on the finish, the one thing this bourbon isn't is acrid, sharp, or bitter. It has light caramel, mild oak, mild baking spice. The finish is quite short, which might be a positive. While this whiskey has flavors that could amaze you, for the price, it offers flavors that aren't absolute garbage compared to some whiskeys in a similar price range. Highly recommend for a beginner bourbon drinker or Jameson fans looking for a whiskey to transition with.

Watery, which is understandable given the proof. Lacks significant flavor beyond oak and caramel. There's a hint of leather and grass on the nose. No real finish, though it's somewhat dry. For 18 dollars it's a decent purchase. There's nothing truly wrong with the bottle, especially considering the price. It's just watery, lacking flavor. But for what it is, it's acceptable.

Sweet vanilla and caramel on the nose. Full, rich flavors – more oak than usual. Slightly peppery finish that lasts a moderate time. A few drops of water really enhance it and bring out the baking spices. An excellent choice for $20 a bottle.

For an $18 price, this is a solid value. A higher alcohol content would have elevated it to greatness. The nose presents banana, and the palate leans towards oak. It's quite thin and disappears fast, but for $18, it's decent.