Old Tub Kentucky Straight Bourbon

BUDGET BOTTLED-IN-BOND BOURBON SHOWDOWN Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond Old Tub Bottled-In-Bond Wild Turkey 101 Okay, I know that the WT101 isn't bottled-in-bond; however, it is budget-friendly, it is bourbon, and it's only 1 proof point higher than the other two, so that's close enough for me (even if it is a bit older). I thought a side-by-side comparison of the three would be interesting. Also, it's college football Saturday, and this is a little pregame activity. Evan Williams Bottled-In Bond I've never had this bourbon, which is a Heaven Hill product. The color is clear Pantone 138 (I have no connection to Pantone, but am using it to attempt a bit more visual accuracy). The sweet aroma presents an initial hit of tangy barbecue sauce, with orange, caramel, and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied: great depth of flavor with sweet corn, simple syrup, and peppery spice, with a pleasant alcohol burn. The medium-length finish is mostly sweet, oaky vanilla. No harshness or bitterness. This is absolutely delicious. Great smells and depth of flavor, and the BiB designation is wonderfully evident. This Evan Williams expression is a fantastic neat sipper, and at 100 proof would also be great in mixed drinks, without costing a lot. At just a little over $20, the value is incredible. I can't believe this is the first time I've tried this bourbon, but it certainly won't be the last, and I'll always keep one on hand. An easy 4.0 score. Old Tub Bottled-In-Bond Old Tub is a Jim Beam product, and this is also my first time trying it. The color is clear Pantone 144. The aroma is fruity, very different from the EW: pomander, apple pie, caramel, and vanilla. The palate is bold, with sweet mulled cider and cigar notes. The finish has cinnamon, with a little vanilla, and is short to medium in length. The alcohol is present, as it should be, but at a level that matches the flavor intensity. I'm similarly glad that I've tried Old Tub. Like the EW, this could serve as a neat drink, on the rocks, or a cocktail base, given the 100 proof. It's also around $20, and as such represents excellent value. Not quite the same experience for me as the EW was, but I'll always keep one of these on hand as well. Scored 3.5. Wild Turkey 101 Wild Turkey 101 is, of course, a Wild Turkey product, and I've had it many times. The color is clear Pantone 138. The aroma focuses more on caramel and vanilla, much more than the EW and OT, with banana bread and a hint of orange. The characteristic WT high-rye spice is immediately noticeable on the palate: there's a slight viscosity—more than the EW and OT—likely from longer barrel aging. It finishes medium to long, with vanilla and cinnamon. Wild Turkey 101 is essential for me; I've never disliked any WT product. They have a distinct brand style, with a single mashbill for their bourbons. It costs $1-2 more than the EW or OT, but likely has more age as well. Outstanding. Scored 4.0. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Hmm, okay… Notes of cinnamon candy, cherry, and a smooth texture, though not quite oily (which is good). Compared to most bourbons, it doesn't have a strong caramel presence. I don't detect toffee either. It's intriguing for a $25 bottled-in-bond. The fact that it's essentially original recipe Beam makes it particularly interesting, and I want to investigate its formulation. Anyway, I noticed a popcorn note along the palate, a characteristic found in some bourbons, often described as caramel popcorn. For me, however, my bottle presents just popcorn, without the caramel. It has a somewhat chewy texture, with hints of the typical oak & vanilla, and some barrel spices. But this $24 BiB offers an *almost medium finish. It's *not* an abrupt end. That, for a sub-$30 bottle, is always a positive because I can't think of many with a somewhat lingering finish in this price range unless the liquid is…unpleasant, awful. I mean, it's not as good as Knob Creek, but it's close to medium, with a spiced finish. It also holds up reasonably well to ice at 50% ABV. Unless you regularly sip spirits above 60% ABV and find anything 100 proof or less to be like a light Irish 80 proofer, which is unlikely, you'll probably agree. It has body and texture; the beads in the bottle dissipate slower than usual. However, my bottle is from 2022, and I'm unsure if that impacts anything. I'm eager to try this bottle again. I'm feeling unwell and taking a break, so I figured I'd post this review since it's already on my mind. Also, after the initial spice impact, on my first (somewhat generous) sip, I detect a combination of cilantro-cherry and hard-candy cherry notes (not a cough syrup-like cherry, mind you) immediately following the cinnamon. It's spiciest on the first taste, and perhaps it's because I just opened this Beam bottle that had been sitting on a gas station shelf in remote Kentucky for quite some time. Maybe it's the neck pour. But the spiciness doesn't vanish with subsequent sips, it's just less pronounced than initially. Another point to consider is that I approached this bottle with low expectations, and the neck pour was very good. I, and likely most bourbon enthusiasts, could have been deceived. It tasted like a $40+ bottle. So, find this and keep one on hand. It looks aged, it tastes good, it has a story, it's distinct, and it's a fantastic change of pace that you might find yourself wanting a small pour of, or even a shot...? It's very budget-friendly. What else do you need to know? X X

Nose: Strawberry-raspberry jam and a whisper of peanut butter on toast, mellow yet fresh American oak, peanut brittle, a touch of fresh rye, some underlying rye spice and baking spice (cloves, cinnamon and cardamom), a hint of dill, some burdock root - root beer, fresh caramel, vanilla pods, spicy cream soda (intriguing, right?), candied green apple, sweet oakiness infused with sweet Werther's Original candies, oaky sweet tea, late spring Appalachian forest, corn spirit, fruit roll-ups, mature and sweet pine resin, ripe strawberries, overripe pineapple, chocolate-covered sultanas and dates. Palate: Spicy stewed orchard fruits and peanut brittle, mature but fresh oak, high-quality corn, baking spices (cinnamon, black pepper, cloves), bittersweet oak, medium dark chocolate with peanuts and hazelnuts, oak-infused sweet tea, caramel, bittersweet vanilla pods, oak tannins and simple syrup, a mix of sweet pineapple and red apple. Finish: Tangy sweet tea-infused oak, mild caramel, mulled apples with tannic oak, baking spices (cinnamon and cardamom), a bit of white pepper.

Perhaps it’s my initial taste of the night, but the alcohol strength is quite apparent on the aroma. Easy notes of sweet and tart cherries come through. Pushing past the fruit, mild baking spices and brown sugar scents complete the bouquet well. The first taste offers a pleasant sweet rush. I am quite pleased with how enjoyable this pour is. Based on my memory, I anticipated it being a bit more straightforward. It's not exactly mind-altering, but in my view, it's certainly more than a single-note spirit. The red fruit from the nose transfers to the tongue, but instead of baking spices, a rich vanilla joins it, making it lean towards cherry cola notes. This flavor profile progresses smoothly through the middle of the palate and leads to a finish that’s long enough to allow for a pause between drinks, and it definitely leaves you wanting another. Thinking about this little unexpected pleasure; I’d consider it a solid starting point for both Jim Beam and for Bottle in Bond expressions. Tonight, it earns a 2.5/5.

I had previously tried and reviewed Old Tub on December 20, 2020. Back then, I was just starting with bourbon and gave it a 4.25. Since then, I have sampled many other spirits that I enjoyed greatly, but rarely give a 4-star or higher score. So... I bought it again to see if it matches my early positive impression. I am happy to say that it holds up to the excitement of my former self... The aroma has notes of cinnamon, cinnamon candies, leather, and alcohol. The taste is sweet and spicy, with the cinnamon from the aroma continuing. It feels a bit watery in the mouth, but that doesn't bother me. The aftertaste is moderate, leaving a gentle warmth in the chest. My score has only decreased by 0.25 stars, now at 4.0. I acquired Old Tub in 2020 for about $24.00. This latest bottle cost even less. A superb bourbon for the money. Definitely suggest it.

I haven't tried this bourbon in over two years. I'd like to do that three-bourbon budget bottled-in-bond comparison that I did with Old Tub and two others back then, but tonight isn't the time. Pomander, cinnamon, apples, toasted oak. The taste is fruity; smooth for being 100-proof. The finish has toasted oak and a spearmint note. Not particularly memorable, but it doesn't need to be for $22. I'd drink this whiskey straight (I am doing so now), and at 100 proof, it would also be excellent in mixed drinks. Would I buy it again? Yes. Scored 3.75.