Paddleford Creek Small Batch Bourbon (80 Proof)

41.5% ABV is an interesting choice. The nose is dry with some wood and rye, so not very promising. There's some vanilla and floral sweetness on the nose too. It smells high right and lacking in robustness, a step below Evan Williams Black. The palate is sweeter than expected and the dram is harsher with a fiery kick from the spice that is tamed a bit by some minerality and a big dose of vanilla. It lacks robustness, as expected, but it also has some life to it. The surprising level of sweetness is nice, though it tastes a bit like sugar water. Although there are some decent fundamentals here, with the weak body I'm not sure it can recover to produce a great spirit if aged longer. It might be a decent mixer, but I suspect that Colonel Lee is better. In direct comparison with Evan Williams Black, which is better is a tough call to make. Actually, I think that Evan Williams has some flavors that don't quite fit together as well. This has some more sweetness and a tad more richness that could be caramel or could be light wood. The two are very comparable though. This is a slight improvement, but it probably doesn't warrant an increase in its numeric score. An increase of 1 at most. Colonel Lee definitely tastes a bit more out of balance too, though it's sweeter and packs more richness in. This is definitely a step up. I think I'll give it that extra point. It can compete fairly with Woodford Reserve, but I think it is a step lower on net. Compared with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, I'd also say that this isn't as good. So I think it's found its place between Evan Williams Black/Colonel Lee and the Woodford Reserves. It's no Jim Beam Black, but it's passable. The price is absurdly high for the quality though.

Nose: Cinnamon, oak richness, caramel, hints of chocolate, cherry, and apple. Palate: Moderately rich with some tartness, wood, caramel, and maple. Chocolate notes are present. It's quite woody with some cinnamon spice. Vanilla and banana notes emerge. A touch of minerality, but not overwhelming. It's acceptable, but unremarkable. Finish: Lingering wood, spice, some caramel, vanilla, and minerality. Very mundane. Overall, a surprisingly decent bourbon for its unexpectedly high cost. I would not actively search for it, but it's suitable for mixing or sipping neat. It slightly surpasses Jack Daniel's. My initial score of 12 seemed fitting.

A refined Bourbon from Minnesota. It possesses a rich beginning with notes of caramel & toasted nuts; complemented by a bold middle with notes of corn, grain, oak & toast; culminating in a lengthy & balanced conclusion with notes of tobacco & earth. May 2018

A pleasant, smooth, sweet spirit. Likely the best available at this price point. It lacks depth but has no unpleasant tastes.

3.5 stars. Light and easy to consume. Suitable for sipping, though not particularly intricate or profound in flavor.

Quite smooth with a hint of caramel.