Rhetoric 21 Year Bourbon

I sampled this alongside Barterhouse 20 and Rhetoric 22y. To reveal a secret, this was my least preferred. Nose: wood shavings, Werther’s butterscotch candy, paint thinner, apricot preserves Body: light yet oily, with a warmth akin to room temperature water Palate: Subtle notes of apricot, aged wood... and regrettably little else. The finish was brief to moderate, returning to a Werther’s butterscotch candy flavor before vanishing. This is not a bourbon that most bourbon enthusiasts would dislike, but many might feel indifferent. It lacked the orange and oak intensity of Barterhouse, and the more peppery, earthy character of Rhetoric 22 year. What a difference a year makes! While the Barterhouse isn't a fair comparison, the change from 21 to 22 showed a clear improvement in balance and complexity, although the low proof in all of them left me wanting more depth.

A unique bourbon. It smells like sweet leather with a floral scent. The taste, however, is spicy with notes of pepper and clove, and a slightly sharp quality. Despite this, the texture on the tongue was smooth, and the aftertaste was mild and brief. I didn't think these elements blended well. It's an unusual spirit unlike any other bourbon I've had. It's worth trying a small pour, but I don't see myself finishing a whole bottle.

Nose: Mildly dusty with notes of spice, vanilla, and a hint of floral. Taste: Very smooth with abundant spice and a trace of leather, mingling with a light essence of smoke and toasted oak. Finish: A moderately smooth finish with subtle smoke over oak and spices. It leaves a persistent taste that leans sweeter with vanilla notes.

The nose presents aged leather and wood. Those aromas carry directly to the initial taste, with bold leather notes that transition into a warm swell of allspice and vanilla, followed by a smooth yet slightly astringent dark chocolate. A superb and well-balanced bourbon. It's a personal favorite.

This is the finest whiskey I've encountered. After conducting blind tastings of over 25 whiskies across several weeks, this one stood out as the best. It offers a touch of smoke, leather, and earthiness for its age, along with some baking spice on the palate. I could happily drink only this.

Oaky, sweet, smooth, and soft. This is the bourbon to reach for on a cold winter night or for a special celebration. Watch out, scotch; bourbon ages just as well and certainly highlights the best qualities in this one!