Rhetoric 24 Year Bourbon

This year, I'm sampling a new whiskey daily throughout December. #lifegoals Dec. 24 My primary question for this drink is whether the difference between the 23 and 24 year old expressions is substantial enough to warrant collecting all 6 years of Rhetoric. For collectors, this isn't a concern, but for those who drink it, are the 6 bottles more akin to different Booker's releases, or are they more like 6 distinct single barrels from a consistent product range (minor variations, but practically identical)? The nose immediately reminds me of the 23 year old. It has a bitterness of brine and dust, alongside a caramel sweetness. I occasionally detect a tanginess: tangerine, orange, cherry. At these points, the bitterness leans more towards sourness. It is unmistakably an aged bourbon. The body delivers on the promises of the nose. Caramel is the most distinct note, followed by a brininess. It requires some effort, but I can discern those fruity notes from the nose. The finish has moderate heat, and while the flavor doesn't change dramatically, this is where the sourness becomes prominent. I genuinely enjoy this bourbon! My recollection suggests it's identical to the 23 year old, but my current notes appear somewhat different. This necessitates opening a 23 year old as well. A blind tasting is in order! For scientific purposes. They are indeed distinct, and I'm rather annoyed to admit it. I was convinced that in a blind tasting, I wouldn't be able to differentiate them, but I could every time. Here's the situation: the noses are identical. If there's a difference in the bodies, I can't perceive it. The finish is the key identifier. Across multiple bottles, the 23 year old has a leathery, dusty finish. This 24 year old is sour at the end. There's no mistaking those concluding notes. For the average consumer, I believe it would be acceptable to use these interchangeably. They share far more similarities than differences. But I'll be damned if those finishes don't reveal their identities. The 23 and the 24 are not like two different Booker's, but they are also somewhat more distinct than 2 different single barrels from a consistent product line. My personal preference leans towards the 24 year old, but both are outstanding whiskeys. As a drinker, I now desire to at least acquire a 20 and a 25 year old. Perhaps those extreme points could help me understand the characteristics of each intervening year. ‘Tis the season. I'm uncertain if I have 7 more new whiskeys lined up, so if you're reading this and there's something readily available you'd like me to experience (pleasurably or otherwise) this holiday season, please share your suggestions in the comments.

Nose: wood-forward; caramel; vanilla; a whisper of dark chocolate, dark cherry & blackberry; faint clove and anise spice; did I mention wood? Palate: wood, very woody with some bitterness; sweetness from vanilla supported by light brown sugar; salted caramel; quite thin viscosity and delicate mouthfeel. Finish: medium-long and drying; cafe mocha and dark chocolate; cinnamon; vanilla; a hint of dark fruit, orange and slight sourness. Oh, and wood. Value: at $140-200 in the U.S. = difficult to purchase. Final thoughts: below the intense woodiness of this pour lies some nuance and complexity, but even the addition of water doesn’t quite break the woody bitterness, rather just amplifying the sweetness. This is a classic illustration of how very aged bourbon, unlike scotch, actually degrades the quality of the experience. It’s not bad, but for the price this is a tough one to justify. While oxidization will certainly help, for the price you expect an amazing pour immediately. Bottom line: there are simply too many great bourbons at half the price. Score: 2.5/5 Difficult to recommend/absolutely try before you buy

Drinking it straight. The aroma is quite captivating. It has profound oak notes, reminiscent of certain bourbons like Woodford Double Oaked or 1910. It presents a distinct toasted marshmallow quality. Further exploration reveals vanilla and cooked banana. Exceptionally full-bodied. A whisper of spearmint and cassia. This is something I could enjoy for hours on a chilly day next to a fireplace. Silky, viscous texture. It truly coats the palate and mouth. Flavors of cocoa and honeyed syrup on the tongue. The finish delivers powerful chocolate and wood. The oak presence is assertive, which I appreciate. Immediately quite astringent and drying. Toasted marshmallow and char return, and those vanilla notes really intensify and persist in the streaks on the glass. Its oiliness makes the streaks last for a considerable time, and you can sense it gradually descending your throat. As it airs out and I become more accustomed to it, the sweetness gradually becomes more apparent, overshadowing the woody elements. Allowing this to breathe for half an hour enhances its character. This is quite remarkable. The previous oldest bourbon I had sampled was the Wild Turkey 17. While the WT17 offered a more profound experience, I genuinely enjoy the sweetness that develops in this one as it rests. I am impressed by this.

Location: Black Sheep Social Club, Cedar Rapids, IA; Price: $20/1.5 oz Smell: 4 | In a rocks glass, so it's difficult to get too much (giving it the benefit of the doubt) Taste: 4.25 | Rich and sweet (caramel, butterscotch, vanilla) with a clear barrel influence (heavy wood and oak); the mouthfeel is a little lighter than anticipated Aftertaste: 3.75 | A medium-long oaky finish that lingers, but not indefinitely Cost: 4 | It's a 24-year-old bourbon, after all Conclusion: Worth trying at a bar This was a difficult decision because while it's a very intriguing bourbon, I don't believe the flavor and profile justify a price tag over $130. However, considering it's a 24-year-old bourbon made by Ed Foote in '93 at the Bernheim Distillery and aged in Stitzel-Weller warehouses, you might be more motivated to get a bottle, if you can find one.

Received as a sample through the "Whiskey transfer program from dthom". I'm eager to try it but, as usual, cautious of the excessive hype and exorbitant pricing associated with this product. Nose: An incredible toasted coconut aroma! Toasted coconut, dark sugars, candied pecans, vanilla. Flavor: More toasted caramelized nuts, a creamy, buttery texture with dark sugars, vanilla, additional coconut, some cinnamon, and anise. It's almost like a root beer candy. Finish: Cedar and dark wood sugars with a touch of spice, a lengthy finish that becomes more intriguing as it develops. A subtle hint of peppermint and drying anise on the finish. This is a remarkably complex, interesting, and delicious whiskey. An excellent spirit if you can obtain it at its suggested retail price, but don't expect to. I've seen it priced at $500, which represents poor value.

The aroma presents cedar, dry oak, vanilla, bread dough, leather, with a subtle hint of spearmint and clove. The palate is gentle and dry as expected, with a somewhat chewy texture. It's full of vanilla and rich custard, cinnamon, pepper, dry oak, and has a leathery quality. The medium-length finish offers a lingering spiciness that endures as dry oak, vanilla, and spearmint fade, maintaining richness. It's not as overwhelming as one might expect for its age, with the oak characteristics well-managed. The high corn content is evident in its sweetness, yet it's nicely balanced, making it an easy drink.