Sam Houston 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

I had heard of the Sam Houston and didn't hesitate when I saw the 15 on the shelf. I've had three small pours neat or with a drop of water. This is the CA batch 2 and was a complete delight. The nose has heavy cherry and oak. The aroma alone shouts that this is a quality bourbon with a perfect proof and a lot of attention to detail. It has a rich smell that seems softer than expected for 103 proof - no alcohol burn in the nose, but a lot of very full and rich flavors. Taste - cherry and dark chocolate on sips 1, 2, & 3. Great taste and mouth feel with a lot going on, but… nothing that wild for bourbon. This tastes like an excellent bourbon with a lot of the expected notes hit and hit well. If I have one issue with the mouthfeel it's that it doesn't last as long as I would like. I love a whiskey that lingers and evolves in my mouth, this doesn't do that. What's there is great, but doesn't last that long. The proof is once again perfect here… no need for ice or water - unless you want a drop to open things up, but I didn't notice that much more when I did (got some more spice and initial alcohol on the nose and taste). Overall, it's great. But damn difficult to find and hardly cheap when you do so. I paid 120 and am a-okay with that (hell if it were still available near me for that price I'd buy another bottle). To me, it was a bucket list bourbon as a native of Houston Texas and I'm happy to have tried it. It stood up to my expectations but didn't blow me away either. If you see it for 120-150, I'd recommend it.

Neat. First pour from the bottle. Batch KY-01. I really liked the Calumet 15 this year and was eager to try its 3-barrel counterpart. On the nose, I simultaneously detect fresh banana nut bread and red velvet cake. Lovely. I can discern both aspects. The banana nut bread side has a nice spice. The red velvet cake aspect has a pleasant moist chocolate and vanilla buttercream. I could spend an hour just with the aroma. The mouthfeel isn't creamy, just a bit less so. Milky. It's very oily and coating, though. Lighter than expected initially, with lots of vanilla and orange. A bit of milk chocolate appears subtly. The oak takes center stage in the middle of the palate. It's a rich milk chocolate. The finish brings a wave of caramel and a hint of banana. There's decent warmth in the legs. Vanilla and chocolate continue to emerge. I noticed the orange again on the finish. The taste isn't as rich as the aroma, but it's really good overall. The oak isn't overpowering, and there are pleasant waves of lighter flavors. It presents as a more consistent drink than the Calumet 15, but both are fantastic. Is it worth the extra $30? Based on my initial impression, I think so.

From Kentucky, Batch 1. I'm surprised I'm the first to review this. The aroma is classic Barton, with notes of apples, cinnamon, and cherry, followed by sweetness and oak. Then, buttery and funky oak notes appear. It's classic sourced Barton, with savory elements, a bit more oak, and all the qualities I appreciate about their products. The taste begins soft and sweet, with fruitiness like apples, light spice, and then a remarkably pleasant smoked oak. Vanilla cream, cherries, caramel, and butterscotch combine in a creamy, delicious way. This might be my new favorite Barton blend or sourced product. It's excellent, and at $150, I'm quite pleased, even comparing it favorably to some older Carter single barrels I enjoyed at a higher price. A score of 3.5 seems low; this is an immediate buy up to $200. It's a little cloyingly sweet initially, but the finish redeems it. It's not flawless, and some bourbon drinkers might not appreciate it, but it's fantastic.

Batch KY-01. The aroma is heavily influenced by cherry, dark chocolate, and mild oak, with hints of clove and banana taffy. Marshmallow, coconut oil, and sweet chocolate become more apparent as it sits, with tobacco being the most prominent note towards the end. Flavors are immediate, starting with banana sundae, followed by cherry syrup, chocolate fudge, vanilla, and then oak with a touch of black pepper. The texture is exceptionally smooth. The finish resembles a ginger snap cookie heavily dusted with sugar, with fleeting notes of leather and tobacco before a warm oak and caramel syrup finish. The lingering banana bread note and a certain barrel char with dusty funk invite another sip. An excellent release with phenomenal complexity, likely from Barton heritage. Among the best bourbons tasted.

From Kentucky, Batch 06. The aroma is what bourbon should smell like, featuring smoked oak, bubble gum, rye spice, vanilla, and rich, deep caramel, with some pleasant fruit notes interspersed. It's a wonderful example of bourbon, with well-integrated age. The balance of spice, oak, and sweetness is expertly crafted, reminiscent of an older, slightly different MGP profile with an emphasis on spice. The finish is improving, and this batch is as enjoyable as batch 1. Impressive progress from the distillery. A score of 3.75 seems appropriate.

Immediately, the potency of this bourbon is evident through its aroma. It has a deep caramel hue and exhibits long legs. The initial taste offers a tingle of spice on the front of the tongue, leading to a smooth swallow with a lasting warmth. It's rich and sweet, as expected from an aged spirit. A fine alternative to Pappy 15, Orphan Barrel, or aged IW Harper. A worthwhile purchase.