Very Old Barton 86 Proof Bourbon

Purchased the 1.75L size in Virginia. This bourbon appears on Virginia shelves infrequently, about three to four times annually, with limited quantities available, and customers are restricted to a single bottle each day. This is unusual for an affordable bourbon, but it is quite hard to find in this area. When I began seriously exploring bourbon a couple of years back, I read articles discussing the top budget bourbons and those exclusively found in Kentucky. VOB was mentioned in several of these lists, so upon spotting it at the local store, I bought a few bottles and have purchased one whenever I've seen it since. I believe I always keep one large bottle set aside for cocktails or casual sipping when needed. It's surprising I haven't shared my thoughts on it until now. Here we go... Sampled neat in a Glencairn glass at home. The aroma offers oak and field grasses, a subtle note of banana, and gentle spice. Mediocre. The initial taste is sharp, presenting oak, cinnamon candies, and tart apples, followed by some dried grasses and a hint of warmth in the aftertaste. VOB is acceptable for its category. Here in Northern Virginia, it's not widely recognized, which distinguishes it somewhat from the common Old Granddad or Evan Williams available. What truly makes it valuable to me is its surprisingly low cost and its complete lack of offensive qualities. 7/16/20

Opened 4 months ago. Nose: Faint peanut brittle, faint butterscotch and caramel, bubble gum, artificial fruit, no ethanol or oak detected. Palate: Watery, young oak, very little sugar or fruit. The finish is short, with slightly more oak and tannins, and the first hint of ethanol. In my opinion, this is the most overrated inexpensive bourbon available. Its price is appropriate, but I don't grasp its scarcity. It's extremely difficult to find in larger city ABC stores, and when it appears, it sells out rapidly. This tastes somewhat like 1792 after being poured over ice, letting the ice melt, and sitting at room temperature for months. I would prefer Evan Williams or Jim Beam over this any day. Its scarcity makes sense because the same individuals who hunt for Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Blanton's also seek this out (references from a Facebook group). They favor uncomplicated, sweet, overrated, low-proof bourbon with minimal complexity.

It has an aroma reminiscent of nail polish remover and tastes like Wonka Runts candies – artificially sweet. During a blind tasting, I would have mistaken it for a flavored Canadian whiskey. It's not necessarily a 'bad' flavor; it has its place, but that place isn't in my whiskey glass, more like a cheap candy dispenser. Even with a higher proof, I doubt I'd purchase a bottle.

Full disclosure: I am new to tasting spirits. This tastes rather basic to me. I will keep this available for casual enjoyment without opening pricier bottles. The aroma offers some sweetness, perhaps cherry. The palate has a smoky quality, is quite sweet, and has some woody notes. I would purchase it again.

This is precisely what one expects from a large format bottle of bourbon at this price point. On its own, it's unremarkable. The standard bourbon notes are present, and a lingering spicy finish is interesting, but it's predominantly alcohol. It serves adequately as a mixer; I prefer it in a Kentucky mule.

Considering it costs $10, this is a straightforward spirit with simple flavors that's easy to sip. The nose has slight oak and a hint of burnt sugar. The taste is sweet and typical for bourbon. It doesn't pack a huge flavor punch due to the low proof. It's worth $10. I'm curious to try VOB 100.