Very Olde St. Nick Ancient Estate 13 Year Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (Lot 1)

Quick heads-up, just skip this one. It's an absolute joke. Seriously, avoid it; these producers are releasing subpar products at outrageous prices. It's almost laughable. I fell for it, though. Nose: To be honest, the aroma is peculiar. It comes across like a young, alcohol-forward bourbon. Taste: Initially, it feels like water, then hits with the intensity of 200 proof alcohol on the finish – what's going on here? It primarily features vanilla and oak. There isn't much else to discern. It's almost as if someone infused vanilla vodka with bourbon and oak essence. For comparison, I poured some Belle Meade Reserve, with all its rye spice and beautifully balanced sweet and spicy notes. A superb whiskey. The $400 bourbon? It's sweeter, but it tastes almost diluted, as if too much water was added, followed by an alcoholic kick. With water: Interestingly, the water seems to reveal some nuances in the aroma. It brings out more bourbon oils and a smoother, creamier note. The initial nose was very muted. I'm detecting some unusual mushroom sauce notes now, but mostly just oak and vanilla. With water on the palate: It remains quite thin, but no thinner than before. I'm perceiving more spice and tannins. The finish is medium in length but improved compared to its initial state. Revisiting the Belle Meade, it's younger but doesn't taste that way. The flavors are incredibly rich and full. An excellent whiskey. The St. Nick is slowly revealing itself, and it's not a bad bourbon. I can't even guess its origin. There's a distinct note of Buffalo Trace, but with significantly more oak and bite than usual. Overall, I'm rating it a 2.25, but if price is considered, it's a 0. Seriously, screw these guys.

A rich, spicy taste. The flavor hits the palate upfront with no unpleasant aftertaste. Truly enjoyable and a good value for the price.