Virgin Bourbon 7 Year 101

The aroma offers hints of mint and oak aging. A distinct scent of rye grain is present, though I suspect this isn't a high-rye mash bill. It appears orange-brown in the glass with oily legs. Menthol, dark chocolate, and oak are prominent throughout the taste. Notes of green apple and barrel char are detected. It's generously spiced, both in flavor and proof. It's not excessively sweet, but some toffee notes are discernible. The initial sips carry a faint musty undertone, as though the charring didn't fully purify the air-aged staves. The chocolate and apple combination leans towards bitter or sour cocoa, but fortunately, these aspects eventually subside, allowing the profound chocolate flavors, oak, and robust spice to occasionally unite in a manner I typically associate with premium spirits. Astringent finish that persists with tingling mint chocolate notes. An uncommon profile that can be both pleasing and demanding, but realistically, at $13/L, it's exceptional. The price has risen recently to around $20 per bottle, diminishing its value and now being NAS... it directly rivals the outstanding VFM WT101, which I'd likely favor over this, excluding scarcity and mystique. If anything, it's slightly over-oaked, leading me to believe these might have been rapid-aging barrels intended for Evan Williams Black Label, acquired affordably but aged further for enhanced "stats." The outcome is mixed, somewhat disjointed, yet with some undeniable successes.

Sampled in a Glencairn, this 7-year-old, 101-proof bourbon has an amber color with orange undertones. Swirling reveals thin, oily legs that move slowly. Nose: Dusty corn, orange peel, a musty/dusty oak scent, and a slight alcohol sting. Neat: It enters hot and slightly bitter, with vanilla sweetness appearing mid-palate. The orange peel note dominates the slightly hot finish, accompanied by a healthy amount of cinnamon. The mouthfeel is fairly thick and chewy, with a decent warming effect. Slightly bitter oak and cinnamon linger on the palate after a medium finish. Splash: Adds an unidentifiable sweetness and a grassy note to the nose. It significantly enhances the palate, making the vanilla and cinnamon notes more prominent from start to finish, and introduces a hint of chocolate. Interestingly, the aroma in the empty glass strongly resembled Big Red Gum. Verdict: A 7-year-old, 101-proof Heaven Hill whiskey for around $13-$15? Enjoy it while you can, if it's available. Packaged in a nicer bottle, it could easily be mistaken for a $30-$40 bourbon. Instead, it's arguably the best $13 bourbon available by a wide margin. While not universally distributed, finding it means you likely won't be disappointed.

Acquired two 17-dollar, 750ml bottles during a recent trip to Alabama. I strongly prefer the earlier 7-year version over the current no-age-statement (NAS) bottling. The NAS concludes with an unpleasant, prominent note of iron rust. While the 7-year was acceptable neat or with a few drops of water, the NAS requires at least a couple of drops of orange bitters, or preferably, a spoonful or two of Curaçao or Amaro Montenegro. It performs even better in a Revolver cocktail, and a Boulevardier's sweet vermouth and Campari are even more effective at masking its flaws. It feels like an attempt to dress up something unappealing rather than creating the best possible drink. I favor a Revolver made with the standard Bulleit orange label over the NAS. For me, bourbon is best enjoyed neat with about three or four drops of distilled water. This NAS is not that bourbon; it's perhaps useful and inexpensive for certain cocktails, like a bourbon and cola. It's unfortunate the 7-year is no longer produced. I reserve the remaining half bottle of that expression for "A or B?" comparisons with the NAS for companions, much like I do with certain formerly excellent but now diminished mass-market hand-rolled cigars. Entropy, I suppose.

I probably shouldn't be reviewing a bourbon after drinking all night, but here goes. I've been keen to try this because it's apparently a significant draw for Alabama, and since I reside here, I thought it would be a nice local experience. However, the age statement has shifted from 7 years to NAS. I don't know how the 7-year version tastes, so this isn't a comparison, just a tasting of the NAS. It's straightforward and consistently smooth. There's a burnt sugar sweetness with a very subtle fruit note, perhaps cherry, and a very mild burn, surprisingly so for a 101 proof. It remains very smooth throughout, concluding with a sweet, gentle warmth. For under $15, it must still be a good reason to visit AL.

This is an unusual bourbon. Most are unfamiliar with or have not encountered it, as it was primarily distributed internationally. Now, it's only available in a few states: Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, and North Carolina. This is a 7-year-old bourbon bottled at 101 proof and costs around $15. The color is a deep amber with a reddish hue. The nose presents brown sugar, vanilla, corn, and oak. The taste is consistent with the nose but exhibits a very prominent oak flavor. The finish is medium to long, with oak and some spice lingering. This is a Heaven Hill product, and with the discontinuation of the Heaven Hills 6-year bottled in bond, this could be an excellent substitute.

EDIT: Rumor has it this is the export version of Old Ezra 7 Yr. As the international market becomes more discerning, these are being distributed in many states where Old Ezra isn't sold. A fantastic value around $13. You can clearly discern the Heaven Hill heritage. Initial flavors include sweet toffee, butterscotch, and peanut brittle. It's hot and oaky towards the end, but a splash or a cube reveals enjoyable smoky, chocolatey notes and mellows the finish sufficiently. This will become a regular pour for me among value options.