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Whiskey Review: Hardin’s Creek Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon
Introduction Today, we’re diving into Hardin’s Creek Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon Whiskey, an exciting release from Jim Beam’s new line of annual offerings. Launched in 2022, this whiskey is distilled at the Fred B. Noe Distillery and crafted by master distiller Freddie Noe. At just two years old and bottled at 108 proof, it aims to honor Jim Beam’s legacy with a low distillation proof and lower barrel entry proof. While the story is compelling, we had questions about how well a two-year bourbon could deliver on flavor. Here’s our full breakdown. This review is taken from our episode " District 9 / Hardin's Creek Col. James B. Beam ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: The nose opens with notes of peanut brittle and vanilla frosting, offering some sharply sweet characteristics. Black pepper adds a touch of spice, but the young graininess holds it back. 7/10 Bob: I found floral notes like rose petal and melon alongside oak,
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Whiskey Review: Jefferson's Reserve Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finished Bourbon
There’s something both amusing and humbling about revisiting our early reviews. In those days, our scores often reflected a stricter stance, and we didn’t always weigh market value as heavily as we do now. Case in point: our review of Jefferson's Reserve Pritchard Hill. Were we too harsh in our judgment, or did we have it right all along? Maybe it’s worth revisiting. Keep reading to see where we ended up. This review is taken from our episode " Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire / Jefferson's Pritchard Hill ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Introduction Today, we're diving into Jefferson's Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finished Whiskey, an intriguing expression from Jefferson’s Reserve line. This bourbon starts as a 15-year aged whiskey before being finished for an additional 12 months in French oak casks previously used for Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. At 90.2 proof, it promises a smoother, less punchy experience than some higher
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Whiskey Review: Jefferson's Small Batch Bourbon
From the Vault It's funny revisiting reviews from the early days of our podcast--we were certainly harsher with our scoring than we are now. Not that we've softened up our stance on whether we like something, but I think now we have a better understanding of, say, a product's value compared to the rest of the market, and not based solely on our enjoyment of it. I say all of that because as I look through our scores from 2021 on Jefferson's Small Batch Bourbon--they seem a bit harsh. Should we revisit this one? Were we overly critical? Or did we get it just right? Read on to find out. This review is taken from our episode " Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban / Jefferson's Small Batch ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. What’s Unique About Jefferson’s Small Batch Bourbon? Jefferson’s Small Batch Bourbon is an entry-level expression from Jefferson’s, a brand celebrated for its experimental approach to whiskey. Founded in 1997, Jefferso
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Whiskey Review: Rebel 100 6-Year Bourbon
Introduction Today, we’re diving into Rebel 100 6-Year Bourbon, a whiskey that holds a special place in our hearts. As longtime fans of the Rebel lineup, we’ve been consistently impressed by what Lux Row has to offer, and this age-stated version of the beloved Rebel 100 piqued our interest. Clocking in at 100 proof and carrying a six-year age statement, this expression promises a refined take on a budget favorite. Brad and I first sampled this at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, where Lux Row had a tasting bar featuring several new releases. With this review, we’re revisiting it in a more controlled environment to see how it stacks up. Let’s get into it. This review is taken from our episode " La La Land / Rebel 100 6-Year Bourbon ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Bob: On the nose, I got a lot of cherry. This is a classic Rebel nose with some added depth. Cherry is all over the place here, and there’s a dusty quality that I thi