Alright, my second post of the Imbibing newsletter is more in line with the reality that 2020 has pushed the Kentucky Derby into the first Saturday in September.
First, the glass.
This glass belonged to Kathryn’s aunt and she left them to me and Kathryn. So each year for the Kentucky Derby, I pull it out with a little Van Winkle to toast the Derby and Kathryn’s family.
Now the bourbon.
Let’s start with the color, this is a nice golden brown to me. When I put my nose in the glass, I get something sweet like candy or burnt, brown sugar. I can also get some heat from the booze, though in the world of bourbon, I don’t consider a 90.4 Proof liquor all that strong.
I have been trying to avoid other reviews, especially the tasting notes from the distillers.
With the 12 year, I actually decided to take a look as I was having my first taste. The Van Winkle site tells me that this is complex and tastes of toffee.
Check out the tasting notes from the distiller because I actually find the bourbon to be a lot more subtle than the tasting notes would lead me to believe.
As I sit with this, watching the pre-race build-up for the Derby, I find myself going back to the nose more than I do going for the sip of the whiskey. It isn’t that the bourbon isn’t good, it is very good.
More, it is that the nose is so intense and interesting that it is difficult for the taste to live up to the nose.
Your sip doesn’t linger on your tongue. It vanishes pretty rapidly, especially considering a few minutes ago I was writing about a white wine with a taste that cleansed and lingered on the palate.
After several sips, I’m waiting for something spectacular to jump out and separate in the juice. But, so far, nothing.
As I near the bottom of the glass, it opens up but you really just get the sweetness and a little heat, but nothing that you could point to that separates out into anything unusual or popping.
The Verdict:
I’ve had to buy many a bottle of this to give to clients of mine or my lady’s. The name sells it.
As far as whether or not you should be drinking this yourself? Depends.
How much is it?
If you are spending $500-600, it is nice as a novelty. But for that price, I have a whole list of things I could buy several bottles of.
When I’m looking at bourbons that I’m paying premium prices for, give me Stagg Jr., Booker’s, Little Book, or Elijah Craig barrel proof.
That out of the way because you always have to put any of the Van Winkle stuff in context, it is a very nice bourbon.
If someone offers you a pour, have it.
For my money and my review, I’m going to give this a solid rating, but not outstanding. Let’s say 89/100.