Bourbon 2015
 

Best Bourbon - 2015

 

The Fifty Best Bourbon Tasting of 2015

 

The Tasting Results:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 29 American bourbon whiskies with 17 pre-qualified judges. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the bourbons were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unflavored crackers and bar snacks were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through four flights of 7 bourbons plus one. The two flavored bourbons were tasted at the end and scored separately as a group.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the best. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no bronze medals awarded in this tasting.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The states of origin and alcohol content are identified for each brand.

 

Here are the final results:



DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:

Red Handed
84 proof (Treaty Oak Distilling, Texas)

Nose: Honey, cane sugar, molasses, toffee, fudge, maple. raisins, cassis, ginger, nutty, toast, brine, tobacco, oak.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, creamy, buttery, honey, banana, coconut, peach, biscuit, toast, marzipan, port wine, sherry, ginger, white pepper, peppery, coffee, tobacco, leather, charcoal, beautiful wood, oak, well balanced.
Finish: Floral, eucalyptus, pepper, spicy, brine, smooth.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Red Handed Bourbon



Van Brunt Stillhouse Bourbon



Van Brunt Stillhouse
84 proof (Van Brunt Stillhouse, Brooklyn, NY)

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, brown sugar, cane sugar, sweet cream, chocolate, dark chocolate, banana, marzipan, hazelnut, pecans, black walnut, peanut, spice, floral.
Palate: Toffee, fudge, chocolate, honey, vanilla, orange, cinnamon, malt, pepper, grass, oak, smooth, balanced.
Finish: Spicy, pepper, maple notes, nutty, wood, subtle, smooth.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



1792 Ridgemont Reserve
Barrel Select Kentucky Straight

93.7 proof (Barton 1792 Distillery, Kentucky)

Nose: Molasses, toffee, maple, light confectioner's sugar, cotton candy, glazed pop tart, butter, honeysuckle, dried mango, ripe banana, banana bread.
Palate: Toffee, butterscotch, fudge, light molasses, light banana, ripe banana, walnut, cinnamon, pepper, herbal, white pepper, spices, mint, pine, saline, leather, oak.
Finish: Fruit, ginger, honey, fudge, leather, nutmeg, pepper, spicy, oak, perfect.


Double-Gold Medal
Double-Gold medal



1792 Ridgemont Reserve Bourbon



Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon





Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr.
Single Barrel Kentucky Straight

100 proof (Buffalo Trace Distillery, Kentucky)

Nose: Raisins, dates, light fruit, green apple pie, pineapple, cola notes, vanilla pudding, crème brûlée, sweet, blossom, grain, hay, wood.
Palate: Honey, vanilla, creamy, butterscotch, banana, orange, marmalade, raisins, dried fruit, fudge, chocolate, toasted corn, cinnamon, sherry, anise, clove, walnuts, toast, oak, soft, delicate, excellent.
Finish: Raisins, dark fruit, spicy, allspice, wood notes, smooth.


Double-Gold Medal
Double-Gold medal



Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr.
Small Batch Kentucky Straight

100 proof (Buffalo Trace Distillery, Kentucky)

Nose: Maple syrup, honey, butter, corn, nutmeg, cafe, pepper, spice, wood, oak.
Palate: Honey, caramel, lovely corn, dried apricot, elderflower, light cinnamon, clove, spice, crackling firewood, charred oak, oak, well balanced.
Finish: Toffee, creamy, tropical fruit, spice, pepper, soft, awesome.

Double-Gold Medal
Double-Gold medal



Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon



Silo Bourbon



Silo
90 proof (American Crafted Spirits, Vermont)

Nose: Yellow banana, caramelized plantain, dried banana chips, raisins, dried fruit, plum, lime, citrus, chocolate, carnations, patchouli.
Palate: Pear, tropical fruit, citrus, brown sugar, sugar cane, honey, marmalade, maple, corn, toast, almond, walnut, white pepper, grass, austere wood, oak.
Finish: Caramel, raisins, dried fruit, almond, biscuit, pepper, spice, soft, smooth.


Double-Gold Medal
Double-Gold medal



Knob Creek
Kentucky Straight Small Batch - Aged 9 yrs.

100 proof (Knob Creek Distillery, Kentucky)

Nose: Vanilla, cane sugar, powdered sugar, brown sugar, molasses, banana, chocolate, cinnamon, dark spice, leather, pine.
Palate: Banana, orange, apple, light brown sugar, honey, caramel, macadamia nuts, pecans, spice, pepper, white pepper, licorice, tobacco, oak.
Finish: Caramel, corn, plantain, toast, eucalyptus, mint, spicy, wood.

Double-Gold Medal
Double-Gold medal



Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Small Batch Bourbon



Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:

Buffalo Trace
Kentucky Straight

90 proof (Buffalo Trace Distillery, Kentucky)

Nose: Tropical fruit, papaya, fruity, grape, sweet, sweet cream, honey, caramel, toffee, floral, leather.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, molasses, vanilla creme pie, dates, raisins, port wine, sherry, pepper, spice, wood, oak, balanced.
Finish: Vanilla, buttery, caramel, pecans, fruity, floral, peppermint, peppery, smoky, soft, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Eagle Rare
Single Barrel Kentucky Straight - Aged 10 yrs

90 proof (Buffalo Trace Distillery, Kentucky)

Nose: Vanilla, buttery, toffee, cocoa, brown sugar, molasses, citrus, green grass, hay, toast.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, molasses, honey, maple, raisins, corn, almonds, green pepper, sherry, spice, leather, wood, excellent.
Finish: Caramel, sugar cane, toast, raisin, pepper, spicy, soft, incredibly smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Eagle Rare Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon



Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Small Batch Bourbon



Bowman Brothers
Virginia Straight Small Batch

90 proof (A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Virginia)

Nose: Dried fruit, light brown sugar, molasses, caramel, nutty, rye, green apple, herbal notes.
Palate: Molasses, honey, sugar cane, caramel, creamy, butterscotch, pear, citrus, cinnamon, marzipan, pecan, nut, coffee, eucalyptus, wood.
Finish: Honey, spicy, clean, leather, soft, smooth, well balanced.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Simeon Turley's Taos Lightning
Single Barrel Straight - 6 yr old

90 proof (KGB Spirits, New Mexico)

Nose: Tropical fruit, banana, pineapple, kiwi, citrus, toasted corn, dark toasted chestnuts, black walnuts, hay.
Palate: Buttery, honey, vanilla, fudge, molasses, banana, pineapple, light lemon notes, fruit, hazelnut, walnut, cinnamon, toast, coffee, oak.
Finish: Vanilla, raisins, bitter chocolate, orange zest, clove, subtle, balanced, smooth, mellow.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Simeon Turley's Taos Lightning Single Barrel Straight Bourbon



Rhetoric Kentucky Straight Bourbon



Rhetoric
Kentucky Straight

90 proof (Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co., Tennessee)

Nose: Cane sugar, cotton candy, whipped cream, honey, treacle, caramel, butterscotch, rum, corn, cookies, floral, clove.
Palate: Dark sugar, molasses, vanilla, butter, clotted cream, coconut, almond, nutty, marmalade, rum, nutmeg, white pepper, spice, mint, eucalyptus, hint of smoke, smoky wood notes, oak.
Finish: Dried fruit, raisins, coconut, molasses, grassy, mint, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Whiskey Sister
80 proof (Kentucky)

Nose: Cane sugar, honey, caramel, maple, fruit cake, pineapple, citrus, green apple, blossom notes, herbal, grassy, roasted nuts, cocoa, oak.
Palate: Caramel, creamy, toffee, maple, sugar maple, banana, mango, coconut, corn, cherry, raisins, toast, mint, pine, mild leather, nice oak.
Finish: Vanilla, caramel, banana, spice, eucalyptus, nutty, chocolate, coffee, cedar, smoke, soft, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Whiskey Sister Bourbon



Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon



Blanton's
Single Barrel

93 proof (Blanton's Distilling Co., Kentucky)

Nose: Caramel, toffee, chocolate, creamy, sweet cream, whipped cream, vanilla, tropical fruit, banana, pineapple, citrus, green leaves, flowery, hay, Pedro Ximénez sherry, coffee.
Palate: Toffee, butterscotch, honey, honeycomb, creamy, prune, dates, dried fruit, orange, sweet grain, tea, eucalyptus, clove, nutty, spicy, pepper, coffee, tobacco, oak, balanced.
Finish: Caramel, maple, chocolate, pear, orange, mint, eucalyptus, spicy, rye, brine, leather, light wood, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Beanball
100 proof (Cooperstown Distillery, New York)

Nose: Honey, molasses, demerara, brown sugar, vanilla, caramel, buttery, buttered popcorn, kettle corn, cobbler, orange, lemon curd, green banana, tea leaves, tobacco.
Palate: Sugar cane, honey, maple, vanilla, creamy, butter, corn, peach, cherry, licorice, spicy, oak, wood, well-balanced.
Finish: Toffee, pecan, tea leaves, spicy, soft, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Beanball Bourbon



Charred Oak Bourbon



Charred Oak
100 proof (Charred Oak Spirits, Georgia)

Nose: Vanilla, cane sugar, demerara, toffee, dried fruit, ripe yellow plums, toast, cinnamon, herbal, spice, spice cake, nutmeg, hay, oak.
Palate: Citrus, pear, dark fruit, cherry, dates, vanilla, buttery, pie, sherry, ginger, fresh herbs, licorice, cinnamon, allspice, clove, nutmeg, pepper, white pepper, spicy, light leather.
Finish: Vanilla, cherry, pecans, cinnamon, allspice, eucalyptus, rye, briny, flavorful.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:

J.R. Ewing
Kentucky Straight - 4 yrs old

80 proof (Kentucky)

Nose: Dried fruit, pear, honeycomb, maple, cinnamon, herbs, subtle citrus, grass, tea.
Palate: Honey, vanilla, cream, apple, pear, plantain, marzipan, peppermint, herbal tea, grass, white pepper, pepper, spice, oak, smooth.
Finish: Creamy, marzipan, Graham cracker, biscuit notes, herbal, leather, smoky, woody, young wood.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



J.R. Ewing Kentucky Straight 4 yrs old Bourbon



Barrell Barrel Strength Craft Distilled Bourbon



Barrell
Barrel Strength Craft Distilled

121.6 proof (Barrell Craft Spirits, Kentucky)

Nose: Brown sugar, light caramel, nougat candy, cola, banana, papaya, green apple, apple, spiced apple pie, toasted almond, grain, black tea leaves, sherry, leather, oak.
Palate: Pineapple, apple cider, toffee, butterscotch, sugar cane, honeysuckle, winter wind over snow, ginger, raisins, eucalyptus, big spice, spicy, oak.
Finish: Light almond, kiwi, mint, clove, leather, light sweetness, smooth, delightful.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Black Dirt
NY Bourbon - Aged 3 yrs

90 proof (Black Dirt Distillery, New York)

Nose: Dried fruits, tropical fruit, pineapple, citrus, honey, molasses, sugar cane, vanilla, maple, caramel. cream, butterscotch, patchouli, allspice, grass, hay, leather, oak.
Palate: Apricot, banana, berries, apple, lemon, cane sugar, burnt sugar, honeycomb, honey maple, nutmeg, slight clove, tobacco, leather, charred oak.
Finish: Spice, light clove, cereal grain, tea leaves, honey, sweet, peppery, tobacco, leather.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Black Dirt Bourbon



Wyoming Single Barrel Bourbon



Wyoming
Single Barrel

88 proof (Wyoming Whiskey, Wyoming)

Nose: Brown sugar, molasses, cola, sweet corn, pineapple, maple, Pedro Ximénez sherry, flowers, green leaves, clove, spice, oak.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, dark sugar, honey, maple, banana, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, corn, wheat, biscuit, peppermint, cognac, oak, charred oak.
Finish: Caramel, toffee, maple, toast, spice, red pepper, peppery, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal





Barterhouse
Aged 20 yrs

90.2 proof (Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co., Tennessee)

Nose: Orange peel, citrus, lemon zest, brown sugar, butterscotch, butter rum, nutty, nutmeg, green pepper, herbal, floral, grain, toasted oats.
Palate: Vanilla, honey, white chocolate, fudge, butterscotch, toffee, caramel, sugar cane, demerara, treacle, dark fruit, raisins, dates, coconut, toasted coconut, ginger, Graham cracker, sherry, herbal notes.
Finish: Creamy, caramel, dried fruit, light pepper, leather, complex.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Barterhouse Aged 20 yrs Bourbon



Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon



Knob Creek
Single Barrel Reserve

120 proof (Knob Creek Distillery, Kentucky)

Nose: Tropical fruit, cherry, sultana, vanilla, buttery, toffee, caramel, corn, plantain, herbal, wheat, grass.
Palate: Demerara, dark sugar, honey, vanilla creme pie, pineapple, mango, corn, peppermint, eucalyptus, spicy, oak, classic.
Finish: Herbal, spicy, leather, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal





Cleveland
Black Reserve Limited Production

100 proof (Cleveland Whiskey, Ohio)

Nose: Highlands scotch profile, caramel, bitter chocolate, toffee, butterscotch, buttered popcorn, honeysuckle, coconut, light mint, herb, hay.
Palate: Honey, maple, ripe cherries, green fruit, lemon grass, mint, tea leaves, nutty, pepper, tobacco, oak.
Finish: Caramel, brown sugar, dried fruit, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, woody, oak.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Cleveland Black Reserve Limited Production Bourbon



J.P. Trodden Small Batch Bourbon



J.P. Trodden
Small Batch

90 proof (JP Trodden Distilling, Washington)

Nose: Buttery, dried banana, lemon, rye, corn, patchouli, vegetal notes, lovely wood, pine, oak.
Palate: Burnt sugar, sugar cane, toffee, maple, caramel, kiwi, tropical fruit, coffee, patchouli, elderflower, tobacco, oak.
Finish: Toffee, creamy, butterscotch, raisins, herbs, chicory, coffee, spicy, woody.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bullhead
100 proof (Lake George Distilling Co., New York)

Nose: Yellow banana, dried fruit, honey, honeycomb, nuts, coffee, green leaves, grass, patchouli.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, dark sugar, yellow banana, Graham cracker, herb, tea, nutty, coffee, spicy, clove, woody, oak.
Finish: Biscuit, herbal, spice, dry.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bullhead Bourbon



Better Days Limited Edition Release Bourbon



Better Days
Limited Edition Release

88 proof (Feisty Spirits Distillery, Colorado)

Nose: Ripe banana, tropical fruit, dried fruit, marmalade, molasses, treacle, honeycomb cereal, grain, toast, fresh ripe corn, carnations, flowery, patchouli, leather, oak.
Palate: Fudge, creamy, powdered sugar, William's pear, biscuit, grain, rye flour, nutty, spicy, herbal, patchouli, wood, oak.
Finish: Tea leaves, floral, cereal, wood, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal





Paddleford Creek
Small Batch

83 proof

Nose: Caramel, cream, hint of vanilla, honey, kiwi, pineapple, fruity, apple blossom, blossom, roasted filberts, toast, biscuit, oak.
Palate: Toffee, dark sugar, molasses, mango, marmalade, corn, sherry, black tea, tea leaves, grassy, oak, silky.
Finish: Vanilla, treacle, raisins, eucalyptus, mint, herbal, pepper, spices.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Paddleford Creek Small Batch Bourbon



Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon



FLAVORED BOURBON

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:

Knob Creek Smoked Maple
90 proof (Knob Creek Distillery, Kentucky)

Nose: Maple, caramel, butter, cookies, corn, nut, lovely.
Palate: Maple, cotton candy, corn, praline, nuts, nutmeg, spice, pepper, oak.
Finish: Toasted corn muffin, awesome, delicious.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



William Wolf Pecan Kentucky Bourbon
60 proof (American/Dutch)

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, maple, honey Graham, candy corn, pecans.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, delicious maple, butterscotch, brown sugar, pecans, almond, nutty, toasted corn muffins, coffee, sweet oak.
Finish: Creamy, caramel, ginger.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



William Wolf Pecan Kentucky Bourbon

 

 

 

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