Happy Whiskey Wednesday, fellow patriots!
I got my hands on something pretty special today, and while it wasn't the Jefferson I had been particularly interested in, I felt that this was far more thematically justified, which, on the even of our Independence Day, I couldn't resist going with a vesche behind the glass at the ol' Liquor and Wine store. Today we're drinking with Thomas, the "very old" Jefferson's Reserve Bourbon.
Jefferson's Reserve
Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Castle Brands
45.1%, 90.2 proof
$59.99
Nose - Sweet caramel and vanilla, with a heavy oak coat and an almost piney freshness, with bits of citrus. An extremely inviting nose that, admittedly, had my mouth watering.
Palette - Oak is predominant at first as the youngest of the blend spikes the tongue with a tease of rye, swiftly flying to light and sugary bits of vanilla, caramel, and toffee.
Finish - The process lays down and mellows over time, calming down and proceeding to burn for quite a while creating an intricate and enjoyable lasting effect.
Thoughts - The Jefferson's Reserve is the flagship blend from the family that owned the brand and recipe: McClain & Kyne. The history of the brand and likely many relative recipes stretches back generations to the time of prohibition, one of the many that was able to make it all the way through to present day. While the brand may now be in the hands of a larger corporation, the folks still do their best to put out a well made whiskey. A truly classic bourbon, this little bottle comes out as something I think would make as an excellent introduction to more complex whiskies without having to travel across the pond. The myriad of aged bourbons put into the bottle make for a intricate journey through the spectrum of nearly cliche'd Kentucky bourbons tastes, but it doesn't take it overboard - or mellow it out - like some of the lower end bottles available. It's a cheeky pickup that would earn a good spot over any American hearth, and worth the price for those inclined to offer a taste of the finer things to their guests of honor.
Unrelated thoughts - I hope everyone is able to enjoy their Independence Day celebrations tomorrow. I know I have a lot of friends who despise the current state of our country, and it's certainly understandable. I don't want to dive too deeply into politics with this little extra bit, rather I'd just say that I love my country and I love my fellow countrymen. This is meant to be a place of opportunity and growth, freedom and enlightenment, where all men (and women) are created equal. This country is mine as much as it is yours, and all of ours, and it is our duty to uphold her standards. This place is special, full of freaks, patriots, and heroes.
Unfortunately, I'm sure our founding fathers are rolling in their graves from the tax policy alone. God Bless America.