George Dickel - Bottled In Bond - 11 Year Tennessee Whisky (2020)
$45
George Dickel – Bottled In Bond – 11 Year Tennessee Whisky (2020)
Proof: 100
Age: 11 Year
Distillery: George Dickel
Type: Tennessee Whisky
Mash: 84% Corn, 8% Wheat, 8% Malted Barley
Website: George Dickel
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Upfront I pick up Fresh Grains followed by sweet notes of Vanilla, Crème Brûlée, and it rounds out with Cashews and Spices at the end.
Taste/Palate: It starts with Char and Wet Oak in the beginning. In the midpalate it rolls into sweet notes of Caramel and Marshmallow.
Finish: The finish continues with the sweet notes from the mid palate and then you get a lingering presence of Nuttiness, Dark Fruits, and Cinnamon. At the tail end of the finish I sometimes get the impression that this was finished in a port barrel for a short period of time, but it was not.
Verdict: For a whisky with an MSRP of $40-$50 I think this has great value. It shows its age and complexity. I’m partial to wheated whiskies on the sweeter side so there is no surprise that this one hit well with me. This is the second George Dickel BiB that I’ve tried (13 year 2021 was the other) and both have a place on my bar shelf.
The Story: I’ve tried George Dickel in the past and always thought it was a solid pour. It wasn’t anything that would make it a unicorn, but was always good. George Dickel then came out with their middle aged BiB series in 2019 and in a surprise decision won Whiskey of the Year with their 13 year old inaugural release. The BiB series was on my radar from that point on. It was hard to find, because people went out and immediately raided shelves of all that was readily available to try to score a mint on the secondary market. I was able to get the 2020 11 year release and the 2021 13 year release. I’m very happy with both. I haven’t had the pleasure of trying the actual Whiskey of the year (2019) version, but I can see why it got the nod. It’s refreshing to see a bottle that’s under $50 taking home the prize.
The Distillery’s Story: George Dickel is a large distillery in Tennessee and they provide the base for many well known brands. MGP and George Dickel are the 2 staples for newly formed bourbon companies getting into the scene. The new distilleries source the juice from an established distillery and slap their twist on it with their label and usually put a hefty price tag on it. There are a lot of of “non distilling producers” out there. But enough about them…
Since Nicole Austin took the reigns at George Dickel they are really making a name for themselves elevating above rail to midrange bottles with their name attached to it. From whiskey of the year on the BiB series. To the BiB follow up releases. Not to mention the higher age statements on individual releases. And who can forget the Orphan Barrel Releases. George Dickel is successfully shifting their image from a distillery who produces good whiskeys for other brands to use, to making a name for themselves as bottles that are must have. We’ve all seen George Dickel on the shelf, but now when you see some of the newer releases under their own brand with great taste and higher age statements, you feel like you got a score by finding that bottle.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Nose, Palate, and Finish I rank regardless of cost. Value (recent addition) is ranked based on taste vs price.
Reviewer: David S
Click Image for About Us Page