1792 - Bottled in Bond - Single Barrel
$40
1792 – Bottled in Bond – Single Barrel
Collection: Single Barrel Store Pick – Woodman’s
Proof: 100
Age: 4+ Years – No age statement
Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery – Sazerac Co
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: Unknown. Said to be “High Rye”
Website: 1792 Bourbon
*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: Fresh Oak, Light Fruits – Apple and Pear, Vanilla, Simple Syrup, and Rye Spice.
Taste/Palate: The Oak hits first again. The fruit quickly follows with Crisp Apple, Tart Pear, with some sweet notes joining in by the midpalate with Brown Sugar.
Finish: The Fresh Grain Rye Spice makes an appearance in the finish, it fades pretty quick and the finish rounds out with Fresh Oak and Light Tobacco. You get a slight touch of spearmint many minutes after your final sip.
Verdict: I’m a very big fan. I don’t see the combination of light fruits with noticeable oak very often. Most of the time the oak joins in with extra time in the barrel and it’s married with Dark Fruits. This hits similar to a Canadian rye that spent a long time in a barrel. It has great balance and shows a lot of welcomed character.
The Story: Lets start with the Bottled in Bond Story. To be “Bottled in Bond or BiB” the whiskey must be a product of 1 distillation season and 1 distiller at a single distillery and aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least 4 years under the supervision of the federal government. Bottled at exactly 100 Proof.
The Bottled in Bond Act was passed on March 3rd 1897. I’m not a fan of too much government intervention. Why the heck would they put their business into whiskey? This BiB Act is one that was welcomed by “we the people”. Many many moons ago, well over a century, distilleries sold their spirits by the barrel. Liquor and Drug store would bottle the spirit themselves. Most of these transactions were on the up and up, but some unsavory characters used the unregulated to take advantage. Spirits were sold that were home blended, flavoring added, and distilleries were misrepresented. If a bottle was labeled Bottled in Bond, you knew where you were getting it from and were endured of it’s “purity”.
Sometimes its good when big brother reaches out and lends a helping hand. The Bottled in Bond Act was put in place to protect what would now be classified as “America’s Spirit”. It’s one that we can be proud of and is sought after on the international Market as some of the finest whiskey’s in the world. Many are making a switch from Scotch to Bourbon. I was one of those people 10 years ago. If the Bottled in Bond Act wasn’t passed the bourbon history might have told a different story.
The second story I’d like to address was the Store Pick being reviewed here. A non store pick Bottled in Bond 1792 might deliver a different profile. That’s true. But I did this for another reason. Store picks are fun. You don’t see me “bourbon hunting” much anymore. I go out and hope to get lucky yes, but I’m not standing in any lines, camping out, or chasing Facebook posts. Instead I’m walking into a liquor store and I’ll check for some unicorns, but since 99% of the time nothing unicorn-ish is in there, I’ll walk home with something I’ve never had before. I see too many times people hunting the coveted bottles that everyone else is talking about and then posting pictures of their collection. Surprise they have 50 bottles but most are duplicates and in total they really only have 10 and 90% are from Buffalo Trace. But, aren’t I being hypocritical since I’m reviewing what could be considered a sibling to Buffalo Trace? Sure, but the point I’m trying to drive here is this particular bottle was purchased in 2019. It was bought from a store that had cases upon cases of 1792 and 1792 wasn’t sought after at that time. I tried one of their other store picks and decided to give this one a go. I was not disappointed to say the least. If you frequent a store I suggest giving ANY store pick a try. If you like it try another. There’s a particular store that I try every store pick they get because all of them have been great so far. Cheers!
The Distillery’s Story: “Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Situated in heart of bourbon country on 196 acres, the Distillery boasts 29 barrel aging warehouses, 22 other buildings including an impressive still house, and the legendary Tom Moore Spring. Named in honor of the year Kentucky joined the United States, Barton 1792 offers tours of the distillery and complimentary tastings.”
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.
Reviewer: David S
Click Image for About Us Page