Sweetens Cove - Tennessee Blended Bourbon Whiskey - 2021 Release
$159
Sweetens Cove – Tennessee Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 2021 Release
Collection: 2021 Second Release
Proof: 113.7
Age: Blend of 4, 6, & 16 Year Bourbons
Distillery: Unknown – Bottled By Sweetens Cove Bourbon Company
Type: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: Unknown
Website: Sweetens Cove Bourbon Company / Sweetens Cove Golf Club
*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: Wet Oak, Old Book Store (Leather and Musty), Raisins, Tangerine, Vanilla, Butterscotch, & Earthy (After Rain Smell).
Taste/Palate: Very mellow for it’s proof. At first you get a little Clove Spice and Wet Oak. After 1-2 seconds the dram immediately seems to drop off and at 4-5 seconds in the midpalate you get the Oak again and a combination of Sweet notes. Caramel, Huckleberry Jam, & Brown Sugar.
Finish: After the juice drops off in the palate it comes back with medium finish. You get a slight Apple Cider Taste that stays on the tongue a long while.. The overall finish is a nice balance of sweet and spice with the aforementioned Apple, White Pepper, Oak, & Peanut Brittle.
Verdict: At first I was confused. The nose was very solid and I was excited for what I was about to taste. I took my first sip and it was very smooth and appealing. Then it literally disappeared. Almost as if I hadn’t drank anything. Then it came back with a new set of flavors, and then the finish. It is a very unique taste. I tried sip 2, then 3, and it’s consistent. Same experience. Now that I know what to expect, I’m very happy about it. The first sip took me on a bit of a roller coaster. I’m glad this is in my collection and I’ll look forward to what comes out in 2022, but this one will be brought out for special occasions to share with others. I likely won’t hunt another bottle to back up the one I currently have. Not because it’s not good enough, but it’s price point deters me from keeping a reserve.
The Story: I’m a huge Peyton Manning fan. When I was 5 years old I picked the Colts as my team because I liked their colors. This is long before Peyton was at the Colts mind you. I cheered for the Colts back in the Jeff George & Jim Harbaugh days. Peyton joined the league in 1998 and was the starting QB. He didn’t have a great year in 98′ but he sure did well 99 on. Why the heck am I talking about Peyton Manning? Well, if you read this far and you didn’t know already, Peyton is a part owner of Sweetens Cove Golf Course and Spirits Company.
I knew this bottle would cost a bit and I didn’t know if it would be worth it. But I wanted to at least give it a go. I’m also an avid golfer and this course is on my bucket list. I still cheer for the Colts today and they will always remain my team.
The Distillery’s Story: Since Peyton’s retirement he has still been very active and in the spotlight. Between Monday Night Football commentary with his Brother Eli, Commercials, and a possible NFL ownership with Denver on the Horizon he also took his love of golf to the next level and opened a Golf Course in 2019 called Sweetens Cove with partners Tom Nolan, Andy Roddick, Rob Collins, Mark Rivers, and Skip Bronson.
Prior to the Celebrity ownership Sweetens Cove had a tradition of providing a complimentary shot of Whiskey on the first hole. The new ownership took the tradition further by sourcing and blending their own juice under their own, similarly named company, and offering that with the round. The first version of Sweetens Cove Bourbon was a source 13 year old Whiskey. The second version (being reviewed here) is a blended version of young and old juice. The early versions of Sweetens Cove Bourbon was only available in TN and was in limited supply. In it’s second year it is now expanding to additional states and is Currently available in CA, NJ, FL, NY, TX, CO, IN, TN, GA, IL, & LA at the time of this review.
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
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