Very Old Barton (90 Proof) - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
$12
Very Old Barton – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 90
Age: NAS – 4+ Years
Distillery: Barton 1792 / Bottled by Barton Distilling Co
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: 75% Corn, 15% Rye, 10% Barley
Website: Sazerac Company
*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: Very Sweet. Caramel, Butterscotch, Vanilla, & Slight Corn Grain.
Taste/Palate: Similar to the nose. Caramel, Toffee, & Vanilla. I get a little Bread Pudding here, but that’s a bit of a repeat from prior tastes. This has a smoothness of an 80 proof. You’d never know you’re sipping something that’s 45%. Very mild mouth heat.
Finish: There’s a Medium to long finish. All of the sweet notes carry through and you get a glimpse of some age… A tiny bit of barrel oak and very light tobacco. I get very little, if any, fruit.
Verdict: This is very straight forward, very sweet, and not at all complex. It’s super sweet, but it’s a STEAL for $12. If you have a bourbon “noob” that judges bourbon by how well they hide the alcohol, or how “smooth” it is, this will rock their world. I would love to do a blind tasting in the future with a “high end” 90 proof, Very Old Barton, Early Times BiB, and one other coveted 50% and see what truly comes out on top in a mixture of palates. Maybe I’ll try to set that up with some of the fellas and report back.
The Story: I’ve become a regular with some of my local store owners. One in particular invited me to take a look at the back room of their allocated stuff to reward me for my patronage. Almost off of what was available was from Buffalo Trace. Blanton’s, Weller, Eagle Rare, etc. They then held up the Very Old Barton. This is part of their allocated section. I had to choose only one. Given that I haven’t seen Very Old Barton on the shelf I decided to grab that bottle. I got the register and it rang in at $14 including tax. I almost fell over.
I was mostly intrigued that this bottle was in an allocated section and also was under $15. I couldn’t wait to crack it open. To be honest it didn’t disappoint for something that’s under $15. I can see why people would seek out this bottle as a “sleeper”. I, however, don’t see a need to hunt this bottle or keep it in a secret back room.
The Distillery’s Story: There’s not much to report here. 1792 is a popular brand and under the Sazerac umbrella. This is bottled under a Very Old Barton Brand while being distilled in Barton 1792 distillery. Since Early Times was purchased by Sazerac and will be cooked in the same 1792 distillery in the future the true test will be what happens to Early Times BiB with the new location. They are pretty similar now minus the proof regarding flavor profile.
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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