wripvanwrinkle
04-02-2011, 13:56
One of my near and dear liquor stores decided to procure a barrel of Buffalo Trace. Late this week 3 barrel samples arrived. I was fortunate, and they invited me to provide my thoughts. I thought that I would share the experience. More so, I was hoping that some here might be able to answer some questions.
The samples came in pint style medicine bottles. Although I don’t recall the exact barrel numbers, they were sequentially numbered. Are these the numbers of the actual barrels? Or are they bottle identifiers of the sample bottles? I ask because I was curious that IF the barrels were sequential, does this indicate that they were filled around the same period of time?
I was prepared for the samples to be different; I just wasn’t prepared for them to be so different.
The first offered a higher sensation of rye and the nose seemed to be dominated by Anise. I really like that tingle of rye. I really don’t like black licorice.
The second was buttery, corny, with some baking spice. It reminded me of Old Charter. Although I would have gladly taken the rest of the bottle home with me, I don’t think that it was the sample that you would want to put your name on.
The third was traditional bourbon: vanilla, caramel, and baking spice. I was hoping that it would have the rye sensation of the first…but it did not. Oddly, the finish seemed to have cinnamon. Although I know that it is a commonly described tasting note, this was the first time that I have ever tasted cinnamon in bourbon.
I really enjoyed this experience…I only wish that there had been several more samples. I’m left to wonder, that when the distilleries taste a barrel…do they always find a common profile? Are there a handful of stereotypes that waft out? How often do they taste something and say, “Wow…I didn’t see that coming.”?
The samples came in pint style medicine bottles. Although I don’t recall the exact barrel numbers, they were sequentially numbered. Are these the numbers of the actual barrels? Or are they bottle identifiers of the sample bottles? I ask because I was curious that IF the barrels were sequential, does this indicate that they were filled around the same period of time?
I was prepared for the samples to be different; I just wasn’t prepared for them to be so different.
The first offered a higher sensation of rye and the nose seemed to be dominated by Anise. I really like that tingle of rye. I really don’t like black licorice.
The second was buttery, corny, with some baking spice. It reminded me of Old Charter. Although I would have gladly taken the rest of the bottle home with me, I don’t think that it was the sample that you would want to put your name on.
The third was traditional bourbon: vanilla, caramel, and baking spice. I was hoping that it would have the rye sensation of the first…but it did not. Oddly, the finish seemed to have cinnamon. Although I know that it is a commonly described tasting note, this was the first time that I have ever tasted cinnamon in bourbon.
I really enjoyed this experience…I only wish that there had been several more samples. I’m left to wonder, that when the distilleries taste a barrel…do they always find a common profile? Are there a handful of stereotypes that waft out? How often do they taste something and say, “Wow…I didn’t see that coming.”?