KBD Pure Kentucky XO 12/107

[JayMonster]

I picked this up as the final contestant in my planned Flight 107.

But, I was surprise to find very little information on this bourbon. I know it is KKBD, and thus there are some that are annoyed that the source is not a known (but I am not going to go down the same road of the Mind-Blown Thread here).

What little I did come up with here is that it looked like this was going to be discontinued back some 5 years ago... and indeed it seems all talk ended around them.

But this is a 2011 batch, so it is not a dusty. And the price seems to have gone back up to its pre-discount levels from the deep discounts some were seeing then.

So, I am curious... has anybody else ventured into Pure Kentucky XO? 12 Years Old and 107 Proof is what sucked me in here (since Weller 12 appears to snub its nose at NJ), and I figure with that kind of age and being a higher proof, somebody much have some insight to share before I crack this thing open.

What say ye? Have you given the XO a try?

Edit:I will post my tasting notes tomorrow, but I want to see what you think first. Should I be scared? Or is this as good as I think it can be?

[White Dog]

I picked this up as the final contestant in my planned Flight 107.

But, I was surprise to find very little information on this bourbon. I know it is KKBD, and thus there are some that are annoyed that the source is not a known (but I am not going to go down the same road of the Mind-Blown Thread here).

What little I did come up with here is that it looked like this was going to be discontinued back some 5 years ago... and indeed it seems all talk ended around them.

But this is a 2011 batch, so it is not a dusty. And the price seems to have gone back up to its pre-discount levels from the deep discounts some were seeing then.

So, I am curious... has anybody else ventured into Pure Kentucky XO? 12 Years Old and 107 Proof is what sucked me in here (since Weller 12 appears to snub its nose at NJ), and I figure with that kind of age and being a higher proof, somebody much have some insight to share before I crack this thing open.

What say ye? Have you given the XO a try?

[Gillman]

Yes I have, and it's a whiskey I always liked. It has a unique combination (in my experience) of maturity and younger bourbon character. For instance I've always gotten rooty tastes, even some corn oil, yet with rich barrel tones like caramel and maple sugar. I've always thought it must result from being aged in a specific location in a specific warehouse.

Gary

[JayMonster]

If it's an age statement Pure Kentucky, it's a dusty. Pure Kentucky has been NAS for at least 4 years now, and while I like the current release, would love to know your thoughts on the 12yr!

[White Dog]

I questioned you on the other thread about this as well.

I state it is 12 Years because in the description it states that it a small batch of Bourbons "12 Years or older" BUT does not have the normal clear Age Statement.

That is why I state 12 years... but I guess this is the NAS edition. It is batch number 11-183, so it is probably safe to assume this is a 2011 bottling.

Went to the basement and grabbed my current release bottle. Crazy. I'll type out the full back label sentence in question.

"Barrel aged for at least 12 years, or more, depending upon climatic seasons."

Wow. What in the world does the "climatic seasons" accomplish for the legality of this NAS statement??? :slappin: :slappin:

FWIW, my batch is 11-50.

[redbear]

The one I picked up the other day says "Barrel aged for at least ten years, or more, depending upon climatic seasons."

NAS on the label, but there is another smaller sticker on the side that has

Original~ Small Batch Bourbon

Handmade in Kentucky 7-26-94

Aged in new Charred Oak Barrels

Hand Bottled in Kentucky 1-28-05

Symbol of Quality DSP-KY-78

BATCH QBC No 526

The dates and the batch number are written in by hand. The sticker is the cursive font.

[BFerguson]

The last one, and only one that I've had was quite woody. It really didn't do much for me. Remembering back, It was one that at one point I was thinking of pitching the remainder in the bottle.

B

[JayMonster]

The one I picked up the other day says "Barrel aged for at least ten years, or more, depending upon climatic seasons."

NAS on the label, but there is another smaller sticker on the side that has

Original~ Small Batch Bourbon

Handmade in Kentucky 7-26-94

Aged in new Charred Oak Barrels

Hand Bottled in Kentucky 1-28-05

Symbol of Quality DSP-KY-78

BATCH QBC No 526

The dates and the batch number are written in by hand. The sticker is the cursive font.

Like WhiteDog, my bottle says, "Barrel aged for 12 years..."

I have a similar sticker, except it does not have the "Handemade In Kentucky" or "Hand Bottled in Kentuck" or the corresponding dates. Just the same Symbol of Quality DSP-KY-78 and the Batch code, which as I mentioned was 11-183.

So, I guess they went younger for a while, and now are back to 12 year? Maybe the "climactic seasons" were different? :slappin:

[Gillman]

Climactic seasons would refer I think to the effects on the maturing bourbon of varying weather conditions. I think they are saying it is bottled at 12 (or 10 in some cases) years old but older in some cases to ensure the profile for the brand was reached.

Gary

[Bmac]

I wonder if the mention of climatic seasons deals with aging outside, like an open air rick. I would wager hat there are very few distilleries who do that now days.

[StraightNoChaser]

The last one, and only one that I've had was quite woody. It really didn't do much for me. Remembering back, It was one that at one point I was thinking of pitching the remainder in the bottle.

B

My thoughts exactly. Overwooded and completely unenjoyable.

[JayMonster]

Let's start with the petty stuff. The wax used on this bottle is annoying. It is hard almost plastic like and difficult to remove. Beneath this wax is... a screw top. Really?? Don't get me wrong, I am good with screw tops, but then lose the wax.

The rich dark honey brown color is beautiful. The nose has a definite alcohol part, but not anything more than you expect from something of this proof. There is hints of something sweet, as well as vanilla and just a hint a caramel.

Mouth feel is a little thin, but the taste isn't. Black pepper, clove and just a hint of wintergreen mint is what you notice first before it settles in with some corn flavors mixed with rye and finally a very strong wood flavor comes on and the wood ultimately dominates your senses.

Finish is long with more rye taste and more woody flavor, almost pulp like and just a bit of sweetness and mint. Not at all hot, as a matter fact it was surprisingly soft for something of this proof.

A dash of water doesn't hurt and actually helps bring out some more flavor. However, add too much water, or add ice and you lose most everything but the taste of wood and alcohol.

Overall, it is a good pour, but there is just a little something keeps me from saying great.

[mosugoji64]

There seems to be a LOT of variation in this brand. The bottle I had was rather corny and hot showing little of its age. Not bad, but certainly not worth the $35 I paid for it.

[JayMonster]

There seems to be a LOT of variation in this brand. The bottle I had was rather corny and hot showing little of its age. Not bad, but certainly not worth the $35 I paid for it.

Based on the wildly different descriptions,it would seem that you are right abouy the.variation. I mean you say it was hot, meanwhile mine really surprised me with the lack of heat.

I think I amleaning towards agreeing with you in it not being worth the price. There is just something there that bugs me, and I can't quite puy my finger on it. On one hand, there is definitely a lot of wood in the taste, but it doesn't taste as "old" as I would expect it. In that regard it almost reminds me of Devil's Cut.

Then there is that toothpaste-ish mintiness to it. It was that minty taste that turned me off to Heaven Hill, but the wood flavors help in this case keep it more subdued and in the background. So it makes seem almost like am Evan Williams version of Devil's Cut. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing... But not for $35 a bottle.

[JayMonster]

As I ponder the possibility that this is a Heaven Hill distillate, I must ask for those that may have had both... How does the Pure Kentucky XO compare with Elijah Craig 12 Year old? Is it just a higher proof expression of the same whiskey?

[TradingBoiler]

I have to agree with most on this thread. This bourbon just isn't for me. It is too woody and has too much spice for my pallet especially since I'm a wheater fan. This bourbon has now been moved to the kitchen cabinet to be used to cook with. JayMonster I would say hands down that the EC 12 is better than the PK XO.