My second bourbon for this year – the 1792 Small Batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. These last couple of years, I have been lamenting the fact that the variety of bourbons available in South Africa is declining.
The bourbon selection was limited to Buffalo Trace, a few bottles of Bulleit bourbon, and some Wild Turkey and cheaper Jim Beam releases.
However, towards the middle of 2017, I started noticing a growth in variety in this category. New releases such as the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and the Jim Beam Double Oak bourbon started appearing. It was great to see.
These releases were quickly followed by more brands such as Blanton’s (what a perfect bourbon) and Sazerac Rye, and now you can even get Balcones in SA. On one of my shopping trips, I saw this beautiful-looking bottle of 1792 bourbon. I quickly added it to my collection. It looked fascinating, so I researched the distillery a bit more.
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The date 1792 refers to the year that Kentucky, until then a large county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, separated and became the 15th United State. A relatively unknown bourbon even in the USA, the 1792 Small Batch bourbon is distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by the Barton distillery.
The Sazerac Company of New Orleans owns the distillery and the brand. In 2013, Jim Murray gave the 1792 bourbon a remarkable 94.5% rating in his annual Whisky Bible. Now, let’s dive deeper into what makes the 1792 bourbon unique.
The 1792 Small Batch bourbon whiskey is a higher-rye bourbon, with about 20% of the mash bill comprising this grain. It’s an 8 yo bourbon, bottled at a robust 93.7 proof.
COUNTRY: USA
ABV: 46.9%
COLOUR: Dark polished amber
NOSE: On the nose you get notes of vanilla, brandied cherries, custard sweetness, and dry orange rind, with hints of fresh red apples and ripe plums. You’ll also detect a touch of oak and spiciness.
PALATE: Prepare for a spicy experience featuring pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and plenty of dry toasted oak. Faint hints of creme caramel, vanilla, and dry orange peel. The sweetness promised by the nose does not fully materialize on the palate, as it leans toward being very spicy with a few rough edges.
Medium body and not the most complex bourbon. Water brings out a bit more sweetness and tones down the alcohol bite but does nothing for the dry spiciness.
FINISH: The finish showcases dry orange peel, oak, and hints of vanilla.
RATING: GOOD
The 1792 Bourbon Small Batch whiskey is undoubtedly one of the spicier bourbons I’ve tasted in recent years. Its intense spice profile dominates the palate, overshadowing the fantastic fresh fruit and creme caramel notes from the nose.
It’s a glass that might challenge your taste buds, but it’s an adventure worth taking for those who appreciate a more spicy profile.
In a time when bourbon enthusiasts are seeking new and exciting expressions, the 1792 whiskey offers a distinctive profile that stands out in the ever-expanding world of bourbon.
The 1792 Small Batch bourbon is available online through Amazon and retail for around £43.
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