Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Kentucky Straight Whiskey
82.3 Proof
Price Point: $25 – $35 for 750 ML
Distiller: McLain & Kyne
Background
A little more than a year ago, I reviewed Jefferson’s 10 Year Old Rye. In the “Background” section, I mentioned my first experience with this brand, in which I was unimpressed with their trade show representation, and their bourbon. Because I really enjoy their rye, I thought I would give their bourbon another shot, as admittedly, I may have been biased during my first tasting. Below are my unbiased findings.
Review
The nose on Jefferson’s Bourbon starts with toasted oak. Soon, it becomes slightly nutty, with corn and rye. It’s a little spicy (peppery) and bitter, but pretty mellow overall.
Candy-like sweetness on the tip of the tongue gets the taste of Jefferson’s Bourbon started. Next, there’s corn and oak, with an overall light mouthfeel. I would really prefer a higher proof on this whiskey, as I have a difficult time picking out anything else too interesting.
There’s a touch of caramel on a relatively brief, bitter finish.
Rating & Recommendations
This “very small batch” bourbon falls a bit flat at a rating of 78 out of 100.
As stated before, a little bit higher of a proof may have saved this otherwise uninteresting whiskey.
-Ryan
2 comments
2 pings
Hello again, Ryan.
As with my Bulleit NAS – 10yo message to you earlier, you should purchase & review the Jefferson’s Reserve Small Batch expression after this one; it’s my favorite of the Jefferson’s line – currently #3 on my small batch bourbon hit parade, behind the Bowman Brothers & Elijah Craig expressions. It’s a bit pricier – $50 for 750 mL in NH (not carried in ME).
Chuck
I agree that this is too low proof. There are a lot of flavors meandering under the surface, but nothing really pops out. There’s a lot of pepper and almond on the palate and a nice swath of vanilla at the finish, but it all seems a tad hesitant. In this price range, Elijah Craig and Bulleit are superior. My every-day go-to bourbons, Evan Williams and Buffalo Trace, offer more complex flavor palettes and are less expensive. Glad I tried it, though.
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