Jim Beam Repeal Batch

A friend told me I should try Jim Beam Repeal Batch and so I went in search of a bottle. The 86 proof Bourbon pays tribute to Beam’s first batch of Bourbon after Prohibition ended. While it is tasty and at an economical price point of $17 it’s just tad bit on the boring side. It has a little of everything and not much of anything. It’s a touch of sweet, a touch of oak, a hint of pepper spice, a bit of leather, a little sweetness, etc. I could discuss the aroma, flavor, and finish, but why waste the time to go into great detail on a Bourbon which is a muted conglomeration of a myriad of aromas and flavors. I can think of less expensive Bourbons which are more flavorful and complex. Not for Beam fans this is a must have or at least a must try. Will I go out and snag another bottle, no way, but if someone asked if I wanted a pour I would certainly take her for a spin around the dance floor. So if you are a Beam fan be sure to snag a bottle, otherwise you might want to let it gather dust on the shelf unless you spot it on sale.

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Mellow Corn

I’m a sucker for anything Bottled In Bond and have been trying to work my way through many of the old standards. One which had proven elusive in NC is Mellow Corn which is a Heaven Hill brand. NCABC has it on the special order list, but you cannot go to the ABC store and pick it up. I happened upon a bottle at a crappy liquor store in Tennessee and brought it home. From the get go this was not a favorite which may explain why it has hung out in the bar for so long. It lacks complexity and seems to be defined by an alcoholic nose which is filled with corn. The flavor is very similar with the addition of sweetness, oak, and leather. The finish lingers with more light oak and leather and an alcohol burn which seems a bit high for only 100 proof. If you are willing to order a case of 12 you can get MC from NCABC for $10.55 per bottle. I think at the crappy TN liquor store I paid $13. While I don’t hate it, it’s just not a go to for me and it just a bit difficult to consume. Of course if you want a complete journey through Bottled In Bond you cannot overlook Mellow Corn.

The Quiet Man Traditional Irish Whiskey

I happened to notice NCABC was having a sale on The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and searched high and low and finally snagged a $25 bottle a few months back. Turns out the search was worth it. This 40% abv Irish Whiskey is matured in Oak Bourbon Casks which may explain why I liked it so much. The aroma was filled with fruit, light pepper, oak, and a sweet citrus note. The flavor had a delicate sweet malt character with light citrus, fruit, pepper, oak, and hints of leather. The finish had just enough alcohol to remind you this was a spirit, but enough residual sweetness to keep you reaching for the glass to take another sip. As far as Irish Whiskeys go this one actually showed some complexity and was quite interesting. It doesn’t appear to be going on sale anytime soon so snag yourself a bottle at full NC retail which is currently $30 and enjoy. Now I’m on the hunt for the 8 year old version!

1792 Bottled In Bond

As I continue working my way through the 1792 lineup I find them all to be quite tasty. The latest bottle consumed is no exception. 1792 Bottled In Bond is a lower proof than most of the 1792 lineup at 100 proof due to the BiB designation. The recipe for this is touted for having a high rye content which isn’t readily apparent, but isn’t hidden either. The price of admission according to NCABC is 38 beans, but I think I paid a bit more. The aroma was filled with pepper spice and cinnamon with hints of rye and wafts of alcohol. The flavor was caramel with an oak presence coupled to estery banana and light rye spice. The finish has more of the ester with hints of pepper and cinnamon. For me it was tasty, but I would not run out and stand in line for another bottle. A tad bit high in the ester and alcohol department. It could be each yearly release is slightly different so if I run into another bottle I may pick it up to see if my impression is consistent. So for me it’s a coin toss as to whether you should snag a bottle or leave it for someone else. Probably my least favorite 1792 thus far, but still a tasty glass.