Showdown at Bourbon Corral!
I love this part of my job! Tasting wonderful foods and awesome libations and sharing my experience! This time I had a couple of friends help out with the blind taste test - Chris & Tony. And it's only fair because it's Chris' Bourbon!
Pennsylvania Bourbon
Resurgent Bourbon 100 Proof Custom Cask
Made in the style of Kentucky Bourbons with a few exceptions: One, it's from Pennsylvania, two it is made from virgin oak and three it's white oak. I am happy there is such a nice spirit coming out of The Brandywine Valley. If the bite is something you don't like about bourbon, then you may like this. It has a sweet, berry and almost creamy vanilla finish - replacing the traditional bite. The white oak probably helps and the virgin wood allows the sweetness of the wood to sneak through. This bottle will run you about $45.
Kentucky Bourbon
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon
Made from the finest corn, rye and barley malt, this whiskey ages in new oak barrels for years in century old warehouses until the peak of maturity. The taste is rich and complex, with hints of vanilla, toffee and candied fruit. This bourbon will give you that classic bourbon bite, but it, too, is aged in virgin wood, so it's not too much.
At 90 proof, this bottle will set you back about $30. Great price value considering the quality!
Kentucky Bourbon
Blanton's Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
What can I say? This is my favorite whiskey. And even though it was a blind taste test, I knew I was enjoying a Blanton's! Taken from the center-cut or middle sections of the famous Warehouse H, Blanton’s Original Single Barrel was once designated for ambassadors, dignitaries, and Colonel Blanton’s family and friends. Today, everyone has access to the world’s first single barrel bourbon. The taste profile is sweet, with notes of citrus and oak. The creamy vanilla nose is teased with caramel and butterscotch, all underscored by familiar baking spices such as clove, nutmeg, or cinnamon.
93 proof. Worth every single cent of the approximately $65 this will run you!
..and the Winner is...
Blanton's. Hands down. It was unanimous. And we all knew which was which. BUT that doesn't reflect on the quality of the others. Buffalo Trace is excellent and tastes like you would expect a fine bourbon to taste. And at $30, it's an amazing value. The Resurgent is also no slouch. It has more of a non traditional flavor, which we loved. And for your guests who want something with full flavor but a smooth finish, this is for them. Though a bit pricy, it's forgiven for the quality and the small batch.
So there you have it! We look forward to sharing our next review with you!
Pete Ricci is a 30 year veteran of the Food and Beverage Industry. For more articles like these, please visit http://greatfoodanddrinks.com/blog/
