1792 Single Barrel is named in honor of the year Kentucky joined the United States, 1792. According to the bottle, “In order to create this unique bourbon, the finest barrels are selected and tasted from the best aging warehouses. Only those barrels deemed exceptional are then bottled individually one by one. This preserves the distinct character of each barrel.
In the past we reviewed the 1792 Small Batch which we didn’t like but at my local cigar bar 1792 remains a popular choice. Tending to gravitate to higher proof bourbons I decided to give the single barrel a whirl as I was purchasing 5 bottles that afternoon and the 1792 fit nicely into my budget.
Bourbon Review: 1792 Small Batch
ABV: 49.3% (98.6 Proof)
Age: NAS (At least 4 Years)
Mash Bill: Not Disclosed
Distillery: 1792 Distillery
Location: Bardstown, KY (USA)
The Nose: A bold amount of cinnamon rises from the glass along with caramel and oak. Secondary pulls from the glass are reminiscent of melting butter and soggy french toast (which for me is a very good thing). A third pull from the glass of this incredibly rich and complex aroma reveals marzipan.
The Taste: As the first sip hits my palate notes of apricot, caramel and oak create a tasty expression. Secondary sips see a subtle butterscotch joined by raisins and plums. While the descriptors are sweet the bourbon is tempered with no particular note being overwhelming.
The Finish: For so much going on, the finish is rather short but fulfilling. There is a lot going on with a lingering apricot and plums followed by a subtle heat and cinnamon with a sprinkle of brown sugar thrown in for good measure.
Conclusion: It is amazing to me how much different the Single Barrel version of 1792 is. This complex bourbon is what I like to call a summer bourbon with its sweet notes where in the winter I like to drink a bourbon with more heat to it in order to warm the soul on a cold winter day. So perhaps this bourbon would have hit my personal preferences different in January but for now September struggles to hold on to summer. For me the complexity hits just right making this a great bourbon at a decent price point.
Score: 94
Price: $39.99 (750ml)
