Belle Mead Cask Strength

Now this is a nice little treat

WHAT'S NEW IN MY BAR: Belle Meade Cask Strength Reserve Bourbon. I've been looking for a bottle of this ever since I got the Belle Meade sour mash, and I finally found it online. Belle Meade announced a few months ago it would stop making this varying cask strength version (mine are 113.6) and replace it with a fixed, 108 proof model. I feel fortunate that I found my two bottles for $80 each (with shipping), an acceptable premium over the $65 retail (if you can find it). Given the ones I have are now out of circulation. I'll certainly hold on to one of them.

The thick, dark, heavy juice seems to slowly pour out of the bottle. Really, it's kind of syrupy. The nose blew me away --- an explosion of apples, cinnamon, spice, and cloves. The taste was even better. I've never had a bourbon that tastes like warm apple pie in a glass. Close your eyes and you can think, "Damn, I need some ice cream with this bad boy." More allspice and cinnamon follow with a deep. long, finish. 

When I think of dessert beverages I often think of sauternes.  But now I think the Belle Meade Cask strength.

TALE OF THE TAPE:

Mashbill: 64% corn, 30% rye, 6% malted barley

Distiller: MGP

Small Batch Bourbon 

Age statement: None, but traditionally the batches have been blended with bottles 7-11 years.

WHAT I'M DRINKING: Pure Kentucky. The Willet Distillery produces a bunch of well-known bourbons --- Willet, Willet Pot Still, Rowan's Creek, Noah's Mill, to name a few. Pure Kentucky comes in at the lower point on the price scale, at $39.99. It's a solid daily drinker. At 107 proof, I don't need ice for it because it's smooth going down with little burn. Lots of caramel and toffee on this one with some lingering burnt sugar. A very nice, long finish.  No age statement on this one, but that's not uncommon these days. Quality distillers make quality bourbon, and Pure Kentucky is a very solid, mid-priced addition for any shelf.