Trying bourbon like this that is just one year apart in age is really an interesting learning experience for your senses. Where the 22 had a mild showing the Very Olde St. Nick: 23 year Ancient Rare Whiskey brought us back up a few notches in terms of overall quality, composition and complexity… and then we tried the 24 (tomorrow).
I’m not saying you should run out and track all of these down to do a progression like this, but you can easily go out and grab something like the entire line-up of George Dickel and start from the base with their un-aged white whiskey and move up to through the 8, 12, Barrel Select and then see if any stores in your area carry a single barrel 9 or 14 year to finish it out. It’s a really nice way to see the evolution of whiskey the longer it ages in the barrel.
Very Olde St. Nick – 23 yr Ancient Rare Whiskey Review
“Barrel Strength”
ABV: 40.6%
Age: 23 years
Price: NA – Prices vary due to rarity (Japan export)
Distiller: Stitzel-Weller
Bottler: The Kulsveens (Willett / KBD)
EYE
Deep rich caramel
NOSE
The olfactory is greeted with a wonderfully rich caramel followed by oak, some vanilla taffy, maple, brown sugar, olde fashioned hard candy and a touch of alcohol. There is a rich dessert quality to this whiskey that is alluring and exciting.
PALATE
Here the oak comes right up front, but it brings some friends to the party. Butterscotch, caramel, baking spice and vanilla. There is a slight alkaline quality to it and a vegetalesque underpinning that works well to keep things interesting without being distracting.
FINISH
Long and woody with notes of caramel, vanilla, toffee and spice
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
The balance is a tad off with the sweet feeling a bit heavy, but it’s not by much. A nice medium body and a smooth relaxing texture that seems right at home for an 81 proof bourbon.
OVERALL
Really a decent bourbon. The sweet notes are a touch high, but there are enough dark and spicy notes to keep it from being over powering and there is enough happening in both the nose and the palate to make it rather enjoyable. Just a nice bourbon.
SCORE: 87-91/100 (range given due to having it at a tasting and not in a controlled environment)
