To be completely honest I’ve been been putting off trying Fighting Cock Bourbon because the bottle looks like Christian Audigier’s attempt at minimalism. For my eye it’s just not an appealing design but it has won awards for exactly that further proving that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Due to this preconceived perception I was fearing the worse when I received the bottle, but I’m happy to report that my fears were completely unfounded and that I’ve re-learned my lesson about judging a bourbon by it’s label design.
Owned by Heaven Hill, Fighting Cock is a brand that’s been set to court the younger drinker and lives in that $20 range where it’s accessible and you don’t feel like you’ve wasted a ton of money on a gamble for trying it. It’s also in that beautiful spot with Wild Turkey 101 where you can get a good versatile bourbon for cheap. The high proof lends itself to cocktails, stands up to ice and a splash of water only improves it. It’s also pretty good neat and for the details on that aspect continue reading below.
Fighting Cock Bourbon Review
ABV: 51.5%
Age: 6 years
Price: $20*
Distiller: Heaven Hill
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
This is one heck of a spicy bourbon. As it unfolds that spice is accompanied by notes of caramel, wood, dark fruit, vanilla and a nutty undercurrent. There is a sharp sucker punch of acetone astringency that comes and goes but overall the nose is rich and pleasant.
PALATE
Once we hit the palate all the fruit is gone, but that mega dose of spice remains and is pocketed with notes of wood, toasted nuts, caramel and vanilla. Like the nose, the palate is rich and bold, but again that sucker punching acetone shows up and BAM you get wholloped at the end with it.
FINISH
This may come as a complete surprise, but spice again leads the finish with notes of wood, caramel and toasted nuts keeping it company on it’s long fade.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
A bit spice heavy, but all in all a decent balance between it and the sweeter notes. Rich round body and a thick oily texture that has an appropriate amount of heat help keep this guy in the mid 80s.
OVERALL
Funny name, good bourbon. It’s rich spice driven nose, palate and finish make it easy to drink neat and it’s high proof keeps this chicken kickin’ in cocktails. A little bit of water releases more spice and a touch of citrus on the nose and on the palate it brings up more caramel and toasted nuts while taming the spice and astringency a bit. Needless to say, a splash is recommended. All in all it’s a decent 6 year bourbon that’s bottled at a proper strength and sold at a great price. Without a doubt a great value in the world of bourbon.
SCORE: 86/100
*Disclosure: This was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
