Hailing from one of my favorite distilleries, the George Dickel Bottled In Bond Spring 2007 13 Years is exactly what its name says it is. And I love that. No surprises, no having to play detective, no having to rant. Just whiskey. Honest, straight up, easy to discern, and know what you’re drinking, whisky – exactly as it should be.
To be clear, I don’t dislike NDPs. I don’t dislike indie bottlers or blenders. I like them… when they’re honest and as transparent as they legally can be. The honest and transparent ones are the only ones I will spend my money on. Though, to be honest, 90% of the time with American Whiskey, my money goes directly to the distiller. I don’t want games and shenanigans, I just want good whiskey, so I mostly buy OB bottles.
The dishonest NDP route is a topic I’ve covered at length on here, so no need to really retread it. Instead, let’s get to drinkin’ and see if this release is any good.
George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Region: TN, USA
Distiller: George Dickel
Mash Bill: 84% Corn, 10% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 50%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: Spring 2007 (distilling season)
Price: $45*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Ruddy caramel
NOSE
Cherry-heavy dried dark fruit, dried corn, oak, candied nuts, citrus peels, milk chocolate, baking spice, walnuts and caramel with a hint of menthol.
This aroma is outstanding. I’ve only had one or two other George Dickel’s with this much sticky dried dark fruit before… wow.
PALATE
Butterscotch, oak, cherry-heavy dried dark fruit, dried corn, candied walnuts, black tea, milk chocolate, baking spice, brown sugar and a bit of citrus and leather.
The George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years’ palate bows to the aroma, but only slightly. This profile is why people love Dickel.
FINISH
Long -> Dried corn, oak and cherry-heavy dried dark fruit slowly dissipates to leather and olde candy sweetness.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Great balance, med-full body and a warm soft feel.
George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years – Overall Thoughts and Score
The aroma is my favorite part of this whiskey and it’s one of the best smelling Dickels I’ve had in my life – it’s so heavy, dark and expressive. I want to smell this every day and it just might be how this whisky goes down; slowly evaporated as I keep going back to it over and over for more sniffs than sips.
That’s not to say the palate of the George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years is a slouch… it’s not. It doesn’t quite nab the “best of” for the brand, but it does come close. That best of honor still goes to the George Dickel Single Barrel from 2014, but this is giving it one hell of a run for its money.
SCORE: 4/5
*Disclosure: The bottle for this Tennessee Whisky review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years Review $45
Summary
This is the darkly fruity, tannic oaky, and warmly grainy profile Dickel fans flock to. It’s a stunner.
Overall
4- Nose (4)
- Palate (4)
- Finish (4)
- BBF (4)
User Review
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