Old Medley 12 years is the rebirth of a brand that’s been around since the 1930s and was started by Thomas Aquinas Medley. Like many old whiskey brands it’s changed hands many times over the years and was eventually discontinued. However the descendants (grandson and great-grandson) of Thomas have resurrected the brand and Old Medley is adorning liquor store shelves once again.
The Label says it’s from the Charles Medley Distillery, but currently there is no such distillery. There once was a Medley Distillery in Owensboro, KY, but that distillery was shut down several decades ago. Currently all of the Medley brands (Wathen’s, Medley Bros and this) are being bottled by the Frank-Lin company who source and bottle a number bourbons including the Buck Bourbon I reviewed a while ago.
Old Medley 12 years Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Unknown
Bottler: Frank-Lin Distillers Products, Ltd.
Cask: New charred oak
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43.3%
Price: $65
Old Medley 12 years Review
EYE
Butterscotch
NOSE
Caramel, dark fruit, toasted grains, candied nuts, spice, vanilla and wood all march out in an orderly fashion. Never sniffed a bourbon and had the various aromas come out in what felt like an orderly fashion… interesting.
PALATE
The palate is more like the traditional layering of flavors I’m used to and I’m picking up notes of caramel, wood, corn, hazelnuts and spice in those layers. Some light touches of wood & herbs popup with a bit of vanilla custard towards the end.
FINISH
Medium length finish with notes of wood, vanilla custard and caramel.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, a thin body and watery, slightly hot, feel.
OVERALL
Old Medley 12 years ain’t too bad at all. One might even reference it as being tasty when the mood is right. The aroma is interesting and nice as is the palate and the finish rolls out nicely as well. The texture is a little watery, but my biggest complaint is that It’s pricy for what you get, but then I’m still comparing today’s prices to what I paid a scant 2-3 year ago. Back when Weller 12 was $24, but now I see it regularly for $75 – $100 which is just ludicrous. Even 12 year old Scotch isn’t that much and they have to ship that stuff across the ocean. Maybe I’m being a curmudgeon, but a 12 year bourbon shouldn’t be clocking in at $70 after taxes unless it’s some really tasty and rare stuff.
SCORE: 87/100
