Twenty-second birthdays aren’t significantly memorable, save for the case of Blade and Bow 22-12 months-Outdated. The heroically aged bourbon is produced on the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville and launched every September.
The bourbon pours a wealthy ruby-red that introduced candied apples to thoughts. On the nostril, it’s all caramelized sugar and vanilla up entrance, buttressed by baked apples and a faint, candy whiff of bubble gum.
It’s obvious from the primary sip that that is going to be a fruity bourbon, with notes of apple, pear, and plum which can be directly wealthy and earthy but juicy and candy. These latter two qualities are emphasised on the center, the place the bourbon will get lighter and sweeter nonetheless with vivid, tart blackberry and raspberry. All of the whereas, there’s a powerfully candy undercurrent of torched sugar that turns grainy and wealthy in the back of the palate, the place it’s married to deep vanilla and oak.
With that brown sugar and vanilla come flavors of pie crust, and a basic sense that these juicy fruit and berry notes from earlier are being folded right into a pie with baking spices. This takes us to the conclusion, which introduces quince and a remaining whiff of candy pipe tobacco earlier than a end that’s as lengthy and full as you’d anticipate from a 22-year-old bourbon, but far more light within the warmth division. Somewhat than being an oaky barn-burner, the bourbon indicators off with a remaining measure that’s deeply fruit-forward, and it properly captures the 2 phrases I’d use to sum up this fascinating bourbon: darkish and juicy.
By getting older a bourbon to this Methuselahian size, Blade and Bow has proven us simply how far more the class can accomplish outdoors of the anticipated candy vanilla and spicy oak house. Right here we’re served with juicy-to-the-point-of-bursting fruit towards a backdrop of scorched vanilla sugar, making for a really attention-grabbing experience.
★★★★
Stats:
— 46% ABV
— $499
