A 16-12 months Bardstown Stunner at a Exceptional Worth
Calumet Farm 16 12 months Previous “Single Rack Black” Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($129.99)
“Tasting that is such a pleasure. It’s energetic and full-bodied with an ideal quantity of kick, however very simple going.” — Andrew Whiteley, Ok&L Spirits Purchaser
On this planet of collectible bourbon, finds like this have gotten vanishingly uncommon. Usually, a 16-year-old, age-stated whiskey from one in every of Kentucky’s most well-known distilleries would command an exorbitant worth because of collectors prepared to pay it, however it might additionally are available such small portions as to make it nearly irrelevant within the broader market. Not so with the Calumet 16 12 months Previous “Single Rack Black.” Distilled in 2006 on the iconic Barton distillery in Bardstown, this 19-barrel batch loved a spot of honor within the rickhouse. That’s to say, these barrels sat within the lifeless middle of the constructing, the place the growing old course of typically yields essentially the most compelling outcomes. This unimaginable dram is the oldest aged launch from the Calumet Farm model to date, and it provides up every little thing bourbon followers love in outdated Kentucky whiskey at a worth that makes it accessible to just about anybody. It’s additionally in inventory at portions that let purchases of multiples, so savvy aficionados seeking to inventory their bars with a legit, age-stated masterpiece shouldn’t move up this singular alternative.
Ok&L Notes: Calumet Farm has an unimaginable historical past and pedigree on this planet of horse racing, and now too within the Bourbon world. Their 14- and 15-year expressions have turn out to be immediate classics and are fantastic examples of well-aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. No humorous enterprise with finishes or any effort to re-write the Bourbon panorama—simply basic, well-crafted Bourbon blended in small batches to perfection. The 16-year is their oldest launch up to now and the best proof in addition. At 106, it’s an ideal sipper, strong sufficient to hold the entire depth and mellow sufficient for an ideal neat pour. Blended from 19 barrels to honor one in every of Calumet’s (and horse racing’s) best horses—Quotation. Barrelled in March of 2006. Distilled and aged in Bardstown, KY. Mashbill: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley. Non-chill filtered.
Andrew Whiteley | Ok&L Spirits Purchaser | Assessment Date: August 16, 2022
Calumet has managed to supply a number of the most compelling, well-aged Kentucky Bourbon at particularly reasonable costs. Their earlier launch, the 15-year, was extraordinarily effectively acquired by drinkers and critics alike. The 16 is even higher. The oldest and highest-proof launch from Calumet up to now, it’s really easy to drink at 106 proof. The nostril is sort of woody however with vibrant crimson Bing cherry fruit notes driving excessive as effectively. Whiffs of candy grass and dried hay make you are feeling such as you’re strolling throughout the Calumet Farm itself. A little bit of burnt orange peel provides each citrus notes and a really mild smokiness, nearly sultry in nature. Chocolate nibs, roast nuts, and the balanced candy and bitter notes of fermented molasses spherical out the nostril. Tasting it’s a pleasure. It’s energetic and full-bodied with an ideal quantity of kick, however very simple going. The 53% ABV carries a ton of taste, however by no means overpowers. It’s simply the suitable degree of candy and savory for my style buds. Numerous mellow candy corn, such as you’re taking a chunk of plump uncooked kernels proper off the cob, a inexperienced kick of rye spice, and a background of candy Madagascar vanilla lacing the 2 collectively. Luscious American oak tannins give it construction and depth. With time it opens in to extra cola notes, nutty and candy, and exhibits extra of that crimson cherry on the palate. The end is zippy because of the ABV and imprints extra vanilla and cinnamon in your thoughts till you are taking one other sip and begin over once more. Throughout an exquisite pour in a good-looking but no-frills bottle. An ideal deal with for a bourbon lover, whether or not it’s you or a good friend you’re gifting it to.
David Othenin-Girard | Ok&L Spirits Purchaser | Assessment Date: August 17, 2022
Okay, okay! Right here we go together with the brand new narrative in Kentucky—if you realize the place to look you will get good outdated bourbon with out meting out a mortgage fee. Some individuals would possibly level to the outdated days when 15-year-old whiskey was $60, however there hasn’t been a interval within the final decade the place we may readily get 15+-year-old whiskey from anybody in Kentucky at lower than $150. And to be trustworthy, I believe this worth level is tremendous for the standard you’re getting right here. We should assume this product was distilled at Previous Barton because it was the one working plant in 2006 within the space. Growing older occurred solely in Bardstown as effectively. It is a nice, outdated distillery that has many individuals clamoring for his or her increased finish marks, so except you’re one of many unfortunate few who particularly doesn’t just like the Barton profile, there’s a great likelihood that you just’re going to dig this. Non-chillfiltred and excessive proof, like all of the single-rack collection, and solely 19 barrels within the batch. Let’s style it. The colour is a beautiful russet. The nostril begins instantly with unique darkish woods, contemporary charred oak, candy dried plum, delicate floral and darkish tea aromas. With some air, there’s a robust vanilla word, caramel candies, crimson cherry, and French roast. On the palate, it’s medium bodied and reasonably dry with a beautiful dusty word. Darker and woody with a robust oaky taste down the center. That is undoubtedly on the drier aspect of Barton and really woody. It loves air, and I’d reckon the center of the bottle will likely be distinctive. Proper now, I like to present this half-hour of nosing earlier than I dive in deep. A enjoyable outdated bourbon whiskey at a very affordable worth.
Neal Fischer | Ok&L Beer Purchaser | Assessment Date: August 16, 2022
Dang, that’s good! Approaching the heels of the 14 and 15, there’s now a 16-year-old Calumet Farm added to the lineup and it stands up alongside the others as the brand new torch-bearer. I actually benefit from the interaction between the large fruit within the profile and the ebbing-and-flowing spices. Up entrance on the nostril I get luscious cherry syrup that’s matched by wooden varnish and cardamom. Subsequent there’s a wave of dried peaches, balsa wooden, slight menthol, then a deep caramel adopted by medicinal herbs. The palate provides darker flavors; first salted caramel and mocha, however then the richness is matched by daring spice, vibrant cherry, and crimson apple. This bourbon has a really spherical and supple mouthfeel, after which it finishes in a drying and spicy end with the menthol peeking again by way of. I used to be impressed with the 14- and 15-year-old Calumets as a result of it appeared like each time I got here again for a nostril and a sip there was another taste part to seek out—this new 16-year-old version provides that very same degree of complexity with one thing extra for me to take pleasure in every time I am going again to it.
Aaron Hughes | Ok&L Workers Member | Assessment Date: August 16, 2022
I used to be pleasantly stunned by how fruit-forward this bourbon was—after 16 years in oak it nonetheless got here off a bit spritely, with ripe and caramel apples alongside stewed pears, orange oil, after which touches of burnt sugar towards the top. The palate was savory and spicy in the perfect of how, with a vanilla custard and pie spice competitors taking place within the again palate, whereas someplace within the end there’s this whisper of herby licorice that saved me looking out in my glass. I all the time prefer it when a beverage evokes curiosity. The end manages to be dry and oaky with out being overly tannic, simply urging you onto the subsequent welcome sip. A pair drops of water in what was left in my glass made the floral notes pop on the nostril and left the palate a contact sweeter. Positively extremely really useful and a wonderful sipper nonetheless you select. I didn’t assume it wanted water or a rock in it, however I wouldn’t have objected both.
