Cream of Kentucky has always been one of those bottles I've walked past more times than I can count. Every time I'd pick it up, the same questions would come to mind. Why is it priced where it is? Where is it actually sourced from? How old is it? For a bottle sitting around the $100 mark, there's surprisingly little information available.
That said, I'm also a sucker for supporting local businesses.
This particular bottle is an Indiana Liquor Group store pick, and what really caught my attention was the unique mash bill. Instead of the standard recipe often associated with Cream of Kentucky, this single barrel comes with quite a different one, A quick search doesn't reveal much, which only made me more curious. Whether it's sourced from Barton or somewhere else is still anyone's guess, but single barrels often have the opportunity to stand apart from standard releases. I wanted to find out if this one justified the premium price.
Age Statement: N/A (Single barrel).
ABV: 58.7% (Cask strength).
Mash bill: 77% corn, 18% rye, and 5% malted barley.
Area of Distillation: Kentucky.
Appearance: Rich dark amber.
On the nose:
The nose immediately delivers a classic Kentucky bourbon profile with impressive maturity. Rich oak leads the way alongside dark caramel, vanilla, honey, and wood sugars. There's a pleasant herbal rye spice throughout that never becomes medicinal, while floral notes keep everything lively. One of the more unique characteristics is a craft cola aroma—almost like opening a premium Coca-Cola made with cane sugar. It blends beautifully with homemade dark caramel and toasted oak.
Fresh apple slices add a gentle fruit sweetness while a dusting of cinnamon rounds everything out. The malted barley contributes a subtle waxy texture to the aroma, helping tie everything together. Despite nearly 59% ABV, there's virtually no alcohol burn on the nose. It smells remarkably polished and considerably older than the minimum age statement would suggest.
Taste:
The mouthfeel is easily one of this bourbon's strongest attributes. It's thick, oily, and coats the palate exceptionally well. The cask strength proof brings plenty of warmth without becoming aggressive. Oak becomes much more pronounced on the palate, bringing notes of barrel char and toasted wood without drifting into bitter tannins. Dark caramel returns alongside honey, sweet corn, and a healthy dose of rye spice.
The apple notes found on the nose become softer here, showing up more as fresh Red Delicious apple slices during the mid-palate. On subsequent sips, a distinct flat cola character develops that pairs nicely with lightly roasted grain notes. It isn't quite toasted or roasted malt territory, but it carries enough of those characteristics to add some extra depth.
Finish:
The finish is relatively gentle considering the proof. Oak spice slowly fades alongside floral rye spice and just a touch of black pepper. It's clean, enjoyable, and balanced, but it doesn't linger particularly long or evolve much after the sip.
Final Thoughts:
This is one of those bottles that's honestly difficult to score. There's nothing wrong with it. In fact, it's a very well-made bourbon. The nose is excellent, the mouthfeel is fantastic, and it drinks surprisingly well for nearly 59% ABV. The issue is that it doesn't really do anything memorable. If someone asked me to pour a bourbon that perfectly represents a classic Kentucky straight bourbon profile, this would absolutely fit the bill. It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel or chase unusual finishes, it simply delivers traditional bourbon flavors executed well.
Unfortunately, that also makes it somewhat forgettable.
At around $100, I expected either more age, more complexity, or a more distinctive personality. Instead, this feels like a very solid five-year bourbon wearing a premium price tag. Would I order a pour at a bar? Absolutely. Would I recommend buying a bottle if you find one around $60-$70? Definitely. Would I recommend paying $100? Probably not. For the same money, there are simply too many exceptional cask strength bourbons available that offer greater complexity and a more memorable experience.
Rating: B+ (Great).
Cost: $99.99 for 750ml.
Comments
Post a Comment