I’d like to thank Common Ground PR and Lux Row for providing a review sample to me with no strings attached.
Last week, I gave you a quick overview of the history of the Daviess County brand along with my thoughts on the Straight Bourbon. Tuesday I gave you a quick overview of the state of my sanity and feelings. Tonight, I think I am going to just let the reviews do the talking. Things are getting better around here, but I’m still having a hard time being witty.
Some would say I never was witty.
But I digress, let’s talk about some whiskey.
Davies County Bourbon finished in French Oak casks
Purchase Info: This was graciously provided by Lux Row for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $44.99.
Price per Drink (50mL): $3.00
Details: 48% ABV. A combination of both wheated and rye-mash bourbons. Finished in French Oak Casks for six months
Nose: Mint, bubblegum, nutmeg, cooked oatmeal, and oak.
Mouth: Dry with cinnamon, mint, vanilla and oak.
Finish: Warm, spicy and of medium length. Oak, cinnamon candies and mint.
Thoughts: Compared to the Straight Bourbon, this is drier and not as nutty, though I am missing the cocoa notes. I'm enjoying the added oak presence. It is a light, but noticeable presence in the mouth, but much stronger on the finish. The cinnamon and mint complement the oak nicely.
Davies County Bourbon finished in Cabernet Sauvignon casks
Purchase Info: This was graciously provided by Lux Row for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $44.99.
Price per Drink (50mL): $3.00
Details: 48% ABV. A combination of both wheated and rye-mash bourbons. Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Casks for six months
Nose: "Berry" flavored candy, earthy oak, a hint of wintergreen.
Mouth: Earthy, dry, berries, wintergreen and strong baking spices.
Finish: Dry and of medium length. The wine makes its presence well known on the finish with what I can only describe as a "red wine" note. It is supported by notes of oak and baking spice.
Thoughts: This is nice and round on the mouth. The berry/wine flavors are very noticeable if you know what you are drinking, but when I had my wife surprise me with it one night, I hardly noticed them. Instead I just tasted a fruity whiskey.
Comparison Thoughts: So which should you buy? Well, that all depends on what you are looking for in a whiskey. Are you looking for round and fruity with a nice spice? Then get the Cabernet finished. If you are looking for a nutty bourbon that feels like a high-end Beam with cocoa notes? Then get the straight. If you want a drier whiskey with a little more oak, then get the French Oak finished. To be honest, I like all three. If forced to choose one to buy, I’d go Straight (based on price), then the Cabernet finished, followed by the French Oak. But it would really depend on my mood.
The fact that I like the Cabernet finished at all surprises me. I usually do not like wine finished bourbons…though to be fair I think I’ve only had ones from Woodford Reserve. As I was tasting it in a Glencairn, I found the wine notes to be very prominent. But with subsequent drams in my normal tumbler-shaped rocks glass, and when I didn’t know what it was, I just thought it was a fruity bourbon. Turns out I am as suggestive as everyone else.
Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.
Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, and more.