A little background

This bottled in bond release from Barton 1792 was first released in the Fall of 2017 as the distillery continued to expand its portfolio of annual release whiskey. The mash bill for this release is not disclosed but it is described as a high rye bourbon, which is believed to be in the 15-25% range. There is also no age statement on this bottle but since it is bottled in bond we know it is at least 4 years old. 1792 Bottled in Bond typically retails in the $30-$40 range.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Orange Amber

Nose

A very light amount of ethanol blends nicely with rich caramel, heavy vanilla, and plenty of rye spice, all of which is underscored by a soft oak note. The nose is relatively light and simple but it is nicely balanced and pleasant overall.

Palate

This whiskey presents with a creamy mouthfeel and plenty of those same rich caramel and vanilla notes. Although initially sweet, the rye spice quickly kicks in mid-palate and it is surprisingly strong. This is further accentuated by some seasoned oak, which provides a nice balance to the sweeter notes. Once again, there is not alot of depth and complexity here, but the flavors that are present balance nicely.

Finish

The finish is medium-long and characterized by the same caramel/vanilla/spice profile that is present throughout the sip. The spice notes definitely pick up along with the lingering rye spice and makes for a sharper, spicier finish.

In closing

1792 Bottled in Bond from Barton 1792 provides a simple but enjoyable experience at a relatively fair price point. However, this expression is not particularly complex and the flavors are really lacking in terms of depth. The one thing this expression really has going for it is balance, as the flavors that are there really work together nicely. I enjoyed this expression more than others from Barton, but there just wasn’t enough here to really impress me or entice me to keep more than one bottle on the shelf.