A little background

Bib & Tucker 12 Year Single Barrel Select is a sourced bourbon that was originally produced by 35 Maple Street Spirits but is now owned by Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits. This limited-edition whiskey was aged in Level 1 charred oak barrels in the hills of Tennessee. Each bottle of this bourbon is marked with the barrel and bottle number, this bottle being bottle no. 5 of 158 from barrel no. 102019. Bib & Tucker 12 Year Single Barrel Select is bottled at 99 proof and has a retail price of around $125.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Copper

Nose

Caramel, vanilla, toffee, and a hint of tangerine.

Palate

The palate hits hard with a thick mouthfeel full of fudge, dark red fruits, vanilla, and a faint saline component.

Finish

The finish on Bib & Tucker 12 Year Single Barrel Select is quite diminished and fades quickly. It’s pleasant but quite flat. Some notes of chocolate, salted caramel, and citrus linger around the longest.

In closing

I found the palate of Bib & Tucker 12 Year Single Barrel Select to be enjoyable and full of great flavors. However, the lack of complexity and short finish was disappointing. The palate started off so thick and rich, but things faded quickly and left me longing for more. I’d love to know what this whiskey was like at cask strength, as I feel that might be the missing component. This is definitely an enjoyable bourbon, but with a $125 price tag, I’d expect a bit more.