A little background

This product is bottled at 88 proof and comes in at a retail price of around $45. It is distilled and bottled in Owensboro, KY at O.Z. Tyler Distillery. Blending and distillation are handled by founder Chris Radomski and master distiller Jacob Call. The mashbill is 75% American Dent corn, 13% rye, and 12% 6th row barley. The whiskey is aged a minimum of 5 years in heavily charred American White Oak barrels. The product is unique because the recipe is said to be based on John Wayne’s personal recipe and his private selection from 1962. The bourbon is made in small batches based on the Wayne’s recipe that has been passed down for more than 50 years.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Golden Honey

Nose

The nose on this bourbon presents notes of caramel, vanilla, dough, cherry, and fresh fruits. There is also a floral component to the nose, but the sweetness of the caramel and vanilla along with the uniqueness of the dough are what really shine through.

Palate

Fruits shine on the palate with notes of cherry, apple, and pear. There are also pleasant notes of vanilla and cinnamon that round out the palate. The mouthfeel is light and refreshing but still has enough viscosity to coat the entire palate. When water is added to the product, the nose loses all of its flavor, and the palate and finish become very floral. This bourbon has a little bit of complexity with it unique flavors, multiple fruit notes, and appealing nose.

Finish

This offering has a short but refreshing finish that contains notes of fresh squeezed fruit juice that might come from apples, pears, and cherries. There is also a minor cinnamon component working here.

In conclusion

This is a product that I would have never thought to grab off the shelf before, but after tasting and reviewing it, I would probably recommend this to the person that enjoys bourbon with fruits note and bourbon that is refreshing but not overpowering. At $45, it falls into a category where there are a lot of good bourbons to choose from, but if you are looking for something fruity and refreshing with a cool backstory, you may want to pick a bottle up or at least try to sample it. I also enjoy the fact that all of the bourbon is at least 5 years old. Overall, I would say that if you come across a bottle of Duke, it is worth giving a try!

Note: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Duke Spirits. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review this wonderful whiskey!