A little Background

George Dickel has entered the popular Bottled in Bond (BiB) category with their newest release, a 13-year old whisky distilled at the Cascade Hollow Distillery out of Tennessee. Based on the rules of being labeled as Bottled in Bond, we know this whisky is 100 proof and is the product of one distilling season, which happens to be the fall of 2005. The mash bill is 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley and is available at the MSRP of $35 bucks. According to George Dickel, this product is a limited release, so it’s hard to say what availability or distribution will be like.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn.)

Color

Orange/Copper Rust

Nose

Heat is the first thing to jump out of the glass, followed by intense green hay notes. Other scents identified were mint, parsley, and green wood.

Palate

Mint notes up front, followed by a rush of cinnamon and alcohol burn. Fruity and confectioners sugar come up on the mid palate but are quickly stripped away by an intense drying effect.

Finish

Initial cranberry and strawberry notes on the finish, followed by caramel and lemon. There is a bitter and chalky quality to this whisky that’s somewhat off putting. Although there is good complexity and several different layers, the drying effect really distracts those good qualities.

In closing

George Dickel Bottled in Bond has good body and a pleasant richness, however the drying chalky quality is difficult to ignore. Possibly thirteen years in the barrel was just to much for this whisky. For being 100 proof, it certainly seems higher in ABV than it actually is, on both the nose and palate. The flavor profile was definitely on the “more interesting” side of things, which was actually a pleasant surprise and enjoyable. At the end of the day this product seems to have been priced in-line with the quality of whisky inside the bottle. It’s definitely enjoyable at the suggested retail price of $35, which is quite a bargain for a whisky bearing a 13 year age statement. This is likely a “love it or hate it” bottle, so take the $35 gamble and see if it’s something you enjoy!