A little background
J.W. Dant Bottled in Bond is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. With a retail price of around $15 for a 750ml, it’s considered by many to be one of the best values on the (bottom) shelf. This whiskey is named after Joseph Washington Dant, a Kentucky distiller in the 1830s who is rumored to have fashioned his still from a hollowed out tree trunk. J.W. Dant is Bottled-in-Bond, meaning it is a Straight Bourbon at least 4 years old and bottled at 100 proof. It’s distilled from Heaven Hill’s 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley Mash Bill.
(Tasted neat from a Glencair n Glass)
Color
Golden Amber
Nose
Banana and a nuttyness are the first notes to jump out of the glass, followed by sweet corn, oak, vanilla, and white skinned fruits. Very much a classic Heaven Hill nose.
Palate
The nutty notes from the nose carry through to the palate, along with an almost salt like quality. Salted peanuts? Sure! Plenty of caramel and corn characteristics are present as well.
Finish
The finish is long, spicy, and lingers about for quite some time. Oak dominates, with more subtle baking spices, nutmeg, and black pepper.
In closing
At $15 bucks for a Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey there is very little to complain about here. However, this whiskey is far from perfect. Although the flavor profile is enjoyable and the finish is nice, it does lack much body, mouthfeel or complexity. Will I most certainly buy it again and continue to surprise people with it in blind tastings, you bet. However, I will say that for around the same price you can step into Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, JTS Brown Bottled in Bond, and Early Times Bottled in Bond, which I feel are superior products.
J.W. Dant Bottled in Bond
100 Proof
The Good
- Value, value, value!
- Availability
The Bad
- None for the cost
Complexity
9
Nose
10
Palate
9
Finish
9.5
Value
10
Been drinking JW Dante since the late 60’s. I like to take JW and another bourbon and shake them while holding them upside down. I look to see which ones bubbles last the longest. J W Dante wins 90% of the time. I find this amusing and interesting. JW Dante is a winner! I have no idea why the bubbles last so long.
It’s a great whiskey. Random fact, the faster the bubbles disappear reflects the higher proof of alcohol. If you shake an 80 proof bourbon, the bubbles should stick around much longer than say a 120 proof bourbon. Moonshiners use this trick…or at least some documentary I watched said they do! Cheers
DOES J.W.DANT STILL PRODUCE === APRICOT AND FRUIT BRANDY?
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