A little background

Three Cord Twelve Bar Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey is bottled at 107 proof and comes in at a retail of around $75. This 12 year barrel proof bourbon was distilled in Kentucky and Tennessee then “fine tuned” in Michigan. The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. The whiskey is a minimum of 12 years old and is unique for a few reasons. Once the blend is chosen, a process called pyrolysis is used which entails heating American oak to specific temperatures so that the wood releases specific flavors and aroma compounds. Following this, rhythmic disruption is used to integrate the components of the blended spirit. There is no water added to the product, and it is made in small batches of 600 bottles.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Gold

Nose

The nose is very unique in that it has the tradition notes of caramel and cinnamon but also has notes of minerals and dried dates. There is also an overwhelming note that reminds me of the Flintstone vitamins that I used to take as a child. For me this is an off-putting note, but I could see how some might enjoy it.

Palate

The palate follows the nose and has notes of caramel and cinnamon, but the overwhelming notes are of minerals and the Flintstone vitamin. The bourbon has a medium viscosity but tastes much hotter than the proof would indicate. I would say this bourbon lacks complexity as the flavors are not all that balanced and move from the front of the palate to the back. There is also an unpleasant aftertaste and a sensation of burning on the sides of your tongue. When water is added, the nose has more caramel notes, the palate is more balanced, but the finish is dramatically shorter.

Finish

The bourbon has a medium finish with the main notes of caramel and cinnamon; however, there is an astringency that lingers and is unpleasant.

In conclusion

In conclusion, this is not a bourbon that I would personally reach for due to the vitamin and mineral notes that are present on the nose and palate. However, I can appreciate the process that went into making the bourbon and can see how someone that enjoys those notes may really enjoy this pour. To me, this bourbon tastes hot for the proof proof and has an astringency in the finish that is unusual to see in a bourbon that has been aged for 12 years. This release wasn’t for me personally, but I am interested to see what other offerings Steel Binding Spirits LLC puts out in the future.

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