Very Olde St. Nick Antique Barrel 17-Year-Old Unicorn Cask

A little background

Very Olde St. Nick Antique Barrel 17-Year-Old Unicorn Cask is as rare as the name suggests. These super limited releases aren’t anything new for the Very Olde St. Nick (VOSN) brand, in fact, they’ve been bottling up rare bourbon and whiskey since 1987. The newest in the Very Olde St. Nick Antique Barrel lineup, a 17-Year-Old wheated “Unicorn Cask” that was distilled on the cusp of 1981/1982 and vatted in 1999. VOSN 17-Year-Old Unicorn Cask is unfiltered and bottled at 108 Proof. This limited release bourbon was made available for purchase at the Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky with a retail price of $600.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Brown

Nose

Cognac, figs, milk chocolate, toffee, nutmeg, caramel, and a faint plastic note (not in a bad way). Plenty of oak barrel char.

Palate

Cinnamon, orange liqueur, figs, cognac, molasses, and maple syrup. A very complex and balanced palate with a beautiful mouthfeel.

Finish

Cocoa, cinnamon rolls, raisins, cake, and figs. This bourbon has a very long finish with many complex layers

In closing

Very Olde St. Nick Antique Barrel 17-Year-Old Unicorn Cask is nothing short of amazing. As the name suggests, it is indeed a true unicorn, and for good reason! Going into this review I was a bit skeptical as to what I’d find in the bottle and didn’t know what to expect. As it turns out, this bourbon truly is something special. The color in itself is unworldly in comparison to bourbons on the market today, almost too dark to even see through.

Despite the extremely steep $600 price tag, I do like the fact that this bourbon is relatively accessible. Those willing to make the trip to Bardstown, Kentucky will likely have the opportunity to purchase a bottle, which isn’t always the case with these super limited and allocated bottles on the market today. Based on price alone, this bottle isn’t going to be for everyone. However, the history of the whiskey that’s in this bottle and the rare opportunity to purchase a wheated bourbon that was distilled in the early 1980s puts things into a whole different category.

Personally, I would recommend someone purchase a bottle of Very Olde St. Nick 17-Year-Old Unicorn Cask if they’re looking for an extremely unique experience and a truly special one of a kind bottle. Again, this isn’t going to be for everyone, but for those who have the money and appreciation for what’s in the bottle, this one is for you.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Preservation Distillery. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.