Very Olde St. Nick Estate 8 Year Reserve

A little background

There is remarkably little information out there about this Very Olde St. Nick Estate 8 Year Reserve. It’s blended and batched by Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, but where the whiskey was distilled or what the mash bill is seems to be something of a mystery. Some of the marketing around the Very Olde St. Nick brand seems to suggest that their bottlings can include older whiskey distilled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, however, exactly which current products, if any, include this famed whiskey in their blends is unknown. This bourbon is an eight-year-old Kentucky bourbon bottled at 110 proof that carries a price somewhere around $150 USD.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Old Gold

Nose

A bitter tart apple hits first on the nose, followed by an interesting salty wood note that mellows into a nuttier oak note over a few moments. There is a fair amount of bitter ethanol coming off of this pour, even considering the proof. Very astringent.

Palate

A dry leathery note touches down on the palate first, followed by a fair amount of oak and a big hit of heat. The alcohol is no milder on the palate than on the nose and brings a fairly bitter profile with it.

Finish

The finish is medium in length and starts with some fruit notes-the tart apple returns-but quickly dissipates and a slightly bitter oak is left in its place. A little caramel lingers in the corners of the mouth, but it is ultimately outlasted by the oak note and an astringent note, making for a long but dry finish.

In closing

Very Olde St. Nick Estate 8 Year Reserve
is a dry, astringent bourbon that carries a fair amount of oak influence with it. I would personally put it below average considering the range of whiskeys I’ve had, but it may appeal to folks who like a hotter pour with some leathery oaky notes. Unfortunately, a hot, dry 110 proof whiskey is not very enticing. The price point on this bottle is north of $150, and in my opinion, it is definitely not worth that much. If you’re a big fan of drier whiskeys and heavy oak notes this might be for you, but at that price point, it’s hard to recommend that folks go out and grab one just to try it.

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.