Food & Drink

Review: Hardin’s Creek Bourbons – Jacob’s Well and Colonel James B. Beam

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It’s unicorn launch time — once more — as Beam (formally the James B. Beam Distilling Firm) launches Hardin’s Creek, a model that can supply “distinctive and uncommon, limited-edition whiskeys rooted within the Beam household legacy. These new whiskeys have been crafted by Freddie Noe, not too long ago introduced as grasp distiller of the brand new Fred B. Noe Distillery, the small distilling operation on Beam’s Clermont campus that opened final yr.

What’s the gist with these whiskeys?

Hardin’s Creek is the subsequent era of boundary-pushing, premium American Whiskey impressed by the experience of seven generations of Beam Grasp Distillers. Hardin’s Creek is an ongoing sequence of annual releases, that includes a few of James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s rarest and most original liquids and grounded within the wealthy expertise and distilling experience of James B. Beam Distilling Co. Every set of releases will showcase the breadth and depth of the James B. Beam Distilling Co’s whiskey-making credentials inclusive of age, mixing, mash invoice, distillation, barrels, rackhouse areas, and extra. This yr’s inaugural Hardin’s Creek sequence will launch with two expressions: Jacob’s Properly Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a considerate mix of two ultra-aged bourbons, and Colonel James B. Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a fastidiously crafted younger whiskey.

“We couldn’t be extra excited to launch Hardin’s Creek, notably after the refresh of the James B. Beam Distillery and the opening of the Fred B. Noe Distillery. This has been a very long time within the making, and I can’t wait to share it with the world,” mentioned Freddie Noe, the newly appointed Grasp Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery. “Each element, from the mixing strategies to the labels, attracts inspiration from centuries of our household’s historical past, paying homage to our heritage whereas trying in the direction of our future.”

With that prologue, we’re able to dip into each releases. Right here we go.

Each are 108 proof.

Hardin’s Creek Jacob’s Properly Bourbon – “A considerate mix of two ultra-aged expressions: one 16-year-old conventional bourbon and one 15-year-old high-rye bourbon blended to attain a depth of taste not like some other in Beam historical past.” I’ll be simple on this and say this is likely one of the finest bourbons I’ve had in years, interval. The nostril is immediately partaking, a stable slug of oak paired with notes of toasted coconut, licorice, and vanilla. It’s intense however not over-oaked or off-putting, coming throughout as inviting as a giant leather-based chair. On the palate a burst of fruit begins issues off — blackberry and a little bit cherry — earlier than numerous oak and leather-based come again into the combination. The fruit and savory notes stability nearly completely with each other, a lightweight layer of spice including connecting tissue for the expertise. Cinnamon, cloves, and baked apples all linger because the end builds — and it’s a very long time coming. 54% abv feels nearly excellent for this whiskey, which is warming however by no means scorching, comforting but intense with taste. Sizzling chocolate hangs on to the end without end. I couldn’t put this whiskey down, and I didn’t need to. Common readers know I don’t give out A+ rankings like sweet. Purchase all you’ll be able to proper now earlier than the worth skyrockets. A+ / $150

Hardin’s Creek Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon – “This limited-edition, two-year-old whiskey achieves a depth of taste normally reserved for extra mature bourbons by taking it off the nonetheless at a decrease distillation proof, imparting extra taste from the fermentation course of and letting the barrel’s traits shine by at a youthful age.” Can a two yr outdated bourbon actually measure as much as the luxe aspirations of this model? Properly, if nothing else, this can be a enormous step again, although it’s not dangerous for what it’s. Particularly if you happen to like peanuts. Highly effective peanut shell notes on each nostril and palate, paired with vanilla-dusted oak, pave a really conventional and considerably boring highway, with a touch of caramel and recent lumberyard parts all within the combine. There are hints of purple pepper on the end, however in any other case it wears every part on its sleeve. Nothing offensive about it, however I can’t see a path to paying $80 for a bottle. B- / $80

hardinscreek.com

Hardin’s Creek Jacob’s Properly Bourbon

$150

Score


10.0/10

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