Superior No. 12 Brand 90 Proof Tennessee Sour Mash Whisky

There's a lot to like about this whisky. There's also quite a lot not to like. The intense vanilla, caramel, mocha flavors are delicious and sustain beautifully. However, there isn't the elegance or smoothness of a great whisky. Better than most large production options at a similar price point and a worthy addition to the home bar.
Artwork: a work on paper by Thornton Dial who lived and worked in Bessemer, Alabama some 175 miles south of the Dickel distillery, near Nashville TN.

The scent of sweet corn and vanilla will greet you when you go in for a whiff. And, I hate using the term butterscotch… shouldn’t all whiskey have that kind of scent? But, here it's true. I’ll break it down: think caramelized brown sugar and butter. Sweet, complex, and creamy. And that’s just the nose.

I get cocoa and smoke on the palate. But there is way more going on here if you employ the Whiskey Chew. Barrel notes come through as vanilla, blanched almonds, and tobacco. There’s also a nice acidic bite; that bite is the start of the finish.

And the finish is long warm ride of sweet corn, that acidic bite, and lingering tobacco.

This is a whiskey that wants you to sip it slowly.

More refined and concentrated that Jack Daniels.

Nice and different, chocolate, slightly bitter finish. About $22 iirc.

Much better alternative to Jack. Great on the rocks and with soda.

A fine cocktail alcohol, but lacking the smoothness and polish of even middling whiskey.

Thanks for the generous pour, Slows!

Very good with ginger. Great for mint julep

Ron had this 5 years ago

Joey had this 8 years ago