I laugh every time I read a review about a bourbon.  Here is an example for one of the bourbons I’m comparing tonight:

“Upfront and rather oak-filled. There’s orange blossom honey, tangerines, and vanilla extract with a faint hint of butterscotch and toasted marshmallow as well. Lesser notes of sweet corn ice cream and a bit of toasted coconut.”

I really enjoy bourbon, but I have never tasted toasted marshmallow unless I’m drinking it with a s’more.  So, instead of getting too fancy with my descriptions I think 2019 will be the year of the bourbon battles.  I’ll randomly pick three bottles from my den and simply give a comparison on whatever factor I can.  If I do happen to taste any butterscotch or coconut, I’ll let you know.  

For the first Bourbon Battle of 2019 I’ve selected the following three bourbons. 

1. Evan Williams Single Barrel (2007)
2. Pinhook Bourbon Country (2018)
3. Eagle Rare 17 Year (2016)

Evan Williams Single Barrel (2007)

For the money, this is a good bottle of bourbon (that’s why I have an entire case of 2007).  It’s a little oaky, sweet, and relatively smooth.  I’m a big fan of this vintage whether I’m making a Manhattan or drinking it neat.  Easy to find Evan Williams Single Barrel; not easy to find the 2007 vintage.

Pinhook Bourbon Country (2018)

The 2018 Bourbon Country from Pinhook is a pleasant surprise.  It’s sweeter than the Evan Williams with a fruity component.  It’s lighter in color (not aged very long) but not as thin as I was expecting.  If I’m going to make a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned this is a great choice.  It’s refreshing.  Harder to find (only place I’ve found it locally is 99 Bottles in Moorhead, MN). 

Eagle Rare 17 Year (2016)

No surprise that this bourbon is simply tasty!  It’s hard to come by a bottle and if you do it’s more than the other two combined.  It’s a complex bourbon and it finishes really well.  This is a bourbon that only needs a glass to enjoy. 

So, this wasn’t really a fair fight.  It was kind of like Mayweather versus McGregor; you wanted it to be a good fight, thought it might be, but it really was over before it started.  The Eagle Rare 17 Year (from Buffalo Trace Distillery) takes the first round of our 2019 Bourbon Battles.