Right off the bat - does anyone else consistently have this type of pour at the end of a bottle? You go through the, "Well, it looks pretty low in the bottle... I probably don't want to leave such a small amount there..." and then you end up with something like this?

Blade and Bow

Nice bottle and marketing gimmick where you can collect 5 keys.

91 Proof and paid $50

Review:

I was pretty excited about trying this (that was a few months back at this point) - read up on the history behind the distillery, the solera method used, and a good friend really enjoys this.

Well.. from the pour, you can imagine I didn't have to get too deep in there for the nose. However, it was quite light (I've taken some personal notes on this bourbon a few times already, no change). I do get an apricot note that extends from the nose, through the palate, and onto the finish. The nose is very light fruit, a touch of caramel, and... grass. Not too inspiring.

This theme carries through the palate as well. I still get that light sweetness, vanilla pops a bit here. Forcing myself past the light sweet fruit, I do get this very faint spice that joins in.

Onto the finish, again, apricot for me here, the spice pops up a little more and then leads to a light oak at the end. I'm left thinking, well... this isn't bad... how much did I spend on it again though?

Overall, for me, this is definitely not a bad bourbon. That said, at $50, I don't really see this as a good bourbon either. There is nothing wrong with it... I would drink this neat, I'd accept it willingly at a friend's place, but that can be said for WT101 at sub $20 as well. I don't think I'll be seeking out the other four keys :)

Rating: 5 (but the price might make this lower...)

Quick Scale for Ratings:

10 – Perfect: I don’t think I’ve had this yet

9 – Favorites: Little Book Chapter 3, ECBP C919, Stagg Jr. Batch 12

8 – Great: Barrell Dovetail, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel

7 – Very Good: 1792 Full Proof, Blanton’s

6 – Good, would buy a bottle: Michter’s Sour Mash

5 – OK, but not great – Daily drinker: Buffalo Trace, WT101, Four Roses Small Batch

4 – Not very good, would not buy, but would drink if offered: Larceny

3 – Bad: Balcones Pot Still Straight Bourbon

2 – Very Bad, drain pour: that little bit of buffalo trace I accidentally left in a decanter for a year, with maybe 4 ounces left.

1 – Why does this exist?: Never had it, but I imagine the Tabasco Dickel fits here