We’re three-fifths of the way through the bourbon Advent calendar that my brother curated for me for my birthday. This week’s exploration is an appealing mix of new tastes and familiar-adjacent pours.
Let’s check them out, shall we?
December 11: Calumet Farm Small Batch (8 & 15-year blend)
86 proof, mash bill: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley
Retails ~$50-$55
This one was another new one to me, so I was excited to give it a try. Calumet Farm is a legendary Kentucky horse farm, and its bourbon brands are special. I learned that this was a 2022 limited release.
When I sipped it neat, the first thing I noticed right out of the gate was its rye heat. It wasn’t overpowering, but it was surprisingly potent. The primary notes are a vanilla and brown sugar sweetness that lies just below the heat. There’s a bit of toasted oak in the finish.
When I added ice, it tamed the heat enough for the sweetness to be more prominent. It’s less complex than I was counting on, but it’s a decent pour.
Rating: 8/10
December 12: Wyoming Whiskey Single Barrel
96 proof, mash bill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley
Retails $85-$100+
It’s exciting to try these brand new (to me) bourbons, and this one felt like a curveball. I know that single-barrel bourbons can vary wildly from one barrel to the next, but this one was a nice treat.
Trying it neat gave me a butterscotch sweetness combined with a spice that reminded me of wintergreen. It’s an intriguing combo of flavors.
On the rocks, the heat turns into something more like baking spices, and the sweetness lingers a little more. This one has been the most pleasant surprise of the calendar so far.
Rating: 9/10
Related: Whiskey Wednesday: My Bourbon Advent Calendar, Part 1
December 13: Jack Daniel’s Bonded
100 proof, mash bill: 80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye
Retails ~$30-$45
Yeah, everybody knows Jack, but the bonded version is Jack Daniel standing up a little straighter and taller. Of course, that trademark banana bread smell hits the nose, but the magic begins when you taste it.
Neat, it’s rich. It’s like raiding the baking pantry and getting all the good stuff: apple, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla. And the heat is just right, never overpowering.
Adding ice to it makes it taste creamier with the vanilla notes moving forward. The spice softens, making it very sippable — almost dangerously so.
Jack Daniel’s may be an old standby, but the bonded version is like seeing a treasured friend in his element — relaxed, confident, and at his best. It’s more than worthwhile
Rating: 10/10
December 14: Michter’s US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
91.4 proof, secret mash bill
Retails ~$40-$50
I’m not familiar with Michter’s, even though I know it has a terrific reputation. So I got excited when I pulled this bottle and opened the paper.
When I tasted it neat, I noticed a spiciness that tastes like cinnamon meets cracked pepper. It’s not too hot, and the heat runs right alongside a sweet corn flavor.
This is one of those rare bourbons that don’t change all that much when I add ice. It’s a smooth blend of sweet and spicy that’s worth revisiting.
Rating: 9/10
Related: Whiskey Wednesday: My Bourbon Advent Calendar, Part 2
December 15: ASW Fiddler Toasted
Proof varies by bottle, mash bill: 51% corn, 45% wheat, 4% malted barley
Retails ~$68-$75
I reviewed a couple of American Spirit Works (ASW) products back in the summer, and I’m always up to try something from this metro Atlanta distillery. I’d had ASW’s Fiddler Wheated and, of course, Hunker Bourbon, which helps support the University of Georgia’s NIL collective, but this one was new to my taste buds.
Tasting it neat gave me notes of oak and something between caramelized sugar and toasted marshmallow. The heat is pronounced but not powerful. It gives off campfire vibes.
Adding ice rounded out the smokiness and gave it more of a brown sugar taste. The heat is still there — just enough to remind you that you’re drinking bourbon.
The price point is a little higher than I generally like to pay, but I think this one could be a splurge in the rotation.
Rating: 9.5/10
