Proof that 108 Proof is a Winner: Belle Meade Bourbon Reserve Review

To my Review

I almost got lost and overwhelmed as I walked the aisles of Total Wine & More, recently opened in our little metropolis. Friends had told me how extensive it was. Within a 10 minute drive, I have access to Smitty's, Mega-Bev, and a few smaller liquor shops. Add into the mix a superstore of alcohol, and I will not be thirsty again.

As I walked in, half of Total Wine was... wine. Totally. I quickly found the long stretch of rye, local whiskies, scotch, and Irish whiskey. The aisle continued onto bourbons and world whiskies. I spent a good 30 minutes looking up and down the corridor, from top to bottom, in cases and on shelves, and I was no closer to figuring out what I wanted. I kept checking my app Whisky Suggest: search, read review, erase, and start over. I never thought I would leave.

Finally, I settled on something brand new: Belle Meade Bourbon. I had not heard of the distillery before. I grabbed the bottle and checked out. Even got to chat a little soccer with the cashier as I made my purchase. I had by beautiful Manchester United 3rd jersey from the current season. She mentioned she was a Liverpool fan. I almost changed lanes.

Getting home, I looked into the distillery a bit more. This is a Tennessee whisky brand. It was first produced in the late 1800's until Prohibition. It was a mothballed brand until decedents reopened back in the late aughts. The bottle I purchased was rated #10 in a top 20 list by Whisky Advocate. Their other offerings include: classic, several cask finishes, and a single barrel. All award winning from years 2015-2018.

Review

So, how did the Reserve hold up?

This bottle has taken the place of cask strength. According to their website:

...we found there was more variation in each batch than we wanted. In an effort to tighten up the consistency of quality from batch to batch, we found that 108.3 proof was really the sweet spot for the flavorful, bold, rich profile...

It has high rye content, vanilla, caramel, spice, and stone fruits. Popping the bottle, I could get a nice whiff of the caramel. It was spicy, but not overwhelming. Some stronger proof bourbons might burn the hairs on your nose. Not the Reserve.

Reflecting from the bottle is a is a deeper shade of mahogany. Not completely at the dark end of the spectrum, but it reflects the long aging process in a charred barrel and not diluted. It looks out nicely from the bottle, complimenting the label of black and burgundy.

The very first sip tasted like you get kicked in the mouth by the pair of horses on the label. But right as it hits you, it quickly settles into a nice smolder. You can taste the char of the wood, but in a good way. Not like how you char a grilled cheese and are stuck with one good cooked side and one slightly burnt side.

I could definitely feel the vanilla and caramel as it filtered down to my stomach. The warm, sensation seemed to sit longer in my esophagus than other bourbons, even cask strengths. It was a powerhouse of a sip.

Second and third drinks were similar, albeit not quite as potent up front. The taste and the warmth still lingered. To someone who is not as experienced in the ways of the dram, I could see this almost being a turn off. It is very forceful, in your face, before it settles in.

I wanted to try one more thing. I am a purist when it comes to my whiskies (bourbons, whiskeys, etc). I don't like them on the rocks. I generally don't add any water. I don't even like them chilled. But, I did add a few drops the the remaining couple sips in my glass. I felt a little - Reserve - to try it.

Pleasantly, I was surprised. The initial mouth slap was diminished a good amount. I could actually get hints of the floral flavors since my taste buds weren't being burned alive. It was good.

Overall, I enjoyed this bourbon. It was a pleasant surprise that is a unique drinker. I am excited to share it with my close friends. Just like Writer's Tears, I am also very curious how another bottle will taste. In this case, the Sherry Cask. I have found most drams aged in Sherry Casks are my cat's meow.