The first region of the 2025 Ultimate Sip Challenge is settled, and the results were mostly unsurprising – and delicious! The High-Proof/High Value Region did not disappoint, so now it’s time to see if it’s bottom-shelf counterpart can rise up and deliver a true contender to the Final Four. Today’s top half has some very nice whiskeys that should make my job of picking winners a little difficult.
First Round High-Proof/High-Value Winners:
1792 Full Proof, Green River Full Proof, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend, Kentucky Owl Single Barrel, Old Forester 1924, Old Forester Single Barrel, Seelbach 10-Year,
First Round – Entry Level/Value Buys (Top Half)
The first blind: Old Forester 1910 vs. Bowman Brothers Small Batch; Knob Creek 9-Year vs. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
Glencairn #1: This first dram starts out a little unimpressively with a basic, light amber appearance and a very faint aroma. I think that classic notes of vanilla and caramel are trying to break through, but honestly, I’m kind of picking up something medicinal. On the tongue, it’s a little spicy and sweet, but some of that medicine has transferred to the palate. Again, it’s sweet – almost too sweet. I’m thinking cotton candy. The mouthfeel is moderate, as is the finish. In this case, that might be a good thing. It’s not necessarily bad, but this one is not going to be a winner. Score: 66.
Glencairn #2: I’m already liking this one a little better with its darker, amber color and a stronger nose appeal. There’s still a little medicine there, but there are stronger notes of brown sugar and baking spice. The mouthfeel jumps out at me and carries with it some decent spice – maybe cinnamon? There’s also a healthy dose of toffee here, joined by some light fruit, probably pear. The finish is decent and lingers with that baking spice. Score: 67.
Glencairn #3: This one has the lightest color in the blind – golden more than amber. Once again, the aroma is light, with hints of grape and pear. This one is very sugary and grapey. Once again, I feel like I’m drinking liquid cotton candy. The mouthfeel is soft, but a little bit watery. There’s some nice baking spice, which carries into a modest finish. Score: 63.
Glencairn #4: This bourbon has the best color and nose in the blind. The color is rich copper, and there are lovely aromas of brown sugar and dark cherry. The mouthfeel is a little creamy, and there’s lots of spice on the palate. I’m thinking chocolate covered cherries. There’s a little oak here, but it stays out of the way and lets the other flavors stay in the forefront. I’m not sure about the proof, but the flavors are classic. There’s a solid, lingering finish where the flavors don’t evolve but just stay to be enjoyed. Score: 78.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Knob Creek 9-Year
Glencairn #2: Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
Glencairn #3: Bowman Brothers Small Batch
Glencairn #4: Old Forester 1910
The results:
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond 67, Knob Creek 9-Year 66
Old Forester 1910 78, Bowman Brothers Small Batch 63
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond and Old Forester 1910 advance to the Round of 32.
The second blind: Russell’s Reserve 10-Year vs. Member’s Mark Straight; Wild Turkey 101 vs. Jack Daniel’s Bonded
Glencairn #1: This one has the weakest color of either blind, barely golden. There are mild but pronounced aromas, primarily cinnamon and pear. The same flavors show up on the palate, joined by vanilla and caramel. There’s also a little leather here, but everything is in a nice balance. The mouthfeel is better than I than expected and it leads to a strong finish where I’m tasting cinnamon and fruit. Score: 69.
Glencairn #2: I’m seeing some very nice color – strong amber. My nose is picking up apples, followed by nice toffee notes. The silky mouthfeel carries nice, fruity notes, almost like drinking a cinnamon apple. leads with apples followed by toffee. Based on what I was seeing and tasting, I expected a better finish, but what I did get was some lingering baking spice. Overall, this one was very solid. Score: 70.
Glencairn #3: This bourbon has a lighter color than #2 – just a light amber. On the nose, I’m picking up apples again. (Is it just me? I wouldn’t expect that this often.) As I sip, I pick up sweet spice, along with fruit and caramel, but there are also some earthy tone – maybe tobacco. I might also pick up some milk chocolate here. I like the mouthfeel, but the flavors don’t develop in the best way. Unfortunately, the earthiness gets most of my attention. Score: 65.
Glencairn #4: I’m seeing a basic, bottom-level amber color. On the nose, I’m definitely smelling bananas, which makes me think – is this the Jack Daniel’s Bonded? I know we’re not supposed to use the worth “smooth” these days, but this is honestly the smoothest bourbon in this four-dram blind. The bananas show up on the palate, but there’s also other fruit –maybe pear? The classic vanilla and caramel are lightly present. There’s an average mouthfeel and decent finish. The fruit and some baking spice hang around for a minute or so. Score: 65.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Wild Turkey 101
Glencairn #2: Russell’s Reserve 10-Year
Glencairn #3: Jack Daniel’s Bonded
Glencairn #4: Member’s Mark Small Batch
The results:
Russell’s Reserve 10-Year 70, Member’s Mark Small Batch 65
Wild Turkey 101 69, Jack Daniel’s Bonded 65
Russell’s Reserve 10-Year and Wild Turkey 101 advance to the Round of 32.
Next post: The Entry Level/ Value Buys region concludes on Sunday, June 15.
You can see the entire bracket at https://challonge.com/eovaukuz/
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt
