We’re through the first three eight-bourbon blinds of the 2025 Ultimate Sip Challenge, and we still don’t have any major upsets. The interesting thing is that I’m picking up some different flavors and notes than what I would expect, and it’s teaching me about the way I personally taste bourbons, especially in a blind setting. Today, we’ll wrap up National Bourbon Week as we go through the bottom half of the Entry-Level,Value Buys Region and determine the remainder of that region’s final eight contenders.
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 Winners (Top Half):
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, Old Forester 1910, Russell’s Reserve 10-Year, Wild Turkey 101
First Round – Entry Level/Value Buys (Bottom Half)
The first blind: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select vs. Evan Williams 1783; Angels Envy Port Finish vs. St. Augustine Straight
Glencairn #1: The color is light and simply golden. The aroma seems herbal, but that could be light oak. I also think I pick up some nutmeg here. The flavors are uncomplicated. I pick up a little tobacco and oak at the front, followed by vanilla and caramel with a little cinnamon. There might be some fruit in here, but that’s mainly in the finish. The mouthfeel is a little thin and leads to an average finish, with the classic bourbon flavors lingering. Score: 65.
Glencairn #2: There’s a nice, dark amber color, but the aromas are almost completely earthy. Maybe I’m smelling fresh cut grass with hints of savory spice. I almost think I’m smelling a hint of Tabasco. (I’m hoping that’s coming from something I ate or acid reflux.) The texture is a bit on the watery side. Some spice comes to the front of the palate and there’s some sweetness here, mostly caramel. But in the end, the earthiness reigns. Score: 64.
Glencairn #3: There’s a very light, golden color and an even lighter nose. I’m mainly picking up citrus and vanilla. The texture is pretty thin with vanilla and oak leading the way, followed by light caramel. It’s not unpleasant. There’s just not a lot here to pin down. I get a strong dose of cinnamon closing in during the finish. Score: 61.
Glencairn #4: The color isn’t the best, but it’s still a solid amber. On the other hand, the nose is definitely the best in the four-dram blind. I pick up heavy brown sugar, vanilla and bananas. All of the flavors transfer to the palate, along with some cinnamon and vanilla. This is classic bourbon. (Unless it’s Jack Daniel’s; then it’s classic Tennessee Whiskey.) The mouthfeel is better than average and leads to a warm finish where the brown sugar remains for a nice visit. Score: 71.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Angels Envy Port Finished
Glencairn #2: St. Augustine Straight
Glencairn #3: Evan Williams 1783
Glencairn #4: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
The results:
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 71, Evan Williams 1783 61
Angels Envy Port Finished 65, St. Augustine Straight 64
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select and Angels Envy Port Finished advance to the Round of 32.
The second blind: Old Forester 100-Proof vs. Maker’s Mark; Clyde May’s Special Reserve vs. Burlock & Barrel Reserve
Glencairn #1: There’s a decent amber color, but I pick up a bit too much ethanol on the nose. That’s followed by cinnamon and some earthiness. The flavor is a cinnamon bomb with bits of vanilla and caramel that follow. There might be some light tree fruit on the back end. There’s a better-than-average mouthfeel that leads to a pleasant finish with lots of that cinnamon in reserve. Score: 70.
Glencairn #2: The bourbon has a light, golden color, accompanied by an equally light nose with faint aromas of vanilla, caramel and oak. There might also be some apricot or peach here. The flavor is very fruit forward, probably those apricots, with plenty of vanilla and caramel with some nice baking spice. Again, I’m getting an above average mouthfeel with a good finish that delivers plenty of fruit. Score: 65.
Glencairn #3: The color is solid amber color, and I treated to a nice aroma of brown sugar, apple and dark chocolate. There’s some definite heat here, so I think I’m dealing with a higher proof whiskey. The mouthfeel is silky, and the flavors lead with thick cinnamon, brown sugar and chocolate. And there’s definitely fruit here. I’m initially thinking cherries, but it could be apples. The taste is very nicely balanced. The viscosity carries the flavor into a decent finish of spiced fruit. Score: 70.
Glencairn #4: The color is very nice (maybe the best of the day), but the nose is solid hay and leather. There’s little, if any, sweetness in the aroma. That sweetness shows up on the palate with some vanilla, caramel and red fruit, accompanied by a little oak. The mouthfeel is a bit thin, and the finish doesn’t last long, but the fruit is the last thing I taste. Score: 64.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Old Forester 100-Proof
Glencairn #2: Maker’s Mark
Glencairn #3: Clyde May’s Special Reserve
Glencairn #4: Burlock and Barrel Reserve
The results:
Old Forester 100-Proof 70, Maker’s Mark 65
Clyde May’s Special Reserve 70, Burlock and Barrel Reserve 64
Old Forester 100-Proof and Clyde May’s Special Reserve advance to the Round of 32.
Next post: We start the Enthusiast Level Dreams Region on Tuesday, June 17.
You can see the entire bracket at https://challonge.com/eovaukuz/
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt
