We are halfway through our inaugural Ultimate Sip Challenge, and the first two regions have set up a very tasty second round. Meanwhile, we start today the third region – the Enthusiast Level Dram region. There is a change in this region from my original post, as Four Roses Single Barrel OESK will be replacing Brothers Bond Cask Strength, largely because the OESK ranks higher in my initial rankings and because my bottle of Brothers Bond is unlikely to have enough to complete this competition (should it advance). The eight bourbons in today’s blinds hold a lot of promise, so I’m looking forward to jumping in and putting together some tasting notes!
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:
Angels Envy Port Finished, Clyde May’s Special Reserve, Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select, Old Forester 100, Old Forester 1910, Russell’s Reserve 10-Year, Wild Turkey 101
First Round – Enthusiast Level Drams (Top Half)
The first blind: Old Forester 1920 vs. Evan Williams Single Barrel 2015; Bank Street Straight Vault Edition vs. Wild Turkey 101 8-Year
Glencairn #1: Decent, light amber color. The aroma is also a bit light, but I’m picking up some savory spice, maybe pepper and coriander, along with a bit of vanilla. There’s definitely spice and vanilla on the palate. The flavor is pleasantly sweet and just a little bit peppery. I’m not getting a lot of depth, but there’s a bit of viscosity and a mid-level finish where the sweetness lingers. Score: 65.
Glencairn #2: The color is very rich, light copper. The aromas are also thick, with waves of brown sugar, cinnamon, cherries and I think some chocolate. Spice jumps out right away on the first sip, and sweet cinnamon joins caramel in the mouth. This feels very nice in the mouth, and there’s a finish with sweet fruit and spice that lingers for a couple of minutes. Score: 73.
Glencairn #3: This one is beautiful to the senses, starting with the eyes. There’s a deep, copper color in the glass, and the nose picks up strong aromas of fruit, maybe cherries and apples. The flavor is a chocolate-covered cherry – dessert in a glass. This is sweet and decadent with some added baking spice, maybe nutmeg. The mouthfeel is creamy, and the finish is long, spicy and fruity. Score: 79.
Glencairn #4: The amber color is attractive, but the aromas are odd. I’m picking up a nuttiness and, dare I say, dill. That’s unexpected from any bourbon. A sip reveals a sweetness that’s relieves my concern about dill whiskey, but there’s definitely an herbal quality here. The nuttiness is also on the palate. Overall, it’s not a bad dram. It has a silky mouthfeel and a medium finish where the spice carries me home. Score: 71.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Evan Williams Single Barrel 2015
Glencairn #2: Bank Street Straight Vault Edition
Glencairn #3: Old Forester 1920
Glencairn #4: Wild Turkey 101 8-year
The results:
Old Forester 1920 79, Evan Williams Single Barrel 2015 65
Bank Street Straight Vault Edition 73, Wild Turkey 101 8-year 69
Old Forester 1920 and Bank Street Straight Vault Edition advance to the Round of 32.
The second blind: Wild Turkey Rare Breed vs. Eagle Rare 10-year; Seelbach 8-Year Cask Strength vs. Weller Special Reserve
Glencairn #1: The color is rich amber, and the nose is prominent with caramel and savory spice. The palate is enjoyable with rich flavors of vanilla, oak, chocolate and coffee. The mouthfeel is solid and helps complete a finish that develops into a sweet, lingering spice. Score: 73.
Glencairn #2: I’m seeing a solid amber color, and I’m smelling bright, sweet fruit, maybe grapes and apples. The flavor is extremely fruit forward and a bit oaky, with traces of vanilla and caramel. The soft mouthfeel delivers a pleasant finish where the fruit continues to build for a bit before fading. Score: 68.
Glencairn #3: Both the color and aroma are almost identical to #2. Nice amber color and very fruity nose appeal. There’s less oak and more fruit on the palate, and I want to say grapes but it might be apples, or maybe both. Other flavors like vanilla and cinnamon are standing in line behind the fruit. The mouthfeel is a bit lighter, but the finish is similar with the fruit hanging on for a while. Score: 68.
Glencairn #4: The color here is solid amber, and the nose is interesting. I get aromas of oak and tobacco with traces of toffee and maybe a touch of mint. The sip delivers chocolate, caramel and maybe a bit of cherry. It’s spicy and rich, with a creamy mouthfeel that carries me into a beautiful finish where the spice and chocolate linger for a dessert-like experience. Score: 74.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Glencairn #2: Weller Special Reserve
Glencairn #3: Eagle Rare 10-Year
Glencairn #4: Seelbach 8-Year Cask Strength
The results:
Wild Turkey Rare Breed 71, Eagle Rare 10-Year 68
Seelbach 8-Year Cask Strength 74, Weller Special Reserve 68
Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Seelbach 8-Year Cask Strength advance to the Round of 32.
Next post: The Enthusiast Level Drams Region concludes on Thursday, June 19.
You can see the entire bracket at https://challonge.com/eovaukuz/
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt
