As we approach the last phase of the first round of our inaugural Ultimate Sip Challenge, we reach the end of our third region, which presents some of our tastiest drams to date. Our subsitute bourbon in the Enthusiast Level Drams region – the Four Roses Single Barrel OESK – makes its appearance one of today’s blinds. And after today, we’ll only have two more tasting posts before we reach a very interesting and challenging second round. Let’s get started!
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 Winners:
Bank Street Straight Vault Edition, Old Forester 1920, Seelbach’s 8-Year Cask Strength, Wild Turkey Rare Breed
First Round – Enthusiast Level Drams (Bottom Half)
The first blind: Jack Daniel’s Toasted Pecan vs. Benchmark Full Proof; Old Emmer Cask Strength vs. Four Roses Single Barrel OESK
Glencairn #1: Lovely solid amber color. A bit of ethanol leads on the nose, followed by the classic bourbon notes of vanilla and caramel. I think there’s some citrus in there, too. The creamy mouthfeel is very nice, and it carries those same classic flavors, joined by some baking spice. I think I’m picking up a little chocolate as well. The finish isn’t lengthy, but it’s delicious, with some fruit developing on the back end. Score: 69.
Glencairn #2: The color is very rich, light copper. It’s complex, and I’m not sure, but I think I’m getting oak and smoke, followed by apples. The fruit jumps out on the palate, but I think it tastes more like spiced pears here. It’s a little oaky, but it’s still delicious as the oak gives way to the fruit, spice and some vanilla. The creamy mouthfeel leads to a strong finish where the spice lingers. Score: 69.
Glencairn #3: The color on this one is beautiful and rich, almost light mahogany. My nose is picking up chocolate, banana and caramel. The flavors are delicious as I’m tasting a nutty chocolate banana, maybe even topped with whipped cream. (Code: Dessert in a glass!) I could curl up with this one in a soft chair and a blanket – it’s more than worth the price of admission. Score: 80.
Glencairn #4: We’re back to a pleasing, copper appearance and a fruit forward nose led by apples, pears and cinnamon. The flavors aren’t complicated, but they’re delicious. The alcohol jumps in the way just a bit but quickly gives way to tree fruit, brown sugar and a bit of baking spice. The mouthfeel is decent, as is the finish which lasts just long enough to enjoy one more bit of fruit. Score: 70.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Four Roses Single Barrel OESK
Glencairn #2: Benchmark Full Proof
Glencairn #3: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan Finished
Glencairn #4: Old Emmer Cask Strength
The results:
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan Finished 80, Benchmark Full Proof 69
Old Emmer Cask Strength 70, Four Roses Single Barrel OESK 69
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan Finished and Old Emmer Cask Strength advance to the Round of 32.
The second blind: John J. Bowman Single Barrel vs. Garrison Brothers Single Barrel; High West Rum Cask vs. Yellowstone Hand Picked Single Barrel
Glencairn #1: All four of these have great color, and this one starts the blind with some nice copper. The nose is rich with brown sugar and toffee, maybe with some nutmeg on the back end. Those are exactly the flavors that jump out of the gate, with some oak to balance the palate. I think there’s more cinnamon than nutmeg here, and the rich mouthfeel leads to a satisfying finish where the warm sugar closes the deal. Score: 75.
Glencairn #2: There’s deep amber color, joined by aromas of sweet vanilla sugar and mild baking spice. There’s a good bit of oak up front on the palate, but it gives way to delicious toffee and cinnamon. There might be a little tobacco in here, but the thick sugar is the hero. The finish is warm and delicious, with some tart tree fruit fading after a minute or so. Score: 71.
Glencairn #3: The color here is beautiful – light mahogany. But the aroma is solidly earthy, with traces of cedar, leather and tobacco. There’s really nothing sweet going on in this nose. Some sweetness shows up on the palate, but all of those aromas are also there, so this is a bit of a complicated pour. There’s definitely some vanilla and brown sugar, but it’s a funky dram. If I’m right, this is the Garrison Brothers bourbon. The finish is a bit long, but that keeps that weird mix in play longer than I’d like. Score: 68.
Glencairn #4: More solid amber color greets the eyes, followed by wafts of bright citrus and light vanilla. The flavor is bright and sweet, but the texture is a little more watery than the other three drams. There’s some nice spice, largely cinnamon, and I can still pick up some citrus. The finish is nice, but light, with the spice leading the way home. Score: 70.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: John J. Bowman Single Barrel
Glencairn #2: Yellowstone Hand Picked Single Barrel
Glencairn #3: Garrison Brothers Single Barrel
Glencairn #4: High West Rum Cask
The results:
John J. Bowman Single Barrel 75, Garrison Brothers Single Barrel 68
Yellowstone Hand Picked Single Barrel 71, High West Rum Cask 70
John J. Bowman Single Barrel and Yellowstone Hand Picked Single Barrel advance to the Round of 32.
Next post: We start our final region – Solid Everyday Sippers – on Sunday, June 22.
You can see the entire bracket at https://challonge.com/eovaukuz/
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt
