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, Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan Finished, John J. Bowman Single Barrel, Old Emmer Cask Strength, Old Forester 1920, Seelbach’s 8-Year Cask Strength, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Yellowstone Hand Picked Single Barrel
First Round Solid Everyday Sippers Winners:
Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition, Four Roses Single Barrel OESO, High West Chardonnay Cask, Old Forester 1897
First Round – Solid Everyday Sippers (Bottom Half)
The first blind: Bulleit Bottled in Bond vs. Buffalo Trace; 1792 Single Barrel vs. Benchmark Single Barrel
Glencairn #1: At first glance, all four of these glasses have extremely similar color. This one is a decent amber, and the aroma is light and fruity with a touch of smokey oak. The flavor is equally fruity but also a bit spicy, with a solid dose of baking spice to back up what I think is apples and maybe grapes. There’s a light finish where the fruit leads the spice on the way out. Score: 68.
Glencairn #2: The color is a bit lighter than #1 but is still a decent amber. On the nose, there are light bits of vanilla and caramel with a smidge of oak. On the palate, cinnamon jumps quickly out of the gate and stays throughout, joined by classic bourbon flavors, including more oak. The mouthfeel is soft and lingering, with the spice hanging around longer than expected. Score: 69.
Glencairn #3: More solid amber color and a bolder nose than the first two glasses. This one carries some pleasant oak, but stronger waves of classic vanilla and caramel. There’s a richer sweetness here, and I’m thinking that brown sugar is the hero, with cinnamon, vanilla and caramel playing a supporting role, aided by just a bit of oak. There’s also some fruit here – apples, I think. The mouthfeel is just shy of creamy, and the finish seems like it wants to start mildly, but then moves some nice baking spice in to seal the deal. Score: 70.
Glencairn #4: A slightly darker amber color is present, and there are solid aromas here, led by rich baking spice, some savory oak and light vanilla. The flavor is solidly spicy, with cinnamon, nutmeg and maybe some white pepper. It’s nicely sweet, as the sweetness and spice being are held in close balance, with brown sugar bringing just enough sweetness. There is a medium-level finish, with the brown sugar and cinnamon closing things out. Score: 72.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: 1792 Single Barrel
Glencairn #2: Benchmark Single Barrel
Glencairn #3: Buffalo Trace
Glencairn #4: Bulleit Bottled in Bond
The results:
Bulleit Bottled in Bond 72, Buffalo Trace 70
Benchmark Single Barrel 69, 1792 Single Barrel 68
Bulleit Bottled in Bond and Benchmark Single Barrel advance to the Round of 32.
The second blind: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond vs. George Dickel Bottled in Bond; Chattanooga Bottled in Bond vs. Old Grand-Dad 114
Glencairn #1: Solid copper color leads to pleasant aromas of baking spice, vanilla and toffee, plus some hints of oak. The flavor of sweet, brown sugar cinnamon is immediate on the palate, with just a touch of oak to balance things. The creamy mouthfeel helps secure a nice, lingering finish where the brown sugar and spice compete for a delicious finish. Score: 74.
Glencairn #2: Richer, copper color gives me hope for an enjoyable dram, but the aroma is unusual. Oak? Warm sugar? Savory spice? I think I pick all of them up in turn. A creamy sip reveals all of these things, but it’s brown sugar and nutmeg that seem to lead the way. The spice is there, too, but I think there are traces of red fruit, as well. The finish is long and satisfying with the sugary spice hanging around for quite a while. Score: 78.
Glencairn #3: More solid copper greets the eye, and a burst of aroma hits the nose. Unfortunately, I think some of it is ethanol, but behind that there seems to be spiced fruit – maybe cinnamon apple? The flavor is almost like Big Red gum, but that apple is also there, along with some rich brown sugar. This is almost syrupy, and it’s 100 percent delicious. The proof seems high, so I’m wondering if it’s the Old Grand-Dad. The finish is less than expected but is still decent, with some tastes of tart apple lingering. Score: 77.
Glencairn #4: We finish this foursome with light copper and sweet aromas of pear and light baking spice. OK, so maybe THIS is the Old Grand-Dad. It’s rich and spicy, with brown sugar and cinnamon flood the mouth. It’s not exactly complex, but it doesn’t have to be. The flavors are good enough to succeed with just classic bourbon goodness. The finish hangs in there for a nice, long while. Score: 75.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: George Dickel Bottled in Bond
Glencairn #2: Chattanooga Bottled in Bond
Glencairn #3: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond
Glencairn #4: Old Grand-Dad 114
The results:
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 77, George Dickel Bottled in Bond 74
Chattanooga Bottled in Bond 78, Old Grand-Dad 114 75
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond and Chattanooga Bottled in Bond advance to the Round of 32.
Next post: We start our second round with the top eight of the High-Proof/High-Value region on Thursday, June 26.
You can see the entire bracket at https://challonge.com/eovaukuz/
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt
