We’re getting very close to the end of our inaugural Ultimate Sip Challenge, and you’re probably picking up a clear theme in my preferred flavor profile. Three of the first four quarterfinalists are named “Old Forester,” and the other one is named “Jack Daniel’s.” In today’s first regional semifinal, we have the distinct possibility that two whiskeys with those names could join the others in the Elite Eight. I’m really excited about the Solid Everyday Sippers Region because none of those contenders are related to Old Forester or Jack Daniel’s, so we’re guaranteed to have at least one dram in the Final Four that could play a spoiler to Brown-Forman.
Very Sweet Sixteen High-Proof/High-Value Winners:
Old Forester 1924, Old Forester Single Barrel
Very Sweet Sixteen Entry-Level/Value Buys Winners:
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select, Old Forester 1910
Third Round – Very Sweet Sixteen – Enthusiast Level Drams Region
The blind: Old Forester 1920 vs. Seelbach’s 8-Year Cask Strength; Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan vs. Yellowstone Single Barrel Hand Picked
Glencairn #1: We start out with some lovely mahogany color and aromas of toasted oak, banana and caramel. I’m getting all of that in the taste, plus some wonderful chocolate notes. I could pour this stuff on pancakes. There’s a finish that I don’t want to go away, so I’m grateful that it lingers for a couple of minutes. Score: 92.
Glencairn #2: The deep color continues with some solid copper, and I’m picking up sweet tree fruit, vanilla and caramel on the nose. There’s a variety of baking spice on the palate – cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice – plus some delicious notes of caramel apples. I can’t quite pour it on pancakes, but I’ll pour it in a Glencairn any day of the week. A warm, spiced finish locks in a solid dram. Score: 89.
Glencairn #3: The color ebbs back to a light copper, and the aroma is lighter, as well. There’s definitely something there, but it’s not as pronounced as the others. I think I’m getting traditional notes of vanilla and caramel plus a little tree fruit. The taste is a little oak-forward, but pretty quickly some nice cinnamon and fruit join the party, followed by brown sugar. The silky mouthfeel leans into that brown sugar and some cinnamon. Score: 89.
Glencairn #4: Solid color and aroma returns with this glass. I’m seeing nice mahogany and smelling brown sugar and fruit – maybe berries. More pancake syrup here, with rich brown sugar, cinnamon and cherries. It’s simply delicious. The finish is strong, which makes me very happy. Score: 83.
Thoughts about the blind: The top two in this blind are clear –Glencairns #1 and #4. I just hope they’re not going up against each other. I really like the other two, but there’s a clear difference between the top, the middle and the bottom.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan
Glencairn #2: Seelbach’s 8-Year Cask Strength
Glencairn #3: Yellowstone Single Barrel Hand Picked
Glencairn #4: Old Forester 1920
The results:
Old Forester 1920 92, Seelbach 8-Year Cask Strength 89
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan 91, Yellowstone Single Barrel Hand Picked 83
Old Forester 1920 and Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan advance to the Elite Eight.
Third Round – Very Sweet Sixteen – Solid Everyday Sippers Region
The blind: Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition vs. High West Chardonnay Cask; Bulleit Bottled in Bond vs. Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond
Glencairn #1: Deep copper starts the blind, and a touch of ethanol jumps at the nose, though it’s fleeting, and classic aromas of caramel and vanilla ultimately dominate, backed by a hint of oak. That oak leads the taste, but again gets out of the way to allow lovely brown sugar, apples and cinnamon to flood the mouth. The texture is warm and soft, as is the finish, where cinnamon and brown sugar drive me home. Score: 87.
Glencairn #2: Beautiful mahogany color is in the glass, while aromas of tree fruit, brown sugar and vanilla waft to my nose. A burst of baking spice – primarily cinnamon – leap out at the palate, backed by creamy brown sugar and sweet cherries. There’s a bit of tart fruit that leads the finish, though there’s a bit of sweetness that seems to want to make itself known, too. Score: 87.
Glencairn #3: The color is light copper, and there’s something a bit savory about the leading aromas in this dram. Any time I detect this, I default to oak, but it might be a touch of tobacco. There’s also notes of vanilla. and maybe nutmeg. This is a nicely complex dram, as a mixture of baking spice hits the palate, followed by brown sugar and a bit of oak. The finish is equally complex, almost like a brown sugar Sweet Tart. Score: 89.
Glencairn #4: The last dram of the Very Sweet Sixteen has the lightest color of the blind – still a nice solid copper – and the sweetest nose. I’m picking up butterscotch and brown sugar. The flavor leads with those same flavors, with added boost coming from cinnamon and caramel. The mouthfeel might be the best in the blind, and the finish is delightful, as warm, buttery notes combine with the brown sugar and cinnamon to close the round. Score: 88.
Thoughts about the blind: I have no clue as to who is moving forward and who’s going back on the shelf. Every one of these drams was excellent, and I’d be happy to have any of them in my glass at the end of the day.
The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Bulleit Bottled in Bond
Glencairn #2: High West Chardonnay Cask
Glencairn #3: Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition
Glencairn #4: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond
The results:
Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition 89, High West Chardonnay Cask 87
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 88, Bulleit Bottled in Bond 87
Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition and Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond advance to the Elite Eight.
Next post: We find out who will comprise our Final Four as we complete the Elite Eight on Thursday, July 10.
You can see the entire bracket at https://challonge.com/eovaukuz/
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt
