This is almost the end, and I’m kind of happy about that, but also a little unhappy. I’ve enjoyed sampling most of the bottles on my shelf, and I’ve also enjoyed developing my nose and palate for the best type of whiskey on the planet. Honestly, there’s nothing in the universe like bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, and gaining an appreciation for what makes it wonderful is a noble pursuit. Today, we’re down the my top eight bottles, and I’m more than a little surprised that Old Forester makes up half of this round, while Jack Daniel’s is a quarter of the drams. Only Elijah Craig and Heaven Hill stand in the way of an all-Old Forester finale, and all-Jack Daniel’s showdown or a combination of the two. If nothing else, I’ve found that I have an affinity for those two Brown-Forman distilleries, though I look forward to learning more other sip-worthy outlets. The contenders in my first blind have been decanted and are sitting, waiting for me to sample them, so I should stop prattling on here and get to the tasting!

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

Very Sweet Sixteen Enthusiast Level Drams Winners:

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan, Old Forester 1920

Very Sweet Sixteen Solid Everyday Sippers Winners:

Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond

Fourth Round – Elite Eight (Drams) – High-Proof/High-Value and Entry-Level/Value Buys Regions

The blind: Old Forester Single Barrel vs. Old Forester 1924; Old Forester 1910 vs. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select

Glencairn #1: There lovely, rich copper in the glass, and my first aromas of the day are full of sweet caramel, dark chocolate and cherries. The taste is sweet and satisfying, with hints of banana joining the previously mentioned flavors at the party. I’ll say it again –”Dessert in a glass.” Pour this on my next ice cream sundae. The finish is delicious brown sugar and cinnamon. Score: 90.

Glencairn #2: More nice color starts this experience – light copper – and the aroma is solid bananas and caramel. The bananas continue into the palate, along with notes of vanilla, caramel and milk chocolate. It’s not quite “Dessert in a Glass,” but it’s very close. I could sip on this one any day of the week. There’s a silky mouthfeel, and a sweet and fruity finish, albeit with a touch of tartness. Score: 85.

Glencairn #3: Proof instantly jumps out at the nose, but a second inhale reveals waves of dark chocolate, caramel and red fruit. There’s a lot of spice at the front end of this tasting, but I’m guessing that’s more high-proof than rye spice. Once the heat calms down a bit, cherries and chocolate flood the mouth and tell me, once again, that I have “Dessert in a Glass.” The only problem is that there’s such a high proof that it would melt the ice cream too quickly. This one is creamy and delivers a long, enjoyable finish with plenty of cinnamon and brown sugar. Score: 91.

Glencairn #4: This color is the best of the blind – port wine masquerading as bourbon. This blind is Old Forester heavy, and I’m certain this is part of that family because all of the previous aromas are here. Bananas, caramel, chocolate, cherries. Need I say it. (Yes, this will be “Dessert in a Glass.”) The mouthfeel isn’t exactly creamy, but it’s still pretty decadent, with flavors of cinnamon, cherries, chocolate and caramel blending into a beautiful blend. The cinnamon joins some brown sugar in a satisfying finish. Score: 91.

Thoughts about the blind: I don’t like to guess which whiskey is in which glass, but I’m convinced that #2 is Jack Daniel’s and #4 is Old Forester 1924. The proof on #3 tells me that’s the single barrel, which leaves #1 as 1910. If that’s the case, we lose a serious contender in the first pairing, because those were my favorites here. Let’s see if the unveiling proves me right or wrong.

The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Old Forester 1924
Glencairn #2: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Glencairn #3: Old Forester Single Barrel
Glencairn #4: Old Forester 1910

The results:
Old Forester Single Barrel 91, Old Forester 1924 90
Old Forester 1910 91, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 85

Old Forester Single Barrel and Old Forester 1910 advance to the Final Four.

Fourth Round – Elite Eight (Drams) – Enthusiast Level Drams and Solid Everyday Sippers Regions

The blind: Old Forester 1920 vs. Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan; Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition vs. Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond

Glencairn #1: Lovely mahogany color starts this blind, and some oak starts the nosing, followed by buttery, sugary notes. Buttery brown sugar joins a nice touch of baking spice, balanced by a bit of oak. This is nicely complex and delicious, and the creamy mouthfeel leads to a finish where all of the flavors linger for a sweet experience. Score: 90.

Glencairn #2: This color is unbeatable – mahogany mixed with red wine. I’m picking up aromas of caramel, banana and chocolate balanced with just the righ amount of oak. Chocolate floods my mouth on the taste, mixed with cinnamon, banana and caramel. I can’t get enough of this dram. The finish is largely driven by brown sugar. I want this to be my nightly pour. Score: 93.

Glencairn #3: More wine (color) in the glass, with brown sugar and cherries on the nose. Those flavors are joined by cinnamon and caramel on the plate. Dessert, anyone? The mouthfeel is absolutely creamy, and the brown sugar finish (with hints of cherry) is wonderfully decadent. Score: 91.

Glencairn #4: The final dram of the Elite Eight (Drams) is lighter than the others, and yet it’s still deep copper and appealing to the eyes. While the other samples have led with sweetness, this one is leading with oak and vanilla, with maybe a touch of baking spice. The flavor is simply delicious, challenging my palate with touches of toasted oak, sweet brown sugar, baking spice and maybe a touch of tree fruit. This one can be sipped all day, every day. The finish is a bit sour, but not in a bad way. Score: 91.

Thoughts about the blind: This one will be maybe the most difficult blind of all. Tiny differences will make the decisions between who moves ahead and who is left behind. I’m pretty sure about which one is the best – #2, which I’m certain is the Jack Daniel’s Pecan. Other than that, I’m in the weeds here. I just know that the winner will have a shot at winning the whole competition.

The unveiling:
Glencairn #1: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond
Glencairn #2: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan
Glencairn #3: Old Forester 1920
Glencairn #4: Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition

The results:
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan 93, Old Forester 1920 91
Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition 91, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 90

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Pecan and Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Edition advance to the Elite Eight.

Next post: We reach the end of our inaugural journey with our Final Four and Championship showdown on Sunday, July 13.

You can see the entire bracket at https://challonge.com/eovaukuz/

Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt