If last week’s half of the Sweet Sixteen was a slugfest, this round was more like a master class in contrasts — sweet against spicy, classic profiles versus boundary-pushers. Every pour carried its own story, from the leather-and-vanilla depth of a seasoned favorite to the banana-split sweetness of a newcomer determined to prove it belonged.

The further this bracket goes, the harder the blinds get. At this point, I’m second-guessing my guesses more than my taste buds. A few of these bottles are so familiar that calling them “blind” almost feels dishonest — and yet, a surprising twist or two still found its way into the mix.

Blind #11

The Contenders:
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky (2) vs. Evan Williams Single Barrel 2015 (18)
Square 6 Kentucky Straight Bourbon High Rye (7) vs. Weller Special Reserve (10)

Glencairn A:
Color: Solid amber.
Nose: A little dusty up front. There’s a little leather that leads, backed by vanilla. Some soft baking spice trails.
Palate: It’s a bit oakey, but there’s still a little sweetness in the mix. I’m getting some light red fruit matched with some vanilla and caramel. The mouthfeel is on the silky side.
Finish: The cherries turn toward the sour side, while the oak hangs on a bit and the caramel lingers.
Score: 72.8

Glencairn B:
Color: Dark amber.
Nose: It’s very sweet, almost like grape candy, but with some rich vanilla and caramel behind it.
Palate: The creamy vanilla and caramel start the taste, with some light oak and baking spice trailing. There are some apples in here, too, just to keep things sweet.
Finish: The flavors were so nice, but they fade far too quickly. Some tart apples and light vanilla are most noticeable.
Score: 75.0

Glencairn C:
Color: Light mahogany.
Nose: Bananas jump out quickly ahead of warm, brown sugar, caramel and oak. This smells delicious.
Palate: The flavors transfer directly to the palate. It’s like drinking a banana split — bananas, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and maybe even a cherry on top.
Finish: The syrupy mouthfeel keeps the flavors pinned on the tongue longer than you’d expect from most low-proof bourbons. Sour cherries emerge, met by caramel and vanilla.
Score: 86.4

Glencairn D:
Color: Light copper.
Nose: I recognize this instantly. Leather and fresh-baked bread with some light vanilla and baking spice.
Palate: Sweetness appears instantly — brown sugar, but chased quickly by bread and leather. Then the brown sugar comes back with a dose of cinnamon and vanilla. The flavors compete a bit with the oakiness, but the mouthfeel has a nice oiliness.
Finish: Brown sugar and vanilla lead the oak. It’s decent on the back end and lingers for a while.
Score: 78.5

Thoughts about the blind:
I’ll eat a Glencairn if I don’t know which one is which. Other than that, I’ll let the scores speak for themselves.

The Reveal:
Glencairn A: Evan Williams Single Barrel 2015
Glencairn B: Weller Special Reserve
Glencairn C: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Glencairn D: Square 6 Kentucky Straight Bourbon High Rye

The Results:
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky (86.4) def. Evan Williams Single Barrel 2015 (72.8)
Square 6 Kentucky Straight Bourbon High Rye (78.5) def. Weller Special Reserve (75.0)

Advancing:
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky and Square 6 Kentucky Straight Bourbon High Rye advance to the Elite Eight.

Blind #12

The Contenders:
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 McLXJD 2025 (30) vs. Buffalo Trace Barrel Select (19)
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon (6) vs. Angel’s Envy Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels (11)

Glencairn A:
Color: Light copper.
Nose: There’s oak up front, but I’m also picking up apples, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Palate: Waves of creamy caramel, vanilla and allspice lead a balance of oak.
Finish: The finish fades too quickly, but while it’s there, it’s very tasty. A sourness creeps in toward the end.
Score: 75.3

Glencairn B:
Color: Deep amber.
Nose: The aromas are a bit light, but very sweet. Apples jump out up front, followed by toffee, vanilla, oak and ethanol.
Palate: The apples are still there, but are more prominent, with some strong brown sugar and cinnamon following closely.
Finish: The spice is the hero, but oak and a bit of toffee trail behind.
Score: 76.0

Glencairn C:
Color: Solid amber.
Nose: Fruit-forward — apples, nutmeg and toffee.
Palate: Buttery notes emerge here, along with brown sugar, cinnamon, caramel and oak. The mouthfeel is silky.
Finish: Things get a bit sour as the flavors fade, which is on the quick side.
Score: 76.6

Glencairn D:
Color: Honey golden.
Nose: Bananas jump out instantly, overwhelming everything else except a hint of butterscotch.
Palate: Bananas and butterscotch dominate, joined later by cinnamon and a touch of caramel.
Finish: Thinner mouthfeel, quick fade. Cinnamon and butterscotch linger faintly.
Score: 73.9

Thoughts about the blind:
This one was far less predictable than the first round. The only one I was sure of was D, which I’m positive is the McLaren. I doubt it will win, but it held its own longer than I would have expected.

The Reveal:
Glencairn A: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon
Glencairn B: Buffalo Trace Barrel Select
Glencairn C: Angel’s Envy Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels
Glencairn D: Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 McLXJD 2025

The Results:
Buffalo Trace Barrel Select (76.0) def. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 McLXJD 2025 (73.9)
Angel’s Envy Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels (76.6) def. Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon (75.3)

Advancing:
Buffalo Trace Barrel Select and Angel’s Envy Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels advance to the Elite Eight.

The Elite Eight

Old Forester 117 Series 1910 Extra Extra Old Bourbon
Elijah Craig 2025 PGA Championship Edition
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Sleight of Hand
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Square 6 Kentucky Straight Bourbon High Rye
Buffalo Trace Barrel Select
Angel’s Envy Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels

Coming Next Week

The heavyweights have arrived.
From the double-oaked decadence of Old Forester 117: 1910 Extra Extra Old to the port-finished elegance of Angel’s Envy, the next round promises fireworks — and maybe a few upsets. Will tradition triumph, or will innovation sneak through the back door?

Next week’s matchups will set the stage for the Final Four, and every drop will count. Stay tuned — things are about to get deliciously intense.

Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.