Opening Pour
We’re now deep enough into the Round of 64 that patterns are impossible to ignore. Texture matters. Finish matters. And when a top seed shows up fully integrated at high proof, it can be devastating. This group featured one absolute hammer, a minor upset, and two matchups that were far closer than the seeding might suggest.
As always, everything below was tasted blind and scored before the reveal.
🥃 Matchup 17 — Blind
AA vs. RR
Blind Tasting Notes
AA
- Color: Light mahogany
- Nose: Rich, creamy chocolate-covered caramels with light oak and nutmeg
- Palate: Definite proof, but behind it is rich chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, light oak — dessert in a glass
- Mouthfeel: Viscous
- Finish: Warm, satisfying, all flavors linger beautifully
- Score: 92.77
RR
- Color: Mid-copper
- Nose: Oak forward, with caramel, apples, vanilla, nutmeg
- Palate: Proof present; graham cracker, tart oak, baking spice, vanilla
- Mouthfeel: Silky
- Finish: Decent; buttery notes emerge late
- Score: 80.94
Reveal & Result
- AA: Old Forester Single Barrel (#2)
- RR: Maker’s Mark 46 (#63)
✅ Winner: Old Forester Single Barrel (#2)
➡️ Advances to Round 2
Post-Matchup Thoughts
AA wasn’t just good—it was complete. Rich, layered, and unapologetically bold without losing balance. RR is a respectable pour, but this was a mismatch in depth and concentration.
What decided it:
Elite richness and a dominant finish.
🥃 Matchup 18 — Blind
V vs. ZZ
Blind Tasting Notes
V
- Color: Rich copper
- Nose: Proof and tree fruit balanced by vanilla and caramel
- Palate: Apricots lead; rich brown sugar and caramel follow
- Mouthfeel: Borderline creamy
- Finish: Fruit and sugar linger nicely
- Score: 82.57
ZZ
- Color: Light copper
- Nose: Oak and dusty peanuts with caramel underneath
- Palate: Dusty peanuts, sour cherries, brown sugar; later sips show richer brown sugar, nutmeg, buttery caramel
- Mouthfeel: Creamy
- Finish: Tart cherries lead caramel and spice; solid length
- Score: 84.09
Reveal & Result
- V: Roaming Man Rye Cask Strength (#31)
- ZZ: Penelope Marshmallow Toasted (#34)
✅ Winner: Penelope Marshmallow Toasted (#34)
➡️ Advances to Round 2
Post-Matchup Thoughts
This one tightened as it went. Early dustiness faded, and ZZ grew into itself with better creaminess and depth. V was strong, but ZZ showed more development across multiple sips.
What decided it:
Better mid-palate evolution and creamier texture.
🥃 Matchup 19 — Blind
N vs. G
Blind Tasting Notes
N
- Color: Solid copper
- Nose: Mild caramel, vanilla, slight peanuts
- Palate: Buttery caramel, nutmeg, vanilla, citrus brightness
- Mouthfeel: Solid
- Finish: Citrus, vanilla, spice linger decently
- Score: 84.03
G
- Color: Mid-copper
- Nose: Sweet vanilla, caramel, mild oak
- Palate: Heavy spice; orange zest, brown sugar, caramel behind
- Mouthfeel: Creamy
- Finish: Caramel, vanilla and spice carry well
- Score: 83.33
Reveal & Result
- N: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (#15)
- G: Kentucky Rambler Cask Strength (#50)
✅ Winner: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (#15)
➡️ Advances to Round 2
Post-Matchup Thoughts
This was tighter than expected. G brought serious spice and structure, but N’s balance of brightness and buttery sweetness gave it just enough edge.
What decided it:
More layered sweetness and better integration.
🥃 Matchup 20 — Blind
TT vs. X
Blind Tasting Notes
TT
- Color: Deep amber
- Nose: Oak forward; savory baking spice
- Palate: Brown sugar and toffee appear but muted; oak and spice dominate
- Mouthfeel: Silky
- Finish: Surprisingly strong; toffee and brown sugar shine late
- Score: 81.48
X
- Color: Mid-copper
- Nose: Slight funk; proof and tree fruit lead; muted caramel
- Palate: Surprisingly creamy; brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla
- Mouthfeel: Creamy
- Finish: Spicy and long-lasting; caramel and apples linger impressively
- Score: 85.17
Reveal & Result
- TT: Four Roses OBSK Cask Strength (#18)
- X: Still Austin Single Barrel Cask Strength (#47)
✅ Winner: Still Austin Single Barrel Cask Strength (#47)
➡️ Advances to Round 2
Post-Matchup Thoughts
This was arguably the most surprising result of the group. TT brought pedigree and oak authority, but X delivered creaminess and a finish that simply wouldn’t let go.
What decided it:
Superior mouthfeel and a longer, more expressive finish.
🔀 Second-Round Matchups Created
- Old Forester Single Barrel (#2)
vs.
Penelope Marshmallow Toasted (#34) - Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (#15)
vs.
Still Austin Single Barrel Cask Strength (#47)
Closing Reflections
One thing is becoming clear: pedigree alone doesn’t win blind brackets. Texture, integration, and finish length continue to define advancement. We’ve seen dominant performances, subtle upsets, and near coin-flips—and Round 2 is shaping up to be ruthless.
Come back on Thursday to see who advances from the next four matchups.
Note: This challenge recap is taking the place of the regularly scheduled Tasting Tuesday column. That will return on Tuesday, April 7.
