Opening Pour
We’re officially past the halfway mark of the Round of 64. By now, trends are forming. Richness is winning. Thin mouthfeel is not surviving. And high proof—when balanced—continues to separate contenders from mid-pack bottles. This group delivered a couple of dominant performances and one particularly tight battle.
Let’s get into it.
🥃 Matchup 21 — Blind
DDD vs. XX
Blind Tasting Notes
DDD
- Color: Solid copper
- Nose: Buttery toffee, nutmeg, light oak
- Palate: Toffee and oak flood the mouth; cherries, brown sugar, nutmeg create balance
- Mouthfeel: Viscous
- Finish: Cherries and spice dominate
- Score: 90.16
XX
- Color: Light copper
- Nose: Slight sour funk up front; caramel-vanilla sweetness underneath
- Palate: Dusty peanuts, sweet caramel, nutmeg
- Mouthfeel: Silky
- Finish: Caramel and spice linger longer than expected
- Score: 77.90
Reveal & Result
- DDD: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Toasted Pecan Finished (#7)
- XX: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond (#58)
✅ Winner: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Toasted Pecan Finished (#7)
➡️ Advances to Round 2
Post-Matchup Thoughts
DDD was layered and expressive from the first sip. The finish, especially, left no doubt. XX improved as it went, but never reached the same depth or richness.
What decided it:
Superior richness and a more commanding finish.
🥃 Matchup 22 — Blind
PP vs. AAA
Blind Tasting Notes
PP
- Color: Mid-copper
- Nose: Savory oak, vanilla, cinnamon baked apples
- Palate: Peaches, rich caramel, nutmeg; rye appeal
- Mouthfeel: Creamy
- Finish: Sweet and decadent; caramel leads
- Score: 84.74
AAA
- Color: Solid copper
- Nose: Brown sugar, caramel, oak
- Palate: Balanced brown sugar, caramel, chocolate, baking spice
- Mouthfeel: Decent, though slightly underwhelming for the profile
- Finish: Milk chocolate and baking spice linger nicely
- Score: 86.91
Reveal & Result
- PP: New England Barrel Company Single Barrel (#26)
- AAA: Old Forester 1897 (#39)
✅ Winner: Old Forester 1897 (#39)
➡️ Advances to Round 2
Post-Matchup Thoughts
This one was closer than the margin might suggest. PP was enjoyable and textured, but AAA delivered better balance and more complete flavor integration from nose to finish.
What decided it:
More cohesive sweetness and stronger finish structure.
🥃 Matchup 23 — Blind
II vs. GG
Blind Tasting Notes
II
- Color: Rich copper
- Nose: Milk chocolate, caramel, hint of cherry and banana
- Palate: Savory spice opens; dark chocolate and tart cherry emerge
- Mouthfeel: Borderline creamy
- Finish: Long-lasting; cocoa softens back to milk chocolate
- Score: 85.39
GG
- Color: Deep amber
- Nose: Dusty peanuts, caramel, vanilla, light oak
- Palate: Caramel and oak forward; vanilla and spice trail
- Mouthfeel: Silky
- Finish: Caramel and oak dominate
- Score: 77.58
Reveal & Result
- II: Old Forester 1920 (#10)
- GG: Old Emmer Cask Strength (#55)
✅ Winner: Old Forester 1920 (#10)
➡️ Advances to Round 2
Post-Matchup Thoughts
II offered complexity and evolution in the glass. GG was steady and classic, but lacked the dynamic development that separates advancing bottles in this bracket.
What decided it:
Greater complexity and a longer, more expressive finish.
🥃 Matchup 24 — Blind
Z vs. UU
Blind Tasting Notes
Z
- Color: Rich copper
- Nose: Creamy caramel, milk chocolate, nutmeg, light oak
- Palate: Chocolate intensifies; caramel and spice follow
- Mouthfeel: Luscious
- Finish: Dessert flavors linger impressively
- Score: 90.49
UU
- Color: Deep amber
- Nose: Cherries, caramel, oak
- Palate: Cherries, nutmeg, buttery caramel
- Mouthfeel: Luscious
- Finish: Warm toffee, cherries, spice carry nicely
- Score: 86.47
Reveal & Result
- Z: 1792 Full Proof (#23)
- UU: Smooth Ambler Old Scout (#42)
✅ Winner: 1792 Full Proof (#23)
➡️ Advances to Round 2
Post-Matchup Thoughts
This was the strongest pairing of the group. Both bottles delivered richness and mouthfeel. Z simply had more intensity and length when it mattered.
What decided it:
Higher intensity and a more commanding dessert-style finish.
🔀 Second-Round Matchups Created
- Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Toasted Pecan Finished (#7)
vs.
Old Forester 1897 (#39) - Old Forester 1920 (#10)
vs.
1792 Full Proof (#23)
Closing Reflections
Rich, dessert-forward bourbons continue to dominate this bracket. The Old Forester lineup is stacking wins. Jack Daniel’s special releases are proving dangerous. And 1792 Full Proof looks like a bottle built for tournament play.
Round 2 is about to get serious. I’ll see you on Saturday for matchups 25-28 of the first round.
Note: This challenge recap is taking the place of the regularly scheduled Bourbon Cheapskate column. That will return on Thursday, April 9.
