The deeper we go, the less room there is for flaws. These matchups featured heavy hitters — some expected, some surprising — and at least one result that might raise eyebrows. Chocolate, caramel, cherries and oak continue to dominate the flavor landscape. But integration is what’s deciding who moves on.

Let’s get into it.

🥃 Matchup 9 — Blind

E vs. R

Blind Tasting Notes

E

• Color: Mahogany
• Nose: Proof up front, then caramel, oak, cherries, chocolate and nutmeg
• Palate: Chocolate early, joined by dry oak, creamy caramel and nutmeg
• Mouthfeel: Rich and steady
• Finish: Long and sweet; tart oak lingers last
• Score: 87.89

R

• Color: Light mahogany
• Nose: Oak dominant; savory caramel and baking spice behind
• Palate: Buttery toffee, oak, cardamom and caramel
• Mouthfeel: Nicely viscous
• Finish: Tart cherries and baking spice
• Score: 83.98

Reveal & Result

E: Old Forester Single Barrel (#2)
R: Penelope Marshmallow Toasted (#34)

✅ Winner: Old Forester Single Barrel (#2)
➡️ Advances to Round 3

Post-Matchup Thoughts

Both bottles brought richness, but E felt more complete. The layered chocolate and caramel integration gave it the edge.

What decided it:
More cohesive structure and longer finish.

🥃 Matchup 10 — Blind

FF vs. N

Blind Tasting Notes

FF

• Color: Mid-copper
• Nose: Chocolate, caramel, cardamom
• Palate: Cinnamon, creamy caramel, rich chocolate and cherries
• Mouthfeel: Creamy
• Finish: Wonderful; tart cherries, chocolate and oak lead
• Score: 88.97

N

• Color: Solid copper
• Nose: Buttery toffee, nutmeg, mild oak
• Palate: Cinnamon, butterscotch, caramel and oak
• Mouthfeel: Creamy and adhesive
• Finish: Spice and toffee carry through
• Score: 87.02

Reveal & Result

FF: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (#15)
N: Still Austin Single Barrel Cask Strength (#47)

✅ Winner: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (#15)
➡️ Advances to Round 3

Post-Matchup Thoughts

This was a strong pairing. N was impressive, but FF had a touch more complexity and fruit-driven depth.

What decided it:
Chocolate-cherry layering and finish definition.

🥃 Matchup 11 — Blind

O vs. S

Blind Tasting Notes

O

• Color: Beautiful mahogany
• Nose: Buttery caramel, nutmeg, cherries and oak
• Palate: Creamy caramel, cinnamon, oak and cherries
• Mouthfeel: Creamy and dessert-like
• Finish: Cherries and cinnamon linger beautifully
• Score: 91.36

S

• Color: Dark copper
• Nose: Caramel apples and savory baking spice
• Palate: Ethanol early; brown sugar, cherries and caramel
• Mouthfeel: Slightly thin
• Finish: Tart cherries and caramel
• Score: 82.03

Reveal & Result

O: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Toasted Pecan (#7)
S: Old Forester 1897 (#39)

✅ Winner: Jack Daniel’s Toasted Pecan (#7)
➡️ Advances to Round 3

Post-Matchup Thoughts

This one wasn’t close. O delivered a full dessert profile with structure and weight. S never quite found its footing in comparison.

What decided it:
Creaminess and dominant dessert profile.

🥃 Matchup 12 — Blind

Q vs. V

Blind Tasting Notes

Q

• Color: Deep copper
• Nose: Proof and oak masking apples, cinnamon and vanilla
• Palate: Creamy caramel, cinnamon apples and light oak
• Mouthfeel: Warm and steady
• Finish: Spice and creamy caramel linger
• Score: 83.22

V

• Color: Rich copper
• Nose: Ethanol early, then brown sugar, butterscotch, nutmeg and chocolate
• Palate: Brown sugar, buttery caramel, cinnamon and tart cherries
• Mouthfeel: Creamy
• Finish: Cherries and cinnamon dominate
• Score: 88.21

Reveal & Result

Q: Old Forester 1920 (#10)
V: 1792 Full Proof (#23)

✅ Winner: 1792 Full Proof (#23)
➡️ Advances to Round 3

Post-Matchup Thoughts

Q was solid, but V was louder, sweeter and more commanding. Once it settled in, the richness separated it from the field.

What decided it:
Intensity and superior finish presence.

🔀 Round 3 Matchups Created

Old Forester Single Barrel (#2)
vs.
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (#15)

Jack Daniel’s Toasted Pecan (#7)
vs.
1792 Full Proof (#23)

Closing Reflections

At this stage, nothing sneaks through. Richness and balance continue to dominate. The Old Forester lineup is thinning but still dangerous. Jack Daniel’s special releases remain formidable. And 1792 Full Proof looks increasingly comfortable in tournament play.

The Sweet 16 is taking shape.