Cathead Old Soul Single Barrel Bourbon - Liquor Barn
MGP 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Barley | 109 Proof | 4.5 Years | Barrel 16B29-9
Liquor Barn selected 2 Cathead High Rye Bourbon barrels in 2020 That were barreled in 2016 - this one and D19-10. I don’t know if, or how long the barrel may have aged at Cathead in Mississippi, but I am definitely curious. I’m told Liquor Barn tasted through several barrels and landed on two with pretty distinct flavor profiles. This is interesting, because I found this bottle to be pretty unique for a high rye bourbon. When I hear “high rye,” I think herbal and spicy, but this bottle leans hard in the cherry and vanilla direction of Belle Meade Reserve. It would hit the spot for anyone that likes a wheated bourbon. This whiskey is like a sweet almond ring pastry from the local bakery (a yeasted, laminated doughy treat that really packs those nutty, cherry flavors).
The nose has cherry, vanilla custard, vanilla bean, and is balanced with that MGP-ness that I can’t quite describe (maybe some kind of a slight tartness). There is some faint herb and some tobacco, but those notes really took some time to pick up on. I don’t get any ethanol singe no matter how big of a draw on the nose and there aren’t really any baking spices present to speak of.
The palate takes everything in the nose and intensifies it. Honey and caramel are added to the prominent sweet cherry notes and there’s slight oak present along with vanilla at the front of the tongue. For a relatively young whiskey, it is smooth and lacks any harsh reminder of its proof.
The finish is long with more cherry that develops into amaretto and almond icing. As the finish finally leaves your palate, it brings Luxardo cherry syrup to mind.
7.0 - This is a solid mid-shelf bourbon. I was pleasantly surprised by its flavor profile and will definitely try other Old Soul products. I might be curious enough to try a different single barrel, but I would definitely like to try one of their other older offerings like Tintype (which I understand is matured in Mississippi) or Old Soul 13/15yr small batches.
Glassware - Glencairn
Rested - 20+ minutes
Bottle opened - 3 weeks ago
Setting - Dimly lit home bar
Listening to - Aminé
