Brian’s 1792 Twelve Year Old Review
written on 04-December-2019
1792 TWELVE YEAR OLD REVIEW:
Barton’s 1792 Twelve Year Old (1792-12YO) is a fine bourbon. It is not overly complex, but offers up just enough treats for the senses to keep things interesting. While not a sweet bourbon, all the flavors are well blended and on the finish the juice closes with nice citrus notes.
1792 TWELVE YEAR OLD VITAL STATS:
– Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Region: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Barton 1792 Distillery
– Mash Bill: Unknown
(The mash bill for 1792 12 Year Old is undisclosed however the website* indicates it is their signature “high rye” recipe (possibly a mix of 75% corn, 15% rye and 10% barley)
– Cask: New-Charred Oak
– Barrel Char Level: #3.5
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– Age: 12 years old
– ABV: 48.3% (96.6 Proof)
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho
Find more information at 1792bourbon.com
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
For the evaluation, I shared the juice neat from Glencairn glasses with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.
Check out her review for this bourbon here!
NOSE:
When first brought to the nose 1792-12YO has a distinct freshness. There is a quick alcohol burn, maybe even a tickle, but it’s nice and natural. The freshness continues with wafts of roasted corn, apples and gourmet raisins. The spices are few and subtle: powdered ginger and white pepper which compliment the subdued scents of fresh baked apple pie, light vanilla, simple syrup and honey. The subtlety to the nose continue with faint hints of hazy and lightly toasted oak.
PALATE:
At first sip, 1792-12YO has a warm bite and with additional draws, can grow quite hot on the tongue when held in the mouth. There are hints of candied citrus and figs and of currents and plums, which blend well with a faint background of herbal grassiness. The juice’s spiciness comes as cinnamon, black pepper and rye. While not exactly sweet, there is a component of nearly burnt sugar … and it fits nicely with this simple and earthy whiskey. Prolonged sipping can coax out elements of leather and a faint peanutiness which fades into a soft sensation of seasoned old oak.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
This is a simple but pleasant amber-polished mahogany colored liquid. It is solid and well blended and coats the mouth with a silken coppery tickle. When swished in the Glencairn, long clinging legs give way to tight clinging droplets.
FINISH:
1792-12YO has a medium-to-long fresh finish. There are two distinct components of wood: seasoned old oak and that of a caramel coated tongue depressor. A bit of corn peeks in as well, and a hint of grassiness remains, but fresh orange rinds win the day. In the end, pepper is there to coat the back of the tongue and give the throat a nice warm parting.
MY RATING: 87/100
Will I seek out this whiskey in the future? Yes
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
To access other whiskeys with this score, click 87/100.
Click 1792 Barton to see other whiskies from this distillery.
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