Daviess County Straight Bourbon Archives

Brian’s Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review:

reviewed 05-April-2022

DAVIESS COUNTY STRAIGHT BOURBON REVIEW:

Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Daviess County) is a textbook pour. It is just complex enough to entertain the seasoned drinker, and yet approachable for the novice.

At 96 proof, its smooth and buttery mouthfeel easily calms the heat and there are many aromas and fruity flavors fading in and out to tempt as well. This bourbon certainly will not wow someone who regularly drinks higher proof offerings, but for the person not into heat, I think Daviess County has its place. In my opinion this is a fine bottle and there will be an open bottle in my bunker for those evenings when contemplative whiskey discussions are not on the agenda.

DAVIESS COUNTY STRAIGHT BOURBON VITAL STATS:

Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Region: Bardstown, Kentucky
Distillery^*: undisclosed
Producer: Lux Row Distillers
Company: Luxco, MPGI
Master Distiller/Master Blender: John Rempe
Mash Bill: blend of ryed and wheated mashbills (specifics undisclosed)
Barrel Char: undisclosed
Barrel entry proof: undisclosed
Age: nas
ABV: 48% (96 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 17630
Price: $49.95 (March 2022, Idaho)
_{^*Bottle label notes: “Distilled and aged in Kentucky. Bottled for Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown, KY”}

^{With a heritage dating back to 1874, Daviess County Distilling Company was one of the first great bourbon distilleries of Kentucky. It also paved the way for more than a dozen other distilleries that opened in Daviess County pre-Prohibition.}
^{Now, in honor of the county’s rich history, we are reintroducing Daviess County Bourbon to the world. Featuring a unique blend of ryed and wheated mashbills, it’s a masterpiece unmatched in both flavor and heritage.}
^{Welcome back, old friend.
_{— Daviess County Bourbon}}

Learn more at Daviess County Bourbon.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

Alternate pours, equaling about four ounces, were added into two Glencairns. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat for this review.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

DAVIESS COUNTY STRAIGHT BOURBON NOSE:

When first brought to my nose, herbal notes of dry roasted corn and dusty wheat come to mind. But there are dried fruits here as well. I get a pleasing blend of dried cherry and apricot, and a hint of faint banana in a shallow bath of acidic and pulpy apple juice. As I continue to nose, nutmeg and white pepper mix with an almost yeasty wheat apple pastry infused with light vanilla. I also smell honey cut with simple syrup drizzled over slivered almonds. As I enjoy Daviess County’s dessert sensations, fresh cut piney woodiness and gentle smokey sweet aromas waft in and out.

DAVIESS COUNTY STRAIGHT BOURBON PALATE:

The first sip of Daviess County is warm with notes of corn and soft wheat. I feel the acidity of fresh apple juice and taste soft plump juicy raisins, some cinnamon and pepper, light vanilla, simple syrup and honey. And as on the nose, there is also a hint of faint almonds and some hazy BBQ applewood smoke in the flavors as well.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Each sip of Daviess County is extremely easy to hold. It is smooth and buttery and the longer I swish it around, the softer the liquid becomes. This mouthfeel is unexpected as I feel my mouth adding saliva to the many balanced flavors. After taking a sip, thin legs form inside the glass from the liquid veil, then break into fast falling drops, which transfer the whiskey back to the tawny colored pool.

DAVIESS COUNTY STRAIGHT BOURBON FINISH:

Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon has a medium long, warm finish. I get the suggestion of corn and wheat found on the palate. I feel apricot nectar, raisin juice and apple acidity along with some newfound citrus zest in my throat as each sip is swallowed. These sensations pair nicely with fleeting cinnamon and pepper along with the light vanilla, sweet simple syrup and honey as light oak and hazy BBQ smoke fade away. And when the last drops are downed, vanilla taffy and old wood planks left in the sun to dry, waft from the empty Glencairn.

MY RATING: 87/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To see other whiskies from this brand, click Daviess County.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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Hannah’s Daviess County Straight Bourbon Review

Original review written April 5, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Classic bourbon, classic flavors, and a schooling in how to master the basics. No, it’s nothing wild, but it’s easily “staple” quality, and I’m happy to have it on my shelf when I just want BOURBON. 87/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Lux Row Distillers (specific distiller undisclosed)
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: blend of ryed and wheated mash bills (specifics undisclosed)
– Casks: undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
– ABV: 48% (96 proof)
– Price: $45.95 USD in Idaho 2022

Visit daviesscountybourbon.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed this spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This bourbon begs to be enjoyed outside, perhaps at the fringes of a swamp, with tall reeds and grasses surrounding you in the early morning. This is a comforting, sweet bourbon, that can give perspective and be a friend all in one. The air is brisk, and maybe there’s a cloud or two on the horizon, but the day is looking to be a good one anyways.

Photo by insung yoon on Unsplash

NOSE:

This smells heavily of grain on the first draw, predominantly wheat and grass. It’s soft and mellow and definitely doesn’t sting the nose in the slightest. Nevertheless, there still is some black pepper on deep inhales, as well as a prevalent barrel char and oak. There’s a bit of citrus zest which makes for both an acidic and bitter component that melt together well. I can also find a floral element, perhaps like roses, but these roses have certainly not matured and bloomed yet. Not much to speak of with fruit, but I could sense some dark dried ones, like raisins and currants.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: There’s a tickle and raspy-ness, but it really is quite smooth all at once.
– Balance: It’s a sweeter bourbon, but its foundation of oak wood chips makes the blend very solid overall.
– Visual: Tawny in color, this doesn’t leave too much of a defined crown, but there are a few long clinging legs nonetheless.

– Taste: It’s taken me about half a dozen sips to begin understanding this bourbon. The raspier mouth feel covers some of the flavors, but underneath that tickle are currants, white pepper, cinnamon, and the grain of the nose. There’s also this quality I can only call the “essence” of bourbon. It’s warm, it’s sweet, but not necessarily from intense fruit or sugars – just sweet. I do notice some floral element here as well, like rose, but not overpowering, just enhancing the natural bourbon sweetness and spice.

The alcohol is incredibly mild, but a Kentucky chew does wake it up a little. The grain becomes more alive, and there are now other fruits to find, like peaches and plums. It’s a worthwhile chew, to be sure.

This bourbon isn’t complex at all, with a subtle wood chip foundation; however, it still manages to shine really well with the flavors that are here and maximize quality out of them.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Short-medium. There’s minimal warmth, but there is a bit of aftertaste that lingers.
– Between Sips: Chocolate covered raisins (maybe even a white chocolate) can be found here between sips, and it’s the oddest thing I have found yet in a finish, but it’s welcome and certainly, very different.

– No More: Vanilla, caramel, marshmallows, and simple syrup emerge the longer I sip from this pour. Its sweetness continues to grow, but everything about this bourbon continues to grow on me along with it. I’m enjoying this pour more than I anticipated, but not in the way I thought I would. It’s authentic, classic bourbon, and it’s just solid all around.

The empty Glencairn is straight up oaky sawdust, and entirely delicious. Warm, deep tones, and how a classic bourbon should finish – plain and simple.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At $50, I think this is well worth the price. It’s unique with a fun finish and softer flavors, but so rustic and classic in its bourbon essence, it can fit on any shelf. If you see it, don’t be afraid to take the leap and see what it’s all about. If you like bourbon, I don’t think it’s possible to be upset with this offering, and the price matches the quality, without question.

DAVIESS COUNTY STRAIGHT BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 87/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To see other whiskies from this brand, click Daviess County.

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