Hannah’s Old Ezra 07 Year Barrel Strength Review
Original review written on November 3, 2019
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
While I have not known Old Ezra for long, he’s got my respect. This bourbon has everything I look for in a whiskey and my only complaint is that the bottle isn’t bottomless. 94/100
VITALS:
– Made in: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: sourced and undisclosed (believed to be Heaven Hill according to internet sources)
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Small Batch
– Age: 7 yrs.
– Mash Bill: undisclosed; supposedly Corn=78%; Malted Barley=12%; Rye=10%
– Casks: Undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
– ABV: 58.5% (117 proof)
– Price: $41.95 USD in Idaho
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ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
We’ve all seen the old, classic Frosty the Snowman cartoon. I acknowledge the ridiculousness, but the warmth our protagonist, Karen, feels from the overwhelming, welcoming embrace of the poinsettia greenhouse filled with pinks and oranges could not be more identical to how this spirit makes you feel.
Photo by Priss Enri on Unsplash
NOSE:
The ethanol burn comes in strong at first on the nose mixed with a simple syrup that could be due to a potential high corn concentration. I can also detect a brown sugar element in the sense that it is very condensed and in its more “blocky” state.
For spice, it isn’t aggressive, but is comparable to allspice, perhaps with a heavier hand in the ginger aspect of it. Not too much fruit on the nose, but if I was pressured, I’d say a shy raspberry or dark cherry could be hiding in the back.
It’s only slightly similar in the nose to the Hudson Baby Bourbon nose in the old, musty component. But this old must is much more pleasant, and it improves as the glass and alcohol warm. Who doesn’t love that?
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Tingly and big.
– Balance: Just yes. That is all.
– Visual: Burnt amber in color (in other words, very dark). No real legs, but a few drops that cling a bit.
– Taste: The alcohol is certainly there initially, but it melts into this delicious cherry to coat the mouth. Where that cherry came from, I have no idea, but I am not about to look a gift barrel in the mouth ;). In all seriousness, cherries on the palate for a flavor profile has always been one of my favorites, so this bourbon was a sheer joy and treat to sip.
With a Kentucky chew, black pepper and rye come forward and give this bourbon a very pleasant bite. That allspice is still there, which just makes for a complex sip that keeps me going back for me.
There’s also a good deal of seasoned oak here, a very welcome flavor in the palate. I do always love it when I don’t have to wait for the empty glass for the oak to come in.
More fruit continues to develop the further I go. There’s even a stone fruit – perhaps peach – that mixes so well with the alcohol bite, I feel like I’m consuming pop rocks in a peach bellini from Johnny Carino’s, even down to the sugar syrup. You are absolutely correct in your thinking: that’s weird. But can you really tell me you’re not intrigued? Spoilers, it’s a good combo.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Exceptionally long. Those pop rocks and accompanying warmth stick around, and I’m a happy cupcake for it.
– No More: First off, let me say that when the glass IS empty, it’s a dreadful, sad feeling. But there is a resurgence of the allspice that overtakes any black pepper and rye that was there originally, and that keeps even the last few sips interesting and certainly keeps you coming back.
I recommend Kentucky chewing this one all the way. Yes, it keeps the salivary glands from getting a break, but I promise it’s worth it given how this bourbon drinks. Doing this will give you the best, warmest and safest Kentucky hug you’ll ever get.
While the fruits do fall away towards the end, the admiration for this spirit doesn’t. What a fantastic drink.
The empty Glencairn is fresh cut oak – warm and spicy in all the right ways.
WORTH THE PRICE?
Great value
RATING: 94/100
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