Brian’s Belle Meade Straight Bourbon Review:
reviewed 04-September-2023
BELLE MEADE STRAIGHT BOURBON REVIEW:
Belle Meade Straight Bourbon (Belle Meade) had a relatively simple but balanced profile. The initial impression is of subtle ethanol with an influence of sherry, accompanied by delicate fruit blossoms and herbal undertones. Aromas of sweet corn, red berries, cherries, and spices of cinnamon and nutmeg emerge, along with a yeasty essence and hints of cocoa. On the palate, it offers a smooth, buttery texture with a russet color and thick legs in the glass. The finish is warm and lingering with notes of dark fruit, cinnamon, and oak, complemented by a touch of leather. Overall, Belle Meade delivers a nice blend of aromas and flavors.
BELLE MEADE STRAIGHT VITAL STATS:
Category: Straight Bourbon
Region: Nashville, TN
Company: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Distillery: Undisclosed distilleries in Indiana
Mashbill: Undisclosed Corn, Wheat and Malted Barley (website indicates 30% rye)
Barrel Char: unpublished
Barrel entry proof: undisclosed
Age: nas
ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16796
Fair Price: $64.52 (BoozApp, August 2023)
Paid: $23.95 (Idaho, 2022)
“[W]e painstakingly select barrels sourced from the nation’s finest distillers. To ensure that no other Bourbon in the world tastes like Belle Meade Bourbon, we created a proprietary blend using different high-rye content mash bills and complementary yeast strains.”
— Learn more at Green Briar Distillery
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
On Day 4 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, I poured approximately four ounces of bourbon from a freshly opened bottle into a Glencairn glass. After taking pictures and nosing the liquid, it was about 30 minutes before I took my first sip.
BELLE MEADE STRAIGHT NOSE:
Upon taking the first draw, Belle Meade offers faint but noticeable ethanol notes on which I built the foundation for this review. The influence of sherry is evident, interwoven with the delicate fragrance of light fruit tree blossoms and herbal undertones. As I nose on, fresh picked sweet corn complements a burst of fruit, including red berries, sweet cherries, candied orange, and subtle tropical banana, while spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper and rye add depth. For a bit of complexity, there’s a yeasty essence, much like one might find in buttery graham cracker crust, accompanied by the memory of the dust in an empty cocoa container. As I explore further, creamy butterscotch-vanilla custard gracefully melts caramelized sugar, buttery caramel, covered with a thin drizzle of light maple syrup. Under the sweets, almond slivers harmonize with lightly toasted warm oak.
BELLE MEADE STRAIGHT BOURBON PALATE:
The flavors of Belle Meade unfold with distinct flavors of blended sweet and creamy vanilla and caramel custard. Delicate notes of ripe red berries, cherries, and citrus fall in to provide balance to be complemented by subtle traces of cinnamon, nutmeg, and white pepper. Then, a touch of buttery toffee emerges, adding a richness to the mix. With more sipping, the taste profile evolves into subtle hints of oak and toasted wood, lending a pleasant warmth to the overall experience.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Belle Meade offers a harmonious balance of aromas and flavors, allowing each element to contribute without overpowering one another. The first sip is easy-to-hold and its buttery texture glides smoothly across the tongue. A solid inverted crown above the russet-colored pool gives way to evenly spaced clinging droplets. As the liquid settles after each sip, long and thick legs make their appearance, only to dissipate quickly, leaving behind a thin spotty ring.
BELLE MEADE STRAIGHT FINISH
Belle Meade Straight Bourbon delivers a long finish which lingers warmly in the throat. I sense subdued barrel tannins, but what is there imparts depth to herbal mint and dusty grain. As I swallow, the taste evolves into notes of currant, raisin, and prune, mixed with cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper, offering a rich dark fruit complexity with a satisfying kick. Each sip is further complemented by the darkness of nearly burnt sugar and dark toffee along side heavy oak and toasted as a final scrape of leather hangs in the balance.
MY RATING: 86/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
There are some who believe Belle Meade products now have limited availability as Green Brier labels are replacing Belle Meade on store shelves. Still, if found at MSRP, I would consider this to be a value bourbon.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 86/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Green Brier Distillery.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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