Forged Oak 15, Orphan Barrel, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.3% abv.

Supposedly distilled around 1997/98 at Heaven Hill (New Bernheim) with a mashbill of 86% corn, 8% barley, and 6% rye. Released in 2015 as the 5th bottle in the Orphan Barrel series. This Orphan Barrel series by Diageo has been quite controversial. The premise was that they found some old, abandoned barrels in warehouses, in this case "Stitzel-Weller" rickhouses, and decided to bottle them for the good of the public.

Nose: mostly caramel, strong honey, vanilla and toast. All these aromas significantly weaken with time.

Palate: initial palate is oily wood, mid palate is wood, back palate is a little smokey, watered wood, some light toast, gets more dry with time.

Finish: medium to long, a little spicy, light swamp wood.

Another strange one, but welcome in the world of Americam whiskey. I felt many of the flavors revolved around a water soaked piece of wood and light bourbon. Heard it needs years to open up. Nothing special though unfortunately. As one can see, it was really hard taking pics.

Grade: C

Whisky advocate, John Hansell, z points
Thewhiskeywash, Josh Peters, 90/100
Breakingbourbon, Eric ?, 1.5/5

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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