Hancock's President's Reserve, Single Barrel, 44.45% abv.

This bottle is named after Captain Hancock Lee, co-founder of Leesburg, Kentucky, USA and not the John Hancock of the Declaration of Independence fame. Similar important dates though, 1775/1776. This single barrel bourbon is actually from Buffalo Trace, originating from mash bill no. 2, which is the same mash bill used for Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee, Rock Hill Farms, and Ancient Age. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of Blanton's nor Elmer. Interestingly, the Buffalo Trace website doesn't show Hancock's nor Rock Hill Farms, but they are shown on greatbourbon.com (Sazerac owned website? shows mostly BT products). Supposedly the weird thing about mash bill no. 2 bourbons is that Buffalo Trace produces and distributes them in the US, but the labels are owned by Age International. This is partially why Blanton's is so available in Japan.

Nose: an extemely focused and surprisngly enjoyable vanilla nose, great body. With time hints of chocolate appear

Palate: creamy, some body, a little dry, initial palate has light wood, mid palate is similar to eating a bbq-ed marshmallow, back palate has like a chinese cooking wine flavor and smell, and it transitions into the finish.

Finish: medium, vanilla aromatics, light banana, fruit peels.

An interesting whisky, I keep thinking marshmallows in texture and flavors. The nose is really good on delivery though! Delivers something on all aspects in tasting, just has that creaminess I'm not fond of to be honest.

Grade: C

Thewhiskeywash, Jordan Morris, 85/100
Whisky advocate, Lew Bryson, 84 points

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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