2015 Pact No. 1
Very Limited Release
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
49.3% ABV (98.6 proof) - human blood temperature...coincidence?
$90 MSRP (sample provided)
Color: medium brown, orange tint.
Smell: subtle and approachable nose...you can get right up in there. Clearly seems that this is going to be much more about finesse than raw power. I'm getting honey sweetness, cherry cola, and some subtle spice that's more leather than oak. Smells really nice overall.
Taste: a slight letdown compared to the smell, but solid. This is indeed a "finesse" palate. Red fruit sweetness upfront, which is lovely. The problem is that the transition and finish don't bring too much more to the table in the way of complexity. There is some faint dusty leather and tobacco that comes into play, but the finish is relatively short.Overall: this is a balanced smooth sipper that stands out for me on the nose. There's nothing to fault, per se, but the overall package is a little muted for my tastes. $90 is a big ask for any whiskey, and in my opinion this offering falls a bit short of challenging some of the other choices in this price category choices with regard to depth and complexity of flavor. That said, on its own merits, it's definitely worth trying and really very good.
