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Ancient Age

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@markjedi1Review by @markjedi1

1st Jul 2010

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Ancient Age
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    71

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Ancient Age Distilling is actually a part of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest distillery in the States. It started around 1770, albeit under different names. Apart from this Ancient Age, they also have Blanton’s, Eagle Rare and – what did you expect? – Buffalo Trace in their portfolio. The Ancient Age was the bestseller since 1946 up and until the moment Buffalo Trace was put on the market. Many call this a bottom shelf bourbon because of the price. It is indeed a cheap whiskey, around 20 EUR a bottle. But price/quality wise this is a good product. You cannot expect a top bourbon for a bargain, now can you?

As you would expect from a classic bourbon, the nose is filled with fresh corn, vanilla and caramel. This one even has a touch of rye if you leave it for a while. It reminds me of that dark bread grandma (bless her) used to put on the table on Sunday afternoons when I was a kid.

The nose continues on in the mouth, but this is rather watery – not at all syrupy as you would expect from a decent bourbon. It’s mildly spicy and drying. A bit of a lightweight.

The finish is dry and short.

With the risk of getting slammed for this, after tasting it straight, I also mixed it. First with soda and ice, which was great on this very hot summer day and then with coke. That became very sweet indeed. But this Ancient Age was actually made for that, in my opinion.

74/100

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3 comments

@AboutChoice
AboutChoice commented

@markjedi1, good review, and refreshing, in that this is something different which makes for an interesting review. And this bourbon is quite available and affordable.

When I started out last year, I tried many of the cheaper whiskies, and I too felt that Ancient Age was a cut above most of the rest; it is quite drinkable, as long you don't switch between shelves in the same session. My 375 ml bottle indicates that it is 6 years old.

14 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

I have found with AA, as with almost all other whiskies, that I like the less diluted 50% ABV version much better for flavor than the 40%. This Ancient Age is a very drinkable bourbon, but on the less expensive side for bourbons I usually like Johnny Drum and Ezra Brooks a good deal more. If you include the Beam Black Label in the inexpensive category, then the Beam Black Label would usually be my first choice in this category.

13 years ago 0

@JamieKY
JamieKY commented

@markjedi1, Good review but I feel the need to correct one point in your analysis. The Sazerac Company purchased the distillery in 1992 and is now the parent company of Buffalo Trace Distillery. It was previously owned by Age International. The Age Brand changed hands several times from the 70's, but throughout its production the distillery was always known as Ancient Age Distillery in KY anyway. Although,the distillery itself has been there under different names and owners for 141 years. The buyout in 1992 was likely the death throes of this brand of bourbon and it is likely to be phased out entirely in favor of the new namesake Buffalo Trace. The Blanton's single barrel is the only bourbon at the distillery that is still made by hand in the same building that it was made in the late 1700's

13 years ago 0