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Ridgemont 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Full Proof - But At What ABV?

2 1094

@talexanderReview by @talexander

23rd Feb 2018

1

Ridgemont 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    24
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    24
  • Overall
    94

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

1792 Ridgemont Reserve has always been one of my favourite bourbons (though it's a bit pricey, it's usually relatively available). So I was quick to snap up (and drink most of) this barrel proof, non-chill filtered bottling. Although there is no age statement on the label, it is 8 1/2 years old.

The nose is a dark, reddish caramel. Deep wood smoke on the nose, with black cherries, crushed mint and charred oak. Sticky toffee pudding. Vanilla pods simmering in pannacotta. Dark chocolate raisins. Water brings out more smoke and a certain maltiness, but even at this proof it's really not necessary. This is beautiful stuff, extremely rich but it has its subtleties.

A burst of flavour on the palate with chili chocolate, burnt dark caramel, black liquorice and baked apple cinnamon. Creamy mouthfeel. With water there is raspberries and strong dark roast. Again - this is fantastic but it packs a wallop.

The finish is long and smoky with cloves, pinot tannins and an absinthe note right at the end. This is incredible whisky (if you can find it) but there seems to be some argument as to the ABV. The bottle clearly states 62.5%, but the LCBO stickered over it with a 61.87%! So at some point between bottling in Kentucky and the lab analysis at the LCBO (probably in Toronto), it lost 0.63%? LCBO warehouse "angel's share"? How long was this sitting on the shelf there, anyway? Not good for Ontarians, but hey at least we got the damn thing. Incidentally, John Hansell scores this a 92, and Jim Murray a fat 96.

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10 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

doesn't appear to be available anymore.... worried

So which sticky toffee cake was better, the one in this bourbon or the one with the bourbon caramel sauce from last week?

6 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

@Nozinan Oh, the one from last week, no question! (I wondered if you'd notice that...)

6 years ago 0

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge commented

Nice review.This one appears to be a real treat. Sadly, I missed out. @Astroke offered to help me acquire one, but I didn't take advantage of his generous offer because the two bottles of the standard release that I have owned over the years did not appeal to me.

6 years ago 0

@RianC
RianC commented

Nice! Not one I'll be seeing this side of the pond but I was lucky to receive a bottle of the standard small batch recently which i'm very keen to try!

Never tried a cask strength NCF bourbon but bet it makes a big difference?

6 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@RianC it certainly does. Booker's is NCF and CS and I think Stagg Jr is too. They certainly leave a lot of residue in the empty glass...

6 years ago 2Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@Nozinan - My word! I've just looked on Amazon and they have Booker's TB at 127.4 proof for £50 with free delivery . . . I think my hand is involuntarily moving the mouse towards the basket smirk

Would that be a good deal and a worthy purchase? I have fancied the Stagg Jr for a while but that's £80+ . . .

6 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Victor
Victor commented

Like @paddockjudge I've never been very taken with the standard 1792 Ridgemont bourbon, and I've not yet gotten a taste of the barrel strength version. I would like to try this and all other uncut whisk(e)ys available.

I've been a little puzzled and somewhat fascinated by how these same distilleries have changed their names repeatedly over the years. This 1792 Ridgemont bourbon is now usually described as having been produced at the 1792 Ridgemont Distillery. That distillery recently used to be called Barton, and is one of the jewels in the crown of the Sazerac Company. The Buffalo Trace Distillery has had a few names over the years, too, probably more names than has Barton.

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@RianC 50 GBP is just a little higher than we would pay in Canada in General, but I can't compare to the price of bourbons in the UK. In contrast you probably have cheaper access to good Scotch.

The Stagg Jr at 80is about 40% more than we paid in Ontario. But it's only available rarely.

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@Nozinan - Thanks. I feel like a naughty school boy as I've bought a bottle of the Bookers. I think £50 is a great price (£65 on MoM) and we usually pay quite high prices for bourbon; but yeah, we get some pretty good deals on Scotch so it all evens out relaxed

6 years ago 0

@casualtorture
casualtorture commented

@Nozinan I did notice that about my stagg jr. Always a good sign when the barrel is still in the whiskey.

6 years ago 0