Review: World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday Bourbon 15 Years Old
The latest whiskey in World Whiskey Society‘s Doc Holliday collection is a hefty 15 years old (and 307 days!), sourced from Kentucky and produced from a mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. The label doesn’t indicate as much, but these are single barrel releases, bottled at cask strength.
That’s about all we know about the release, so let’s dive in.
World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday Bourbon 15 Years Old Review
This 15 year old bursts on the nose with both fruit and barrel char, in roughly equal proportions. Intense notes of cherry, with a gentler note of raisins behind, lead the way into a more savory and slightly smoky encounter, with notes of cloves building alongside sage and a hint of burnt rubber. Before long the fruit all but dissipates, working its way into a finishing note of dried black tea leaves.
The palate opens things up nicely by returning to its fruitier roots, evoking stronger berry notes of strawberry and raspberry, then dessert-like vanilla and caramel — the latter well-torched, almost crisped around the edges. The raisin notes evident in the nose come back into focus, but the amount of char, almost creosote-like, can get a little heavy at times. I thought it was obvious that water would improve that situation, and I was right, coaxing out a cleaner, brighter, brown-sugar sweetness, some lemon notes, and bright touches of apple. The black tea evident on the nose comes across here as brewed and more subdued, and the finish is very clean, with a chocolate overtone. I wouldn’t dream of drinking this whiskey any other way than with a splash or two.
Ultimately, $400 is asking a pretty penny for this whiskey in today’s era of the bourbon glut, particularly since its provenance is unknown. That aside, it’s a product that certainly wears its quality on its sleeve. Doc would have approved.
127 proof. Reviewed: Barrel #627.
A- / $400
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