Review: Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 34 and Founder’s Reserve 20 Years Old
It has been a minute since we last looked in on Jefferson’s Bourbon, but today we’re offering a one-two punch from the iconic Kentucky whiskey brand. As far as accessibility, we’re really running the gamut with a look at a fairly attainable (and affordable) Voyage release from the long-running Oceans series and the new Founder’s Reserve, perhaps the rarest Jefferson’s release to date. Thoughts follow.
Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 34 Bourbon Review
Jefferson’s seafaring Ocean series continues apace. The series is now up to 37 different nautical adventures as of this writing, but our latest sample is from Voyage 34. On paper, this is a pretty straightforward Jefferson’s Ocean bourbon, enhanced just so by the nuances of a Caribbean cruise from Port Everglades, Florida to Panama and back again.
The nose is soft and gently sweet with notes of cooked corn and well-baked pie crust which become noticeably savory as they open in the glass, eventually adding notes of brown butter and slow simmering canola oil. Undertones of cinnamon, dried apple, and nutmeg offer a hint of contrast, but the bouquet remains notable more for its meatiness than its complexity.
The palate is sweeter than the nose but remains rather piquant showing early notes of creamed corn and salted caramel. Things are at their most saccharine on the midpalate with notes of vanilla pound cake and a little flat cream soda. It’s light on its feet but never thin with an almost oily finish that melds savory and sweet for a generous, gently warming finale of cracked pepper and buttery cinnamon toast. These standard proof expressions of Jefferson’s Ocean are clearly not meant to rock the boat (pun intended), but they do offer a slight variation on the traditional small batch. For a significant markup in price, that is. 90 proof. B+ / $80 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Jefferson’s Founder’s Reserve 20 Years Old Review
Jefferson’s Bourbon set the whiskey world on fire years ago with their extra-aged offerings under the Presidential Select label. For America’s 250th anniversary, the brand decided to launch another flashy age statement, this time a 20-year-old bourbon finished for a month in Bordeaux wine casks. If that sounds familiar, it should. Jefferson’s released a similar, albeit much younger, bourbon finished in French wine casks from Pichon Baron back in 2017 under their Grand Selection label. The finishing is a nod to the brand’s namesake and Bordeaux-loving Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson. It’s also probably the most limited Jefferson’s release we’ve encountered. How limited? As you might be able to guess for yet another anniversary release honoring America’s recent birthday, just 250 bottles are available.
The nose is impressive, if a bit restrained. Silky, subtle notes of antique furniture, cocktail cherry, old books, and shoe leather speak to its two decades of barrel aging. But there are not just old bourbon notes in the mix. A lacing of rum raisin and grape skins adds depth and complexity. With additional time to bloom in the glass, much of the astringency of the old oak dissipates, leaving behind vanilla buttercream, chewy caramel, and a hint of grape jelly.
Things are biting initially on the palate with a double helping of slightly bitter tannins from the old bourbon and the wine cask finishing. While that demands a slight adjustment of expectations, it doesn’t negatively impact the experience. In fact, the contrast of tart fruits, licorice, and winey, raisinated notes up front makes what comes after all the more appreciated. The midpalate is lush and round, almost creamy, with notes of caramelized brown sugar, Oolong tea, toffee, and vanilla pudding. A bit of dark baking chocolate and Marasca cherry accents a reprise of woody tannins on the finish before softening into a generous, warming fadeout of Fig Newtons and crème brûlèe. It requires a little patience up front, but Founder’s Reserve is ultimately one of the more exotic and interesting Jefferson’s whiskeys you’re likely to find. If you can find it. 94 proof. A- / $500
The post Review: Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 34 and Founder’s Reserve 20 Years Old appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.