Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a free sample to review by the party behind it. The Whiskey Wash, while appreciative of this, did keep full independent editorial control over this article
. Also, there were several reporting errors in this article which were corrected after it had been published. We regret the errors.
Old Hickory was, at one time, a historic whiskey label that was once popular with earlier generations of bourbon drinkers, but had since disappeared from the market. What is being reviewed here today, Old Hickory Great American Whiskey – Black Label
Tasting Notes:
Appearance
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: Solid amber color with thin legs.
Nose: Very sweet caramel with shades of vanilla and light tobacco.
Palate: Thin mouth feel, predominant flavor of caramel and corn, nice balance of spice, most notably cinnamon.
Finish: Rather quick with a hint of cola on the aftertaste that tends to linger and amplify after the sip. Not as warm of a finish as the higher ABV might suggest.
Conclusion:
The finish – or, rather, the aftertaste – is a defining characteristic of this whiskey. For me, this is unfortunate. There are certainly more objectionable finishes on the market today, but this one offered me an experience I just wouldn’t necessarily seek out again. I would classify this as more of a mixer than a straight sipping whiskey. The price places this bourbon squarely in line with many of the staples of the bourbon world. If you are looking for something to set your home bar apart from your more traditional friends, this may be an option for you.
Score: 78/100
