Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by George Dickel. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
Many bottled in bond whiskies don’t advertise their age. If they do, it can have a tendency to be accompanied with an accelerated price tag like Old Fitzgerald. Because of the legal requirements we always know they are a minimum of four years old. So I was a little surprised to see the age and price combination on this new release from George DIckel. It’s a 13 year old, bottled in bond, for only $36. I was curious and wanted to find out why. Then I noticed all the changes that happened recently at the distillery and the reasoning is became clear.
In case you’d like a refresher on Bottled in Bond (BIB – the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was passed to guarantee the whiskey’s authenticity and quality. There were a lot of shady characters back then watering down and altering the spirits. This whiskey fits the bill for all the BIB requirements. It was aged in one distilling season, by one distiller, at one location, minimum aged 4 years, and bottled 100 proof (50% ABV).
In 2018, George Dickel Distillery made a couple of large directional changes. The distillery name was rebranded to Cascade Hollow Distilling Company. They also brought on seasoned female general manager and head distiller, Nicole Austin. This is the first release with her fingerprints on it. The whiskey shows the path and vision Nicole has for the new Cascade Hollow Distillery, providing high quality, well aged, yet affordable whiskey.
Tasting Notes: George Dickel Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whisky
Vital Stats: 100 proof (50% ABV), Bottled in Bond (BIB), Mash bill is 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley. It is chill charcoal mellowed and aged in Tullahoma, TN. Distilled in fall 2005, matured for 13 years. The suggested retail is $35.99 for a 750 ml bottle
Appearance: Clear, deep copper color. The bottle has George Dickel in raised lettering at the top of the bottle. Blue label with gold and white embossed lettering. It has a synthetic cap.
Nose: The aroma is light to medium. It has a lovely butterscotch smell with hints of caramel, honey, corn and oak.
Palate: It’s warm with a medium to long finish with some complexity. The oak plays a larger role in the flavors than the cereal grains. Think spices like peppercorn, not sweetness. Hints of toasted bread with a touch of honey. The finish is medium to long with oak tannins and hints of clove oil.
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