Bourbon

Whiskey Review: I.W. Harper 15-Year-Old

We review I. W. Harper's 15-Year-Old release. It's a straight bourbon named for historic whiskey entrepreneur and philanthropist Isaac Wolfe Bernheim.

OVERALL RATING

9
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I.W. Harper 15-Year-Old (image via Melissa Jones)

Tasting Notes

About:

Aged 15 years. Mash bill: 86% corn, 6% rye, 8% malted barley. 86 proof. I.W. Harper Distilling Company/Diageo, Tullahoma, Tennessee. Retails for around $100.
Appearance:
Mahogany in color. Great square shaped bottle that’s easy to recognize on any shelf.
Nose:
The aroma is very clean and pleasant. I detect notes of dried pine needles, dark chocolate and cinnamon. There’s just a hint of resin and prune.
Palate:
The palate is consistent with the nose which I very much enjoyed. There are warming spices of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and clove with toasted grain and eucalyptus. It’s very buttery. A bit warm at first but it is smooth and pleasant.
Finish:
Comments:
This is a good everyday whiskey you can drink neat or on the rocks. There is a very pleasant mouth feel and warming spices with each sip. It’s a little warm but has a smooth, lasting sweetness. There’s a great balance between the aged oak and the sweet fruits. My only complaint is it’s hard to do a light pour from the bottle without a dribble down the side, but it is a very nice bottle and one that has drawn the envious eyes of my friends. I highly recommend this whiskey if you haven’t tried it. But it might be a little hard to swallow the price.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Melissa Jones

Melissa D. Jones is a traveler, blogger, photographer, storyteller, foodie, whiskey enthusiast, and creative entrepreneur. Her thirst for adventure and new experiences has led her to photograph all 50 states and 47 countries, a journey she chronicled in her travel book. When she's not exploring the globe, Melissa resides in Portland, Oregon, where she enjoys attending events, savoring whiskey, and hiking. She has sampled over 100 different whiskies, both locally and internationally.

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