Editor’s Note: These whiskeys were provided to us as review samples by Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
Back in 2014, when we first wrote about Bib & Tucker, it was put out by 35 Maple Street Spirits, part of 3 Badge Beverage Company, which was based out of Sonoma, California. Bib & Tucker’s name harkens to a time when the term signifies donning your snazziest attire: The whiskey aims for that kind of quality effort as well.
In 2017, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits acquired it, as part of its goal of adding more whiskeys (and ampersands) to its brand family. According to Bib & Tucker’s page on Deutch’s website, this Tennessee whiskey is double-distilled, using an extended column still followed by an old-fashioned pot still. It’s non chill-filtered, aged in No. 1 charred American white oak barrels for at least six years and has a mash bill of 70 percent corn, 26 percent rye, and 4 percent malt.
My tasting partner and I sampled three of Bib & Tucker’s bourbons: a six-year, and two 12-years from different single barrels. We previously reviewed the Bib & Tucker a few years back, so it will be interesting to see how it is now.
Tasting Notes: Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Aged Six Years
Vital Stats: 92 proof; about $49 for 750 ml. This and the others below have the same mash bill: 70 percent corn, 26 percent rye, and 4 percent malt. About $49. The bottle we tasted was Bottle 65137, of Batch 020.
Appearance: Orangey, not super-vibrant. If the Steampunky bottle’s intent is to hide something, I’m not sure what it is? But the hue in the glass looks significantly lighter than the bottle would suggest.
Nose: Very vanilla. Like vanilla perfume. It’s a mellow, faded whiff. But my friend thought it smelled like acetone. Tasting is so weird, you guys!
Palate: It’s not bad! Very mild. Mellow on the nose and mellow on the palate as well. Inoffensive. A gentle entry point. The vanilla carries through, and floral notes bloom on the finish. In fact, it opens up a lot on the finish. Sort of like a wall anchor, when you hang something. My colleague neither liked it or disliked it. It’s not weird. Or unusual. But I like it, it’s like a dessert that might not be your thing but you have it and you’re glad you at least had something sweet.
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Score: 3.5/5
Tasting Notes: Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Aged 12 Years (Barrel #102382)
Vital Stats: 103 proof; same mash bill as above. About $120. Tasted sample from Barrel # 102382.
Appearance: Much lighter and yellower than its predecessor. A pale gold, summer sunshine.
Nose: This smells a lot sweeter. My friend still got nail polish remover, and I got a more intense vanilla and caramel. A little Meyer lemon. Pungent, but not acrid.
Palate: So, this one burns. It’s high-proof that tastes high-proof, and only of high proof. It is a little clumsy. It doesn’t sing, it isn’t as well-rounded, is just one-note. Based on the nose I’d expected more complexity than I got. “It is what it is, and it isn’t all that great,:” said my pal.
Score: 2.5/5
Tasting Notes: Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Aged 12 Years (Barrel #102385)
Vital Stats: 107 proof; same mash bill as above. Tasted Barrel #102385.
Appearance: Essentially same color as the other 12-year, above.
Nose: This one’s less powerful, but smells very similar to the other 12-year, with an additional hint of pencil shavings and warm cedar.
Palate: Honestly it’s about the same as above. Ditto. This is fiery without being smoky. I wouldn’t give this or its barrel sibling to someone who doesn’t like whiskey, because it exemplifies what I don’t like about whiskey.
Score: 2.5/5
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