We forgive you if you have never seen or heard of Old Charter Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 8. It is easy to overlook this bottom shelf dweller. It comes in an unremarkable bottle and shares the “Old” moniker with about a dozen or so other Bourbons. We often have wondered why so many use that term, but it does sound better than just Charter. A shout out to our friend Aaron who recommended we try it, for it had flown under our radar as well.
Old Charter can be found in a lot of liquor stores but not all of them. It sells for around $13 and is bottled at 80 proof. A note on the age, not too long ago it used to read “Aged 8 Years” on the bottle’s neck, now that has been replaced with just the number 8. But in the writing on the front of the bottle it states that it is ” gently matured for 8 seasons”. So, is it still 8 years, as in distilling seasons, or 2 years which would be 8 literal seasons, (summer, fall etc)? To be called “Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey”, it must be aged in the barrel for a minimum of4 years. If lower than 4 years the age must be stated on the bottle. To be called bourbon it must be aged at least 2 years. So this juice might only have been in the barrel for 2 years. If so, and that is the case, it seems pretty shady.
NOSE
Ron: Very faint aromas of caramel, clove, vanilla and spice. Behind all that lingered the slight smell of ethanol.
Todd: The only thing we have in common is the faintness. I caught whiffs of honey and cinnamon bread, along with a musty/nutty aroma.
TASTE
Ron: A little on the warm side for 80 proof but still very smooth. I came away with a clean taste of caramel, oak and pepper up front. This was followed by a hint of tobacco.
Todd: I agree, decent burn for 80 proof. Like the nose, the taste were very subtle. I feel like I have to really concentrate to nail down the flavors of caramel, wood, vanilla and some type of grain.
FINISH
Ron: Medium to medium long with a slight sweetness.
Todd: Medium and sweet that reminds me of a Wheated Bourbon.
OVERALL
Ron: Old Charter is somewhat simple but a decent Bourbon, very smooth and the price point is easy on the wallet.
Todd: Yeah, not real complex but not bad for the price.
Nose 3.5
Taste 7.5
Finish 3.25
Total 14.25 out of 20 Barrels
Old Charter is a decent drink at a decent price, our biggest problem is trying to justify buying another bottle. Even at that price point there are some better deals, such as JTS Brown, Old fitz, and Heaven Hill Old Style to name a few. Being somewhat sweet, not very flavorful and only 80 proof it doesn’t make that good of a mixer.
Our final verdict, we wouldn’t go looking for it, but if you can’t find any of the other Bourbons stated above, and you happen to spot a bottle, you might want to give Old Charter a shot.