Well, another tasting and another rare hard-to-find Bourbon that, up to this time, we had never heard of. Old Man Winter Bourbon is made by the same people that gave us Olde St. Nick, guess they like the term old, and like St. Nick there is some ambiguity surrounding it. Starting with the makers. The bottle says, distilled at Old Man Winter Distillery. Multiple websites say it is distilled by Preservation Distillery, and others mention Allied Lomar, a company out of California. There really isn’t much of a website for any of them, which, in itself is a bit strange.
Old Man Winter Bourbon is 109.8 proof, sells for around $150, and comes in a really cool-looking corked bottle that has a 1920s-era picture of a farmer, and a large white wax top. The bottle says Bourbon from the Black Hills, but then says it is sourced from Indiana and Kentucky. We might not be geographical experts but we both thought that the Black Hills were in South Dakota. There is no age statement or mash bill, and none could be found online. Regarding availability, as stated above we had never seen or heard of it before buying it on a whim for that exact reason.
While there are some mysteries surrounding this product and others associated with this maker/distiller, we really loved their Very Olde St Nick Rye. Hopefully, Old Man Winter comes through as well. If not, well we are a little lighter in the wallet for nothing.
NOSE
Todd: Very hot nose neat, just slight hints of cocoa, corn, yeast, and some type of red fruit. Adding ice brings out all sorts of sweetness including caramel, toffee, honey, and vanilla.
Matt: Smells hot, needs ice to bring out the beauty of this Bourbon. Once a little bit has melted, I get leather, brown sugar, and oak. Secondary aromas include tobacco, corn, and apple.
TASTE
Todd: Too hot neat and that heat makes it difficult to get much out of it, just a little caramel. With some melted ice I pick up some rye, raisin, vanilla, and some pepper.
Matt: Not getting much neat but ice really brings out some flavors, from vanilla to chocolate. Also tasting some leather, rye, caramel, and butterscotch.
FINISH
Todd: Medium long with some bitterness.
Matt: long, leathery, and simple.
OVERALL
Todd: While ice definitely improves this Bourbon, I wouldn’t rush out and try to find it.
Matt: Good Bourbon and liked the experience of tasting it but likely wouldn’t buy again.
Nose 3.5 out of 5
Taste 8 out of 10
Finish 2.75 out of 5
Total score 14.25 out of 20 barrels.
Seems like our 2nd encounter with whoever makes this stuff was not as rewarding as the first. Not a bad Bourbon, in fact, it is a good Bourbon but should not be selling for $150. We feel that once you get over that $100 mark, a Bourbon should be special. We also feel like there should be more info on it, especially the age. We want to reiterate that this Bourbon, with some water, was enjoyable to drink. Just not $150 enjoyable.
If you like to explore new Bourbons, or like adding hard-to-find bottles to your collection, or just like the idea of super hot juice, pick up a bottle, if you can find it, of Old Man Winter Bourbon.