Up for review today is Very Old Barton, Bottled in Bond, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. We were actually turned on to this stuff by a liquor store owner that we frequent a lot, thanks Lou.
VOB, BiB comes in a screw top bottle that reminds one of the Weller’s line. It sells for around $15 or under, is bottled at 100 proof and is aged between 4 to 6 years. Barton is not something you will find in every store.
Speaking of the availability, if or when you find a bottle, check it out very carefully. They also have an 86 proof and a 90 proof expression and they both say Very Old Barton as well, and all 3 come in the same shaped bottle with a similar label. The Bottled in Bond is by far the best of the 3, and they are all close in price.
Also, since it has the number 6 on the stem of the bottle, many people believe this to mean it is 6 years old. That is not the case. It use to say 6 years, now just the number 6.
NOSE
Ron: Spice and a bread/grain aroma seem to be the most prominent. This is followed by scents of caramel and bananas. I also pick up a very slight smell of toasted nuts.
Todd: A nose of sweet toasted bread up front followed by bananas, caramel, bread and honey. Not bad.
TASTE
Ron: The spice, toasted nuts and the banana that I got on the nose all come through on the tongue. Add to that brown sugar and a slight mustiness.
Todd: Not too hot neat but I don’t get any dominate flavor. A little oak, some sweetness and the mustiness that Ron got. While not real complex, it was not a bad drink.
FINISH
Ron: Medium to medium-long with some musty bitterness.
Todd: A medium, sweet, flat finish.
OVERALL
Ron: A decent Bourbon for the $15 or so price point.
Todd: I agree, you could do a lot worse in that price range.
Nose 3.75 out of 5
Taste 7 out of 10
Finish 3 out of 5
Total score 13.75 out of 20 Barrels
Not a bad Bourbon, especially for the price, but we wouldn’t go looking for a bottle. Makes a decent mixer and a good 2nd pour. However, we reviewed Evan Williams White label, Bottled in Bond a few weeks ago, and we both like EW better, it is at the same price point and is a lot easier to find.
Bottom line, if you see a bottle of Very Old Barton, Bottled in Bond, selling for around $15 or less, go ahead and give it a try.