Talking Bourbon goes big time with a very hard to find and pretty expensive bottle of Bourbon. Today, we are tasting Very Old St Nick 13-year Ancient Cask Bourbon. The Very Old St Nick brand is almost an enigma. There is hardly any info on the web regarding the product, and the bottles are rarely in a store, and if they are, they go almost immediately. But most Bourbon drinkers we know have never heard of St Nick. It is like there is this small cabal of people in the know about this juice, and they keep it to themselves. We think it is made by Preservation, but other sites on the internet mention other distilleries. So we are not even sure of the basic information on this product.
As stated above, this is a very hard bottle to come by, sells for around $450, is 107.5 proof, and comes in a very nice, old school looking corked bottle. As the name implies it is aged for 13 years. We could not figure out the mash bill or what is meant by an “Ancient Casks”.
A while back, we reviewed Very Old St Nick Summer Rye Cask Strength and really liked it. That particular rye sold for around $160, so still very much on the high side but not in the vicinity of this Bourbon. We need to ask ourselves, what do we need to experience in this Bourbon, or any Bourbon that retails for this much, to say it was worth it. Only trying it will tell.
NOSE
Matt: It had a very light smell at first, but after a minute, I really started to pick out many things. Nothing stands out; it’s just a nice balance of oak, rye, corn, vanilla, brown sugar, and almond. I also got a feint taste of anise, apples, and cinnamon. Ice made it smell sweeter.
Todd: Wood up front, and I know this sounds weird, but specifically Mahagony. Joining on the front end is grain, leather, and a general sweetness. I pick up lesser scents of tobacco, a date-like aroma, and a slight mustiness. Ice really didn’t change the nose for me.
TASTES
Matt: A bit hot neat but after the first sip flavors come flooding in. Getting the oak, rye, corn, and vanilla that I got on the nose along with some strong caramel and leather. I am also tasting a bit of tobacco. Ice calms the heat and gives the finish a little more vanilla sweetness.
Todd: The Mahagony on the nose has changed to oak on the tongue, as did the grain become barley and cereal. Big caramel taste along with white cake, leather, and tobacco. I also still pick up the dates and mustiness from the nose. Behind all this is a very small hint of bananas. I think it is a little better with ice, getting more of the leather, sweetness, and an overall fruitiness.
FINISH
Matt: Long with a bit of black pepper.
Todd: Medium long with some sweetness and coffee.
OVERALL
Matt: A very complex and enjoyable Bourbon, but it may be overpriced.
Todd: First, I want to thank Matt who hit one of his business goals and decided to buy this bottle. I echo what Matt said, very good nose, a really complex taste and finish, and enjoyable to drink. But man, this is an expensive drink.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 8.75 out of 10
Finish 4.25 out of 5
Total score 17.5 out of 20 bottles.
On the positive side, Very Old St Nick has struck again, we liked this Bourbon a lot just like we liked the Summer Rye a lot. On the negative side, this Bourbon is three times the cost of the rye, and the rye wasn’t cheap. 13-year-old Ancient Cask has great complexity on both the nose and the taste and a very good finish. If money is not on obstacle, wouldn’t that be great, buying this Bourbon will get you a bottle that most people haven’t heard of much less seen or tasted. You will also be getting a very good Bourbon.
As to our question of what we need to experience in this Bourbon, or any Bourbon that retails for this much, to say it was worth it. We are not sure. Maybe nothing at this price point can be justified by the taste and smell. Maybe you have to look at buying a bottle of Very Olde St Nick 13 year Ancient Cask as more of an investment or collector’s item. Something only to be pulled out on very special occasions. If looked at in that light, then yeah, maybe it is worth it to buy a bottle.