Up for review today is Wolcott Rickhouse Reserve, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. We had never heard of Wolcott as recently as a few years ago. Seemed to come out of nowhere and was all of a sudden everywhere. We couldn’t find anything on the bottle or web that stated what exactly they mean by Rickhouse Reserve. In fact, there is not much info regarding this Bourbon, period. They don’t seem to have a home page of their own, with some sites saying it is distilled by Barton 1792, while others say it is from Clear Spring Distillery. Further digging shows that Buffalo Trace owns Clear Springs. Heads are spinning.
As stated, Wolcott Rickhouse Reserve seems to be readily available, is a whopping 120 proof, sells for around $40, and comes in a short average-looking corked bottle. There was no age statement or mash bill on the bottle or on the web.
We have had the standard Wolcott Bourbon and came away thinking it was just okay. Maybe adding the mysterious term Rickhouse Reserve and upping the proof will turn us into fans.
NOSE
Matt: Really good nose of oak and caramel. Also, get some cedar, toffee, rye, and cinnamon.
Todd: Nothing major stands out but still a nice aroma of toast, vanilla, toffee, caramel, rye, and cinnamon.
TASTE
Matt: A touch hot neat but would never guess this juice is 120 proof. Brown sugar and caramel hit you first with vanilla and leather rounding out the experience. Ice brings out a little corn.
Todd: A caramel and overall sweetness up front with oak and butterscotch coming in behind that. I agree, ice brought out a corn taste.
FINISH
Matt: Medium with some heat but also some smoothness.
Todd: Medium with heat and sweetness.
OVERALL
Matt: Not a bad value, considering it is 120 proof. If too hot, add water.
Todd: Not a lot of 120-proof bottles out there around the $40 range. That in itself makes for a decent value.
Nose 4 out of 5
Taste 7.5 out of 10
Finish 3.25 out of 5
Total score 14.75 out of 20 barrels.
Not a lot stands out with this Bourbon, but that is not to say it is bad. It has a very good nose and is at a very good price point. But in the end, nose and price are nice but taste is the king, and this stuff lacks something in the taste. Again, not bad, just not necessarily good.
Final verdict, Wolcott Rickhouse Reserve is a decent Bourbon, and at 120 proof, you are definitely not buying water. That proof point makes it a pretty good value. At $40, we suggest buying a bottle of this mysterious Bourbon and try it for yourself.