Doc Swinson’s Blender’s Cut Bourbon
The first Doc Swinson’s product I tried was their 15 Year Old Bourbon, and it earned a solid 7.3. As talked about on my episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast with Head Blender Jesse Parker, Doc’s was one of the first non-distilling producers (NDPs) to snag one of those 15-year-old stocks, but rather than buying a gigantic 40-foot tote, they picked through the stocks and chose their barrels one by one. They were so far ahead of the game, they got to pick multiple times. Insanity. And still, their release of whatever that stock was was better than most, if not all, of the others that came out.
Granted, that may not be a representative sample. Most of Doc Swinson’s products, the Blender’s Cut Bourbon included, are around 5-7 years old, half the age of that 15-year release. Skipping ahead a bit, their Blender’s Cut Bourbon - a blend of MGP’s 36% rye and 21% rye bourbon recipes - showcases the true skill behind Doc Swinson’s process, earning a 7.1, just 0.2 points below the other and still solidly in the “great” category.
Jesse, Doc Swinson’s Head Blender, holds nothing back about this product or any other. This is approximately a 60-40 blend of the two recipes, around five years old but up to seven depending on the batch, and with minimal-to-no water added. The barrels and batches are chosen not only for flavor, but for proof, each coming out within the legal limits of 115 proof. At most, they might add four gallons of water in a forty-barrel batch. With each barrel holding about 53 gallons, that’s a minuscule amount and certainly not one significant enough to add flavor.
MGP bourbon is great - we all know that. But what you do with it can make a huge difference. In talking to Jesse, I remarked how the first thing that hit me when tasting this was the mouthfeel. The nose was pleasant and complex, so I was expecting good things, but the mouthfeel was so creamy and coating. In a totally separate part of the interview, Jesse mentioned how Redbreast Irish Whiskey is an inspiration for how he blends (note: not his favorite, necessarily, but an inspiration for sure), and to be honest I get that in spades here. The spice from the higher rye recipe is there, the creaminess and corn-forward low-rye recipe is there, and both play nicely in the sandbox.
Keep this in mind: aside from the Alter Ego Rye, the Blender’s Cut blend is the base for all of Doc Swinson’s products. It’s hard to like other variations if you don’t like the base, no matter how well crafted the finishing is (and I’ll do more spoilers: Jesse does a great job here, too). It’s also a fantastic example of why you need to try the base or entry-level product from a brand. Sure, others might be more exciting, or some might be ridiculously rare, but seriously consider this: have you tried where that release comes from? Do you want to understand the through line? Personally, I do, maybe you don’t - and after trying the Blender’s Cut Bourbon, I know there’s a solid chance I’m going to like the rest of the Doc Swinson’s lineup.
Thanks to Doc Swinson’s for providing a bottle of the Blender’s Cut Bourbon at no cost. While full editorial control remains with me, it is greatly appreciated.
Doc Swinson’s Blender’s Cut Bourbon Whiskey: Specs
Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Origin: MGP Distillery
Mashbill: A Blend of 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley Mash Bills from MGP
Proof: 115 (57.5% ABV)
Age: 5 Years Old
Location: Indiana, Blended and Bottled in Washington
Doc Swinson’s Blender’s Cut Bourbon Whiskey Price: $45
Doc Swinson’s Blender’s Cut Bourbon Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Bronzed copper. Thin rim and slowly sliding drops, no legs.
Nose: Sweet, slightly chalky orchard fruits, somewhere between an apple and an asian pear. Sea salt caramel, a touch of proof heat. Heat steaming off of pretzel crusts.
Palate: Mouthfeel is the first thing to hit, and it’s delicious. Starts creamy then adds some effervescence and champagne notes. Roasted corn opens up with a moderate proof hit. Baked vanilla and soaking brioche for French Toast. Sultana. sweetness with a bright, acidic wine overtone that lightens the pour.
Finish: Effervescent yet coating, leaving the vinous and vanilla notes to lacquer the palate on a medium-to-long finish.
Overall: The blend of both MGP mashbills opens a new, bright acidity to counter the sweetness. This is a blend that’s right where it needs to be, maybe even better, showcasing its components while also demonstrating how a blend can elevate those components to a greater whole. By the way - the French Toast is still lingering on the tongue!
Final Rating: 7.1
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Old Label Batch 4 or 2, Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (Stagg Jr. Batch 10, Highland Park Single Barrels)
7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)
6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)
4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)
3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)
2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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