Jefferson’s Presidential Select 18 YO

Jefferson’s Presidential Select 18 YO

47% ABV/94 Proof

18 YO

Eye: Perfect amber. Thick rims and slow droplet legs. 

Nose: Sweet, lots of sweet wine. Controlled bourbon flavors are content to fall back, but are nonetheless delicious.

Palate: Some oak heat coats the mouth. Also a sweet palate, but not as sweet as the nose. Candied vine fruit. Caramel grows and heat lingers at the back of the throat. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and creamy.

Finish: Finish is short-to-medium, grape sweetness, some old bourbon mustiness and plenty of oak body. 

Overall: The oak keeps the pour from being too sweet and adds complexity. A good and daily balanced sip for 18 YO bourbon.

Rating: 6.7

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, 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)