Hancock’s President’s Reserve
88.9 proof
Aroma: Vanilla, nutmeg, light fruit, very sweet.
Taste: Caramel, apricot, honey; sweet with a little spice at the front; smooth, lightly oaked finish.
Verdict: This single-barrel bourbon was a special selection at the Liquor Barn in Lexington. It’s handsomely bottled – the cork makes a satisfying “pop” when opened – and comes in a red velvet drawstring bag. The contents are just as satisfying. While it isn’t the most complex bourbon I’ve tasted, it does have a nice blend of sweetness and spice and a very smooth and warming finish. It’s a bourbon I’ll enjoy sipping neat as the evenings get chillier.