Review #59 Hancock's Presidential Reserve: Bourbon

Score: 8.2 / 10

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Type: Single Barrel Straight Bourbon

Hunting for some Buffalo Trace Mash bill Number Two, but just can’t seem to find that bottle of Blanton’s, Rock Hill Farms or Elmer T. Lee? Then go out and grab yourself a bottle of Hancock’s Presidential Reserve! Although, not quite as easy as you think it will be to find. All Buffalo Trace products are allocated whiskey. All the way down to Benchmark 8.

This expression is a single barrel bourbon made by our friends at Buffalo Trace / Sazerac in Frankfurt KY. One of the best whiskey brads for sure. I think there is little debate over this among connoisseurs and collectors alike. Hancock's quickly became one of my girlfriend’s favorite bourbons when we paired it with ice cream cake for her birthday. (I.e. Vanilla with vanilla?? can't lose there). Well, its time to revisit it and sit down for an official review.

44.45% ABV - 88.9 Proof. Served neat in a Glencairn glass.

Whiskey Review:

Nose: Toasted oak and vanilla take center stage on the nose. Light scents of heavy whipping cream, brown sugar and lemon zest.

Palate: Astringent orange rind and tart cherry accost the tongue before transitioning into potent oily vanilla and caramel. A woody cinnamon builds on the back-end and ramps up into a nice 'bourbon hug'.

Finish: Medium Finish and all around pretty mild. Vanilla Bean and charred oak flavor that hits you just right.

Score: 8.2

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Notes: Availability? Rare. I don't see this too commonly in Colorado. It doesn't get hunted a ton though as many people don't even know that is a BT product.

It's a good even bourbon. Great for a transitional phase into bourbon sipping. I wouldn't go super far out of my way to purchase it, but if you are reading this right now as you stare at it in the store..... Buy It!