Maker: George Dickel, Tullhoma, Tennessee, USA (Diageo)
Style: Tennessee Whiskey
Proof: 103
(51.5% ABV)
Spc= Selected by Spec’s, Houston, Texas, USA
RW= Selected by Red Wagon, Troy/Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA
Appearance
Spc: Dark copper, long, well developed legs.
RW: Brighter copper, similar legginess.
Nose
Spc: Alcohol, leather, lavender, char.
RW: Less alcohol, oak, peanut butter candy.
Palate
Spc: Well balanced with peanut brittle, a bit of maple.
RW: Sweet and bold with lots of maple and wood. A bit of peanut butter in the background.
Finish
Spc: Fairly hot finish that tingles for a long time with the signature George Dickel vitamin finish.
RW: Huge Dickel finish. Chewable vitamins, maple sugar candy and alcohol.
Parting words: Dickel’s single barrel program got kicked off a few months ago with a series of 9 y/o and 14 y/o retailer selections. The early reports had the 9 y/o barrels being superior to the 14 so I decided to invest in two of the 9s. In fact, I had been inquiring at Red Wagon about whether or not they would be participating in the program for weeks when I decided to just acquire one from an out of state store. The day after my Spec’s bottle arrived, I happened to be in Red Wagon and, lo and behold, theirs was sitting right there on the shelf. So, of course, I bought one of theirs too.
I was pleasantly surprised at the differences between these two bottles/barrels. Both were good but I give Spec’s the edge. Red Wagon’s tasted like an amped up version of Dickel #12. Lots of sweet peanut butter and maple with a touch of that famous vitamin note. I enjoy the #12 so I didn’t mind that, although anymore of that vitamin taste would have been unpleasant.
Spec’s had those signature Dickel flavors and aromas but they were more subtle and had a sweet leathery quality that reminded me of Elmer T. Lee and similar Buffalo Trace bourbons. It was surprising and showed how subtle and elegant George Dickel has the potential to be. Let’s hope it’s a sign of good things to come from Tullahoma.
Red Wagon’s 9 y/o Dickel Single Barrel is recommended and Spec’s is highly recommended.
Sipology 