Maker: Barton 1792, Bardstown, Kentucky, USA (Sazerac)
Style: High malt (?) bonded bourbon.
Age: At least four years old (all from one distilling season).
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Michigan state minimum: $38
Appearance: Medium copper.
Nose: Roasted corn, sweet malt, cayenne powder.
Palate: Cola, alcohol. With water. Caramel, cola, less burn.
Finish: Sweet and custardy. Sweet cola (yes again) with melted ice cubes.
Parting words: For many years, the Bottled-in-Bond category was a guarantee of quality among American whiskeys. Then, when I was getting into the hobby, it was most common as a sign of a good value. The pendulum has swung back a bit these days and premium bonds are making a comeback. The new, pricey Old Fitzgerald and Heaven Hill BiBs, Henry McKenna, and now 1792.
I like the standard expression well enough, and I have really enjoyed the single barrel and barrel strength editions I’ve had. Sadly, the Bottled-in-Bond doesn’t live up to those. It’s not bad, it’s just not enough of an improvement on the Small Batch to warrant $8 more dollars and the hard work of trying to locate a bottle. Ironically, it may be hampered by being bonded and restricted to one distilling season. There’s a lack of complexity that the addition of older bourbon might be able to fix.
1792 Bottled-in-Bond is only mildly recommended.
Sipology 