Country: USA
Brand: Jefferson's Presidential Select
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age: 18 Years
ABV: 47 %
Sample Provided By: Derek, USA. Many Thanks!
Date: 19/01/2014
Colour: Deep Amber with Tones of Orange and Brown
Nose: Give it sufficient time to breathe! Good balance between Sweet, Spicy and Woody Aromas. The Alcohol is nicely integrated. I find Custard/Vanilla, Sweet Grain, Warm Pancakes with Golden Syrup and a sprinkle of Orange Liqueur, Oak, Resin, Candied Nuts, Caramel, Wax, light Acetone, Cinnamon and Pepper.
Palate: Sweet and Spicy with Toffee/Caramel/Butterscotch, slightly Bitter Oak, Resin, Roasted Nuts, Cocoa Powder, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Pepper, Cloves and Ginger.
Finish: Middle-Long, Sweet at first but Dry towards the end with Toffee, Butter, slightly Bitter Oak, Pine Resin, Cherries, Creamy Vanilla, Pepper, Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
Water does not improve the Jefferson's Presidential Select 18 Years.
Rating: 87
Nose: 22.5 - Taste: 21.5 - Finish: 21.5 - Overall: 21.5
Derek's Bottle and the Sample!
General Remarks: McLain and Kyne Distillers Ltd is a Blending Company or NDP (Non Distiller Producer) based in Louisville, Kentucky. McLain was founded by Chet Zoeller but was bought by Castle Brands in 2006. They specialise in Small Batch Bourbons of roughly between 8 and 12 barrels bought from various Kentucky Distillers. Their main Brand Name is Jefferson's. Currently the following expressions are marketed: Jefferson's Bourbon, Jefferson's Rye, Jefferson's Reserve, Jefferson's Presidential Select, Jefferson's Ocean and the Chef's Collaboration. The Presidential Select 18 years I am tasting today was distilled from Wheat in the fall of 1991. The sample I received was taken out of bottle # 0824 of Batch # 18. The spirit aged in Stitzel-Weller Barrels from the distillery of the same name that was mothballed in 1992 by owners Diageo. But in 2013 Diageo announced they would re-start production at the Louisville based plant. Considering the above, it is most likely that our today's Whiskey has been distilled at the Stitzel-Weller distillery that is also well known for the famous Pappy van Winkle Brand. Jefferson Reserve Presidential Select 18 Years is sold at roughly between 100 and 125 US Dollars.
Drinking Experience Neat: Good
Conclusion: The Jefferson Reserve Presidential Select 18 years is certainly an above average Bourbon. The Nose is the best part in my opinion. There I find the Balance, Richness and Salutary Peace that comes with old age. But on the Palate and, to a lesser extent, in the Finish I find this Bourbon a bit Nervous, too Spicy perhaps and with a slight Woody Bitterness. I do like the Creamy Vanilla Note in the Finish though. Almost like Ice Cream. A good Bourbon therefore and highly drinkable given its high age. But I'm not sure I would want to spend 125 Bucks on this Jefferson Reserve PE 18 years.
Jan van den Ende January 2014
