Dustin Gandoff
Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series: Boston
Nose
Rich dark scents waft out of the glass in the form of baking chocolate, cinnamon stick, and charred oak. Kentucky cream pull candy adds sweetness, while a dash of light rye spice and leather help ground everything. Inhaling deeper pulls out a scent of dark fruits which helps add intrigue. It’s a nuanced yet delicious way to open up the sip.
Palate
Earthy notes of dried charred oak, green peppercorn spice, and dry cinnamon march their way forward. Behind these are notes of rye spice and plumb dark raisins. The proof is tempered in the palate, instead, the focus is on the age of the bourbon. The extended time spent in barrels is evident, yet the bourbon doesn’t come across as over-oaked. It may not quite reach the same level that the nose does, however, it exemplifies all the flavors you’d want out of a bourbon this age.
Finish
A gentle rush of rye spice comes forward. Immediately behind this are dried charred oak and leather, along with a light note of heavily charred caramel. A dash of green peppercorn and baking spices are also present, however, the focus is clearly on the drier oak and leather notes that prop up a canopy of rye spice. It lingers appropriately for a bourbon this age and provides adequate time between sips to dissect what you just tasted.
Uniqueness
I discussed in detail in my Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series: Clermont and Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series: Frankfort reviews the backstory behind the Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series is worth repeating. Having been distilled with the exact same mashbill, laid down the exact same day, and aged for the exact same amount of time, yet aged in different parts of Kentucky, asks the question if the resulting bourbons will carry similar or unique flavor profiles. While terroir (and terroir-themed) experiments have been done before, and new ones are popping up such as Classification: Straight Bourbon Company: Beam Suntory Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery Release Date: September 2023 Proof: 110 Age: 17 Years Mashbill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley Color: Mahogany MSRP: $170 / 750mL (2023)
Ed nose that brings more to the table than the typical “bourbony” notes, making it appeal to a wide range of whiskey drinkers.
The nose of Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series: Boston is full of complex and enticing scents, including notes of baking chocolate, cinnamon, and oak. The addition of cream pull candy and rye spice adds depth and intrigue, making this whiskey appealing to a variety of palates.
Ced, complex, and inviting aroma that draws you in.
The nose of Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series: Boston is a well-balanced and enticing mix of chocolate, spice, and oak with a touch of sweetness. The addition of dark fruits adds depth to the aroma and makes it a truly enjoyable experience. What a delightful scent!