Review of Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity Whiskey

Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity

Jefferson’s has long experimented with aging barrels in unusual locations and conditions. This started in 2012 with their ongoing Ocean Aged at Sea line, most recently attaining 29 different voyages and includes cask strength bourbon, wheated bourbon, and rye variations. A New York Edition was also released, which was cut with New York water for bottling after its voyage.

For Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity, according to the company’s press release, “The journey to create this special liquid was a wild one. Nine containers with a combined capacity of 720 barrels of fully matured Kentucky straight bourbon set sail for Singapore via an ocean ship in July 2019, marking the start of the journey. Following that journey, these barrels were exposed to Singapore’s severe heat and humidity for an astounding 18 months resulting in a bourbon that is intensely caramelized and steeped with flavor. The extreme heat essentially slow cooks and caramelizes the sugars in the wood. The containers made their way back to Kentucky in March 2023, where Zoeller evaluated and selected the ideal flavor profile and proof point.”

Tasting Notes

Nose

There’s something unique about this bourbon that makes itself evident on the nose, and then carries through the rest of the sip. Traditional scents are present; caramel, vanilla, light pepper, and a touch of leather, but they’re wrapped up in an unusual aroma that I can only describe as simultaneously savory and fruit-filled, albeit difficult to pinpoint specifically beyond that. While those scent/flavor dimensions can be present in a single bourbon, they typically compete with or contrast with one another. Somehow they work in unison here in a subtle way I’ve never experienced. This makes for an engaging start to the sip.

Palate

Light tobacco and caramel are accented by baking spices. The same unique, savory yet fruit-filled characteristic that was present on the nose is amplified on the palate, revealing a medley of bright summer fruits. Its impact is helped by the bourbon’s creamy mouthfeel, which adds a pleasing richness to its overall delivery. It’s unusual in the sense that while it seems like a very familiar overall flavor profile, at the same time it’s underscored by its uniquely rich, savory, bright fruity trait that ultimately defines it and is what sets it apart. This combination makes for a wonderfully rich, and highly drinkable sip as a result.

Finish

A slew of spices develops, consisting of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Savory tobacco, which is more refined here than when it was introduced initially on the palate, as well as dry leather are complemented by sweet brown sugar. The savory, fruity essence that weaved its way through the entire sip dissipates here, allowing a more familiar sweet-spicy mix to take over. It’s a very nice finish overall, offering a good degree of flavor that draws you back in for more.

Uniqueness

Jefferson’s is a leader when it comes to exploring different aging conditions around the world. Their Ocean Aged at Sea experiment drew my attention almost 9 years ago, and I interviewed Trey Zoeller for more details. While I noticed unique underlying flavor characteristics with some of the initial voyages, I have admittedly lost interest in the concept as I’ve found more recent voyages do not offer notable qualities to the same degree. However, I have found them to be consistently well-rounded and approachable whiskeys and did notice some unique qualities with their Ocean Aged at Sea Rye Voyage 26, incidentally the first rye to be aged at sea.

Tropics Aged in Humidity puts barrels

Review of Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity Whiskey

Bottle Info

Classification: Straight Bourbon

Company: Pernod Ricard

Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed distillery(ies) in Kentucky

Release Date: September 2023

Proof: 104

Age: NAS (Aged at least 4 years per TTB regulations)

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Color: Warm Amber

MSRP: $100 / 750mL (2023)

Official Website

Reader Rating4595 Votes

9.3

10