Daniel Davis
1792 Aged Twelve Years (2023 Release) – Review
Nose
The nose of the 1792 Aged Twelve Years (2023 Release) opens with a warm, rich caramel apple scent that immediately sets the tone. Lighter scents of raspberry, honey and confectioners’ sugar create a solid mid-range of scents. A layer of oak and vanilla grounds the aroma in a classic bourbon style. The mingling of expressive caramel, raspberry brightness, and a developing glazed donut underpinning create an aroma that is extremely effective and hard to resist. Very well done.
Palate
Caramel continues into the palate and is married with milk chocolate, brown sugar, and nougat. While these flavors suggest a sweet tasting bourbon, that’s far from the case. There’s a roasted and aged element to the bourbon’s taste that grounds its flavor profile quite dramatically. The overall flavor is rich but lacks brightness and energy. It drinks its age, with a maturity to its palate, but doesn’t try to surprise the drinker in any way.
Finish
Rye spice is the first to take hold. It’s accompanied by dry charred oak that exhibits a strong grasp throughout the rest of the sip. The bourbon’s age is on display, offering a grounded array of flavors versus leaning heavily into sweet or fruity ones. The result is a finish that doesn’t go out of its way to impress, and instead is content on being typical and familiar. Mixed nuts, graham crackers, and cocoa nibs provide a heavy base further grounding this low flying bourbon.
Uniqueness
1792 Aged Twelve Years’ flavor profile doesn’t bow to the wild side in any particularly unique direction. It continues to be a fairly straightforward sip that’s easy to grasp for any level of bourbon drinkers. Compared to Knob Creek 12 Year, its age is much more apparent, but some of that has to do with a less flashy flavor profile and its dry oak finish. 1792 Aged Twelve Years does have some sweet underpinning, but its lack of overt fruit notes turns it into a more classic and down-to-earth style bourbon.
Value
The value of 1792 Aged Twelve Years will depend on personal taste and whether you prefer oak-forward or fruit-forward bourbons. With its less flashy flavor profile, it’s easy to discount what 1792 Aged Twelve Years brings to the table and what it doesn’t. It’s a much more straightforward bourbon that is easy to sip but requires the drinker to put in more work to pull it apart. Its adequately priced because of its age statement, and struggles to afford a better value beyond that based on its limited flavor profile.
Overall
Barton 1792 Distillery continues to prove how rock solid and consistent of a distillery they are. Four years after their initial release of 1792 Aged Twelve Years, little has changed for the brand. Its age is much more apparent, but some of that has to do with a less flashy flavor profile and its dry oak finish. The bourbon market is constantly changing, and I’m not sure if 1792 Aged Twelve Years in its current state will be able to keep up. It’s a strongly built 12 year old bourbon that can be too much of a straight shooter at times
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company Inc.
Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery
Release Date: Summer 2023 (Annual release)
Proof: 96.6
Age: 12 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Marketed as “High rye,” and believed to be 15-25% rye)
Color: Light Mahogany
MSRP: $60 (2023)
The finish. The heat is moderate, yet warm, with peppery rye grains mixing with the oaky matrix in a nice dance. The finish is solid, bright, and features a long hungover with the sensations of nicely aged 1792.
This review accurately captures the complex and mature flavors of the 1792 Aged Twelve Years (2023 Release). The combination of caramel, raspberry, and oak creates an irresistible aroma, while the palate displays a balanced mix of sweet and roasted flavors. The rye spice in the finish adds a nice touch to complement the overall experience. A well-crafted bourbon that is sure to please any whiskey enthusiast.
The palate. Following close behind is a layer of maple syrup & nutmeg, complemented by dark berry jam. Eventually, the palate dries out with a touch of vanilla and dark roasted coffee beans.
This bourbon has a well-rounded nose, palate, and finish that keeps the drinker intrigued and wanting more. With its combination of warm sweetness, rich oak, and spicy kick, it is sure to become a fan favorite for bourbon aficionados. The 1792 Aged Twelve Years (2023 Release) has truly lived up to its hype and offers a complex and delightful drinking experience.
The finish. On second pass the dryness loosens and allows the caramel, chocolate, and oak to create a very harmonious finish while sustaining a lasting heat.Overall, the 1792 Aged Twelve Years (2023 Release) is a well-balanced and mature bourbon with a warm and inviting nose, a rich and complex palate, and a satisfying finish. It may lack the surprise factor, but it more than makes up for it with its overall high quality. A must-try for bourbon lovers.
The finish. The oak tastes aged from beginning to end. The spice is bright and resonates with a roughness. The finish is long and robust enough to serve as an effective after dinner drink.Dark and complex with well-balanced flavors, the 1792 Aged Twelve Years (2023 Release) is a standout bourbon. While it may lack some brightness and energy, it still makes for a mature and enjoyable sip with a long finish. It’s a great addition to any bourbon lover’s collection.