Verdict: Excellent Mid-bodied Small Batch
I picked up a bottle of 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Bourbon (named for the year Kentucky became a state) on a recent trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The airlines frown upon traveling with liquid these days, so I was happy to see that stores that far west of Kentucky had bourbon on the shelves. 1792 is aged eight years and is 93.7 proof, making it slightly milder than some more prolific bourbons. I couldn’t resist taking the photo (above) with the Grand Tetons as the backdrop.
First off, the bottle is great – the thick glass reveals the rich, dark color of the contents with a cork and burlap wrap around the neck. A nice presentation for a small batch bourbon.
A whiff gave me good nose, but it wasn’t overpowering. I had to work pretty hard to get an oaky smell, but it was adequate. My first sample, neat, was very pleasurable – Caramels, vanillas, with a hint of oak – all well balanced. A decent burn with a flavorful finish. Not overly harsh or overly mild – I would put this one somewhere in the mid-range for drinkability.
I think this is a good bourbon to have in stock. Newcomers may enjoy the milder body as well. I tend to put this one in a similar category with like Eagle Rare or Jefferson’s.