Our December tasting event explored a menagerie of George Dickel bourbon released in the 1970s, 1990s, and modern day. Products are aged from 9 to 17 years, but all contain the same classic 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley mash bill from the George A. Dickel & Co. Distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
Cocktail: Sunny Day
3 oz. George Dickel NO 12
.75 oz. Lemon juice
.5 oz. simple syrup
.5 oz. lilikoi syrup
Shake and top with club soda
Bottle 1: George Dickel Barrel Select
Proof: 86
Price: $36.00
Purchase location: Auburn Spirits
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Custard; yeast dough; vitamins; chocolate; must; malt ball; potting soil; dried port; caramel green apple; wafer cookie.
Palate: Caramel green apple; chocolate oatmeal cookie, dry raisin, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Finish: Dry, with minerals, oak, wafers, and a metallic note.
Why this bottle is featured: 10 Barrels selected by Distiller of 10 -12 years.
Bottle 2: George Dickel Hand Selected Barrel Brooks Liquor 2014
Proof: 103
Price: $
Purchase location: Brooks Liquor – Salina KS
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Butterscotch; baby wipes; old perfume; nickel; blackberries.
Palate: Metallic and fruity, with strawberries and tropical fruit; hay and dirt; Butterfinger candy.
Finish: A very subtle finish, some Milky Way candy bar, charred marshmallows, and sour apple.
Why this bottle is featured: Single Barrel still available in Salina, KS. Aged 9 years.
Bottle 3: George Dickel Special Barrel Reserve
Proof: 86
Price: $162.50
Purchase location: BSM
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Brandy/Calvados; fuji apples; chocolate and vanilla; creme brulee; baby powder; creamed corn.
Palate: Brown sugar; Swiss Miss; marshmallows; creamed corn; an oily texture throughout.
Finish: Brown sugar and simple syrup; some butterscotch and malt.
Why this bottle is featured: This is a special bottling that was part of the Bourbon Heritage Collection release in 1994
Bottle 4: 1976 George Dickel 1870 Commemorative Ceramic Jug
Proof: 86
Mash Bill: 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley
Price: $89.99
Purchase location: Hurst Liquor – Haysville, KS
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Butterscotch; Butterfinger candy; old grape Cool-Aid; flat cola; maple syrup.
Palate: Green apple; grass; very flat cola; Bottle Caps candy; cherry cough syrup; dry oak/cardboard, but a waxy texture.
Finish: Feels sticky; medicinal; green apple; pinecone; maple syrup candy cane.
Why this bottle is featured: Because its older than almost everyone in the group and it’s in a cool jug!
Bottle 5: George Dickel 17 Year Reserve Whiskey
Proof: 87
Price: $133.75
Purchase location: Distillery
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Green apple Jolly Rancher; orange wafer cookies; custard; mineral notes with hay, nectarines, and black cherries; Pino Grigio.
Palate: Caramel corn; butter and chocolate; diacetyl; apple butter; orange Tang.
Finish: Multi-grain bread; menthol; salted butter.
Why this bottle is featured: Limited release only available at the distillery. George Dickel released a limited-edition George Dickel 17-Year-Old Reserve expression after distiller. Allegedly discovered a cache of 80 17-year-old barrels languishing, forgotten, in the back of the warehouse.
