Travel retail bourbons | 43.5% & 50% ABV

Score: 6/10

**Good Stuff.**
***TL;DR***
*Surprisingly pleasant and a step above the standard bottling*

Enjoyable Travel Retail?

In my opinion, 2023 has seemingly been the year where we've returned to 'normal' once more. Folk are going back to their place of work, music and sporting events are welcoming back crowds again, and travel restrictions lifted so that we may embark on those destinations that have been on hold since early 2020.

Over the past eighteen months, I think I've frequented an airport more than I have in the previous five years. With holidays and travelling internationally for work, an airport is something I really didn't miss whatsoever. Forking out £12 for a slice of toast and the same again for any type of beverage, you're really at the mercy of those outlets and eateries when you've nothing to do until you board your flight.

Most ‘duty free’ departments don't have much to shout about. You always end up walking through anyway just to have something to do. If you travel with your partner, you always get that look when you mention "I'm just going to check where the whiskies are", knowing fine well it's the first thing your eyes clocked as you entered the departure lounge.

Both Belfast airports offer very little in terms of variety or real bargains. I've found the same with most UK airports recently, maybe bar those in Scotland who would have a little bit more in terms of Scotch and their assortment of distilleries and expressions. The litre bottle offering can help on occasion, getting that little bit more for the money but I'd only ever get a bottle on the way home.

International flights bring a bit more value compared to European destinations. There's no such thing really as 'duty free' these days, with prices either the same or sometimes even more expensive. Once you move far away from the sheer amount of Macallan, Highland Park and Glenmorangie, the odd offering can be enticing; if you’re lucky.

I managed to pick up a Wild Turkey Rare Breed last year for €45, which I thought was great for something I can't easily pick up back home. The odd Ardbeg or Caol Ila can be reasonably priced, but not much there to turn your head or get you excited when purchasing. A lot of NAS waffle, and bottles clearly targeted for the casual whisky drinker, and collector too. I often wonder who would buy some of the bottles priced £1000+, but a fair few duty free departments stock such bottles.

When I was recently flying in and out of Atlanta, Georgia, I was actually keen to purchase one of the two bottles I picked up this time round.

Dublin didn't have too much interest. A hell of a lot of Irish whiskey on offer as you'd expect, but I didn't see myself getting through an entire litre that week, especially as I had to be at my best for a full week of meetings. As a big fan of Woodford Reserve, it would be a bottle I'd regularly stock and dip into for an easy sipper, their double oaked expression was on my radar for a long time. I think it was priced for around $55. I'd forgotten all about the tax being added when you get to the checkout, an absolutely infuriating retail experience for someone not used to it. The other selection was a litre bottle of Knob Creek 9 year old at 50% ABV. It was priced around the same, and I'd never experienced Knob Creek Kentucky Bourbon before and it piqued my interest compared to the other offerings available.

The lady at the checkout was kind to remind me I was able to take four litres back home with me. To which I replied, 'No thank you. Any more than this, and my wife will kill me.' Her response: 'Yes. Yes we will.'

Having picked up two bourbons while out and about after work, and these two at travel retail I only realised that the four all come from Kentucky. Rookie mistake when it comes to American whiskey shopping, but it's a new space for me. I was completely overwhelmed while in a local liquor store, and I only had space for two bottles in my luggage. It made the choice much more difficult.

The two travel retail bottles I thought would be a good enough duo to taste and review here on Dramface. The other's I'll spend some time with soon.

Review 1/2

Woodford Reserve, Double Oak, Finished in a 2nd oak barrel. Mashbill is 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley, 43.5% ABV
$55 USD & widely available on most online retailers. Available too at travel retail duty-free outlets

This Woodford comes in a real nicely shaped bottle. Crafted by Chris Morris, so there are still a lot of his bottles there. Might be a while before we see bottles dawning the new master distiller Elizabeth McCall, who replaced Chris Morris in 2023.

Nose

Brown sugar and some dusty wood. A tall glass of cherry cola with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in there too. A little hint of clove and mixed spice. The vanilla sweetness is very prominent and it pairs nicely with some golden syrup oat biscuits. Some alcohol vapours linger on each and every sniff. I feel this nose is a little thin and wispy sometimes. Enticing enough, and the spice, which turns more into cinnamon based confectionery, keeps you coming back.

Palate

There's depth, texture and balance on this pour. Initial sweetness that contains delicious touches of liquorice and cherry. An almost silky mouthfeel. Much better on the palate compared to the nose. Elements of orange rind, blackcurrant cough lozenges and strawberry jam. Medium enough finish and the spice & wood doesn't linger too long. Upon further inspection you can taste some dark roast coffee grounds and some dark chocolate. Very enjoyable.

Score: 6/10

Review 2/2

Knob Creek, 9yo small batch, Distilled at the Jim Beam distillery, with the mashbill made up of 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley, 43.2% ABV
~$50 USD & plenty of availability online

Score: 5/10

**Average. In a Good Way**
***TL;DR***
*I really expected more but a decent bourbon overall.*

Nose

Lemon curd and a little effervescence. Reminds me of some wet hessian bag. Slightly funky and a lot more spice forward on the nose. Sliced rye bread. Plain crackers and some melted butter. Cold butterscotch sauce and chopped pecans. Sponge cake, black pepper and coffee beans. Slight hint of soy sauce I think on the back end, paired up with old banana skins and a touch of cigar smoke.

Palate

It's herbal, grassy and a touch prickly. To be honest, not what I was expecting. It has a good weighted mouthfeel, with a medium to long finish. Small trace of menthol, which kinda reminds me of menthol cigarettes, with that cigar note from the nose coming through. Fresh gingerbread cookies and clove rock hard confectionary. Herbal note from the initial sip turns to a waft of thyme. It rounds off like a doughy cinnamon swirl covered in some nice icing. Not bad, but I kinda expected more given the ABV and age. The ABV doesn't burn or come across as 'strong' to be honest. Mellow enough after the first tongue prickle.

Score: 5/10 HF

The Dregs

As my bourbon collection is slowly growing, I am starting to see a difference between some of the expressions I've purchased over the years. These bottles are the likes of Wild Turkey, Eagle Rare, standard Woodford Reserve. You know, the standard supermarket bottles that we can pick up at any time.

I'm very glad to have picked these up, in their litre bottle forms. The price wasn't too bad considering I've been after the Double Oaked for quite some time.

I was a little disappointed with Knob Creek. It fell a bit flat given the ABV and maturation period. My expectation was one of a bit more intensive flavour, really amping up those foundational bourbon notes. I've had a better experience with the Woodford in all honesty, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'll be on the lookout for their rye, malted barley and their wheat expressions to see how they fare.

As far as travel retail goes, you just need to know what you're on the lookout for. Don't be disappointed if you come away with nothing when you're willing to spend some cash, and don't just spend it for the sake of it. There's plenty out there that we can avail of, and it's worth considering how different these 'exclusives' are compared to our online retailers. Especially at the price they ask.

The bourbon journey continues, with so much coming from North American I'll not have to look very far for a new experience and perhaps a new favourite whiskey.

Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. HF

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