Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 23 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Made at the old Bernheim Distillery and matured for at least part of its life in the warehouses of Stitzel-Weller Distillery, the latest Orphan Barrel to hit our shelves is this 23 year old produced from a mash bill of 86% corn, 8% barley and 6% rye. Taste-wise, these extra aged releases are not for everyone, but collectors are snapping them up. More on the provenance below.

Other reviews... If you’re a fan of long-aged bourbon, you probably enjoy the Orphan Barrel line. The series from Diageo—which also includes Gifted Horse, Barterhouse, Forged Oak, and Lost Prophet—ostensibly rescues old, forgotten barrels of whiskey and bottles whatever remains (after two decades of angels’ share, that’s not a lot). Rhetoric debuted three years ago as a 20 year old Kentucky straight bourbon and returned in 2015 and 2016 with an extra year of age each time. Add another trip around the sun and now Rhetoric 23 year old is here. There’s enough stock for two more releases—a 24 year old next year and a 25 year old in 2019.

Caramel and cigar box lead the way, but leather comes in strong, followed by oak, earth, and mushrooms. On the palate, Nutella and roasted almonds resonate over crème brûlée, salt water taffy, vanilla icing, and nutmeg, with slight hints of apple and pineapple, at which point I think it really starts to pick up and take on some complexity. Alas, the short finish hurts what was a delightful experience.
86 points - maltadvocate.com, reviewed by: Fred Minnick (Fall 2017)