While the notes on the nose of 13th Colony Southern Bourbon start off mild, they are scrumptious. I am getting some cherry, molasses, and a wonderful baking spice mix. This nose is very balanced and smells weighty. There’s a creaminess and balance that just draws you in.
The palate is bolder and more flavorful than I expected for a 95-proof bourbon (which is good). It drinks sweet all the way through the tasting, with creamy salted brown sugar and vanilla dominating the experience. Again, this bourbon drinks on the sweet side, but its aggressive nature counteracts the sweetness nicely. This is good because it drinks higher than its proof, which is needed for sweet bourbons! This would be an exceptional whiskey if there was more aged oak to smooth out its boldness on the palate. Having said that, this is still a bottle I will purchase since I am tasting a sample from 13th Colony Distillery. While this may be too sweet for some, it is right up my alley.
On the finish, all of the notes on the palate are there with the addition of a nutty pecan. The finish is warm and lengthy.
This is a more leisurely sip than their delicious Double-Oaked Bourbon.
Sample provided by 13th Colony Distillery