Burnt Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

 

Like many things in the Kentucky distilling universe, our story today begins in the late 1700s, specifically 1794. The Reverand James Smith built a tavern in what would later become Bryantsville in Garrard County. According to legend, Daniel Boone helped them find the perfect location. Stagecoaches would stop there, and the tavern served travelers, frontiersmen, and locals. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the luckiest structure, being twice destroyed (and rebuilt) by fire. The Smiths called it Burnt Tavern.  

 

In 1868, William Berkele purchased a plot of land near the Burnt Tavern and opened a distillery where he produced his sour mash whiskey. I’m unsure what happened to that operation, or if his distillery was simply a still set up by a lean-to.

 

That brings us to Chip Tate. He founded Balcones Distilling in 2008 in Waco, Texas, and was one of the early distillers of American Single Malt Whiskey. He left Balcones in 2014 after a disagreement with its investors, and then founded Chip Tate & Co. Distillery in 2017, located near Balcones. In 2024, he left that operation to join Foley Family Wines as its Master Distiller.

 

“I have a long and storied history making whiskey with fire and smoke. Wood smoke and its ability to impart subtle and complex flavor to spirits has been a part of my distilling journey from the early days. Burnt Tavern Bourbon represents the intersection of classic Kentucky bourbon with rich new layers of smoke and oak added by our special finishing process – a new medley of classic American flavors.” - Chip Tate, Master Distiller

 

In 2023, the William Berkele Distillery was founded, and the owners brought Chip Tate on board. This past September marked the release of its first whiskey, called Burnt Tavern Bourbon, and its name pays homage to the twice-burned tavern by aging it for seven years in new, charred oak barrels, then finishing it in slow-toasted and charred oak barrels. Burnt Tavern Bourbon can be purchased directly from its online store or Kentucky-based retailers.

 

William Berkele Distillery was kind enough to provide me with today’s #DrinkCurious opportunity via a sample of Burnt Tavern Bourbon in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

• Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Distiller: Undisclosed
• Age: 7 years
• Mashbill: Undisclosed
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels, then finished in two unique slow-toasted and charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 57.5% ABV (105°)
• Price per 750mL: $69.99

 

Appearance: I poured this Bourbon into my Glencairn glass and sipped it neat. The rust-colored whiskey generated a thicker rim with crazed tears and a wavy curtain behind it.

 

Nose: I let the Bourbon rest in my glass about 15 minutes before approaching it further. As I began the nosing, I encountered a big blast of cherries. I continued exploring the aroma and smelled caramel, pimento wood, and a hint of smoke. When I drew the vapor into my mouth, there was a punch of barrel char. So far, Burnt Tavern Bourbon is living up to its name.

 

Palate: With the first sip, Burnt Tavern had a medium weight and a somewhat silky texture. The palate shock consisted of dense smoke. My second sip revealed notes of torched crème brûlée, brown sugar, and caramel on the front, with nutmeg, dried tobacco leaf, and aged leather at the mid-palate. I tasted barrel char, cherries, and candied ginger on the back.  

 

Finish: Barrel char and toasted oak dominated the finish. Yet, I was also able to discern cherries, ginger, dry leather, brown sugar, and dried tobacco leaf. It was dry and sucked the moisture from my mouth and throat. The very long duration lasted 2:22.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I’ve had many, many double-barreled Bourbons over the years. Some are oaky, some are smoky, and others are fruity. Burnt Tavern Bourbon seemed to be a blend of the three. I won’t suggest this is a unique combination, but let’s say it is most assuredly unusual.

 

If you crave bold, smoky whiskeys, then everything that Burnt Tavern Bourbon offers will be right up your alley. On the flip side, it may be too intense for those seeking classical options. As for myself, I appreciate standouts. I like distillers (NDP or otherwise) who aren’t afraid to take chances, and I enjoyed this Bourbon.

 

At the end of the day, I must consider what the average whiskey drinker would purchase. I see Burnt Tavern Bourbon as potentially polarizing, and because of that, and only because of that, I believe my Bar rating is warranted. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.