Golf
can be enjoyable or incredibly frustrating. Something many people don’t know
about me is that I used to play golf competitively from junior high through
college. I’ve won my share of trophies. I’ve cussed like a sailor, stomped
around, and even snapped a 5-iron across my knee out of anger. I’ve not played
in about twenty years, and I have to be honest, I don’t miss it at all.
When
the bottle of 19th
Hole Bourbon Fore Grain showed up at my doorstep,
I smiled. It has a golf-ball-shaped stopper, which had me reminiscing about my
younger days. It is a four-grain Bourbon (hence the play on words), aged six
years, packaged at 45% ABV (90°), and distilled by Bardstown Bourbon Company
in Kentucky.
There’s
a backstory behind the sporty packaging, though, right? Of course, and I’m glad
you asked!
“19th Hole Bourbon was born from a simple truth: the best part of any round isn’t always on the course. It’s what comes after—the laughter, the stories, the bonds that grow stronger with every shared pour.” – 19th Hole Bourbon
If
you’re unfamiliar with the sport, the 19th Hole typically
refers to the clubhouse bar. The 19th
Hole Bourbon was founded this past March by four
duffers (and great friends), Rich
Alexander, Sean Davenport, Derek Matson,
and Matt Gibson, in hopes of creating a Bourbon that captures the
laughter, storytelling, and bonding that follow the final putt of the day. The
idea is less about the game and more about the camaraderie people can enjoy, whether
or not they actually play. Bourbon is the oil that lubricates socializing.
The
foursome has three main tenets: Tradition (the craft of making Bourbon
and the friendships that come from it), Connection (a bottle of Bourbon
that brings people together and creates conversation), and Quality (a no-nonsense,
uncompromising dedication to the craft). The result was 19th Hole
Bourbon.
The
tale is nice, the packaging is unique, but how’s the Bourbon? To answer that, we’ll
#DrinkCurious, and that’s made possible due to the generosity of 19th
Hole Bourbon, who provided me with a sample in exchange for my
no-strings-attached, honest review.
- Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon
- Distiller: Bardstown Bourbon Co.
- Age: 6 years
- Mashbill: 60% corn, 26% rye, 10% wheat, 4% malted barley
- Cooperage: New, 53-gallon, #3 charred oak barrels
- Alcohol Content: 45% ABV (90°)
- Price per 750mL: $69.99
Appearance: I used
a Glencairn glass to play a round neat. It had a definitive amber hue. The
whiskey produced a medium rim with initially fast, thicker tears, trailed by
slow, fat droplets.
Nose: My tee
time was 15 minutes after I cracked open the bottle and poured it into my
glass. The air in my whiskey library smelled of brown sugar. When I was ready
to step up and tee off, I brought the glass to my nose and inhaled the vapor,
noting aromas of honey, peaches, vanilla, and mild oak. Pulling the scent
through my lips exposed me to stewed peaches.
Palate: As I
pulled out the big dog and swung, the Bourbon had a dense, creamy mouthfeel
with a worm burner of nuts. As my second shot took flight, I tasted brown
sugar, vanilla, and toffee on the front. The crescendo revealed corn, blanched almonds,
and cashews. As the ball hit the green, flavors of soft oak, dehydrated apple
slices, and nutmeg emerged.
Finish: I took
a good, hard look at the green; it seemed like a dead-on putt without any breaks.
As the ball rolled, there were notes of almonds, cashews, oak, apples, and
brown sugar. It was a longer shot, but it was true, circling the cup and
dropping in at 1:18 with a quick rattle of clove.
Bottle, Bar, or Bust: First,
let’s talk about packaging. While it is eye-catching, that golf ball stopper is
very tight. That’s excellent for ensuring the angels don’t steal any more whiskey.
I’m concerned that the glue that holds the synthetic cork to the golf ball may
eventually give way, which is also a reason why I never throw out corks from my
empties. If it happens, I’ve got a free drop with one that is almost guaranteed
to fit.
Now, let’s talk about the whiskey
itself. 19th Hole Bourbon Fore Grain is a very easy sipper, partly because
of its proof and partly because of its wheat content. I had been looking
forward to peaches on the palate based on the nosing. It was a bit surprising
to taste apples instead. That’s not a knock; it is merely an interesting anecdote.
If the goal is to have a
Bourbon that’s not going to distract from a group of people having good
conversation and laughs, I believe 19th Hole Bourbon does a good
job. 19th Hole Bourbon is a public golf course that charges country
club green fees. There were no competitive fairways, strategically placed
bunkers, or challenging greens, making for an unremarkable round. That being
said, I must stress that 19th Hole Bourbon isn’t bad; it is overpriced. My Bar rating is appropriate. Try this one in the clubhouse
first. 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.
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