Fighting Cock NAS
The Name Says It All, Part II, 2015
0 188
Review by @Victor
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall88
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- Brand: Fighting Cock
- Type: American
- ABV: 51.5%
This review is of a newly opened bottle of Fighting Cock Bourbon, 51.5% ABV, purchased today. Fighting Cock bourbon is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, and has a much higher rye content than Heaven Hill's standard bourbons. The rye content is probably on the order of 27-28%. Fighting Cock used to have a 6 year age statement. No more
Nose: intense, lots of spice from rye, especially black pepper; the wood mostly blends in. This is not as sweet as was the last bottle of Fighting Cock I owned. There is sugar, vanilla, and caramel in the background, but they are dominated by the thick spices in the foreground...however, time in the glass releases the wood flavours, and they are very nice indeed. A few drops of water added really harmonizes the nose, and I recommend the use of water for this batch. Score: 22.5/25 points
Taste: very spicy, very robust; sweetness is secondary to the intense level of spicing. This very intensely flavoured bottle is YOUNGER than my previous 6 year age statement less-flavourful bottle. Water bundles and harmonizes the flavours on the palate. This batch is better drunk with water added. Score: 22/25 points (with water)
Finish: goes a little too sour on the finish, but all the other flavours remain strong and good. Water improves the long finish markedly by accentuating the sweet and harmonizing the flavours. Score: 22/25 points (with water)
Balance: when it is on, as is this batch, Fighting Cock Bourbon is one for intensity buffs, like me. I had one great bottle of Fighting Cock in 2009-2010, and a lacklustre bottle in 2011-2012. This third one is not as good without water as was the first one, but is much better and more interesting than was the second bottle. This current bottle thrives with water, and I am not one to add water to whisk(e)y in most cases. Here the addition of water mellows and balances the whiskey. Score: 21.5/25 points (with water)
Total Sequential Score: 88/100 points
Strength: very strong flavours throughout. Score: 24/25 points
Quality: good to very good quality of the respective flavours. Score: 22/25 points
Variety: there is plenty to keep you busy. Score: 21.5/25 points
Harmony: good harmony, could be better. Score: 20.5/25 points
Total Non-Sequential Score: 88/100 points
Heaven Hill is a particularly competitive American whiskey brand with respect to price, especially if you are fortunate enough to purchase it in the US. I consider Fighting Cock to be one of the great bargains in the world of bourbon. But be aware: the batches vary greatly. Some are great, others just ok. This one is very good, despite having lost the 6 year Age Statement. I am eager to see what changes occur in this bottle with air exposure
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@Victor I totally agree with you, it is a great bargain. I also use it to give more spices to a dull whisk(e)y, but as your are mentioning, I have notice that sometime the sour note is just too much and coming out to loud in a vatting. I find that the spices are consistent from batch to batch. The wood change in quality and quatity and the fruit is always playing a minor role, but all in all, I was always happy with my bottle and sometime amaze to get such quality at such a low price. It is good to see a review on a product that is not rolling on some marketing gimmick but simply on good quality. Thanks Victor!