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George Dickel No:12

Great American Whiskey

3 788

mReview by @mhock66

3rd Jul 2018

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  • Overall
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I received this bottle as a gift and I couldn’t wait to try it. If you’re used to bourbon, this is a really different flavor. A rich caramel hue in the bottle and glass, it pours somewhat oily, leaving traces on the glass when you swirl it. My first pour was neat, in a glencairn glass. The initial nose is one of strong alcohol, with a bit of burn on the scent. Once past that, there are some background touches of wood, spice and cinnamon. On tasting, you’re hit with a mouth of alcohol burn initially. It is almost overwhelming. I took a rest and then had another sip, swishing it in my mouth. I picked up some oak and spice, but the heavy pure whiskey taste was still dominant. To open it up a bit, I added aboit a half teaspoon of room temperature water. This is where all the flavors start coming through. After the water was added, I let it sit for a couple minutes and then sipped again. Leather, caramel, coffee and some nice spices were then evident. The water really cuts the burn and allows the other flavors to emerge. It offers a lovely warmth, a full mouthfeel and at the end, gives some hints of creme brulee and caramelized sugar. I would love this whiskey on a cold evening, sitting by a fire. It’s definitely one that will stay in my rotation.

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7 comments

mhock66 commented

I wanted to add this to the review:

While Jack Daniels has a place in the whiskey world, this stands out. It is Jack Daniels, elevated. Much more flavor, and one to be savored.

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Victor
Victor commented

@mhock66, I am happy to see you discover Geroge Dickel # 12! George Dickel # 12 has been a great favourite of mine for a number of years, though I have seen one or two batches of it which weren't up to its excellent standard. (@Nock got a really "off" bottle of it when I insisted he buy some and try it. That's the way things sometimes go when you recommend your favourites to others!)

To the best of my information the Dickel mashbill is actually 84% corn, which make it, in US Gov't legal terms, corn whiskey, despite the Tennessee Whiskey designation. There is also a George Dickel # 8, which I have always found to be rough, and George Dickel Barrel Select, which is nice, but seems to be taken from the sweetest barrels available. For my own taste, the somewhat drier style of George Dickel # 12 is the one I prefer among their products.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@DaveM
DaveM commented

Dickel 12 always has a place in my collection. I find the price range of $25 to $30 to be perfect for this whisky.

5 years ago 0

@archivist
archivist commented

@mhock66 Thank you for this review. George Dickel No. 12 is always in my cabinet and I find it vastly superior to Jack Daniels, as well as Bulleit. "Elevated," as you wrote, is absolutely correct. I enjoy the finish in particular as the sweetness levels off, reminding me of a dissolving buttery caramel that I loved as a kid. I have enjoyed it neat, as well as with one single ice cube during our Indian Summers here in San Francisco - perfection. Can't beat the price tag, too!

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

mhock66 commented

@archivist funny you should mention Bulleit. I’m a fan of the rye, but the bourbon is not my favorite. Admittedly, I only had it once in a restaurant, so I didn’t have time to really savor it or explore all the flavors. I recently got a bottle of the Barrel Strength and will review it soon.

5 years ago 0

@archivist
archivist commented

@mhock66 I look forward to your review on the Barrel Strength. Most curious. I enjoy Bulleit's Rye as well, but indeed you can skip their Bourbon - there's nothing about it that is memorable and flavors are unremarkable. It just might be too sweet for me. I had been gifted a couple of bottles (one rye and two bourbon - wish it was the other way around). We enjoyed the rye, but not the bourbon. I actually use the bourbon to marinate pork chops or other meat nowadays because its sweetness lends well as a marinade, but drinking - not so much.

5 years ago 0

mhock66 commented

@archivist that’s what I seem to remember. Sweetness without a great deal of flavor.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

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