Tennessee 13 Year Old 2003 The Whisky Mercenary

A Tennessee has all the technical traits to be called a bourbon. The difference is the fact that it undergoes one extra step: filtering through the charcoal of the sugar maple tree. Jack Daniel’s is the best known example. The Tennessee I’m trying today was bottled by Jurgen Vromans (Belgium) and matured no less than 13 years, which is quite long for a bourbon. I have only tried 2 Tennessee from 2013: the one from North Star Spirits and our very own for Mark & Manny’s Malts. I’m sure this one will be equally good.

Perfectly balanced nose with spices such as pepper, vanilla and nutmeg on the one hand and wonderfully fruity – quasi tropical – with mango and cherries on the other. Baked pears are there, with caramel and some sniffing tobacco.

Very spicy on the palate with baking spices and chili peppers up front, quenched by raisins, baked pears, mango and apricots. Creamy and mouth coating. Hint of Italian coffee. A veritable flavor bomb and deliciously quaffable neat!

Wonderfully long, warm and spicy finish, that leaves the mouth completely dry.

Another impressive Tennessee that deserve a place in the aforementioned list.