A rare breed indeed

I am continuing my quest to find the perfect Bourbon. Fortunately, since there is no such thing, I will have to sample every brand available before I pass on. I have had the original Wild Turkey and was not really impressed. It was average to say the least. But a friend who is also a psycho about Bourbon kept on needling me to try his favorite, Wild Turkey - Rare Breed.

I broke down today and picked up a bottle. It was difficult to find, and I found it after visiting 3 stores. And even then, there was only one bottle on the shelf. Hmmm, maybe this is better than I imagined.

Took it home, cracked the bottle and poured a glass, neat. The true measure of a whiskey. The golden color is immediately noticeable, not too dark, not too light - right in the middle.

The smell coming from the glass was very enticing. Caramel, maple syrup and the alcohol undertow. Very smooth, but evidence of it's strength is noticeable.

The first taste is a bit of a shock due to the alcohol blast. Then after your taste buds adjust, they can separate a complex blend of vanilla, a hint of oak and just a touch of sweetness. The finish is strong and firm, quite unlike the wimpy finish of Blanton's. The sweetness is not overpowering like that of Knob Creek and it is just as smooth, even though it is 8 proof more than the Knob Creek.

The bottle went straight to the freezer to chill and will emerge tomorrow. I wouldn't dare defile this exquisite nectar with ice. Especially, considering the fact that it is uncut from the barrel like so many others. Most Bourbons have caved in to the 40% level agreed upon by the industry. This makes for a weak, watered down product that pales in comparison to gems like Rare Breed or Bookers that are uncut from the barrel.

This is definitely in the upper echelons of the Bourbon world.

****24 hours later****
After sitting in the freezer for 12 hours the bottle emerged with a nice frost on the outside. It poured a little slower and thicker and looks a little darker.

The nose is clearer now, not cluttered up by the alcohol. Caramel and vanilla rule supreme. The taste is MUCH better chilled. The alcohol no longer masks the subtle tones of this excellent Bourbon. Again, just the right balance between bite and sweetness, with a warm round finish. I must now admit that Maker's Mark has been knocked back to #3 on my list, with Bookers occupying the top spot.

I believe that these are the only 2 Bourbons that are not cut and watered down. It truly is a shame more Bourbons are not sold this way. This is a real winner!