J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Double Staved Classic Bourbon Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Produced and bottled by J. Mattingly 1845. The distiller is undisclosed.
• MASH BILL: Not disclosed
• AGE: 6 years
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 119
• MSRP: $120
• BUY ONLINE: J. Mattingly Bottle Shop

STEVE’S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any American whiskey fan, especially those who love depth and complexity.

WORTH THE PRICE: Yeah, you could argue that. It’s thoroughly original and highly flavorful.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar, just to be sure you want to spend $120 on a bottle.

OVERALL: On the nose comes ripe apple, fresh raspberries, cooked cherries, pipe tobacco, dried roses and charred oak. Cinnamon stick, clove and espresso join forces to deliver complexity. Collectively, the aroma is that of a cool, and humid rickhouse; heavenly.

Stone fruit and toasted oak ride a wave of cinnamon red hots front to back palate and down the chute, leaving a trail of tingling warmth. The brand describes the whiskey as “double staved” without defining specifically what that means. What’s clear is the extra wood influence creates dark notes, some dryness and complexity that, on a second sip, forces the fruit flavor toward cabernet sauvignon, tobacco and espresso noted on the nose. Eventually those flavors emerge as a delicious melange of vanilla icing, ginger and chocolate-cherry finish that beg for a dessert featuring all those ingredients.

BRAND NOTES

NOSE: Apple skin and baking spices up front with hints of pie crust and buttery chocolate. Some lingering red fruits and medium oak in the background.

PALATE: Thick and glossy texture upon entry that leads to a good oak middle that carries to the finish. Fruit and baking spices are immediate followed by the oak that carries the baking spices. Lingering buttery chocolate and pie crust secondaries. Complex sip to take your time with.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.