Day 19 of DB's Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar

Cheers and welcome to our 5th Annual Advent Calendar!

This month, we’re embarking on a high-end bourbon journey, reviewing 25 bourbons from award-winning distilleries across the United States. From December 1st to December 25th, we’ll explore everything from small batches to single barrels, all packed with flavor. Join us in toasting to another incredible year as we share some of our favorite bottles with you!

Our reviews are done using a Glencairn glass and neat, but remember, it’s your bourbon! Enjoy it however you like—over ice, with water, or in a cocktail. The key is to enjoy it your way and not let others influence your experience.

Enough of me rambling. Now, let’s dive into what brought us here!

Day 19 of DB’s Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar

HANCOCK’S PRESIDENT’S RESERVE

Proof:

88.9 Proof (44.45%)

Distillery:

Buffalo Trace Distillery (Frankfort, KY)

Price Point:

At DB’s Bourbon Trail, we use BoozApp (not sponsored) to ensure fair pricing on our bourbon purchases. Nothing is worse than overpaying due to supply and demand games.
- Average MSRP:
  - $59.99 ($99.99 here in CHS)
- Fair Price:
  - $120.84
- Shelf Price:
  - $189.89
- DB’s Bourbon Trail Instant Buy Price:
  - <$59.99

Review:

This maybe the most popular bottle that no one really knows anything about. I have looked high. I have looked low. I may have finished a glass or two, and still nothing but a lot of questions and rumors around this one.

It's a Buffalo Trace product but it's not on their website. It's a Sazerac product but only has tasting notes on theirs. I was lucky enough to find a quick little story about it on Great Bourbon's website (which looks to be all Sazerac's Bourbon).

In 1775, the Leestown settlement was established along the banks of the Kentucky River by Willis and Hancock Lee. Soon this became a well-known shipping port for tobacco, hemp and whiskey. The Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of Hancock Lee.

With it being from Buffalo Trace and not on their website, it got me wondering - what mash bill this bourbon is from? According to Seelbach's, Hancock Reserve is mash bill #2. With that being said, it's in great company - Elmer T Lee, Rock Hill Farms, and Blanton's!

More importantly, let's dive into what matters most - what's in the glass!

Nose:

The aroma opens with a burst of vanilla. This is followed by the warm, nutty scent of toasted pecans, adding some depth. There is also is a hint of sweet corn rounding out the nose.

Palate:

The vanilla note from the nose stays strong and brings a sweet vanilla cream note to the palate. This is complemented by a toasted pecan note, adding a nutty character that enhances the complexity of this pour. The toasted oak brings a subtle smokiness and depth, balancing out the sweetness of this pour.

Finish:

The finish is medium in length, leaving a pleasant vanilla sweetness that lingers on the palate. This is accompanied by a gentle hint of toasted oak, adding a touch of warmth to the final drop.

Final Thoughts:

Hancock's President's Reserve is the lowest proof that we are featuring in the calendar this year. Sometimes with the lower proof - it takes away depth or complexity. Luckily, I have never experienced that with this one. This has a really nice flavor profile and a surprisingly medium length finish.

It may be a mystery bottle with many questions, but dang it's good! Very easy to drink and if one things leads to another - this bottle will be gone!

Cheers y’all! 🥃

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