Early Times Old Reserve Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

Product of: United States

See more Other Bourbon

Made by Brown-Forman, who acquired the Early Times brand in 1923, with a high percentage of corn in the mashbill.

Due to ageing in a mix of new and used casks, Early Times could not be sold in the United States as a ‘bourbon’, but we note our 2016 European sample is labelled as being a “Kentucky bourbon whiskey” (although not ‘straight’) and proudly states “matured in virgin casks” across the top of its front label.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 29/05/2016

Appearance:

Clear, golden amber.

Aroma:

Black pepper, amaretto, black cherry, vanilla rubbed new leather and char-grilled sweetcorn.

Taste:

Relatively light-bodied for a bourbon. Spicy – black pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon – caramel, chocolate and buttery sweet grilled sweetcorn.

Aftertaste:

Spicy, burnt sweetcorn, vanilla and oak.

Overall:

Some might describe this light-bodied bourbon as being tad thin. However, this lightly spicy bourbon is an eminently approachable entry for new bourbon drinkers with amaretto notes, caramel, char-grilled sweetcorn, chocolate and vanilla.