Black Saddle Bourbon Whiskey Review/Tasting

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: The whiskey is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, indicating its production and distillation occur in Kentucky, USA. However, the bottling might be done in California by Franklin Distillers.
Type: It is a bourbon whiskey.
Distillation and Maturation Process: As a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it adheres to specific regulations, including the use of new charred oak barrels for maturation. The whiskey has an age statement of 12 years, which is relatively long for a bourbon, suggesting a deeper interaction with the oak barrels over time.
Age Statement: 12 years.
Color and Clarity: The whiskey has a color that matches expectations for a bourbon aged in fresh oak casks for 12 years, though specific descriptions of the color are not provided. No coloring is added to this bourbon.
Bottle Design: The bottle features a nice cork and is designed to comply with market regulations, as indicated by a label adjustment for the German market.

Balance of Flavors: The whiskey starts with a typical bourbon profile—sweet with notes of corn, popcorn, caramel, and vanilla. It transitions to a more complex and slightly bitter finish, with dark chocolate and coffee notes.
Unique Characteristics: It has a light sensation initially but becomes increasingly complex, with citric and leathery notes towards the end. The finish is long, intense, and ends on a bitter note, which is somewhat atypical for a bourbon.
Comparison: While it begins as a typical bourbon, its complex and slightly bitter finish distinguishes it from lighter, younger bourbons.

Interesting Anecdotes: The hosts humorously discuss the confusion around the name "Frank Lynn," initially sounding like a single name but actually representing the bottler's name. This adds a light-hearted element to the review.

Historical Context: The whiskey's classification as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon ties it to a rich American heritage and strict production standards that contribute to its identity and flavor profile.

"Oh, you can really smell fresh oak casks."
"It's incredibly smooth in the beginning... and it lasts quite long."
"For a light bourbon, it's way too old. It's a typical strong old bourbon. But I like it."

Black Saddle is a 12-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, possibly bottled in California by Franklin Distillers.
It features a typical bourbon flavor profile with a complex and slightly bitter finish, including notes of dark chocolate and coffee.
The whiskey is described as having a smooth start with a long, intense finish.
It is recommended for those who appreciate older bourbons with woodier, more tannic notes rather than those who prefer lighter, younger bourbons.

For Bourbon Enthusiasts: Those with a preference for complex, aged bourbons with a rich flavor profile will likely enjoy Black Saddle.
For New Bourbon Drinkers: Might be too complex and intense; a lighter, younger bourbon might be more suitable.
For Collectors: The unique flavor profile and the somewhat humorous backstory related to the bottler's name might make it an interesting addition to a collection.