Tasting notes. | Early Times Bottled in Bond.

Brown-Forman | Early Times Bottled In Bond | Kentucky | $20.99* | 100 proof | At least 4 years old | 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% barley

About the whiskey.

Early Times is an old brand. Initially started by John Henry "Jack" Beam, son of David Beam, the brother of Jim Beam. Jack found the distillery in the early 1860s outside of Bardstown, Kentucky. He ran the distillery until he died in 1915. Sometime after his death, what is now Brown-Forman bought the brand and aging stockpiles of whiskey. 

The bottled in bond version launched in the late 1940s and became a successful brand until the entire industry saw a decline in popularity during the 70s and 80s. 

Brown-Forman revived the bottle in bond version in 2017. One of the unique things about the Early Times bourbon is the mashbill that contains less rye than some of the other Brown-Forman products such as Woodford Reserve and Old-Forester. 

The taste.

The smell doesn't jump out; you have to find it. Once you do, it is a fragrant hint caramel orange candy. The vanilla pops on your tongue with touches of pipe tobacco before the rye kick starts the finish. The familiar pepper spice is short-lived before the vanilla and smooth leather fade away. 

The takeaway.

Approachable in taste and wallet. This is a bourbon that can be an everyday drinker that you're proud to share with your friends. The price point and flavors make it a good value. Fingers crossed it does not get over-hyped and hard to find. 

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