Review #233: Bib & Tucker 12 yr Single Barrel

MASH BILL: 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley

AGE: 12 yr

PROOF: 99

COST: MSRP is $100 for 750mL bottle, but real pricing varies wildly online (I’m reviewing a sample)

This is the continuation from my last review where I’m exploring a few pours that have a more prominent “mineral” note in an attempt to train my palate to be able to pick up on those notes more easily. To my understanding, Bib & Tucker sources its whiskey entirely from George Dickel. Therefore, we’re basically checking out a Dickel 12 year. Let’s see if I can pick out those mineral notes in this one.

Reviewed neat in a Glencairn.

APPEARANCE: Chestnut brown (1.6), fat, slow legs.

NOSE: Woody and sweet. This has a different profile on the nose than the 17yr Dickel I reviewed last time. It’s more woody and earthy than it is sweet. Oak sawdust, malt, and toasted maple. A mild toasted almond note, vanilla extract, and a hint of dark cherry adds some pastry vibes.

PALATE: This has a wonderful velvety mouthfeel. Earthy notes dominate the palate with subtle sweetness. Toasted chestnuts, charred oak and maple wood, and a touch of burnt caramel. The mineral note shows up with a good chew as chocolate with a mild metallic note. The subtle cherry note from the nose occasionally shows up on the palate. Honey and a touch of cinnamon show up late and move into the finish.

FINISH: The finish is short and leans sweet. Sweet oak, toasted vanilla, caramel. That chocolate note that is slightly metallic on the palate with chewing shows up in the the finish as well. It is quite short, but what is here is good. It’s the sweetest part of the sip.

RATING: 6.7/10

OVERALL: The mineral notes in this were much harder to pick up than the 17 year George Dickel that I reviewed last time, however, this is a bit earthier overall. The subtle cherry notes and chocolate were nice to bring some dark sweetness. Overall, I would say this was straightforward and nothing too complex about it. I was expecting a more tannic profile and spice with its age, but it was fairly mild without losing its barrel character. I was disappointed that the finish didn’t last longer though, particularly because what I was tasting there was my favorite part of the sip.

 

1 | Disgusting | see my 1/10 ratings

2 | Poor | see my 2/10 ratings

3 | Bad | see my 3/10 ratings

4 | Sub-par | see my 4/10 ratings

5 | Good | see my 5/10 ratings

6 | Very Good | see my 6/10 ratings

7 | Great | see my 7/10 ratings

8 | Excellent | see my 8/10 ratings

9 | Incredible | see my 9/10 ratings

10 | Perfect | see my 10/10 ratings

 

Check out all my reviews: Woodgrain & Whiskey.