Day 11 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 11 of DB’s Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar

BULLEIT SINGLE BARREL - SEVEN STAR LIQUORS PICK

Proof:

104 Proof (52%)

Distillery:

Bulleit Distilling Co. (Louisville, 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:
  - $65.99
- Fair Price:
  - $65.99
- Shelf Price:
  - $65.99
- DB’s Bourbon Trail Instant Buy Price:
  - <$65.99

Review:

I usually steer clear of Bulleit. Not because it's bad—it's definitely not—but its spicier profile isn't usually my go-to. However, their Blender’s Select and 10 Year expressions have impressed me before and decided to give this Barrel Select a shot.

This particular bottle caught my eye immediately. Was it the little army guy on top? Probably, lol. But more importantly, it was their first release featuring the "Jackfruit Yeast Strain." If Seven Stars is endorsing and picking it, it must be noteworthy and worth a try.

And wow, it truly was! I enjoyed it so much that I went back the next day to grab another bottle to ensure it made it into this year's calendar.

Before we get into the tasting notes, you might be wondering—what exactly is Jackfruit Yeast Strain? Don't worry, I've looked it up multiple times and it still sounds odd to me. I'll save you the Google search and share what its “AI overview” had to say!

Jackfruit yeast is a microorganism that can be found in jackfruit and is used in the fermentation of jackfruit for various purposes, including brewing beer and making wine:

Types of yeast found in jackfruit

The most common yeast found in unripe jackfruit is Candida lambica, but other types of yeast that can be found include Candida rugosa and Geotrichum candidum.

Uses of jackfruit yeast in beer brewing

Jackfruit is used as an adjunct ingredient in beer brewing to add a fruity flavor and aroma. The sugars in jackfruit are converted into alcohol by yeast.

Uses of jackfruit yeast in wine making

Jackfruit juice can be fermented using yeast to produce jackfruit wine. Baker's yeast can be used to produce jackfruit wine in less than two weeks, which is faster than natural fermentation.

Well, well, well - now that we are little bit more educated, y’all ready to get funky and dive into this glass? Let’s go!

Nose:

The nose is crazy in this one. At first - a lot of Cherry. Followed by honey, pears, and a Pillsbury Christmas tree sugar cookie. That may be because, I just ate a sugar cookie - BUT I may be onto something there! 😂

Palate:

Cherry, cherry, cherry. There are a lot of fruit notes here and whole lot of goodness! I get hints of raspberry complimenting before bringing minor baking spice into the finish.

Finish:

I truly am not sure how this is a 104 proof. I would say the finish is great but it’s not long or giving a huge Kentucky hug. Where it may lack in length it makes up in flavor. A sweet oaky cinnamon sugar finish here.

Final Thoughts:

Yup. That was honestly great. I can imagine you are agreeing right now. Especially, if you enjoy more of a sweeter bourbon and wanted something different than the last 10 days.

What is crazy to me is that this barrel, to my knowledge, is not finished. Almost half way through, I am going out on a limb and saying this is hands down the most unique bottle of the calendar. I may be premature with 14 bottles still to go - but wow. Incredible pick Seven Star!!

Cheers y’all! 🥃

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