Belle Meade Classic Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

The suitably labelled pre-Prohibition brand, 'Belle Meade' is nowadays bottled by Nelson’s Green Brier out of Nashville Tennessee. The original Green Brier distillery was shut down during Prohibition, but Nelson’s great-great-great-grandsons revived the brand in 2013. While the company does distill at their Nashville location, the Belle Meade brand uses sourced whiskies from Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Hence, it's described as “...a proprietary blend of differing mash bills and yeast strains'' and “is a high rye blend of barrels averaging in age from 6-8 years.” It's variously categorised as a Bourbon, or a Tennessee, depending on your source. A common feature of the Belle Meade whiskeys is that despite their mashbills, rye doesn't dominate. Compared to the 'Reserve', the grain is slightly more obvious in this bottling yet remains low key, right up to the finish. Regardless, if you enjoy elegant, understated whiskeys in the style of Buffalo Trace but are wanting a Bourbon with a little more kick and bite, put Belle Meade's Classic near the top of your list.

Other reviews... A warm, welcoming nose, with pleasant dunnage warehouse earthiness, toasted oak, maple syrup, cinnamon, blackberries, grape candy, licorice, and an herbal note. A racy palate offers candied citrus, cherry, and apricot, as well as bitter chocolate, caramel, cinnamon spice, and pepper. Light and delicate on the finish, with milk chocolate, almond, orange, and more cinnamon. Delicate, smooth, sweet, and balanced. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com