whoaru99
Epic Member
If you like the Green River better stock up now.
I read an article where it won some awards so it'll probably get harder to find and skyrocket in price.
What bourbon are you drinking today?
- Thread starter Magnolia Tom
- Start date
I read an article where it won some awards so it'll probably get harder to find and skyrocket in price.
Erik Tracy
Everyone's happy when the wizard walks by
I stumbled across this guy's youtube bourbon channel - hilarious!
I've had the current batch of Old Forester 1920 and kinda/sorta agree with his view.
I have not had Rare Breed yet, but it's on my xmas list.
I've had the current batch of Old Forester 1920 and kinda/sorta agree with his view.
I have not had Rare Breed yet, but it's on my xmas list.
allmanbros
Well-Known Member
I can't take this guy seriously, but that's just me.
i had some knob creek tues night. i'm not a bourbon drinker and i can't drink this stuff straight so it got mixed with 7-up.
it was scary good but i only had a couple. can't say the same for the yuengling, i did not stop with a couple.
the bottle was a gift but i might buy another to replace it...just to switch it up occasionally.
it was scary good but i only had a couple. can't say the same for the yuengling, i did not stop with a couple.
the bottle was a gift but i might buy another to replace it...just to switch it up occasionally.
Last night I had Makers with a bit of cinnamon, apple cider shaken over ice. It was very good, hit the spot.
Bill Ferris
Lunatic Member
Just a mid seventies outside temperature driven Tangueray brand G&T at 5:10 PM, if the area`s temps been very cool/cold, I`d had 2 fingers of Brandy instead.
Went to a bourbon tasting at a local establishment. My favorite was the Cream of Kentucky followed by the Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Left with a bottle of each. A friend bought the Horse Soldier which was in my top 3.
Tasting was hosted by a friend's son. He gave us a history of bourbon, and qualities of each distillery represented. It was very informative and fun. He is doing Irish Whiskey after the first of the year. Already looking forward to it.
![IMG_6046[1].JPG](/forums/data/attachments/3526/3526594-63b412aa9409933b7f132c90036126e9.jpg?hash=Y7QSqpQJkz "IMG_6046[1].JPG")
knotscott
Super Member
I don't drink the stuff, but last week while getting Christmas decorations out of storage for my aging mother, I came upon a bottle of JW Dant Bottled-In-Bond 100 proof sour mash bourbon bottled in 1988. Still clear, still sealed. As it belonged to my father, I passed it on to one of my sons to does drink it.
allmanbros
Well-Known Member
It should still be as drinkable as when it was bottled!...the maturation process stops once whiskey is bottled so it is still 4 years old...Dant is distilled at Heaven Hill and it's history dates it back to around 1800...pretty standard mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley...still available today in several forms but gets lost in the abundance of bourbon brands on the market.
I love Kentucky Bourbon. Never really cared for Tennessee whiskey though, especially Jack Daniels. I mean I can drink it but rarely ever buy it.
A friend of mine gave me a bottle of this and I have to admit, it is pretty-good.
Any of you guys ever try this? It's a blend of Kentucky & Tennessee bourbon whiskeys.
"Rivals No More"
A friend of mine gave me a bottle of this and I have to admit, it is pretty-good.
Any of you guys ever try this? It's a blend of Kentucky & Tennessee bourbon whiskeys.
"Rivals No More"
Sounds like a shotgun wedding of the Hatfields and McCoys.I love Kentucky Bourbon. Never really cared for Tennessee whiskey though, especially Jack Daniels. I mean I can drink it but rarely ever buy it.
A friend of mine gave me a bottle of this and I have to admit, it is pretty-good.
Any of you guys ever try this? It's a blend of Kentucky & Tennessee bourbon whiskeys.
"Rivals No More"
View attachment 3761038
It's not cheap but not too expensive. About $50 per bottle. After trying it, I'll definitely be buying more.
Quick Facts: ABV: 55.35% (110.7 proof) | Origin: Kentucky & Tennessee, USA | NAS Blend | Master Blender: Marianne Eaves
Production & Heritage
Sweetens Cove takes its name from a legendary golf course in the Tennessee foothills. The Kennessee expression — a portmanteau of Kentucky and Tennessee — was blended by Marianne Eaves, a groundbreaking figure in American whiskey who became Kentucky's first female master distiller in modern history. Eaves selected bourbons distilled from a mashbill of corn, rye, and malted barley (exact percentages undisclosed), then finished the combined blend in stainless steel tanks containing toasted sugar maple wood spirals. This unorthodox finishing step imparts a layered maple sweetness and additional wood complexity without the tannin extraction that a traditional barrel finish might deliver. After the finishing period, the bourbon undergoes final filtration and proofing before bottling at a robust 110.7 proof.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Graham cracker and orange peel lead, followed by roasted pecans and torched sugar. A deeper layer of vanilla custard and butterscotch emerges as the bourbon opens in the glass.
Taste: The entry is rich and creamy, with vanilla custard and maple candy arriving immediately. At mid-palate, pecan pie sweetness and warm cinnamon give way to peanut brittle, caramel, and a surprising streak of raspberry jam. Orange marmalade on toast adds brightness, while the barrel-proof strength carries the flavors without overwhelming them.
Finish: Long and warming, with tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and lingering maple sweetness. Well-seasoned oak and a final flash of stone fruit — cherries and apricots — fade slowly.
How to Drink Kennessee Bourbon
At 110.7 proof, a few drops of water unlock the full aromatic range without dulling the texture; neat or with a single large ice cube are the primary serves. For cocktails, the maple-forward profile and high proof make it a strong candidate for several classics:
What does Kennessee Bourbon taste like? Kennessee delivers a rich, creamy profile dominated by vanilla custard, maple candy, pecan pie, and butterscotch, with a long finish marked by tobacco and sandalwood. The toasted sugar maple wood finishing adds a distinctive maple sweetness that separates it from standard bourbon blends.
How does Kennessee Bourbon compare to Barrell Bourbon? Both Barrell Craft Spirits and Sweetens Cove blend Kentucky and Tennessee bourbons and bottle at cask strength, but Kennessee's sugar maple wood spiral finishing gives it a pronounced maple sweetness that Barrell's expressions typically lack. Barrell tends to emphasize transparency with age statements and batch details, while Kennessee is a non-age-stated blend focused on the finishing process as its differentiator.
Is Kennessee Bourbon good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 110.7 proof it is intense but remarkably balanced, and many reviewers find that a small splash of water reveals additional complexity. Its 92-point score from Whisky Advocate reflects strong performance as a neat-sipping bourbon.
Where is Kennessee Bourbon made? Kennessee is blended from bourbons distilled in both Kentucky and Tennessee, with master blender Marianne Eaves overseeing selection, blending, and the proprietary sugar maple wood spiral finishing process. The brand is rooted in Tennessee, named after the Sweetens Cove golf course in the state's southeastern foothills.
What foods pair well with Kennessee Bourbon? Pecan pie or pralines complement the nutty, caramel-rich palate. Smoked pork belly or barbecue brisket matches the bourbon's oak and tobacco notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the creamy texture, while aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the maple sweetness. Crème brûlée echoes the torched sugar and custard character.
What sizes does Kennessee Bourbon come in? Sweetens Cove Kennessee Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle.
Is Kennessee Bourbon worth the price? Kennessee positions in the premium tier for American whiskey blends, and its barrel-proof bottling, innovative finishing method, and strong critical reception — including 92 points from Whisky Advocate and an "A" from Drinkhacker — support solid value within that segment.
Why Kennessee Bourbon?
The toasted sugar maple wood spiral finish is the defining move here — it is not a gimmick but a deliberate technique that adds genuine flavor dimension without masking the underlying bourbon character. Marianne Eaves's blending credentials bring serious craft authority to the project, and the 92-point Whisky Advocate score confirms that the liquid delivers on its promise. At barrel proof, what arrives in the glass is uncompromised: a full-bodied, maple-laced bourbon blend that tastes like nothing else in the category. For drinkers who have explored the major Kentucky and Tennessee single-distillery bottlings and want something that bridges those traditions with genuine originality, Kennessee is a compelling next step.
Description
Sweetens Cove Kennessee Bourbon 750ML is a barrel-proof blend of Kentucky and Tennessee bourbons bottled at 55.35% ABV (110.7 proof). Scored 92 points by Whisky Advocate and rated "A" by Drinkhacker, this expression earns its reputation through a distinctive finishing process involving toasted sugar maple wood spirals — a technique that bridges bourbon tradition with something genuinely novel.Quick Facts: ABV: 55.35% (110.7 proof) | Origin: Kentucky & Tennessee, USA | NAS Blend | Master Blender: Marianne Eaves
Production & Heritage
Sweetens Cove takes its name from a legendary golf course in the Tennessee foothills. The Kennessee expression — a portmanteau of Kentucky and Tennessee — was blended by Marianne Eaves, a groundbreaking figure in American whiskey who became Kentucky's first female master distiller in modern history. Eaves selected bourbons distilled from a mashbill of corn, rye, and malted barley (exact percentages undisclosed), then finished the combined blend in stainless steel tanks containing toasted sugar maple wood spirals. This unorthodox finishing step imparts a layered maple sweetness and additional wood complexity without the tannin extraction that a traditional barrel finish might deliver. After the finishing period, the bourbon undergoes final filtration and proofing before bottling at a robust 110.7 proof.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Graham cracker and orange peel lead, followed by roasted pecans and torched sugar. A deeper layer of vanilla custard and butterscotch emerges as the bourbon opens in the glass.
Taste: The entry is rich and creamy, with vanilla custard and maple candy arriving immediately. At mid-palate, pecan pie sweetness and warm cinnamon give way to peanut brittle, caramel, and a surprising streak of raspberry jam. Orange marmalade on toast adds brightness, while the barrel-proof strength carries the flavors without overwhelming them.
Finish: Long and warming, with tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and lingering maple sweetness. Well-seasoned oak and a final flash of stone fruit — cherries and apricots — fade slowly.
How to Drink Kennessee Bourbon
At 110.7 proof, a few drops of water unlock the full aromatic range without dulling the texture; neat or with a single large ice cube are the primary serves. For cocktails, the maple-forward profile and high proof make it a strong candidate for several classics:
- Old Fashioned — The sugar maple character replaces much of the work a sugar cube typically does, creating a naturally integrated sweetness.
- Bourbon Pecan Sour — The pecan and butterscotch notes pair with orgeat and lemon for a rich, nutty sour.
- Manhattan — The barrel-proof backbone and tobacco-tinged finish stand up to sweet vermouth without getting buried.
- Bourbon collectors exploring innovative finishing techniques
- Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates barrel-proof expressions
- Side-by-side tasting sessions comparing Kentucky and Tennessee bourbon styles
- After-dinner sipping during cooler months when richer, higher-proof spirits shine
What does Kennessee Bourbon taste like? Kennessee delivers a rich, creamy profile dominated by vanilla custard, maple candy, pecan pie, and butterscotch, with a long finish marked by tobacco and sandalwood. The toasted sugar maple wood finishing adds a distinctive maple sweetness that separates it from standard bourbon blends.
How does Kennessee Bourbon compare to Barrell Bourbon? Both Barrell Craft Spirits and Sweetens Cove blend Kentucky and Tennessee bourbons and bottle at cask strength, but Kennessee's sugar maple wood spiral finishing gives it a pronounced maple sweetness that Barrell's expressions typically lack. Barrell tends to emphasize transparency with age statements and batch details, while Kennessee is a non-age-stated blend focused on the finishing process as its differentiator.
Is Kennessee Bourbon good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 110.7 proof it is intense but remarkably balanced, and many reviewers find that a small splash of water reveals additional complexity. Its 92-point score from Whisky Advocate reflects strong performance as a neat-sipping bourbon.
Where is Kennessee Bourbon made? Kennessee is blended from bourbons distilled in both Kentucky and Tennessee, with master blender Marianne Eaves overseeing selection, blending, and the proprietary sugar maple wood spiral finishing process. The brand is rooted in Tennessee, named after the Sweetens Cove golf course in the state's southeastern foothills.
What foods pair well with Kennessee Bourbon? Pecan pie or pralines complement the nutty, caramel-rich palate. Smoked pork belly or barbecue brisket matches the bourbon's oak and tobacco notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the creamy texture, while aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the maple sweetness. Crème brûlée echoes the torched sugar and custard character.
What sizes does Kennessee Bourbon come in? Sweetens Cove Kennessee Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle.
Is Kennessee Bourbon worth the price? Kennessee positions in the premium tier for American whiskey blends, and its barrel-proof bottling, innovative finishing method, and strong critical reception — including 92 points from Whisky Advocate and an "A" from Drinkhacker — support solid value within that segment.
Why Kennessee Bourbon?
The toasted sugar maple wood spiral finish is the defining move here — it is not a gimmick but a deliberate technique that adds genuine flavor dimension without masking the underlying bourbon character. Marianne Eaves's blending credentials bring serious craft authority to the project, and the 92-point Whisky Advocate score confirms that the liquid delivers on its promise. At barrel proof, what arrives in the glass is uncompromised: a full-bodied, maple-laced bourbon blend that tastes like nothing else in the category. For drinkers who have explored the major Kentucky and Tennessee single-distillery bottlings and want something that bridges those traditions with genuine originality, Kennessee is a compelling next step.
allmanbros
Well-Known Member
This brand is/was owned by Peyton Manning, pro tennis player Andy Roddick, and several of their golfing pals...since there is no Sweetens Cove Distillery, the blends are purchased from existing distilleries in Kentucky and Tennessee...my bet is the Tennessee part of the blend is bought from George Dickel in Tullahoma for two simple reasons...one, Dickel is likely the only distillery with enough production to sell outside their own brands, and two, Jack Daniels does not sell their juice to other producers...Marianne Eaves is certainly a qualified blender/distiller and her name lends credibility to the brand...from a marketing standpoint the brand seems a bit gimmicky to me... the name Kennessee seems a bit awkward, but others may see it as catchy...the story is these guys finished their golf round and were in the clubhouse and decided they needed their own brand to drink at this venue...Peyton Manning has money and plenty of Tennessee connections and combined with Roddick and a few other wealthy pals the brand was "born"...none of these guys financial standing was at risk here, more like a personal undertaking with limited potential for big time success, and that was fine with them...the maple sugar finish gives it a distinctly different finish, some will like it while others won't...the cost is a bit on the steep side, probably driven more by the logistics of getting the blends in one place and the costs of Marianne Eaves credibility than the heritage or age of the blends.
It was given to me by the CEO of a Fortune 100 company as a gift. The marketing was not a factor at all for me. I had never heard of Sweetens Cove or Marianne Eaves before this. Didn't know Peyton Manning or Andy Roddick were involved either. That's pretty-interesting though. All I know is it's really-good and I plan to buy more in the future for myself and possibly to give as holiday gifts to friends & family.
The guy who gifted it to me is a big bourbon drinker with an awesome bourbon-themed mancave basement in his house in Chattanooga. The walls have real used bourbon barrels as the deco and he tells me about his Kentucky Bourbon Trail vacations he goes on with his wife who is also a big bourbon fan.
You should try it. It reminds me a little of Wild Turkey. I think that's why he selected it for me. He knows I like Wild Turkey plus I live in Tennessee too.
The guy who gifted it to me is a big bourbon drinker with an awesome bourbon-themed mancave basement in his house in Chattanooga. The walls have real used bourbon barrels as the deco and he tells me about his Kentucky Bourbon Trail vacations he goes on with his wife who is also a big bourbon fan.
You should try it. It reminds me a little of Wild Turkey. I think that's why he selected it for me. He knows I like Wild Turkey plus I live in Tennessee too.
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allmanbros
Well-Known Member
I agree that this is not another cookie cutter bourbon as it definitely has exclusive elements not found in other bourbons...certainly Peyton Manning's involvement helps as he has a lofty status in this area...as I said earlier I don't think the founders intent was to make a lot of money, but likewise they don't want to lose a lot either...hopefully they will sell enough to satisfy their financial goals and keep you in stock!
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