We turn our attention to Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond Missouri Straight Bourbon, a release from that did things the slow way. At $60, it enters a competitive field.
Nose
Ben Holladay was a transportation baron known as the “Stagecoach King” in the late 1800s for creating the Overland Express stagecoach lines, which explains the stagecoach on the label. The whiskey inside is dark amber, almost orange.
Palate
You can definitely smell the rye; there’s something tangy underlying the sweet. Think ginger spice underneath soft gingerbread cake. There are traditional bourbon notes such as vanilla and honey. But the potpourri and spice predominates.
Finish
This whiskey is rich with molasses and dark cherries, and just a little bit spicy. It’s sharp at first, but mellows quickly and nicely. There isn’t much of a finish.
Verdict
Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond Missouri Straight Bourbon represents solid craftsmanship at $60. While it may not redefine expectations, it offers genuine quality and reliable drinking pleasure.
