Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon arrives from in Tennessee (Dickel?) at 88 proof. Priced at $54.99, we assessed it with care.
Nose
Smells like a crisp fall day. I get pie spice, sap, and pine cones. Its less sweet on the nose than many bourbons, but I didnt find a particular smoky scent, either.
Palate
This is a mellow whiskey, first and foremost. The relatively low alcohol content probably contributes to that sense, with a general lack of ethanol up front. I taste smoked or cured meat, brown sugar, and savory potato chips. More of the traditional bourbon flavors, like caramel and vanilla, reveal themselves in the relatively long finish. Bib & Tucker drinks fine straight, but opens up nicely with a little bit of water.
Finish
Tennessee whiskey aficionados claim that charcoal filtering leads to mellower whiskeys. Im not going to take a position the extent to which that might or might not be true. But in the case of Bib & Tucker Double Char, it certainly is. This is a relaxed, easygoing whiskey. And at $54.99, its a good value, too.
Verdict
Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon represents solid craftsmanship at $54.99. While it may not redefine expectations, it offers genuine quality and reliable drinking pleasure.
