Jefferson’s Marian McLain landed on my desk at 51% abv, SRP $300, carrying a $300.00 This jumps out of the glass with the dessert and sugar notes price tag. Here is what I found.
Nose
This jumps out of the glass with the dessert and sugar notes. Im greeted with caramel and brown sugar, bananas foster, dark cherries and orange zest. There is a delicate note of oak to balance the sweetness of the nose. It is inviting and just fills a room. The whiskey is full bodied, oily, and it clings to the teeth just holding. We start off where the nose left off, its fruity with pear, apples, suddenly toasted nuts like candied walnuts. It just evolves over the tongue and keeps evolving as it warms up in the mouth. This is one that each sip brings forward another note you missed the first time around. Lemon and oranges, aged oak and warn leather, cane sugar and rum. The palate is awash in complexity until the finish which brings the bourbon together and holds on your tongue. The nuttiness, fruitiness, robust earth notes all mellow slowly as it fades. We dont get hit with any sour or tart notes. This is one youll drink a whole bottle of if youre not careful.
Finish
Blended bourbon with 21% 14-year-old, 40% 11-year-old, 14% wheated double-barrel, 17% rum cask finish and 8% 8-year-old. 51% abv, SRP $300.00 Well done. Im a fan of Jeffersons. While in law school a bottle of Jeffersons Reserve was always in my apartment. Anytime I finished a paper or a final Id treat myself to a healthy pour to celebrate. This whiskey is on a totally different level – its elevated and truly something worthy of an anniversary. It almost feels like they want to get back to their roots with this – the oldest whiskey is only 14-years-old and there is a rum cask finish in the mix!rnrnHowever, this illustrates the fact that dedication and knowledge of the craft can create something truly exceptional. This is one of those whiskeys you’ll open up and finish the same night if you’re not careful.
The Bottom Line
Jefferson’s Marian McLain is outstanding — one of those bottles that reminds you why you fell in love with whiskey in the first place. If you see it at $300.00 This jumps out of the glass with the dessert and sugar notes, do not hesitate. This one earns a permanent spot on the shelf.
