Ridgemont 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Amid all the whisk(e)y releases, you might almost forget that there are also beautiful bourbon whiskies. For example, there is a bourbon that is subtle and complex, but distilled only in small batches. In this Ridgemont 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review, we will tell you what you can expect from this dram from the United States.

The Barton Brands Distillery in Bardstown Kentucky was founded in 1897, making it the oldest operational distillery in Bardstown. The distillery made a nod to history with the Ridgemont 1792 whiskey. Kentucky is the birthplace of American bourbon whiskey, thanks in part to its fertile soil, perfect for growing corn and rye.

Kentucky, however, wasn't always a state. At the end of the eighteenth century, the United States still consisted only of 14 states. It was not until 1792 that the fifteenth state, Kentucky, joined in. The Bardstown distillery pays tribute to that year with the name of this whiskey.

The bourbon originally went by the name Ridgewood Reserve 1792, but this name was not well received by the owners of Woodford Reserve. The names allegedly were too similar. Therefore, Barton Brands decided to change the bourbon's name to Ridgemont 1792.

Now to the whiskey, because what kind of dram is in the bottle? The bourbon is made with a high proportion of rye, supplemented with some corn and malted barley. The mixture is traditionally ground and mashed, before being fermented. It then goes into the copper pot stills in Kentucky for distillation.

The result is a dark expression with an alcohol content of 46.9 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). The taste profile of the whiskey is warm and spicy with some smoky notes on the nose and where the spices persist on the palate. Along with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and peanut, this results in a balanced flavor experience.

The Ridgemont 1792 bourbon is a very affordable whiskey. For just a few tens of euros, you can have a bottle of this divine American liquid in your house. Plus, you'll also have a bottle that adds style to any shelf. The design is indeed something to savor.

The Ridgemont 1792 bottle has quite a broad shoulder with a short neck. It departs slightly from the average bottle and thus feels instantly luxurious. This feeling is further enhanced by the golden cap on the bottle.

Instead of a label, the numbers 1792 shine in a gold-colored typeface on the front along with a declaration that this is a small batch. The back has a label with the necessary information about this dram. This black label serves as a backdrop for the gold-colored letters on the front. But the real show is, of course, the liquid found inside the bottle. Let's pour a glass.

As soon as you pour, you can immediately smell the aromas of vanilla and cinnamon. The beverage first entices you with these sweet notes, but when you leave the liquid in the glass to settle for a moment, deeper aromas emerge. The sweet scent is now accompanied by notes of smoke and a hint of pepper, adding a spicy layer to the mix.

The first sip of the 1792 bourbon brings forward its spicy character, along with a creamy coating for the palate and tongue. It fits perfectly with the current winter conditions. Then, various flavors gradually unfold. The tastes of nutmeg, black pepper and rye are followed by gradually sweeter elements such as caramel, stewed apple and cinnamon. Towards the medium to long finish, the flavor of rye lingers, together with cinnamon and vanilla. It's a delightful complexity that's surprisingly sweet.

That being said, it must be clear from the start that this is not a dram for those who love heavy smoke or peat. That's simply not in the character of this whiskey. However, this is a beverage that makes you wonder what delicious concoctions you could make with this bourbon. We're referring to spicy whiskey cocktails, like a wintery Whiskey Sour or an Old Fashioned. But this bourbon could also go into dishes.\

Although 1792 is not for everyone, the dram will appeal to many people. The Ridgemont bourbon is generally a seductively sweet whiskey that also has a spicy side. Besides that, it’s a bourbon that has an impressively luxe look, yet happens to be surprisingly affordable. And for a small amount, you get a whiskey that has a considerable depth of flavor. Due to this characteristic, this beverage works perfectly in a cocktail.

+ Extravagantly luxurious appearance

+ A dram with some delightful depth

+ Very affordable

- Not suitable for lovers of smoke or peat