Here is the third in the series of reviews of “budget” bourbons. If you haven’t had a chance, you can go back and take a look at my review of Evan Williams Bottled in Bond and Early Times Bottled in Bond.
The latest entry is another Heaven Hill offering, J.T.S. Brown Bottled in Bond. J.T.S. Brown is named after John Thompson Street Brown, one of the founders of what would later become Brown-Forman. However, the very cool fact is that “J.T.S. Brown. No ice. No glass.” is the drink of choice of Fast Eddie Felson, the character played by Paul Newman in “The Hustler”. That is worth 10 points on the That’s Cool scale as Paul Newman was one of the coolest individuals to ever grace this planet.
As I am tasting these lower cost point bourbons, I am discovering my love of the bottle in bond products. The “pure” bourbon qualities of the BiB products is extremely appealing. From the the classic nose notes of caramel and oak, the sweetness on the palate and oakiness on the finish, there are several common qualities the have shown up thus far. Let’s see if that trend continues with the J.T.S. Brown.
The nose comes across with caramel, but it also has some great corn notes, slight oak and some cinnamon. It really has me looking forward to the first sip.
The flavor does not disappoint. While there is no age statement, the fact that it is bottled in bond means it is at least 4 years old. The mouthfeel reveals some of that youth, but nowhere near as thin as I thought it might be given the price of the bottle. Palate starts with some oak, but transitions over to some nice baking spice and cinnamon, trailing off into some great candy like sweetness. I have to say, the complexity is very surprising here and very, very enjoyable.
The finish takes off where the flavors leave me. The cinnamon hangs out for a bit, moving from the spice cinnamon to cinnamon candy. Some tannin comes in at the end in my cheeks (which I LOVE) and gives the finish a nice dryness that I happen to like, as I like dry red wines and tannins.
Bottom line here, J.T.S. Brown has become my favorite of the “bargain” bourbons I have tasted thus far. The surprisingly complex flavor profile, the longer than expected finish, this one is an absolute keeper and daily sipper.
J.T.S. Brown Bottled in Bond
9.1
Pros
- Complex palate
- Longer than expected finish