Very Old Barton

There are many reasons to extend your social network beyond the borders of your own country. It gives you the opportunity to experience new cultures, ways of life, delicious food and drink. Coincidentally, I’ve just had the last few drops that were left in my bottle of Very Old Barton bourbon and am now desperately seeking an American friend who could send me another bottle – unfortunately you can’t buy it in Scotland, so far as I know. Interested?

Okay so I’m not expecting anyone to actually take me up on my offer of friendship, but I certainly wouldn’t mind another bottle of Very Old Barton! I received my old bottle a few years back, apparently it had cost around $10 – let me tell you, I have no idea how it is that Americans aren’t constantly drunk. If I could pick up a bottle of Very Old Barton for a tenner, it would probably be the end of me.

Anyway, enough about my potential alcoholism for now. I don’t think I can be blamed for not expecting much from a bottle of what was, to me, unknown bourbon which apparently cost as much as a portion of chips and a glass of nasty beer. Well, partner, I was wrong to judge it by its price, it’s actually really rather nice! The nose is lovely and sweet, and reminds me of some vanilla pipe tobacco that my friend used to smoke, along with (and everyone seems to agree on this) banana bread! There’s also a bit of leather and oak in there, of course.

The palate is quite nutty and there’s a helping of corn in there as well, on top of that are some of the flavors you would expect from the nose; caramel, vanilla, banana bread, oak. This is a bourbon that took me by surprise, and I would recommend it to anyone. Definitely one for the wish list, hint hint nudge nudge!

Eye: Dark, shiny, copper.

Nose: Vanilla, pipe tobacco, banana bread, leather, oak.

Mouth: Nutty, corn, caramel, vanilla, banana bread, oak.

By the way, did I mention that my birthday is coming up?