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      By BillNovember 30, 20210
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    Bourbon/Whiskey Reviews

    Hancock’s President’s Reserve Bourbon Review

    BillBy BillJuly 16, 2015Updated:January 22, 20183 Comments3 Mins Read

    Hancock's Reserve

    87 Solid Sipper

    It won't jump out of the glass like some Buffalo Trace products, but it's a solid offering from Mash Bill #2 at a pretty accessible price.

    [amazon_link asins=’B00H143UXW,B06Y1VGMH2′ template=’MT-product-carousel’ store=’modernthirstc-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’89cd9de4-ff80-11e7-ad0b-b3d612b3a656′]

    Quick Stats:Hancock's reserve 8

    • Produced By: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY
    • Style: Single Barrel Bourbon
    • Mash Bill: Mash Bill #2 (12-15% Rye)
    • Barrel Selected by: Liquor Barn, Louisville
    • ABV: 44.45% (88.9 Proof)
    • Price: $32.99
    • Availability: Regionally Available
    • No Age Statement

    What it Is:

    Hancock’s President’s Reserve, usually referred to simply as “Hancock’s Reserve,” is a single barrel bourbon whiskey from Buffalo Trace’s Mash Bill #2, which is shared with Ancient Age, Blanton’s and others.   Thus ,while it’s Buffalo Trace’s higher rye mash bill, it’s still a relatively standard or even low rye level compared to other bourbon producers.

    The label gets its name from Hancock Lee, an early explorer who first surveyed the land upon which Buffalo Trace was later built and still stands today.  It is bottled at a somewhat puzzling 44.45% ABV, which comes out to 88.9 proof, making it somewhere below Blanton’s and Rock Hill Farms on the proof ladder for Mash Bill #2.  This bottle was from a private barrel selected by Liquor Barn in Louisville.

    Packaging:Hancock's reserve 5

    The bottle is a nice round decanter-shaped bottle, but it relies on  foil printed label which seems out of place in tis lack of attention to design or, well, anything resembling attractiveness.  There’s a second gold foil label around the neck with Liquor Barn’s logo.  This bottling was offered in a red velvet bag with the spirit name and “Liquor Barn” stitched in gold lettering.  It’s a strange mix of upscale packaging (bag, bottle) and bottom shelf labeling (foil label).  It will look good in the bag on your shelf, and terrible without it.

    Hancock's reserve 1Appearance:

    Medium to light amber in color.

    Nose:

    Some oak, followed by light caramel and vanilla.  Some nuttiness on as well reminding me of cashews or almonds.

    Taste:Hancock's reserve 6

    A little thin on the tongue, this is a light bodied bourbon with caramel and vanilla greeting the palate fading into spring water and new oak on the back of the tongue.  Definite currant and dark fruits on the edges of the palate as well.  None of the flavors are particularly overpowering.

    Finish:

    Medium-long in length, the dark fruits seem to rise to the forefront with a mix of light black pepper spice and barrel flavors.

    Synopsis:

    It’s a decent offering form Buffalo Trace.  I  wouldn’t prefer this to Blanton’s, and it’s not as full flavored as Elmer T. Lee, but it gets you in the Mash Bill #2 flavor profile with minimal cost and a lot less hunting at liquor stores.  Not to sell this short, it’s entirely enjoyable, and somewhat unique at Buffalo Trace with the dark fruit undertones throughout.  It’s priced excellently as well, despite the poor packaging.

    ModernThirst.com Score: 87 out of 100 Points.

    (What does that score mean?)

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    Bill
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    Bill is the Co-Founder, Editor-in Chief, and official Bourbon-o-Phile for ModernThirst.com, and Founder and Chief Blending Officer for Four Gate Whiskey Company. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. He attended the University of Kentucky in the mid to late 1990s. He has also been published on Liquor.com. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. He is married with two daughters, and lives in east Louisville. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at Bill@ModernThirst.com.

    Related Posts

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    November 30, 2021

    Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

    August 24, 2021

    Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

    August 20, 2021

    3 Comments

    1. Al on July 15, 2015 10:42 pm

      I agree on all points. It’s a great house bourbon, daily sipper, table bourbon, etc. Just like Buffalo Trace. I’ve had it while traveling, and unfortunately can not get it in my area.

      Reply
      • Bill on July 16, 2015 8:36 am

        My only real issue with it is that I don’t see what its point is. It isn’t particularly better than any other Mash Bill #2 offerings, and it’s packaging says that they can’t decide whether it’s a top shelf or mid/bottom shelf bourbon.

        That’s Shuzo Ltd for you, though. They own these Mash Bill #2 labels, and their strategies seem to be based more on the Japanese market than the U.S. Explains all the great Blanton’s exports, I guess.

        Reply
    2. Chris on May 28, 2017 11:34 pm

      I am a big fan of BT mashbill 2. I drink Blanton on a regular basis and stock it up whenever I find it. I am s little more kind in my evaluation. I don’t put this into s category with the trophy cask strength stuff so I would compare it with others of similar proof. It is impossible to find here NC as it has gained a following. It is smooth on the palate and is very well balanced with no rough edges and the other negatives found in burbons typically found at this price point. I could care less about the labels and general appearance on the shelf. IMHO another home run from Buffalo Trace at an affordable price….. if u can find it
      89 points

      Reply

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