What it is

J. Mattingly (Bourbon 30) started blending back in 2010 but didn’t start his single barrel project until 2014. He quickly gained traction in 2017 when a Kentucky local (Ed Bley from Cork N Bottle) collaborated with him. Since then people have been lining up to get their hands on his blends. Butterface is one of the first releases that Mattingly did on his own and yielded only 71 bottles.

Appearance

Dark amber caramel

Nose

Butter popcorn, cereal, red fruit, blackberries and cream (vanilla) and a weird artificial smell I can’t make out. Almost smells fake. (Think, cheap, artificial butterscotch)

Taste

Butter pecan, derby pie, butter pie, Cotton candy and a slight heavy tannin oak note at the end.

Finish

Very quick, sweet finish; Its aggressive and then drops off with a very tannic, oily oak note that lingers but isn’t super pleasant.

Synopsis

There’s so much that comes to mind as I sit and stare at this bottle (how did they get these flavors, what’s in this, how old is it?) and I’m blown away at what they are able to achieve. For being 110 proof it finishes surprisingly light and easy to drink. Overall it was a fun bottle to get into and I would encourage anyone else who owns this to open it and drink it as well.

MODERNTHIRST.COM SCORE: 83 out of 100