The world of whiskey is full of bottles that promise more than they deliver. RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amb... vs Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...: Which Bourbon Should You Buy? belongs to the rarer category that simply lets the liquid speak.
Choosing between RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amb... and Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ... can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.
Specifications at a Glance
| RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amb... | Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ... | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Bourbon |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 55% ABV | 98.1 proof |
| Price | $79.99 | $60.00 |
| Rating | 10/10 | 3.5/10 |
Nose
RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amb...: This smells like a cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting and caramel. That is to say I get notes of sweet cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and pastry.
Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...: Pretty mild, with hints of corn. Not very complex. A delicate nose with a hint of earthiness, oak, and nuttiness.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amb...: Up front is a dry warming cinnamon. This is followed by flavors of nutmeg, clove, and brown sugar. It transitions into a lingering fresh cinnamon with a hint of oak and caramel. I found that adding water skewed the balance of this in a way I didnt like, the cinnamon was still there but there was something unpleasant when diluted.
Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...: Nice mild oak, tannin and a lovely spice that doesnt overpower the subtle vanilla, honey and stone fruit notes. I also get a hint of mint at the very tail end. It has a nice, decently long finish, with oak and mild vanilla lingering on while the spice fades. At the very end, you are left with hints of that oak lingering on your tongue. Final Thoughts: This is a lovely crafted blend from five different whiskies, and a pleasure to drink. Its finish is similar to ones I am used to from higher proof bourbons. This is a good sipper, at any occasion. Not overly complex, which is not surprising for a mostly three-year-old blend, but still well executed, with the older bourbons rounding up the youngness of more youthful components. Given that there are some older higher proof bourbons priced arou
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amb...: Comments: Bottled at 55% ABV. Finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood
Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...: Comments: 54% BBC 3-year bourbon (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley), 10% BBC 3-year bourbon (60% corn, 40% rye), 6% BBC 3-year bourbon (60% corn, 26% rye, 10% wheat, 4% malted barley), 20% undisclosed 12-year bourbon from Kentucky (78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley) , 10% undisclosed 12-year bourbon from Kentucky (75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley). 98
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
When it comes to value for money, RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amb... offers significantly more bang for your buck at $79.99 compared to Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...'s $60.00.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amb... takes the crown with a rating of 10/10 compared to Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...'s 3.5/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ... is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ... appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
