Savannah Distilling Founder’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon bottled at 108 Proof — a bourbon that merits close attention.
Nose
A deep gold color, with some legs that start to slowly show itself and then dance quickly down the edge of the glass to rejoin the whiskey pond.
Palate
The welcome greeting is a scoop of honey pistachio gelato in a freshly made waffle cone. Sitting longer with it, even an Almond Joy comes in to say hello. Yes, a milk chocolate tone is balanced with coconut and a hint of a mild nut. At the very end, even some graham cracker is noticed. Oh wow, I love the mouthfeel right off the bat with this one. A velvet candied orange slice hugs the tongue and a caramel apple taffy follows down the throat to warm the chest. This seductive juice has you leaning back, relaxed, and enjoying the ride. And its a long ride. There is no hurried exit with this one, not that you want it to.
Finish
Savannah’s Founder’s Reserve truly surprised me. Not that I had any expectations or knew anything about Georgia whiskey, but initially I wasn’t all that excited about it. Saying over and over again in my head, “damn, this is good,” I now sure hope to stop by Georgia and stock up on this whiskey.
Verdict
Savannah Distilling Founder’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon delivers a thoroughly accomplished whiskey that justifies its price point. It is well-crafted, balanced, and worthy of a place in any considered collection.
