I have been looking forward to getting my hands on Orphan Barrel Fable & Folly. Bottled at 45% ABV, 90 proof and priced at $150, it promises genuine character.
Nose
The whiskey starts out quickly with sweetness from powdered sugar, but then the oak hits big like a slap in the face. It has a tartness about it like lemon zest and lemon wedges. The cinnamon from the nose lingers throughout the dram. The aftertaste leaves much to be desired. The whiskey is not bad overall, but the aftertaste is like burnt rubber on asphalt.
Palate
Lemon Pine-Sol and nail polish remover start the whiskey off, but as that dissipates, it becomes more perfumed. Canned mandarin oranges fill out the middle with brightness. Amongst the heavy oak is dry cinnamon stick. There is a slight nuttiness to the whiskey, but it smells sweet like powdered donuts.
Finish
Fable & Folly from Orphan Barrel highlights the melding of rare whiskeys. While I am always down to try a new whiskey or experimental series, older bourbons have been hit or miss for me. Fable & Folly, while flavorful, has an aftertaste that makes this rare whiskey blend a miss for me at least served neat. I can overlook the abundant oak because the fruit that comes through is quite yummy, however, I cannot ignore the burnt rubber finish and aftertaste. With the right bitters and sugar cube, Fable & Folly does make a good old fashioned.
The Bottom Line
Orphan Barrel Fable & Folly is a perfectly respectable whiskey that does what it sets out to do. At $150, the value is reasonable — it will not blow your mind, but it will not disappoint you either. A reliable choice.
