Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Frank August is a refreshing take on the bourbon category. Not caught up in any old tropes, this is just really well put together bourbon from a couple of good guys who seem to know everybody. Again, Kentucky is all about who you know and while very little can be divulged about the sources and methods here, I think the whiskey speaks for itself. It's safe to say that this is coming from a well-regarded distillery and the blending is done by an industry veteran who has taken the idea of small batch to a whole new level. Blends matter a lot at this scale and this inaugural batch is tasting pretty stellar. The style isn't a baseball bat to the palate like some of the geeks might want these days, but instead a subtle and elegant expression of bourbon that's rarely on display in the modern market. Let's taste it! The lovely reddish hue tells us that this one is maybe a bit older than some others on the market. The nose is a deft and well-aligned bouquet of caramel candies, toasted vanilla, baked clove, and other aromatic spices. Hints of cacao, burnt sugar, and dried fruit support. The texture is rather rich and unctuous with a full body but no heat at 100 proof. No oddness or distinctive flavors beyond the classic, elegant, and well-rounded character of an excellent medium-aged Kentucky bourbon. The finish is long and inviting, offering tons of sweetness and tempering the spice that lingers on the front palate. It's hard to say where this was sourced exactly, but very few of the luxury brands offer such opulence and well-rounded charisma. I'd say it's safe to say that this is better than most every new product we've come across, and there are many. Frank August might sacrifice power for elegance and completeness, but no good bourbon drinker will be disappointed and the openness allows even the most novice entry into this still somewhat hard-to-parse category. Plus the bottle looks awesome and doesn't scream or shout, just looks pretty on the bar for as long as you can keep it full, which likely won't be long.