An extremely small experimental batch of 250 bottles that sold out immediately upon release. Retail price was $200 - $250. Source of whiskey is a mystery.
These barrels were thrown on someone's boat and schlepped around the world for 3 1/2 years. Or something.
The nose has a nice spicy characteristic, but the palate is a bit flat. There is banana and some spice that trails into the finish. Not unlike the standard Jefferson's bourbon, this is a decent but totally unexceptional bourbon. There's just not much to it.
A pretty light nose altogether. Very slight peanuts, nougat, and soggy cornflakes.
As the nose advertised, there's just not much in the palate. Most of the experience is an oaky, tannic finish that still manages to have little flavor, just mouthfeel. Imbalanced for certain. It reminds me of many of the BT Single Oak Project barrels I've tasted, in that the wood here is just not quite right and in the wrong proportion to the other flavors (or rather, the lack of them).
If there had been be no publicity fanfare, on the basis of flavor this would've been completely ignored.
But still, props to Trey Zoeller at Jefferson's for the experiment and the spirit of exploration.
N: Light rye notes initially, but then a very standard modern bourbon profile with sour, somewhat vegetal aromas and some lightly woody undertones. Light hints of raw sugar as well.
P: Light and a little thin, with faint wood notes; again the slightly vegetal sourness, a bit of corn sweetness, some turbinado sugar, brown sugar and a touch of cinnamon later in the palate.
F: Opens up a bit with a light dose of black cherries, more turbinado sugar, a more straightforward cherry note (verging on Luden's cough drops). Later faint peanut hint.
What a massive disappointment. The color is awesome, but everything else is downhill from there. The nose has usual bourbon characteristics, but I didn't smell or taste anything remarkeble. [11/9/12]
n: spicy bourbon, drying green hay, and wood dust. Pumpernickle bread and peanuts in a paper bag,
t: oak forwatd initially, toasted caramel, and green banana. Some cinnamon and black liquorice in finish. Nothing to show that this was aged at sea which is surprising. [batch 18, bottle 1315, B-/C+]
Ocean Voyage 11: Gets even worse. Green grass, dried pineapple + papaya. Weird, funky, and not cohesive. [C-]
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