I was introduced to this line of bourbon in 2020 when I knew little about the industry and just happened to stumble upon a standard-looking bottle with an eye-popping label in a small neighborhood store. As many new enthusiasts to this bourbon adventure, I knew nothing about the distillate but decided to purchase the bottle since it was age stated at 14 years old. Since then, I have come to love the legacy releases from Calumet Farm and like many, I was excited when they announced the 2022 16-year-old release. With that said, today’s review is of Calumet Farm Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 16 Year.

From the Calumet Farm Website: Calumet Farm 16 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is newest offering from our stables of the Single Rack Black premium bourbon line. Its bold tastes and flavors are matched perfectly well with a balanced finish. As a tribute to one of the greatest thoroughbreds in racing history, this bourbon represents the dedication and patience it take to create a champion. This expression of the Calumet Farm Bourbon family is our most aged and highest proof to date. It is Non-Chill Filtered for added depth of character and color.

This has been a near impossible bottle of bourbon to find, and I had truly given up the hunt last month. Nonetheless, while hunting two weekends ago we decided to head outside our normal area and went east to try a few highly rated stores. The first location we found a bottle of Gold Spot, another bottle I had put on the DNF list (Did Not Find List), and then at the second location there it was; a bottle of Calumet Farm 16 year! Overall, this bottle did not let me down and is definitely worth the hunt. The sweet and spicy nose leads perfectly into a very well-balanced palate and ends in a delectable sweet and dry oakiness finish. If you can still find this bottle, it is a must-have on your shelf as it is superior to the Calumet 14 and a solid notch above last year’s Calumet 15. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Cherries, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Baking Spice, and Barrel Char
• Palate: Sweet and Spicy but a bit Ethanol Forward. Notes of Cherries, Baking Spice, Vanilla, Orange Zest, and Oak
• Finish: Medium to Long with a Sweetness of Vanilla, Baking Spice, and Dry Oak
• 2022 MSRP: $149
• 2022 National Average: $165
• Proof: 106
• My Rating: Save It! (Superior to Calumet 14 and a solid notch above Calumet 15)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman