Review #803; Bourbon #167: JTS Brown (1988)

This is an interesting one as I don’t have much knowledge or experience with bourbon of the “dusty” variety. Seagrams owned this brand prior to being sold in the early 1980’s to Heaven Hill. JTS distilled by Seagrams came from the Old Prentice distillery (Four Roses). This bottled was aged state 6 years (so stilled in 1982). All of that to say I don’t really know who the source is for this but I couldn’t turn down the chance to explore bourbon’s past. So let us dive in.

ABV: 41.5%

Nose: Vanilla, Slight Metallic Tinge, Orange Peel, Slight Green Apple, Black Tea

Palate: Mediumish mouthfeel. Black Tea, Orange Peel, Slight Metallic Tinge, Black Pepper, Vanilla. Considering the proof this has a hefty mouthfeel.

Finish: Medium length finish, Black Tea, Black Pepper, Tobacco Leaf, That familiar metallic tinge like a penny, faint vanilla, industrialness.

Rating: 6/10

Overall, this is very good. That penny notes brings it down a bit, but this is a very good six-year-old bourbon that tastes different from almost all of the modern day bourbon of comparable age I have tried. The mouthfeel in particular is quite impressive as is the finish for the proof and age. A 6-year bourbon under 46% abv having this level of mouthfeel and finish is unheard of to me. Overall, a very good and interesting exploration of the bourbon of yesteryear, the variables that contributed to such an interesting topic to explore, if too vast to narrow down.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect