FIGHTING COCK BOURBON
Proof: 103
Age: 6 year old
Distillery: Heaven Hill Distilleries, Bardstown, KY
Master Distiller: Craig and Parker Beam
Season: Fall
I have been drinking Fighting Cock bourbon for so long that this review should have been written weeks ago, but better late than never!
Fighting Cock is yet another phenomenal product coming out of Heaven Hill Distilleries under the hands of Master Distillers Craig and Parker Beam. I can honestly say I have yet to taste a low-grade bourbon from Heaven Hill, and this is no exception.
Fighting Cock bourbon is made up of a corn, rye and wheat mash bill and is aged a bit longer than the required 4 years for any straight bourbon. The result is a surprisingly smooth whiskey with a well-balanced structure and a kick. I have yet to serve Fighting Cock to any of my guests without getting a thumbs up.
With that being said, Fighting Cock’s 103 proof lends a significant burn that can be picked up from the nose at first whiff. If you use decanters, Fighting Cock would be an excellent bourbon to decant, or you could add a few drops of water to really unlock the bourbon’s aromas.
If you have a ninja-like sense of smell like me, you will notice some nice vanilla, rye spice, caramel, leather, and nutmeg hiding behind the alcohol. There is a nice mellow char hovering over the entire aroma that makes my nose happy.
FIGHTING COCK BOURBON TASTING NOTES
The first thing that I noticed about Fighting Cock wasn’t its flavor but its texture – oily, viscous, and almost syrup-like. The texture is what lends character to the flavor – you don’t want some watery whiskey evaporating before you have had the chance to really taste what it has to offer. A nice, viscous bourbon that sticks to your palate gives you time to enjoy and observe its full flavor profile.
The next thing that I notice about this bourbon is it’s sweetness – almost like a honey pecan. Again, 103 proof and you expect some burn up front. I didnt get that (disclaimer: I added a few drops of water before I got started).
The moderately high rye in the mash makes itself known with a mellow spiciness that reminds me of pepper and allspice or clove.
The finish is lip-smackingly dry and long lasting. Fighting Cock holds its flavor profile all the way through to the very end – heat, sweet, and all!
OUR VERDICT
B
Fighting Cock bourbon has everything that makes a bourbon lover happy: an outstanding flavor, a long finish, a nice texture, and burn. At around $15 for a bottle, we give this bourbon a B.
How we grade bourbons.
This isn’t a premium bourbon, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Fighting Cock is a simple, straightforward bourbon that can be drank neat or used as a cocktail base. Of course, you would want to stick with sweeter bitters if you are using this in a Manhattan, but a Fighting Cock bourbon Old Fashioned creates yin and yang in a glass with the interplay of sweet and spice.
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Fighting Cock is good booze cheap!