1792 Aged Twelve Years
1792 Aged Twelve Years, twelve years is a long time to wait, but patience has its rewards. Starting with our signature “high rye” recipe, this impeccable bourbon whiskey is the satisfying result of maturing for more than a decade in the finest charred American white oak barrels.
1792 Small Batch is Barton’s flagship bourbon. Having undergone naming changes over the years from 1792 Ridgewood Reserve, to 1792 Ridgemont Reserve, and finally to 1792 Small Batch. The brand once featured an 8 year age statement found on the back of the bottle, but was removed in late 2013. Not long after, the bottle design was updated in conjunction with the change to 1792 Small Batch. With this change, a substantial line extension took place that included 1792 Sweet Wheat, 1792 Port Finish, 1792 Single Barrel, 1792 Full Proof, and 1792 High Rye. In July 2019, 1792’s age statement returned, now aged 12 years with an MSRP of $50. One batch of 1792 Aged Twelve Years will be released each summer. For more background, check out the company’s press release.
NOSE
palate
finish
uniqueness
Since then, Barton has released a slew of unique variations of 1792, with Sweet Wheat and Port Finish rating highest. We’re continuously impressed by 1792 single barrel selections, some of which completely took us by surprise with their flavor profiles and extreme drinkability.
Age statements have been slowly returning (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year, Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year), and others remain steadfast (Henry McKenna 10 Year, Eagle Rare 10 Year), yet outside of limited releases they are, for the most part, few and far between. For Barton’s latest 1792 release, the bourbon itself may not be overly unique, but it’s the bourbon’s 12 year age statement that will draw attention. What was once common is now unique. How unique will depend on how long you’ve been around bourbon, but at this moment in time, it’s uncommon to see a 12 year age statement.
value
overall
We seem to have moved past the period of brands removing age. Statements and entered into a period of them returning, but at a higher price than before. At least in 1792’s case, its age statement returned not at 8 years, but 12 years. I can see how that might help justify its new higher price, but it certainly didn’t make it a better bourbon because of it. It’s a bolder bourbon, with heavy rye spice and oakiness, but its lack of sweetness makes it unbalanced.
It’s worth keeping in mind though, the 1792 brand doesn’t necessarily strive to be the best bourbon on the shelf.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.