02/07/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
For this tasting, Wayne and I decided to taste and compare three selections from one of the newest members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour: Augusta Distillery. We purchased these when we visited the distillery January 27, 2024. You can read about our visit here.
They are all Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys. Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky.
Augusta River Proof Series 24
Mashbill – 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Proof – 120.4
Aged – 24 months
Other – Single Barrel
Awards – Silver at 2023 World Spirits Competition
Price Paid – $49.99
Color – light copper
Aroma – honey, citrus, a hint of caramel, and fennel
Taste – fennel, caramel, light baking spice, cinnamon on the finish; it drinks more like 105-110 versus 120; Tasted with dried cranberry – more caramel, spices in the middle but then finishes smooth with light nutmeg; Tasted with a pecan – very spicy on the front and with less sweetness, a slight hint of chocolate and caramel with a pecan; Tasted with dark chocolate – the caramel is back, baking spice in the middle.
General Notes – A fairly complex drink for a two-year-old bourbon. Carmel, warm spices, and a gentle finish of fennel. Doesn’t drink like 120 proof and is a great price point.
Augusta Old Route 8
Mashbill – 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% malted barley
Proof – 121.1
Aged – 8 Years
Specifics – Bottle 176 of Barrel 60; Single Barrel, Unfiltered, Cask Strength
Awards – Gold at 2023 World Spirits Competition
Price Paid – $114.99
Color – dark amber
Aroma – caramel, baking spices, bit of smokiness
Taste – caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar, oak, with a pleasant peppery finish; Tasted with dried cranberry – brought out the smokiness from the aroma as well as oak, sweetness is very limited; Tasted with a pecan – creaminess on the front and a very peppery finish; Tasted with dark chocolate – A bit of sweetness but many of the other flavors got lost.
General Notes – If you enjoy oak and smokiness with a hint of pepper, this would hit those marks. We would love to try this in a smoked Old Fashioned. This also might be extremely complimentary to pair with the right cigar.
Augusta Buckner’s 10-Year-Old
Mashbill – 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Age – 10 Years
Proof – 125
Specifics – Bottle 129 of Barrel 47; Single Barrel, Unfiltered, Cask Strength
Price Paid – $149.99
Color – medium amber
Aroma – an inviting sweetness such as honey and vanilla with hints of cinnamon and brown sugar
Taste – very cinnamon forward, caramel, baking spices, oaky; Tasted with dried cranberry – smoky, but it now tastes more like it smelled regarding brown sugar and cinnamon; Tasted with a pecan – hot with cinnamon, everything else seems to be missing now; Tasted with dark chocolate – back to being an inviting sweetness of honey with some light brown sugar and cinnamon.
General Notes – We each enjoyed the nose and drinking it neat. However, the cranberry added some interesting notes.
Comparison and Ranking
Aroma
Wayne: Augusta 8, River Proof Series 24, Buckner 10
Rebecca: Buckner 10, Augusta 8, River Proof Series 24
Taste
Wayne: Augusta 8, Buckner 10, River Proof Series 24
Rebecca: Buckner 10, River Proof Series 24, Augusta 8
Overall
Wayne: River Proof Series 24, Augusta 8, Buckner 10
Rebecca: River Proof Series 24, Augusta 8, Buckner 10
Discussion – The River Proof Series 24 exceeded our expectations and it’s the one that has the most distinct individual flavor. If we could only buy one bottle at the distillery, we would go with this one based on value and complexity. However, if your friend has a bottle of Augusta 8 or Buckner’s 10 or if you see them on a bar menu, give them a try and let us know what you think.
Cheers,
Rebecca
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
NOTE: The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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