A 16-Year Bardstown Stunner at a Remarkable Price
Calumet Farm 16 Year Old “Single Rack Black” Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($129.99)
“Tasting this is such a pleasure. It’s lively and full-bodied with a perfect amount of kick, but very easy going.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer
In the world of collectible bourbon, finds like this are becoming vanishingly rare. Typically, a 16-year-old, age-stated whiskey from one of Kentucky’s most famous distilleries would command an exorbitant price thanks to collectors willing to pay it, but it would also come in such small quantities as to make it almost irrelevant in the broader market. Not so with the Calumet 16 Year Old “Single Rack Black.” Distilled in 2006 at the iconic Barton distillery in Bardstown, this 19-barrel batch enjoyed a place of honor in the rickhouse. That is to say, these barrels sat in the dead center of the building, where the aging process often yields the most compelling results. This incredible dram is the oldest aged release from the Calumet Farm brand so far, and it offers up everything bourbon fans love in old Kentucky whiskey at a price that makes it accessible to pretty much anyone. It’s also in stock at quantities that permit purchases of multiples, so savvy aficionados looking to stock their bars with a legit, age-stated masterpiece should not pass up this singular opportunity.
Calumet Farm 16 Year Old “Single Rack Black” Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($129.99)
K&L Notes: Calumet Farm has an incredible history and pedigree in the world of horse racing, and now too in the Bourbon world. Their 14- and 15-year expressions have become instant classics and are wonderful examples of well-aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. No funny business with finishes or any effort to re-write the Bourbon landscape—just classic, well-crafted Bourbon blended in small batches to perfection. The 16-year is their oldest release to date and the highest proof to boot. At 106, it’s a perfect sipper, robust enough to carry all of the intensity and mellow enough for a perfect neat pour. Blended from 19 barrels to honor one of Calumet’s (and horse racing’s) greatest horses—Citation. Barrelled in March of 2006. Distilled and aged in Bardstown, KY. Mashbill: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley. Non-chill filtered.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: August 16, 2022
Calumet has managed to source some of the most compelling, well-aged Kentucky Bourbon at very fair prices. Their previous release, the 15-year, was extremely well received by drinkers and critics alike. The 16 is even better. The oldest and highest-proof release from Calumet to date, it’s so easy to drink at 106 proof. The nose is quite woody but with bright red Bing cherry fruit notes riding high as well. Whiffs of sweet grass and dried hay make you feel like you’re walking across the Calumet Farm itself. A bit of burnt orange peel gives both citrus notes and a very gentle smokiness, almost sultry in nature. Chocolate nibs, roast nuts, and the balanced sweet and sour notes of fermented molasses round out the nose. Tasting it is a pleasure. It’s lively and full-bodied with a perfect amount of kick, but very easy going. The 53% ABV carries a ton of flavor, but never overpowers. It’s just the right level of sweet and savory for my taste buds. Lots of mellow sweet corn, like you’re taking a bite of plump raw kernels right off the cob, a green kick of rye spice, and a background of sweet Madagascar vanilla lacing the two together. Luscious American oak tannins give it structure and depth. With time it opens in to more cola notes, nutty and sweet, and shows more of that red cherry on the palate. The finish is zippy thanks to the ABV and imprints more vanilla and cinnamon on your mind until you take another sip and start over again. All around a wonderful pour in a handsome yet no-frills bottle. A perfect treat for a bourbon lover, whether it is you or a friend you’re gifting it to.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: August 17, 2022
Ok, ok! Here we go with the new narrative in Kentucky—if you know where to look you can get good old bourbon without dispensing a mortgage payment. Some people might point to the old days when 15-year-old whiskey was $60, but there hasn’t been a period in the last decade where we could readily get 15+-year-old whiskey from anyone in Kentucky at less than $150. And to be honest, I think this price point is super for the quality you’re getting here. We must assume this product was distilled at Old Barton as it was the only working plant in 2006 in the area. Aging occurred entirely in Bardstown as well. This is a great, old distillery that has many people clamoring for their higher end marks, so unless you’re one of the unlucky few who specifically doesn’t like the Barton profile, there’s a good chance that you’re going to dig this. Non-chillfiltred and high proof, like all the single-rack series, and only 19 barrels in the batch. Let’s taste it. The color is a gorgeous russet. The nose starts immediately with exotic dark woods, fresh charred oak, sweet dried plum, subtle floral and dark tea aromas. With some air, there’s a strong vanilla note, caramel candies, red cherry, and French roast. On the palate, it’s medium bodied and rather dry with a lovely dusty note. Darker and woody with a strong oaky flavor down the middle. This is definitely on the drier side of Barton and very woody. It loves air, and I’d reckon the middle of the bottle will be exceptional. Right now, I like to give this 30 minutes of nosing before I dive in deep. A fun old bourbon whiskey at a totally reasonable price.
Neal Fischer | K&L Beer Buyer | Review Date: August 16, 2022
Dang, that’s good! Coming on the heels of the 14 and 15, there’s now a 16-year-old Calumet Farm added to the lineup and it stands up alongside the others as the new torch-bearer. I really enjoy the interplay between the big fruit in the profile and the ebbing-and-flowing spices. Up front on the nose I get luscious cherry syrup that’s matched by wood varnish and cardamom. Next there’s a wave of dried peaches, balsa wood, slight menthol, then a deep caramel followed by medicinal herbs. The palate offers darker flavors; first salted caramel and mocha, but then the richness is matched by bold spice, bright cherry, and red apple. This bourbon has a very round and supple mouthfeel, and then it finishes in a drying and spicy finish with the menthol peeking back through. I was impressed with the 14- and 15-year-old Calumets because it seemed like every time I came back for a nose and a sip there was some other flavor component to find—this new 16-year-old edition offers that same level of complexity with something more for me to enjoy each time I go back to it.
Aaron Hughes | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 16, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised by how fruit-forward this bourbon was—after 16 years in oak it still came off a bit spritely, with ripe and caramel apples alongside stewed pears, orange oil, and then touches of burnt sugar toward the end. The palate was savory and spicy in the best of ways, with a vanilla custard and pie spice competition happening in the back palate, while somewhere in the finish there’s this whisper of herby licorice that kept me searching in my glass. I always like it when a beverage evokes curiosity. The finish manages to be dry and oaky without being overly tannic, just urging you onto the next welcome sip. A couple drops of water in what was left in my glass made the floral notes pop on the nose and left the palate a touch sweeter. Definitely highly recommended and a beautiful sipper however you choose. I didn’t think it needed water or a rock in it, but I wouldn’t have objected either.
