I love George Dickel. It’s no secret I’m a big fan of the awesome whiskey they put out so when the good folks at GD asked me if I’d like to try the new George Dickel 17 Years I was elated. It’s the oldest whiskey that’s ever been released by the distillery and brings out a new dimension to the overall character of George Dickel. In a nutshell, it’s one of those drams that just makes me happy.
George Dickel 17 Info
Region: Tennessee, USA
Distiller: George Dickel
Mashbill: 84% Corn, 8% Rye & 8% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 17 Years
ABV: 43.5%
Price: $75 (375ml)
George Dickel 17 Review
EYE
Polished Oak
NOSE
Oak, vanilla, toffee, complex baking spice (nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, etc.), sour cherry candy and a bit of dried fruit and grain. They mix and mingle in a delightful way, this is a richer denser tapestry of everything I love about George Dickel.
PALATE
Oak, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, corn meal, dark fruit, buttery brittle and baker’s sugar rush across the palate in an organized chaos with light notes of olde time candy, Canadian mints, a touch of cocoa and an underlying nutty and biscuity character. I could drink this for a month straight and not get bored. I love this stuff.
FINISH
A long oaky path with hints of vanilla, sour cherry candy, spice and dark sweets slowly fades out to a dark fruit, cocoa and toffee character.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Fantastic balance, round full body and rich heavy feel that belies its chill-filtered liquid.
OVERALL
George Dickel 17 has a character that’s related to, but unlike, the rest of the George Dickel line up. It’s fascinating to see how the extra aging has played on it this 80% corn distillate and brought out so much more depth and complexity. The dark fruit notes being the most noticeable enhancement along with the sour cherry candy notes. The grain notes do still play a role, but they’ve been moved back a bit.
This is a fantastic whisky and if you’re already a George Dickel fan then this is would be right up your alley. The George Dickel 17 is seriously a whiskey I could drink for a month straight and not get bored with. Too bad it’s a distillery only release at the moment. Though if I end up anywhere near Nashville you can bet I’ll be making my way back out to the George Dickel Distillery and pick one up!
SCORE: 94/100 (A)
*Disclosure: This sample of George Dickel 17 Years was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
George Dickel 17 Years Review - Score Breakdown
Summary
George Dickel 17 is awesome… awesome.
Overall
- Nose - 93
- Palate - 96
- Finish - 94
- Balance, Body & Feel - 94
I was given a bottle of the 17 year for my 60 th birthday, hated to share it, hard to believe is was 103, as good as any Blantons or Pappys that I have had. Being selfish , overall I hope Dickel doesn’t become one of those overpriced brands that suddenly are hard to find, #12 is my go to all the time drink. Being from east Tennesse helps me appreciate it all the more.
I hope that doesn’t happen either Jon, I love it and I’m right there with you on the 12. Cheers!
Selling a bottle, how much?
It goes for $100 in the gift store.
I live approximately 45 minutes from the George Dickel distillery and the 17 year old is available in two of the beverage retailers I frequent @ $75,00 for the 375ml bottle. Fantastic stuff! Thank you for all the fantastic reviews! You’ve guided me to some really outstanding products.
Lucky you. Thanks man, cheers!
Have you had any of the independently bottled Dickel that is out there? I believe there are a number of the Barrell batches that are assumed to be Dickel (I just opened a bottle of batch 008b and have found it to be fantastic, certainly Dickel). I also just picked up a 13 year old Scottish IB “Tennessee Bourbon” from North Star that I assume is Dickel, though I haven’t opened it yet. Just curious if you have come across any of these, since you seem to enjoy this juice.
Hey Andy, I have and I like them! Check out the Peg Leg Porker reviews. I’ve had some of the Barrells and they’re great. Haven’t had the North Star, but definitely heard of it. Cheers man!
We purchased some after touring the distillery earlier this year. Very happy we did, as this is truly a treat! Highly recommended!
I’ll be picking up a bottle of my own for sure next time I’m there :) Cheers!
My wife purchased a bottle for me today at one of our local wine and spirits dealers. Looking forward to sampling it!
I have to say, I just didn’t love it. I wanted to, I really did but o thought it was light on sweetness you’d expect from 84% corn and really had a bitter finish.
I drink tons of bourbon and so wanted this to be good but it was just eh.
Do you like the George Dickel 8, or 12?
George Dickel…soooo under rated.
I live an hour away from the distillery in Tullahoma. My birthday trip is planned!
Lucky you and early happy birthday!