So what exactly separates George Dickel Bourbon 8 Years from say the George Dickel N0. 08? On a technical level, besides the age statement, the answer is nothing. All Tennessee Whiskey meets the legal requirements to be labeled as bourbon. So why did Cascade Hollow suddenly start calling one of their releases a bourbon? It’s all about taste… and marketing.
The cynical answer is that bourbon is hot right now, so why not take advantage and label your product as bourbon if you can. The less-cynical brand answer is based on some aspects of the Dickel profile.
The core idea behind the Dickel 8-year Bourbon is to find GD barrels that lean more into a classic bourbon profile, and less into a classic TN/GD profile, and give them a home. A way to highlight a different side of GD. Which honestly sounds like a tall order. Dickel has a very unique profile so the underlying question will be, did it work?
Let’s get to drinkin’ and find out!
George Dickel Bourbon 8 Years – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Natural Color
Style: Tennessee Whiskey
Region: TN, USA
Distiller: Cascade Hollow (George Dickel)
Mash Bill: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 8 Years
ABV: 45%
George Dickel Bourbon 8 Years Price: ~$35
Related Whiskey
George Dickel No .08
George Dickel No. 12
George Dickel Bottled In Bond Fall 2005 13 Years
George Dickel Bottled In Bond Spring 2007 13 Years
Whisky Kruger American Sour Mash Whiskey
George Dickel Bourbon 8 Years Tasting Notes
EYE
Mild Caramel
NOSE
Caramel, dried corn, vanilla, sour cherry candy, dried fruit, oak, some baking spice and leather.
Earthy and rustic, it starts out classic Dickel with some good sour notes showing up as it opens.
PALATE
Dried corn, caramel, vanilla, sour cherry candy, dried fruit, oak, some baking spice and leather.
Nearly identical to the aroma with the dried corn sitting a bit higher,
FINISH
Medium -> Sweet and earthy with a bit of dried corn and caramel.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good balance, medium body, soft feel.
George Dickel Bourbon 8 Years – Overall Thoughts and Score
Three-word summary: Earthy sweet corn.
This is a unique bourbon for several reasons. One, it’s still made in the traditional TN whiskey manner. Two, its core profile is very much Dickel, making it stand out sharply in the bourbon category… and also in the Dickel lineup. Three, it’s actually carrying an age statement.
When comparing George Dickel Bourbon 8 Years to the rest of the standard Dickel line, it sits right between the Classic No. 8 Recipe and the Superior No. 12 recipe. It’s undeniably Dickel, but does indeed carry a more “bourbony” profile and carries a nice sweetness and balanced earthiness, giving it a profile that’s perfect for either mixing or sipping.
SCORE: 3.5/5 (tasty, worth checking out ~ B | 83-86)
George Dickel Bourbon 8 Years Review $35
Overall
- Nose
- Palate
- Finish
- BBF