Country: USA - Kentucky
Distillery: Grain & Barrel Spirits
Type: Straight Bourbon
Age: Min 2 (straight whiskey)
Cask: American Oak
ABV: 45%
Proof: 90
Price: $59
Nose: Heavy on the corn side which opens up to vanilla, lemon curd, caramel, stone fruits, summer flowers
Palate: It has a light creamy texture but pleasant with a touch of barley, white peppers, licorice, apples. Easy to drink with just a feeling of oak tannins.
Finish: Warm and medium long. Sweetness starts and continues to dissolve in a nice way. Finishes with a touch of black pepper.
When I first heard, Chicken Cock Bourbon was a new name to me. Apparently not to everyone. It was established in 1856 in Paris,Bourbon County, Kentucky.
Chicken Cock Whiskey has a really interesting story from the beginning to the end. It survived the late 1800's, Prohibition era but burnt to the ground after WWII. The famous club of the Prohibition era, The Cotton Club, selected Chicken Cock as their 'house whiskey' and apparently jazz legends, including Duke Ellington was really fond of the whiskey.
“During the prohibition period, you could always buy good whiskey from somebody in the Cotton Club. They used to have what they called Chicken Cock. It was a bottle in a can, and the can was sealed. It cost something like ten to fourteen dollars a pint.” ($140+ today).
—Excerpt from Music Is My Mistress, Duke Ellington
However, known as The Famous Old Brand, Chicken Cock Bourbon came back from its sabbatical. More stories here!
Let's get to the bourbon. I found Chicken Cock's straight bourbon indifferent.... in the first minutes!!! As time passes, the bourbon puts out a character and richness. Nose gives you another flavor as time passes. Palate has a light creamy texture and it has the capacity of pleasing those who are looking for some body in their whiskey.
I loved how the finish had a simple and nice blend of sweetness and peppery feeling.
I strongly believe that Chicken Cock Whiskey can do a solid job in the future with a little bit age and higher alcohol level.
Also, check out the Chicken Cock Straight Rye Whiskey, which does a great job!