Belle Meade Cask Strength Reserve Bourbon Whiskey, Tennessee, USA

A really good balance of flavor, power, and refinement.

Charles Nelson immigrated from Germany with his family in 1850. His father was washed overboard during the trip and the burden of supporting the family landed squarely on his fifteen-year-old shoulders. He set immediately to work making soap and candles. Then he opened up a store to sell them. Then he expanded the store into a large grocery chain still in operation today. Eventually, he bought-out his Whiskey supplier — the Green Brier Distillery. Fate and fortune caused that distillery to close in 1909, but Charles Nelson’s great-great-grandsons — Andy and Charlie — re-founded the distillery, producing a range of Bourbons, Tennessee Whiskeys, and specialty Spirits.

Each batch of Belle Meade Reserve Bourbon is comprised of hand-selected barrels that are divided and balanced into two batches. That means each release is a little bit different than the one that came before it. But in the case of Belle Meade, the level of quality is very consistent — which is why it was voted #10 in the list of "Top 20 Whiskies of 2018" by Whiskey Advocate. The Spirit is bottled at a beautiful 108.3 proof — 54.15% ABV — so it has more than enough power and pleasure to go around.