Just over two years ago, I reviewed 15 Stars 7&15 year old bourbon and it was pretty good, albeit expensive. But when I went to Hokus Friday after a long week I wanted something new to review and they really didn’t have any new releases come in recently. Summer does tend to be a slow time of year followed up by lots of limited releases in the fall. So, I picked up 15 Stars Timeless Reserve. This is a 13 year old bourbon, non-chill filtered, bottled in Bardstown, Kentucky at 103 proof. This bottle cost me $133.

The color on this is a nice solid dark amber with some mahogany, indicating to me that its time in the barrel was well spent. On the swirl is a film that really coats the glass and then slowly develops into thick legs. The nose is very traditional bourbon compliments by cherries and floral notes, along with a hint of oak. On the palate this bourbon is very pleasant and old school tasting – lots of vanilla, cherries, raspberries, baking spices, cardamom, and cloves. On the finish, candied cherries and raspberries linger until being replaced with cloves, cardamom, and oak. The finish on this whiskey is extremely long. I wrote two sentences about the finish and it is still not over.

This reminds me of recent releases of Cream of Kentucky as far as the flavor profile and the quality of the whiskey. Like its 7&15 year old sibling, it drinks older than it is and is extremely complex and delicious on the palate. This is definitely a special bottle worthy of its price point and I would definitely recommend it for folks shopping for a special bottle for a bourbon lover. That, and I still think the pewter looking cap with an American eagle on it is pretty cool, which adds to this bottle’s giftability (which is a word I just made up.) I really am enjoying this whiskey after a very long week.