Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. saved their best for last this year.
The George Dickel Reserve 17-Year Tennessee Whiskey is a cask strength release so good it will have Dickel drinkers champing at the bit to track down a bottle.
Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. first released a 17-Year George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey back in 2016. That release came in tiny 375ml bottles and Dickel enthusiasts snatched them up in a heartbeat.
Master Distiller and GM Nicole Austin brought the George Dickel Reserve 17-Year back in 2022 but this time it was released in proper 750ml bottles (full sized). The bigger bottle carries a bigger price tag. 750ml bottles have a suggested retail price of $250 but it’s the holiday season so that hefty price tag can be justified as a ‘present to yourself’.
What’s in the Bottle? George Dickel Reserve 17-Year Tennessee Whiskey
The mashbill for the 17-year George Dickel Reserve is the same as Dickel’s flagship recipe (8% malted barley, 8% rye, 84% corn). This release clocks in at 92 proof (46% ABV) which makes it very, very approachable.
There is no need to water it down like some high proof releases but as is the case with every whiskey, the best way to drink it whichever way you enjoy it the most. Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. recommends it as ‘best enjoyed neat or over a large ice cube’.
Any whiskey aged beyond 12 years is a gamble and needs to be constantly monitored. It’s clear the George Dickel Reserve 17-Year Tennessee Whiskey was aged with precision because it is bursting with flavor.
Diageo
Holding your Glencairn Glass up to your nose, you’ll find notes of creme brulee and apricots. Once you sip the 17-year Tennessee Whiskey you will find notes of plum and juniper. And the finish is long and full of cedar and pine needle.
Speaking about this exquisite release and the George Dickel core mashbill liquid sitting in the barrel much longer than usual, Master Distiller Nicle Austin said “Knowing the impact of the first release of George Dickel 17 Year Old Reserve, the barrels selected for this latest edition were purposefully selected to pay homage to the original offering.”
She added “At the same time, in American Spirits of this age, you’re going to see variability. This year’s release offers fans another chance to taste the whisky they love, now even more complex.”
A $250 price tag isn’t for most people. But this is a very special release for George Dickel enthusiasts. If that is you or someone you know, then this is a release you can’t miss out on.