Nelson Bros Reserve Bourbon Review - Secret Whiskey Society - Featured Square

Distillery: Nelson’s Greenbriar Distillery

Region: Nashville, Tennessee

Aging: No Age Statement

ABV: 53.9%

Proof: 107.8

Mash Bill: Undisclosed

Non-Chill Filtered: Yes

Price: $73

Appearance: Dark Amber

Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon Tasting Notes

Nose: Caramel, oak, cinnamon sugared green apples, butterscotch, vanilla, ground anise seeds

Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, heavily toasted oak, vanilla, pepper, anise, clove

Finish: Long finish with a bit of heat and an oily mouthfeel leaving you with a lot of charred oak, pepper, and rye spice

Is Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon an Approachable Whiskey?

Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon is not a whiskey for the weak. With its 53.9% ABV, it packs quite a punch and it lets you know it.

This is a whiskey for fans of barrel-proof non-chill filtered whiskeys that leave a last impact after each sip (finish will linger for 30-60 seconds).

Is Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon Complex?

Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon has a few layers of complexity to it.

It has the caramel and charred oak bourbon flavors covered as you get them front and center with each sip. It also has a nice cinnamon-sugared green apple note on the nose that I really enjoy.

Each sip turns from bold caramel and oak and flips over into rye spice and pepper which is a nice twist. It carries into the bold finish that coats your entire mouth for 30-60 seconds with a blend of sweet and a bit of spice.

What are Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon’s strongest attributes/flavors?

Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon’s strongest attribute would be its heavy finish and how it combines sweet and spicy very well.

Is Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon a go-to whiskey?

At a $73 price point, this bottle is a little pricey to be a go-to whiskey.

On top of that, it’s quite a heavy hitter and is a whiskey that I would reserve for a cold night or after a tough day at work. With its 53.9% ABV, it will get the job done quickly and the blend of flavors will have you quickly pouring another glass.

Is Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon priced accurately to its quality?

I think I would buy a bottle of Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon a little more often if it were priced at the $50-60 price point, but I do still think it delivers on its price tag. It is a very enjoyable pour, especially for the heavy finish.

Conclusion for Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon

Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon is a bottle that I picked up on a whim and later learned that Nelson Bros. is a relative of the Belle Meade Bourbon brand which I really enjoy.

This bottle doesn’t disappoint. It packs a lot of flavor into each pour and the finish will keep you coming back for more.

If you haven’t had this bottle and enjoy big and bold bourbons, I would recommend giving it a shot next time you see it on the shelf.

Let Us Know What You Think

I hope you enjoyed reading about this tasting experience with me.

If you decide to buy yourself a pour of this, please let me know what you think of it on social media via RedditFacebookInstagram, or Twitter.

Thanks for reading and cheers!


Brad

Brad is the creator of Secret Whiskey Society. Over the past 10 years, he has tasted and officially reviewed over 400 whiskeys and has documented his whiskey journey over the years. With a collection of over 800 bottles, he invites you to join him as he tastes each bottle while giving first impressions and decision on whether each bottle is worth its price tag.

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