This is, if I recall correctly, the third cream that I've had that was based on bourbon. The Burnt Church was at the low end of the scale for the way I seem to rate these creams, and the Jim Beam was close to the top. I don't know anything about Boone County other than the fact that it's in Kentucky. It's my understanding that, for a while, bourbon could only be made in Kentucky, and they take quite a bit of pride in that state surrounding the production of the aforementioned beverage. I guess the question is, does an improved whiskey improve the resulting cream?
Not shockingly, it looks like cream. In fact, this may look more like regular cream than any of the other hard creams that I've had. It is only slightly darker than regular cream, and I'm not sure I would have even noticed if I was handed this and told it was just regular cream. The aroma, however, is not going to fool anyone. It smells harshly of brown liquor to the point that I'm not even sure I can smell cream underneath it. All these beverages seem to go their own way, so I'm not gonna judge this yet.I would say that the first sip is surprisingly good, but I'm no longer surprised by how good these creams are. It has the smoky taste of an aged bourbon, but it is nicely restrained by the sweet cream. The result is a very nice, approachable beverage that would be an excellent night. It does not confuse the drinker into believing that what they have is not alcoholic, as the 16% ABV makes itself known. I like it, and I hope they have other versions.
Bottom Line: Maybe I'll visit the White Hall Tavern and try one there, too.
4.0/5