Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Review
In-Depth Review
Early Times Bottled-in-Bond is a whiskey that needs no introduction in devout whiskey circles. For many, it’s the champion of “budget bourbons”, the “bottom shelf queen”, and the “best bang for your buck for under $25”. But what makes this seemingly nondescript bottle - with its old timey label and strange 1-liter size - stand out in an ever-increasing group of budget choices?
First, it does claim to come from the oldest continuously operated distillery in Kentucky. It also boasts a strong proof and at least 4 years of age. It also only costs around $25 for a 1-liter bottle. But probably most importantly, since its reintroduction in 2017, it’s always been a bit elusive. First distributed as a limited edition, distribution has slowly grown to more and more states. But for years, only the lucky few had the opportunity to find this “bottom shelf queen”. Even now, most states don’t see this very often. But now that it has been changed ownership from Brown Forman (who owned the brand since 1923) to Sazerac, even more folks are scurrying to grab the last bottles before they fear the flavor changes.
The bottle I am reviewing was bottled after the Sazerac acquisition, but I believe still uses the stocks that were purchased from Brown Forman as the label references both DSP-12 (Barton) and DSP-354 (Early Times) but please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. This was purchased in 2022, and is my first time actually trying Early Times BiB, so I am excited to see if it lives up to the hype. Let’s dive in and see what this budget Kentucky bourbon brings to the table.
Age: At least 4 years old
ABV: 50%
Cask: New charred oak
MSRP: $25
Distillery Name: Early Times Distilling Company (Brown Forman bottling)
Review Date: 1/5/23
Color: Medium Caramel
Nose: The nose starts off soft and inviting, with fresh floral notes then leading to candy corn and wood oil. As the nose unfolds, the nose gets darker and richer, with more oak, caramel, red apple, peanut shells, and a slight sawdust quality. Right before the sip comes a wave of buttered popcorn. Overall, the nose impressed me more than I was expecting.
Palate: On the palate you are greeted with a solid heat on the first sip but that quickly gives way to a soft and easy sipping character. There are classic notes of caramel, light brown sugar, and more candy corn. There’s only the slightest touch of grain that’s easily overpowered by gobs of vanilla cream and a hint of rye spice. This drinks much softer than 100 proof, making it easily enjoyed on its own or in a cocktail.
Finish: Medium to long finish with more fruity sweetness that fades into lingering flavors of wood and anise. The heat fades quickly but the lovely flavors remain – allowing for long pauses between sips.
Final Thoughts: Early Times BiB provides a hell of a value at $25 for 1 liter, and a great pour for those looking to get more out of a “budget” bottle. Its lovely nose is probably the best part and delivers a sweet and inviting introduction to a mellow, easy sipping alternative to spicier Bottled-in-Bond products like Old Overholt or New Riff. It’s not as rich or complex as an EH Taylor Small Batch BiB but is much cheaper and more importantly – much easier to find. If you are looking for a gentle introduction into BiB 100 proof whiskies, this is a good place to start. This is a completely crushable whiskey that I wouldn’t give a second thought to sipping neat or throwing in a cocktail. If you are looking for your new favorite budget bottle – you’ve found it in Early Times Bottled-in-Bond.
