Early Times Bottled-In-Bond

Early Times Bottled in Bond
Mike Rosen

Bourbon

January 10, 2023

Early Times is a very old brand that dates back to 1860, founded by by John Henry “Jack” Beam, the paternal uncle of Jim Beam. Seven years after Jack Beam’s passing in 1923, Owsley Brown (of Brown-Foreman) purchased the Early Times brand and aging barrels to sell as “Medicinal whiskey” during prohibition. Through the 1940’s and 50’s Early Times had become so popular it was known as “Americas largest selling Kentucky bourbon”. Sadly, decades later in 1983 Early Times Bottled-in-Bond was discontinued as a cost cutting measure due to the downturn of whiskey sales through the 70’s and 80’s. It was replaced by a less favorable whiskey consisting of a blend of straight bourbon and light whiskey which was named, Early Times “Old Style Kentucky Whiskey”.

In 2017 Brown-Forman brought back Early Times Bottled-in-Bond as a limited release to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the brand. After its success, Brown-Foreman decided to continue Early Times Bottled-in-Bond permanently. Despite this success in 2020 the Early Times brand and existing barrels were sold to Sazerac as part of a larger acquisition that included Canadian Mist and Collingwood brands.

On April 8th, 2021 an Early Times press release said, “Following the purchase of Early Times whiskey in 2020 by Sazerac Company, the notable American whiskey brand will begin distillation, aging and bottling at the 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, KY this summer”. Sazerac also said that Early Times BiB would be using the same original recipe and mash bill. In adhering to Bottled in Bond rules, this means the earliest that Early Times Bottled in Bond using Barton distillate can be released will be the summer of 2025. On the current bottles the tell is in on back of the label with the TTB requirements showing DSP-KY-354 (Early Times produced and warehoused) and DSP-KY-12 (Barton) where it was bottled. In the meantime, I’m eager to check out this current Brown-Foreman version.

Last summer I watched an interesting blind bourbon battle on SLB Drinks where Early Times won over several other well-known and more expensive Bottled-in-Bond bourbons. I’ve been curious about this bottle for a while now and finally snagged one at my local. Let’s see how my first bourbon purchase of the year turns out.

Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 10 minutes.

 

 

Distillery: Early Times Distilling Company (Brown-Foreman)/Bottled at Barton 1792.

Proof: 100.

Age: At least 4 years.

Mash bill: 79% Corn/ 11% Rye/ 10% Malted Barley.

Price: I paid $29.91 (1L).

Appearance: Copper.

Nose

The first thing I pick up is a lot is sweet caramel candy and toffee with some vanilla. Followed by a fruity combination of cherry, peaches, strawberry, banana, and orange peel. There’s also an herbal sage note with some pecan nuttiness and a good dose of allspice, with layer of oak and barrel char underneath that creates a hint of chocolate. This nose is a whole lot sweeter and fruitier than I expected.

Palate

With a medium mouthfeel, the nose is similar to the palate with sweet caramel, vanilla, cherry, peaches and noticeably more banana. Mid sip comes sage, pecan and orange peel with a very balanced rise of allspice. The oak is pleasant but what I’m missing is that bit of barrel char and hint of chocolate I was getting from the nose. While less complex than the nose, this flavor profile still delivers an enjoyable fruit forward sip along with pleasant caramel and spice.

Finish

Allspice lingers on the palate with stone fruit, sage, vanilla and pecans. Subtle oak and tannins of tobacco emerge for a medium finish.

Conclusion

I anticipated Early Times Bottled in Bond to be a good bang for the buck and in that aspect, it has delivered. Though in that blind taste battle I watched, I’m not sure how it won over some of the much more expensive Bottled in Bond bottles it was up against. But everyone has their own tastes and that’s one of the fun things about whiskey. I was surprised just how sweet and fruit forward Early Times BiB is. For better or worse, this bourbon distinguishes itself from others in its class that have a more traditional Kentucky bourbon profile. I can see how Early Times Bottled in Bond and for instance, Wild Turkey 101 could both be at home depending on what you’re in the mood for.

In these times of rising prices on everything, it’s good to see a bourbon like Early Times Bottled in Bond still in stores for under $30. It’s great for making cocktails or a neat easy drinking sipper. I can see why in its heyday it was known as “Americas largest selling Kentucky bourbon”

Rating: 5.6/10.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.

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