Lucky Seven was founded by Michael Lahalih and John Pals who stayed best friends since their college days. Both shared a common interest in bourbon and cinema naming their new project after the infamous Stage 7 in Hollywood, CA where many great movies were filmed. These two proclaim to “know their stuff, inside and out” and that “nothing is going into a bottle of Lucky 7 unless it is of the finest spirits you could find”. That wasn’t enough to convince me when I passed on this bottle a few months ago. The Lucky Seven Spirits website didn’t offer much information either, and their promo videos left me with more questions than answers. Nonetheless, it didn’t take long for good reviews to come out saying this was a brand worth buying. Let’s get to it.
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 10 minutes.
Distillery: (Speculated to be sourced from Barton) 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley.
Proof: 117.
Barrel #: 10.
Age: 14 years.
Mash bill: 75% Corn/ 13% Rye/ 12% Malted Barley.
Price:Retail $139.99
Appearance: Dark caramel.
Nose
Lots of Luxardo cherry with apricots, berries, caramel, chocolate, orange peel, sage, cinnamon spice. The oak is rich and incredible. This is a very cherry and fruit forward nose with a chocolate vibe that includes a hint of orange, sage and a moderate amount of spice that is well balanced. This nose is incredible.
Palate
The palate matches the nose starting with dark cherry, stone fruit, caramel, delicious oak with a viscous mouthfeel. Followed by a generous amount of cinnamon spice and sage which covers the whole palate but doesn’t overwhelm or hide the other flavors. The balance of all these notes is very impressive. This is an amazing and delicious sipper.
Finish
The finish lingers for what seems like forever with cinnamon spice, caramel, peach, chocolate, sage and oak. Oak tannins eventually turn to sweet tobacco and leather. The finish is long and fantastic. I can’t stress how good the oak is, which is impressive for a 14 year old single barrel bourbon. There is no dryness or bitterness, and is nowhere near over oaked. It’s perfect all the way through this pour.
Conclusion
Widely speculated to be sourced from Barton and I’m pretty sure of it now that I’ve tried it. Not just any Barton, but the well-aged Barton that I’ve had from other NDP’s like Kentucky Owl and Calumet. Compared to other The Proprietor’s I’ve seen, the proof on this barrel is on the low end. But I enjoyed it just where it is, at a very respectable and not so shabby 117 proof. I love everything about this bottle. To be able to find a single barrel bourbon of this age with such an exceptional profile is a rare treat. If I have the opportunity down the road to snag another Lucky Seven “The Proprietor” 14 (or 15) for around the same price, I’m going for it. This has become one of my all-time favorite bottles.
Happy National Bourbon Day. Cheers!
Rating: 9/10.
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.
