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Possessing the greatest name in American whiskey, bottled at a no-nonsense 103 US proof with an extra kick provided by the substituition of rye for wheat in the mash. What’s not to like?
Fighting Cock Bourbon Review:
Nose: (4.0 Stars) Hints of mead, black cherry, vanilla and nutmeg. Not overly complex, but quite nice.
Palate: (3.5 Stars) This is not a sipping whiskey. On the other hand, there is an underlying sweetness that makes it very pleasant and drinkable in small amounts. Pepper, oak, cinnamon and a bit of hot pepper come to the front.
Finish: (4.0 Stars) The pepper mellows into dark chocolate and vanilla. Both sweet and spicy.
Conclusion: (4.0 Stars) There isn’t anything unique about this bourbon, but it is tasty and faithful to its roots. I like it.
Fighting Cock Review: A pretty little bottle.
I’m trying to catch up with the boys at the Whiskey Network. This particular review focuses on the Fighting Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
I found the Fighting Cock at my local Total Wine store in the bottom of a locked wooden box above the display of malts (eg: Blair Athol, Baker’s etc.). The price was $30.
The Fighting Cock is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottled at 103 proof, which is the same proof as most high-end bourbons. Bottled from a rye mash, the Fighting Cock tastes smoother than standard bourbons.
Fighting Cock Bourbon Review:
Very enjoyable but not complex at all. It is sweet and spicy with lots of great undertones and none of the bad ones. When I first tasted it I thought about Jack Daniels but it doesn’t really taste like it.
Drink (3 stars out of 5) – This is a great fire side bourbon. It is slightly sweet and works well with a bit of soda (no ice or water). There is a bit of a bite on the finish. This would be a great one to start the boys with when introducing them to the wonders of bourbon. Overall I would purchase a bottle for the bar.
Fighting Cock at a glance:
Fighting Cock Review: The description offered on the Fighting Cock website and bottle is as follows: “Aged at least four years in new charred oak barrels, but no more than a decade, Fighting Cock Bourbon is the child of a delicious union between two straight bourbons: our traditional Fighting Cock whiskey and our flagship Charred Oak whiskey. Chestnut and rich caramel aromas give way to a sweet corn flavor and a spicy rye bite. A great whiskey to sip at any time.”
This Bourbon opened up a door to a flavor profile that I had not experienced into a Bourbon and was pleasantly surprised leaving me remembering the experience. I was lucky enough to get this one from the Whiskey Network. So I knew it had to be good.
Fighting Cock Review: The Fighting Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an 80 proof spirit. That is but a step above the bottom rung of the Kentucky Straight Bourbon ladder, but it’s also a good deal cheaper than many of its better-aged and higher-proofed brethren. At this price, the Fighting Cock will not blow you away with its huge flavor. What you will find is a pleasant-enough whiskey that drinks easy and also works well enough as a mixer to earn a place in your bar.
Fighting Cock Review: The Fighting Cock Bourbon is a decent bourbon, but, it does have a couple of issues. First, the Fighting Cock Bourbon is not as accessible to me as others were. I have to consider it a special occasion bourbon. It is, after all, a very high proof bourbon. And, I would be more comfortable sipping this one on the rocks, than neat. So, I have to say that the Fighting Cock Bourbon is really not a bourbon I would consider having in my regular rotation. And, that other issue – as mentioned earlier – I found this bourbon to be a bitter, not a smooth, bourbon. I could not identify the bitter flavor, nor did it disappear over time.
