old carter bourbon batch 9

 Old Carter Small Batch Bourbon #9.

OLD CARTER SMALL BATCH BOURBON Batch #9 (2021) MASH BILL – Unstated PROOF – 116.8 AGE – NAS DISTILLERY – Old Carter, sourcing from… MGP? PRICE – $175 WORTH BUYING? – oh my yes…!

I’ll admit to having been skeptical when I first heard about Old Carter. Another high-priced sourced whiskey operation with an elegant bottle? Old Carter’s look reminded me of Kentucky Owl, itself an insanely priced sourced brand. Come to find out Mark and Sherri Carter, the couple behind Old Carter, had a hand in establishing Kentucky Owl before parting ways with it to start their own brand.

But then I heard the Carters speak in an interview. I liked what they had to say about whiskey, that they do all the blending and even handwrite the labels themselves. They’re entirely hands on. It’s a posh brand, for sure. But their passion struck me as totally genuine and legit.

So I bought this bottle—Batch 9 in their 2021 small batch series of bourbon releases. I assume the bourbon inside is from MGP, given the tell-tale “distilled in Indiana” on the back label. The age is not stated. But the dark mahogany color of the whiskey as seen through the bottle suggests a good number of years in the barrel.

I uncorked it the night I brought it home. (No more bunkering the good stuff!) The nose showed marzipan, dark dried fruits of the highest quality, apricot, and smooth oak. The taste made good on the nose, adding a rich juiciness to everything. And yet there was also a pleasing drying aspect to it. The finish showed the same notes as the taste and nose before it, lingering gently but long, with that drying aspect in contrast to the juicy fruit notes…

Overall, out of the gate this was among the richest, darkest, most refined bourbons I’d ever had. At the risk of hyperbole, I thought it might even be among the best bourbons I’d ever experienced period. I would never have guessed it was MGP. That’s no slight on MGP, which puts out excellent whiskeys. It’s that the flavor profile was so unusually distinct. The particular fruitiness of the bourbon actually reminded me of certain whiskeys from Spirits of French Lick, a craft Indiana distillery. Could it possibly be the Carters had procured some younger Spirits of French Lick distillate and blended it with older MGP?

Still, was it worth the $175 I paid? Considering other purchases at a similar price have offered a far lesser experience, my first thought was Yes. Then again, is any whiskey worth $175…?

I decided to wait for the bottle to air out a bit to draw any conclusions. But I anticipated a mighty fine journey with this one…

So here we are again, nearly three weeks since uncorking and now three pours into the bottle. Here are some brief notes tasted in a traditional Glencairn.

COLOR – dark smoldering oranges that seem to glow from within NOSE – rich dark dried fruits like apricot and black cherry, boozy sponge cake, marzipan, crème brûlée, dark toasted honey TASTE – brighter than the nose by comparison, with a mild peppery prickle surrounding a juicy core of those decadent dark fruit notes, emphasizing a rich apricot note especially, with a dash of black pepper, a sprinkling of dried herbs like tea leaf, and the faint whiff of refined oak FINISH – loooong… with that refined oak note lingering beneath a very slow ebb of the rich fruit notes, a subtle return of the marzipan, and a pleasant dry aspect paired with the syrupy juiciness OVERALL – an uncommonly decadent, fruity bourbon, with many secondary notes coming and going to add complexity from the nose through the long lingering finish.

The dry aspects are less prominent now than at uncorking. Now they are like dashes of spice accenting the main ingredients.

It’s the dark fruit notes that are at the center of things. Especially that apricot note, easily the richest I’ve personally experienced. All together, Old Carter Bourbon Batch #9 is like some syrupy baked orchard fruit dessert that’s been carefully seasoned with a fine array of herbs and spices, with marzipan laced into the crust, revealing itself most in the nose and finish.

The proof is strong enough to push the flavors forward with oomph , yet not so strong as to singe them with alcohol burn. Everything about this is exceptionally well balanced, without the individual flavors getting subsumed into one whole. The various notes flow in and out, offering complexity and change as I sip at it over time.

Returning to my highly unlikely theory that Spirits of French Lick whiskeys might be involved, I poured a bit of their Solomon Scott Rye, which features a mash bill of 60% rye, 35% corn and 5% malted barley, and a very fruity, fresh-grain forward flavor profile. If I still had a bottle of their Mattie Gladden around I’d pour some of that. It’s actually the Mattie Gladden this Old Carter takes me back to most. The Solomon Scott Rye makes a very unholy comparison with the Old Carter. But let’s see what comes of it…

Old Carter Solomon Scott.

Nosing them side by side, both feature an orchard fruitness emphasizing apricot, with the Old Carter leaning darker and fruit-syrupyer and the Solomon Scott leaning brighter and fresh grainier. (How are my descriptors coming along? 😉) Both seem seasoned with some array of fine herbs and spices.

On the taste, the Solomon Scott comes across with a softer push from its 102.2 proof, its fruit notes in perfect balance with its fresh grain and bread notes. Tasted next to it, the Old Carter’s marzipan aspect takes on a creamy note as well, and overall comes across with a similar balance of sweet and savory aspects only much darker.

The finish is harder to parse out at this point, with both whiskeys working on me at once. But after waiting a moment and swishing with water, I tried the Solomon Scott again to focus on its finish. It’s very true to its taste, balancing the fruit and fresh grain aspects well and lingering a good long time. Going back to the Old Carter, the ebb of its tide is unsurprisingly darker, spicier, more intensely flavorful…

…But they do taste related. I do not doubt they are not . But the cross-over is indeed striking. The high corn percentage in the Solomon Scott Rye and the evident high rye percentage in the Old Carter bourbon blend seem to bring the two together on the same field. Maybe these particular notes speak to something indigenous to the Indiana terroir?

I may never know the answer. In any case, in a tasting flight, this Solomon Scott Rye would make a great precursor to Old Carter Bourbon Batch #9, almost like a lighter-hearted younger sibling to the older Carter.

So back to the consumer question: Worth it? I’m sticking to my Yes. This is a very unusual bourbon experience. It demands my attention in a way that’s more visceral than intellectual. There’s something hedonistic about it. I’m going to enjoy taking my time with this one and sharing it with friends whom I know will appreciate it—which I’m guessing is most anyone! It’s so good!

Old Carter Releases.

We will be releasing very small-batch and single barrel spirits throughout the year as they tell us when they are ready. If you would like to be included in release announcements, please join our mailing list or for up-to-the-minute info, follow us @oldcarterwhiskeyco.com on Instagram.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 1 1269 bottles produced, barrel strength 112.2 proof Released March 2018, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 2 1289 bottles produced, barrel strength 113.0 proof Released May 2018, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 1 1567 bottles produced, barrel strength 108.9 proof Released September 2018, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter 12 Year Straight American Whiskey, Batch 1 1396 bottles produced, barrel strength 134.9 proof Released December 2018, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter 27 Year Straight American Whiskey, Single Barrel #2 45 bottles produced, barrel strength 123.5 proof Released December 2018, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter 27 Year Straight American Whiskey, Single Barrel #5 36 bottles produced, barrel strength 118.8 proof Released December 2018, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter 27 Year Straight American Whiskey, Single Barrel #9 72 bottles produced, barrel strength 124.3 proof Released December 2018, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 3 1009 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.2 proof Released April 2019, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 4 942 bottles produced, barrel strength 114.1 proof Released April 2019, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 2 1522 bottles produced, barrel strength 106.9 proof Released April 2019, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 3 1539 bottles produced, barrel strength 106.8 proof Released September 2019.

Old Carter 12 Year American Whiskey, Batch 2 1579 bottles produced, barrel strength 139.2 proof Released October, 2019, Kentucky, California, DC.

Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2019 Released in Kentucky, California and DC November/December.

Kentucky Release: Barrel #3 - 90 bottles, 120.6 proof Barrel #12 - 134 bottles, 119.1 proof Barrel #16 - 139 bottles, 116.3 proof Barrel #19 - 145 bottles, 119.4 proof Barrel #23 - 162 bottles, 119.5 proof Barrel #26 - 133 bottles, 120 proof Barrel #38 - 162 bottles, 118.9 proof Barrel #40 - 162 bottles, 119.6 proof Barrel #46 - 161 bottles, 118.9 proof Barrel #48 - 153 bottles, 119.4 proof.

California Release: Barrel #9 - 145 bottles, 118.3 proof Barrel #20 - 122 bottles, 117.8 proof Barrel #39 - 169 bottles, 120 proof Barrel #43 - 145 bottles, 118.4 proof Barrel #47 - 176 bottles, 119.8 proof.

Mid-Atlantic Release: Barrel #25 - 156 bottles, 119.3 proof Barrel #30 - 146 bottles, 115.8 proof Barrel #33 - 111 bottles, 123.8 proof Barrel #50 - 154 bottles, 118.7 proof.

Old Carter 27 Year Straight American Whiskey, Single Barrel #1 50 bottles produced, barrel strength 119.6 proof Released December 2019, Kentucky Only.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 4 1997 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.8 proof Released April 2020.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 5 1648 bottles produced, barrel strength 115.1 proof Released April 2020.

Old Carter 12 Year Straight American Whiskey, Batch 3 2487 bottles produced, barrel strength 138.1 proof Released April 2020.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 5 1404 bottles produced, barrel strength 115.1 proof Released May/June 2020.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 6 1521 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.3 proof Released May/June 2020.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 6 2497 bottles produced, barrel strength 106.5 proof Released October 2020, tasting notes on Instagram.

Old Carter Straight Kentucky Whiskey, Batch 1 1854 bottles produced, barrel strength 117.5 proof Released October 2020, tasting notes on Instagram.

Old Carter Straight American Whiskey, Batch 4 2207 bottles produced, barrel strength 139.6 proof Released October 2020, tasting notes on Instagram.

Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2020 Released in Kentucky, California and DC November.

Kentucky Release: Single Barrel #97 132 bottles 119.8 proof Single Barrel #99 119 bottles 122.7 proof Single Barrel #70 158 bottles 119.5 proof Single Barrel #72 150 bottles 118 proof Single Barrel #73 178 bottles 119.6 proof Single Barrel #75 151 bottles 118.6 proof Single Barrel #61 175 bottles 120.2 proof Single Barrel #93 137 bottles 121 proof California Release: Single Barrel #85 124 bottles 120.9 proof Single Barrel #89 151 bottles 119.7 proof Single Barrel #95 162 bottles 120.2 proof Single Barrel #67 172 bottles 119.5 proof Single Barrel #79 159 bottles 118.4 proof Single Barrel #53 143 bottles 117.4 proof Single Barrel #54 150 bottles 117.7 proof Single Barrel #63 142 bottles 120.1 proof Single Barrel #65 133 bottles 123 proof Mid-Atlantic Release: Single Barrel #94 136 bottles 119.5 proof Single Barrel #98 163 bottles 124.8 proof Single Barrel #81 167 bottles 120.7 proof Single Barrel #55 145 bottles 117.7 proof.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 7 1529 bottles produced, barrel strength 117.2 proof Released March 2021, high rye bourbon whiskey.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 8 1971 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.8 proof Released March 2021, high corn bourbon whiskey.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 9 1534 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.8 proof Released March 2021, high rye bourbon whiskey.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch 10 1969 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.8 proof Released March 2021, high corn bourbon whiskey.

Old Carter Straight American Whiskey, Batch 5 2431 bottles produced, barrel strength 134.9 proof Released March 2021, high corn American whiskey.

Old Carter Straight American Whiskey, Batch 6 2409 bottles produced, barrel strength 134.6 proof Released March 2021, high corn American whiskey.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 7 1495 bottles produced, barrel strength 115.5 proof Released June 2021, 95/5 straight rye whiskey.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 8 1607 bottles produced, barrel strength 115.8 proof Released June 2021, 95/5 straight rye whiskey.

Old Carter Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch 9 1799 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.4 proof Released June 2021, 95/5 straight rye whiskey.

Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2021 Released November 2021, Distillery Exclusive.

14 Year Single Barrel #24 150 bottles 118.5 proof 14 Year Single Barrel #25 106 bottles 116.8 proof.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 1-KY 574 bottles produced, barrel strength 118 proof Released December 2021, three barrel blend (Exclusive to KY)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 1-LA 570 bottles produced, barrel strength 117.4 proof Released December 2021, three barrel blend (Exclusive to LA)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 1-CA 594 bottles produced, barrel strength 118.2 proof Released January 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to CA)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 1-GA 594 bottles produced, barrel strength 117.6 proof Released January 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to GA)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 1-DC 588 bottles produced, barrel strength 118.2 proof Released January 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to Mid-Atlantic)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 1-NY/NJ 498 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.2 proof Released January 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to NY/NJ)

Old Carter 13 Year Straight American Whiskey Small Batch 7 1242 bottles produced, barrel strength 133.6 proof Released February 2022, eight barrel blend.

Old Carter 14 Year Straight American Whiskey Small Batch 8 1155 bottles produced, barrel strength 135.2 proof Released February 2022, seven barrel blend.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 11 1179 bottles produced, barrel strength 108.8 proof Released April 2022, six barrel blend.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 12 1527 bottles produced, barrel strength 110.8 proof Released April 2022, seven barrel blend.

Old Carter Derby Edition 1, Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 14 Year Single Barrel #5 179 bottles 116.6 proof 14 Year Single Barrel #18 231 bottles 117 proof Released May 2022, Distillery Exclusive.

Old Carter Straight Kentucky Whiskey Batch 2 1692 bottles produced, barrel strength 131 proof Released July 2022, seven barrel blend.

Old Carter Straight Kentucky Whiskey Batch 3 1446 bottles produced, barrel strength 131 proof Released July 2022, six barrel blend.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 1-OC 507 bottles produced, barrel strength 117.6 proof Released July 2022, three barrel blend (Social Club Exclusive)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 2-PLDC 676 bottles produced, barrel strength 116.4 proof Released August 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to Mid-Atlantic)

Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2022 14 Year Single Barrel #8 140 bottles 117 proof / Released March 2022, Distillery Exclusive 14 Year Single Barrel #13 143 bottles 119.6 proof / Released June 2022, Distillery Exclusive 14 Year Single Barrel #21 152 bottles 123.2 proof / Released July 2022, Distillery Exclusive 14 Year Single Barrel #1 121 bottles 117.6 proof / Released July 2022, Social Club Exclusive.

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 1-TN 696 bottles produced, barrel strength 117.2 proof Released August 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to Tennessee)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 2-KY 688 bottles produced, barrel strength 118 proof Released August 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to KY)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 2-LA 705 bottles produced, barrel strength 119 proof Released August 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to LA)

Old Carter Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Very Small Batch 2-GA 701 bottles produced, barrel strength 116 proof Released August 2022, three barrel blend (Exclusive to GA)