1792 Small Batch
Overall Score: 7.75/10
Overall Value: 5/5
Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company Inc.
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 93.7
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Marketed as high rye
Color: Caramel
MSRP: $30
The Barrel Bros’ Review
1792 Small Batch is a classic bourbon that offers a great sensory journey, beginning with a nose of delightful cherry and raspberry. This initial smell is underscored by a playful hint of banana, though it lacks any woody undertones, making for an inviting and somewhat unique start.
The taste further cements its appeal; a blend of sweetness and complexity, thanks to the distiller's precise proof-point touch. The bourbon’s palate is a continuation of what started on the nose, with the sweetness of strawberry runts and the richness of red fruits leading to a satisfying, though unexpected, oakyness. This transition ensures that while the bourbon is sweet, it unmistakably retains its distinguished bourbon character.
The finish, while not the standout feature, evolves pleasantly with each sip, rounding off an overall profile that is both approachable for newcomers and deeply satisfying for aficionados.
On the market aspect, the 1792 Small Batch punches well above its weight with an MSRP that is well below its quality. With prices varying around the $30 mark, and potentially less on sale or at specific store picks, this bourbon represents an exceptional value. It's a daily drinker that not only competes but excels, having outshone pricier competitors in blind tastings — which is why there will always be a bottle on our shelves!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 8/10
Value: 5/5
THE NOSE:
It’s borderline offensive how sweet the nose comes through.
Yet, it entices you to come back. I get heavy notes of red fruit with the whisper of banana. Interestingly, I get no notes of woodiness or oak from this aspect of the bourbon.
THE TASTE:
To my satisfaction, the sweetness continues moving into the palate. Strawberry runts were the first thing that came to mind, following those heavy red fruit notes combined with sugar candy.
Towards the end, the flavor does develop towards a very pleasant oakiness, reminding us that while it’s sweet it’s very much still bourbon!
THE FINISH:
This is probably the weakest part of this low-proof bourbon. The finish is present, but it’s not going to blow you away.
The flavor continues down an oaky route that doesn't change much from the palate. However, the mouthfeel does continue to develop with each sip, and by the time I finished my 1 oz pour it was really growing into something quite nice.
BUY OR PASS?
It should come as no surprise that this bottle gets a favorable score from me, considering I have intentionally listed it twice on my favorite daily drinkers! Along with the descriptions above the “Kentucky Hug” has been nailed perfectly for the proof point.
This is a great lower-proof pour to get you through the hotter summer days. It’s light, tasty, and available at such a great price. In my opinion, there is no better entry-level bourbon than this!
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 5/5
THE NOSE:
From the get-go, this bourbon greets you with a nose that's like a blast from the past, a real throwback to those carefree days of childhood.
Imagine the chorus of "Cherry Bomb" playing in the background as you're hit with a wave of cherries and raspberries, the kind that reminds you of tearing open a Fun Dip or Pixy Stix packet. It's playful, it's nostalgic, and it sets the stage for what's to come.
THE TASTE:
If ever there was a testament to the art and science of distilling, it's the proof point of 93.7 on this bourbon. It's like the master distiller dialed in the exact coordinates for the sweet spot.
The sweetness here is genuine, devoid of any artificial undertones, enveloping you in a warm embrace of goodness. The red fruits from the nose follow through to the palate, making for a rich, flavorful experience that's both satisfying and complex.
THE FINISH:
It's precisely what you want from a daily drinker. It doesn't overstay its welcome, but it leaves you with a pleasant dryness that rounds off the experience nicely.
For a bottle that sits comfortably at the $30 mark (or $24 at our local SAMs), it's hitting well above its weight class.
BUY OR PASS?
There's a reason this bourbon not only makes it into my top 5 daily drinkers but sits proudly at the pinnacle. At $30, it's hard to find anything that delivers this level of quality and enjoyment. And for those who love a good bourbon showdown, let me drop this little tidbit: in my last blind tasting, 1792 Small Batch didn't just compete with Blanton's—it left it in the dust.
So, whether you're keeping score or just looking for your next favorite daily sipper, this bourbon is a contender that deserves your attention.
