Peerless Toasted Bourbon (Batch 3)
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Overall Value: 2.5/5
Distillery: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished in a Toasted Barrel
Company: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
Release Date: Fall 2024
Proof: 110.5
Age: 5 Year Minimum
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Chestnut
MSRP: $100 (2024)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Peerless Toasted Bourbon (Batch 3) is rich and fruity, bringing red berries, blackberry, and even a twist of Twizzlers that stands out for a toasted bourbon. Deeper in, there are the classic bourbon notes of brown sugar and caramel, with touches of marshmallow, cookies and crème, and a hint of pipe tobacco. While there’s a trace of oak, the toasted element isn’t prominent here, but overall, the nose is balanced and full of promise.
This palate starts strong, with a toasted sweetness and a hit of oak, but the initial warmth quickly moves into noticeable ethanol. There’s a buttery mouthfeel that settles, bringing hints of cherry and that classic Tootsie Roll chocolate flavor before the sip pivots to a dry, slightly hot finish. The proof comes through here, and despite the pleasant start, the palate doesn’t quite sustain the nose's richness.
The finish leans dry and oaky, missing the sweet and fruity notes from earlier. The oak is the main feature, with a numbing heat that lingers longer than the flavors themselves. Over time, the finish brings a bite that might appeal to those who enjoy a drier profile.
This pour begins with an inviting nose and a promising start on the palate, but it shifts to a dry, ethanol-forward finish that lacks the complexity some might hope for at its $100 MSRP. While the initial sips show potential, the profile becomes increasingly oaky and hot, making it a challenging pour to fully enjoy if you're after a smoother experience.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
It has a rich and sweet nose that leans towards the fruity side.
I got strawberry, dark fruit, and notes of root beer.
Along with apple pie and brown sugar.
THE TASTE:
It has a full and buttery mouthfeel that really settles into the jaw. There is a bit of a mouth-numbing effect that makes the 110-proof present hotter.
The dry toasted oak really comes through and a decent amount of the sweetness from the nose is lost, but it does not dip into that char or burnt profile.
I get a bit of the original tootsie roll and cherry before the palate moves into the finish.
THE FINISH:
The finish is present, but it has a lingering bite to it similar to the numbing effect from the palate.
Oak is the main flavor here and all the fruitiness and sweetness from the nose and palate are absent.
BUY OR PASS?
I really loved the nose on this pour, as well as my initial sip. However, after continued sips, I started to enjoy it less and less.
The first couple seconds of each sip are really nice, but it moves to dry and oaky in a hurry. Anyone who likes a sweet nose but a dry sip will be happy with this one.
The Hunter Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
This bourbon leans fruity, with red fruits turning into grape and blackberry.
There’s even a brief, surprising note of Twizzlers, which feels out of place for a toasted finish. After that, the darker notes of brown sugar, caramel, and a bit of cookies and crème start to show.
There’s some marshmallow and a hint of pipe tobacco as well. I can try to convince myself there’s something “toasted” in the nose, but I don’t think I would’ve guessed that in a blind tasting.
Still, the nose is easily the best part of this pour.
THE TASTE:
The palate starts with a nice toasted sweetness—there’s some oak and a touch of marshmallow—but it quickly turns into ethanol and feels a bit young.
On multiple sips, the pattern is the same: a promising start that takes a sharp turn toward harshness.
THE FINISH:
Unfortunately, the finish is all ethanol and that “youthy” twang.
It’s disappointing because the palate begins so nicely but just can’t sustain it.
This finish is a rare thumbs down for me.
BUY OR PASS?
The nose holds a lot of promise, and the first part of the palate seems like it’s going to deliver, but then it takes a harsh, unpleasant turn.
If you’re sipping this casually, you might not notice it as much, but for $100, I don’t want any harshness. I’d pass on this one if I saw it on the shelf.
