Distillery: MGP
Proof: 108.3
Age: No Age Statement
Mashbill: 64% Corn, 30% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Price: $70
Company
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery is located in Nashville, TN, and also makes products like Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey and Louisa’s Liqueur.
Production
This is a small batch bourbon sourced from MGP. The barrels used are 7-11 years old.
Nose – 95/100
Rich caramel, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Smells kinda like maple syrup.
Palate – 94/100
The palate is slightly less delightful than the nose, but still carries deep notes of caramel, cinnamon, and baking spices.
Finish – 93/100
Medium length finish that starts with a blast of rye spice and fades into caramel, pepper, and oak. I noticed a lingering pie crust note as well.
Value – 93/100
Belle Meade Reserve Bourbon is a fantastic, traditional tasting pour. And for the $70 price point, it can stand toe-to-toe with most other bourbons in its category.
I am concerned, though, that its shelf price is creeping past its MSRP quite quickly. If it comes closer to $80 – $90 (MSRP of $55 -$60), I’ll have a hard time picking it over other bottles.
Verdict – 93.75/100
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 95+
- Gold – 90 – 94
- Silver – 80 – 89
- Bronze – <80
Hunter Branch is the Founder and Director of Editorial for Bourbon Inspector. He has been writing about and professionally reviewing bourbon since 2020 (and has been drinking it for much longer). He’s been able to interview big names in the bourbon industry like Trey Zoeller from Jefferson’s Bourbon and his work has been featured in publications like TastingTable, Mashed, and more.