Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon Review

Distillery: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

Proof: 107.8

Age: No Age Statement

Mashbill: Blend of “well-aged” high rye bourbons

Price: ~$60

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Company

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery is located in Nashville, TN, and also makes products like Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, Belle Meade (their most popular brand), and Louisa’s Liqueur.

Production

This is a blend made from bourbon sourced from Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky. According to their site, they pick the “choicest lots of well-aged bourbon” for Nelson Bros. Reserve.

Nelson Bros. Reserve Review: Flavor Profile

Nose – 4.75/5

One of the more unique noses you’ll come across. Sweet brown sugar, butterscotch, and butter. Smells almost like a caramel pie and makes you incredibly intrigued to see what it’ll taste like.

Palate – 3.75/5

The brown sugar and caramel from the nose come through to the palate with some heavier oak than expected. A slight letdown from the incredible nose, but still rich and complex.

Finish – 4/5

Medium-length finish with notes of oak and butterscotch. Rye comes surging through here where it was basically invisible before. I was curious to see where the rye went until this point because it’s a “high rye” blend.

Value – 3.5/5

Nelson Bros. Reserve is a dynamic and interesting pour. I’m not sure I’ve ever had anything quite like it. The closest thing is Chattanooga 91, which is a high-malt bourbon.

At $60, I think most people will skip this bourbon, and that’s reasonable. It’s unique and clearly high quality, but it’s a bit too out there for most people. It’s hard to think Nelson Bros Reserve could beat out the likes of Makers 46 or Baker’s for a similar price point.

Nelson Bros. Reserve Review…The Verdict

Verdict – 4/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3