By Richard Thomas
Rating: B
The Bourbon Boom is so definitively ended that folks like me are not arguing the point, instead debating about what that means in practice. One thing that some folks got wrong is that it would bring a screeching halt to construction plans and new company starts. Turns out that a lot of things in business turn like an oil tanker, and it is actually a lot easier to plow forward and adjust than it is to pause and halt. So, when I stated last year there would be new brands and new company start-ups, the prediction was met with derision from bloggers, despite that prediction being a true no-brainer.
One of those new start-ups is The Maven. Although this brand and bottle are new, the faces behind it should all be familiar. Starting with Kevin Curtis, who I met when he was appointed to replace the departed Lincoln Henderson at Angel’s Envy 12 years ago. Before that, Curtis had worked with Henderson at Brown-Forman; since Angel’s Envy he has worked for IJW in Danville, Kentucky (an outfit that generally keeps a low profile) and Puncher’s Chance. Curtis’s colleague from IJW and another longtime Brown-Forman executive, Steve Hughes, is listed as Master Blender. It looks like Hughes brought along an experienced protege, Ashley Moore.
The Maven is grounded on what is described as an expansive barrel stock, representing a variety of different bourbon makes, as well as toasted barrels. Their stock is either aged in toasted new barrels or else charred new barrels and then finished in toasted barrels (the double new oak treatment). Oak types for the latter span normal white oak, Chinkapin, French, Garryana and Mizunara. It is said to be seven-plus years old,and is bottled at 94 proof.
The Bourbon
Once in the glass, the coloring took on a light amber hue. I found the nose to be airy and on the light side, but apricot shavings and cinnamon graham crackers were easy to pick out. The vanilla and cocoa notes came on with more nosing.
The palate is subdued and quite mellow. On a candy corn and vanilla foundation is layered apricot shavings and a spice mix of cinnamon and spearmint. Repeated sips brough a little cocoa out on the back end. The finish rolled off the cinnamon and spearmint, before turning just a touch oaky.
The Price
Expect to pay $199.99 a bottle for The Maven.
