Snooth Review: Belle Meade Bourbon Special Cask Finishes
"The craft Bourbon movement has been in full swing for a number of years now. In addition to a bevy of interesting products, many of these small producers have compelling stories as well. You can count the Belle Meade Bourbons from Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery among their number. In downtown Nashville brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson found a unique spot to resurrect the Whiskey business founded by their great-great-great grandfather in the mid 1800’s. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery was family run from that time until State enforced Prohibition shut it down in 1909. It not only introduced Tennessee Whiskey to the world but in those years it was also the largest producer of Whiskey in the state. More than 100 years later the Nelson brothers re-opened it as a small batch producer whose specialty is special cask finished Bourbons.
In addition to those Special Cask Finished Bourbons their current portfolio includes a White Whiskey ($20) and straight Bourbon ($35). I tasted through all three of their cask finished offerings and I was hard pressed to pick a favorite. I found each of them to be distinct and appealing in its own right. In the Single Malt Scotch World Glenmorangie is one of many producers that are well regarded for special cask finished offerings. At their heart, these releases from the Nelson brothers brought those to mind for me; here’s a look at that trio."