By Richard Thomas
Rating: B+
Ever since Andy and Charles Nelson launched Belle Meade Bourbon and began working on reviving Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, I have been patiently waiting the taste their properly matured, in-house whiskey. Peeks first came in their white whiskey, followed by a two year old whiskey from their first production run, aged in 30-gallon barrels: First 108 Green Label and the cask strength, single barrel First 108 Gold Label. All subsequent production of their wheated mash bill Tennessee Whiskey was entered into 53-gallon American Standard Barrels, and that stuff would become the new company standard bearer: Nelson’s Green Brier Sour Mash Tennessee Whiskey.
Thanks to pandemia, I would not circle around to becoming acquainted with the proper Nelson whiskey until this winter. The whiskey in the bottles is said to be drawn from barrels 2 to 5 years in age, and it is bottled at 91 proof.
The Whiskey
A pour of this whiskey takes on a solid, middling amber look in the glass. I found the nose to lead with Apple Jacks atop gingerbread, accented with a surprising current of nuttiness coupled to (unsurprising) green wood shavings and caramel. The liquid sits lightly on the palate, and the core notes of apples, ginger, cloves, vanilla and nuts are all there. The finish went down lightly spiced.
Although not a marvel, Nelson’s Green Brier is a good, easy drinking whiskey that challenges assumptions about Tennessee and punches well above its weight, to say nothing of above its price point (see below). I strongly encourage all enthusiasts to give it a try in tandem with Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 and George Dickel No. 12, and see what you think about the Lincoln County Process after that.
The Price
One of the best parts of this whiskey is the price tag: a mere $30 per bottle. Forget croaking about expensive craft whiskeys. This stuff is much stronger than Jack Daniel’s Black Label and only a few dollars more!