Distillery: Sourced from MGP
Proof: 92
Age: 12 Years
Mashbill: 99% Corn, 1% Barley
BACKGROUND: Hooten Young was founded in 2018 by Tim Young & Norm Hooten. MSG Hooten was a Delta Force operator who was a member of the famed Task Force Ranger and fought in the Battle of Mogadishu which was made into the movie “Black Hawk Down”. The two partners, with the help of Master Sommelier George Miliotes, created Hooten Young American whiskey. The mash bill is made with a 99% corn and 1% barley that was distilled and blended with an undisclosed ingredient before being put into American Oak Barrels to age for 12 years. Hooten & Young sources their whiskey from MGP in Indiana.
NOSE: A very sweet nose here with scents of warm cotton candy, butterscotch, creamed corn, and cherries. There is no burn whatsoever and all of the notes are rich and developed. Overall this is a very sweet and sprite nose. (23/25)
PALATE: Like the nose, this whiskey is quite sweet and tasty. Immediately noticeable are flavors of warm caramel, brown sugar, honey, maple, and charred oak. There are also some really nice flavors of apple crisp that make this whiskey really well rounded. Overall this is a very flavorful, smooth, sweet, and enjoyable American corn whiskey. (37/40)
FINISH: The finish is long with a bite to it that surprised me for the proof. There are notes of plum, floral sweetness, vanilla, and oak. The finish went on and on and left our mouth watering and craving another sip. (23/25)
VALUE: Hooten & Young 12 Year has a $90 SRP which is a little high and already carries a $120+ secondary price. (7/10)
Overall: 90/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: Hooten & Young 12 Year American Whiskey is an absolute hit! This is a tasty, smooth, and very enjoyable whiskey that we would strongly recommend to anyone and everyone. This whiskey is on the sweeter side but is perfect when served neat. This will definitely be one to beat for our 'Best American Whiskey of 2021' in December.
Similar & Slightly Better Whiskey: Maker's Mark 2021 Wood Finished FAE-01
Similar & Equal Whiskey: Manifest Whiskey Project #3
Similar & Slightly Worse Whiskey: Angel's Envy Finished Rye
Tell us what you think and give us some feedback!
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away
