AVB
Jesus of Cool, I'm bad, I'm nationwide
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
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Fighting Cock 6 yo bourbon, 750ml standard bottle, no other packaging, 103 proof, about $15.
Went to a friends house down the road and took my new bottle of Fighting Cock with me to share. Fighting Cock is an old brand that all but disappeared for decades before being resurrected in 1998. There have been 8 and 15 yo versions out previously but the 6 yo is the standard now. Since this is a Heaven Hill product they can basically put out any age they want at almost any time.
The bottle has a somewhat cheap looking plastic stick on label of a fighting cock and has all the other normal info on it. It does stand out due to the colors but is a little garish IMO.
At 103 proof this bourbon has a little more kick then a normal 80 or 86 proof drink and adding a few drops of water really does help with bringing out the flavors. Unlike most bourbons this one has a high rye content instead of wheat to give it a more spicy character.
Fighting Cock is a love it or leave it bourbon if you follow the bourbon boards. Some have called it the worst they have ever had while others say it is their "everyday" pour. For me it certainly isn't the worst I've had, not by a long shot but it isn't top 10 either.
After pouring a solid 2 fingers in my glass I let it sit for a few minutes while my friend got some ice for his glass. All of these notes are based on drinking this neat but water does enhance the nosing and flavors I've noted.
The nosing is vanilla and new hay with a little nutmeg riding on a touch of corn. The rye in the mash is noticed in the first tasting with a good pepper taste and an solid alcohol heat. Corn and oak show up after the initial alcohol dilutes a tad. The finish is corn and vanilla until an oaky dryness takes over at the very end.
Once you get over the initial alcohol hit, the flavor is not bad at all and I believe this would work very well in a bourbon based cocktail (no pun intended
) Not the best $15 bourbon out there but if you want to try something a little different it isn't a bad investment of a fairly small amount of cash.
Went to a friends house down the road and took my new bottle of Fighting Cock with me to share. Fighting Cock is an old brand that all but disappeared for decades before being resurrected in 1998. There have been 8 and 15 yo versions out previously but the 6 yo is the standard now. Since this is a Heaven Hill product they can basically put out any age they want at almost any time.
The bottle has a somewhat cheap looking plastic stick on label of a fighting cock and has all the other normal info on it. It does stand out due to the colors but is a little garish IMO.
At 103 proof this bourbon has a little more kick then a normal 80 or 86 proof drink and adding a few drops of water really does help with bringing out the flavors. Unlike most bourbons this one has a high rye content instead of wheat to give it a more spicy character.
Fighting Cock is a love it or leave it bourbon if you follow the bourbon boards. Some have called it the worst they have ever had while others say it is their "everyday" pour. For me it certainly isn't the worst I've had, not by a long shot but it isn't top 10 either.
After pouring a solid 2 fingers in my glass I let it sit for a few minutes while my friend got some ice for his glass. All of these notes are based on drinking this neat but water does enhance the nosing and flavors I've noted.
The nosing is vanilla and new hay with a little nutmeg riding on a touch of corn. The rye in the mash is noticed in the first tasting with a good pepper taste and an solid alcohol heat. Corn and oak show up after the initial alcohol dilutes a tad. The finish is corn and vanilla until an oaky dryness takes over at the very end.
Once you get over the initial alcohol hit, the flavor is not bad at all and I believe this would work very well in a bourbon based cocktail (no pun intended
) Not the best $15 bourbon out there but if you want to try something a little different it isn't a bad investment of a fairly small amount of cash.
