Today’s review is Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea, a bottle with a very cool premise. The schtick is that the bourbon is finished in casks which are strapped to a cargo ship that sails around the world doing boat things. The claim is that this “hyper-ages” the bourbon through the movement, the temperature fluctuations, and the sea air. Basically, Jefferson says it’s not about length (of maturity), it’s about the motion of the ocean. It’s gimmicky, sure, but so am I.

The lamb is courtesy of Costco. I thought to myself, what would go well with this ocean-themed bourbon? I decided to go with the classic staple of a fisherman’s diet: herb crusted sous-vide rack of lamb.

Mind Feel:

Psychologically speaking, this bottle has a lot going for it.

First: the premise just sounds appealing. The idea that it was aged on the open ocean, sung to by mermaids as the sea breeze sciences the flavor into hyperspace, what’s not to love? Notes of sugar pill.

Second: the premise makes you feel special. Think of how many thirsty pirates died trying to hijack the trawler for a taste of this sweet sweet nectar. Notes of yo-ho-ho and a bottle of fuck off, pirates.

Third: if you personify the drink itself, you can get a real power trip out of it. This bourbon is more of a man than I am. It traveled the world, endured the treacherous ocean, and overcame Poseidon’s wrath. Yet, I’ve utterly decimated my dram. I made this bourbon my bitch. Notes of god complex.

Nose:

Nothing crazy distinct going on here. It’s fairly mild, but still smells like bourbon.

The lamb smells like lamb and rosemary.

Palate:

Mild and smooth. Almost tastes like something halfway between cognac and bourbon. This actually does have a unique taste. It’s like if you took a regular bourbon and sanded down the edges.

I will say though–I don’t get any of the official tasting notes (I rarely do for any bottle). Here in particular, I’ve read a lot of reviews talking about how there’s a sea salty / brineyness to it. I don’t get that myself.

The lamb tastes like lamb and rosemary.

Finish:

Medium finish. It ends on a slight bitter note, which isn’t my favorite thing. This could also just be because my bottle has been open for a while–I don’t remember the bitter note from when I first opened it.

The lamb has a lengthy finish, as lamb does. Too lengthy. I ate too much lamb, and now I feel sick.

Bottom line:

The bottle is a 7/10 (not mind blowing, but good and situationally worth-it). The classic bourbon flavor isn’t as strong in this. Not to say it lacks flavor, but this is a very light drink. Best way to describe it for me is a cross between cognac and bourbon. Is it worth $80? Depends. If you have a large collection, this bottle definitely has a place: it’s a unique tasting bourbon with a cool story. If you’re buying it just for yourself and you like more robust tasting whiskies, maybe not.

The lamb was a 2/10, but that’s my fault. I didn’t make any side dishes, just lamb and bourbon and half a stick of garlic butter. I ate it all. The bourbon, lamb fat, and butter formed a semi-sentient mixture in my stomach that yearned for freedom. Everything tasted and smelled like a greasy sheep for hours. It was a harrowing experience, but don’t mourn for me. As an amateur reddit whiskey reviewer, this is the path I have chosen.