George Dickel 12 is one of the most surprising whiskeys I’ve had lately. Might sound a bit weird to say because it’s not a special edition or anything, but sometimes I’ll put off picking up a whisky to review because I’ve had it at the bar or a friend’s house a couple of times and I think I know it pretty well. Then, when finally pick up a bottle and sit down for a proper review, a whiskey I thought I knew so well will reveal a whole new side and I’ll wonder why the hell I didn’t do it sooner. This bottle of George Dickel Superior 12 is one of those times.

When compared to the Dickel 8 the Superior 12 definitely lives up to it’s name. A few more years and an extra 5% alcohol makes a big difference in this whiskey. It went from smooth and elegant to deep and robust for only $4 more. It’s kind of crazy how good this is for a something that hovers around the low $20s. It’s definitely going to be hard to pick up the 8 the next time I run out. Though really the two combined come in at only $40 bucks so maybe I won’t have to choose after all…

George Dickel 12 Review

ABV: 45%
Age: 8-10 years
Price: $22
Distiller: George Dickel / Diageo
Mashbill: 84% corn, 8% rye & 8% malted barley

EYE
Orangish caramel

NOSE
Corn is prominent and sweet with notes of vanilla, candied citrus and butterscotch fudge coming through. Honey candy, simple syrup, dried orchard fruit, a touch of wood and rich, but not cloying, sweetness backfill the aroma; making it simply stunning to sniff.

PALATE
Cinnamon moves in with corn, caramel and citrus in a foursome of flavor. Vanilla, wood and a touch of char and leather move through with ease and that rich sweetness is back along with some notes of grain, dried fruit and an ambiguous spice.

FINISH
Long and corn driven with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, leather, dried fruit and a bit of oak.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Mellow and simply sippable this whiskey has a nice balance amidst the corn driven notes and a medium body that works with the smooth easy going texture.

OVERALL
Great. I really enjoy the honey dipped candy corn essence of the nose and the cavalcade of Cs that run across the palate. It’s something that is easy to sit and savor, but also works very well in cocktails. I made a Manhattan with it the other day and was surprised at how well the high corn flavor mixed with the vermouth. Overall a fairly versatile whiskey, except I don’t feel like it holds up well on the rocks. It’s already an easy and delicate whiskey and it doesn’t take too much water from the melting ice for it to fall apart. All in all though it’s a nice whisky, especially for the price, and will be joining the cast of “regulars” I cycle through to keep things interesting and make the expensive stuff last longer.

SCORE: 89/100

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