Ass Pocket Whiskey Holiday Proof Bourbon Review (Lot No 2)

Ass Pocket Whiskey (APW)
Heritage Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Aged 10 Years
122.5 Proof (“Holiday Proof”)
Lot No 2
MSRP: $65/200ml
Review

Please enjoy our Ass Pocket Whiskey Holiday Proof Bourbon Review!

The Ass Pocket Whiskey Brand

Ass Pocket Whiskey (APW) is a brand created by guitarist Derek Trucks. According to the press release: “APW is born out of Derek’s love for bourbon and his frustration with the growing trend of whiskey as a collectible to sit on a shelf rather than something to enjoy. In Derek’s words, APW is here to let fans “have their whiskey and drink it too”–encouraging people to savor their bourbon, not just stash it away. By offering premium bourbon in a 200ml “ass pocket” flask size, APW makes it easy to enjoy high-quality whiskey without the pressure of hoarding a full-sized bottle that remains sealed.”

Introducing Ass Pocket Whiskey (APW Lot No 2): Holiday Proof

Ass Pocket Whiskey Holiday Proof is the second release from the brand. The first release sold out at Bourbon and Beyond this past September. Notably, this release differs from the prior in that it is bottled at barrel proof, whereas the first was bottled at 100 proof. Otherwise, both releases are 10 year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys. Whether this release came from the same batch of 10-year old bourbon as the first release is not mentioned. As for the name, “Holiday Proof”, the bourbon is bottled at 122.5, making the digits the same as those in 12/25, the day Christmas is celebrated.

Tasting Notes – Ass Pocket Whiskey Holiday Proof Bourbon Review (APW Lot No 2)

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn Glass

👉🏻Nose: Dark cherries, brown sugar, rich light caramel, dry oak; vanilla after a few sips; alcohol vapor appropriate for proof
👉🏻Taste: Brown sugar, caramel, dark cherries, spicy dry oak; white pepper spice later on
👉🏻Finish: Crescendoing white pepper spice; mild lingering sweet caramel & cherries; dry oak & mildly smoky barrel char later on; very long with plenty of enduring deep warmth

Ass Pocket Whiskey Holiday Proof Bourbon’s nose is rich, with dark cherries, brown sugar, and rich light caramel, and progressively noticeable dry oak. Interestingly, after I take a few sips, there’s pleasant vanilla as well, although it was not present initially. The alcohol vapor is present, but not overbearing, and appropriate for the relatively high proof.

Similar flavors continue into the taste. At first, it’s quite viscous, with brown sugar, caramel and spicy dry oak; white pepper spice appears later on. The white pepper spice greatly increases in the finish, but some mild sweetness, from caramel and cherries, remains. Later on, the finish becomes more dry, with mild dry oak and smoky barrel char. To say the finish is long is an understatement; it lingers for almost an eternity. I am left with a pleasant and enduring deep warmth.

Comparison to the First APW Release

To be perfectly honest, I was not blown away by the first APW (Ass Pocket Whiskey) release. However, I always approach every bourbon with an open mind, and when I saw that this second release was bottled at barrel strength, it piqued my interest. A 10 year old barrel strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; what’s not to love?!

Conclusion – Ass Pocket Whiskey Holiday Proof Bourbon Review (APW Lot No 2)

I am happy to report, that I really enjoy this second release. It has complex flavors, fruit and confectionary notes, and just the right amount of oak, with a nice touch of white pepper spice, too. If you like those unbridled classic bourbon flavors at a nice maturity of 10 years, then APW – Ass Pocket Whiskey Holiday Proof is one you’ll almost certainly enjoy! Have you tried it? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Ass Pocket Whiskey Holiday Proof Bourbon Review! Check our our review of the first Ass Pocket Whiskey release or the full press release for this expression to learn more!

Note: This bottle was graciously provided by the brand for my review.

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!