This review is taken from our episode "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl / Sam Houston 15-Year Bourbon." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
At Film & Whiskey, we’re always excited to dive into well-aged bourbons, and today we’ve got a special one in front of us: Sam Houston 15 Year Bourbon. This is a highly anticipated release, coming from Barton Distillery, and it sits at 103 proof. While we generally approach bourbons aged over 10 years with some caution—worried about an overabundance of oak—this one had us curious. Could it strike a balance between the depth of age and the boldness of bourbon flavors? Let’s dive into the review.
Nose
Brad: On the nose, I picked up some really nice dark cherry notes. The vanilla came through strongly, followed by caramel and even a fresh bread vibe. There’s also a bit of cacao. It’s complex but in a subtle way, and I gave it an 8/10.
Bob: I agree with a lot of that. The cherry is really reminiscent of a cherry cola note that we’ve found in some of our favorite Rebel products. There’s also a strong red apple peel note for me, alongside that vanilla and oak. What’s nice is that the oak doesn’t come across too sharp—it’s more of a toasted oak. I’m right there with you, Brad. I’m giving it an 8/10 as well.
Taste
Brad: The palate stays fruity but transitions into a blackberry, currant-like flavor. The cacao is still present, but beyond that, the oak really takes over. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s definitely the dominant feature. I came down slightly from the nose and rated the taste a 7.5/10.
Bob: For me, the flavor kept evolving, and not in a great way. It starts off really pleasant with that red apple peel and a nice sawdusty oak. But once I swallowed, things started to go downhill. It reminded me of a peated scotch, with a smoky, slightly bitter finish. But it kept evolving, turning more bitter, more ashy, and almost vegetal. I wanted to love it, but I’m landing at a 6.5/10 for the taste.
Finish
Brad: The finish, for me, kind of follows the same trajectory as the palate—it starts off okay but then fades into a vortex of oak. It’s just too much oak for me, and I’m left wishing it had ended a little sooner. I’m giving the finish a 6.5/10.
Bob: Same here. The finish starts off promising, but then it just keeps going in all the wrong directions. It’s not the worst finish I’ve had, but it could have been so much better if it had stopped sooner. I’m sticking with 6.5/10.
Balance
Brad: I gave this a 7/10 for balance. It’s a well-made whiskey with some great elements, but it gets overwhelmed by the oak as the tasting progresses. You start with a lot of promise, but it just doesn’t stay consistent.
Bob: I’m going to be a bit more generous and give it an 8/10 for balance. The nose gives you a pretty good idea of what you’re in for, and at 15 years old, you expect a lot of oak. It delivers on what you’d expect from a bourbon of this age, even if it’s not to our personal taste.
Value
Brad: This is where things get tricky. You’re looking at $160 MSRP, but realistically, you won’t find it for less than $200. At that price, I’m giving it a 4.5/10 on value. There are just too many other bourbons out there offering more at this price point.
Bob: Completely agree. We were talking to the owner of this bottle, and he mentioned the ‘$10 per year’ rule for pricing bourbons. At $150, this would feel fair, but at $200+? It’s just not worth it. I’m also giving it a 4.5/10.
Final Scores
- Nose: 8/10 (Brad), 8/10 (Bob)
- Taste: 7.5/10 (Brad), 6.5/10 (Bob)
- Finish: 6.5/10 (Brad), 6.5/10 (Bob)
- Balance: 7/10 (Brad), 8/10 (Bob)
- Value: 4.5/10 (Brad), 4.5/10 (Bob)
Final Score: 33.5/5015-Year
Conclusion
Sam Houston 15-Year Bourbon delivers a lot of what you’d expect from a well-aged bourbon, but in the end, it’s overshadowed by an overwhelming oak presence. With a final score of 33.5/50, this bourbon falls short of the “must buy” mark. At its price point, we’d recommend trying a pour at a bar first before committing to a full bottle. While the nose and early palate show promise, the finish leaves much to be desired. If oak-heavy bourbons are your thing, you might enjoy this more than we did, but for us, it’s a pass at this price.
