Ancient Ancient Age 8 Year

Distillery:		Buffalo Trace (under contract with Age International)
Age:		8 Years
Proof:		86 (43% ABV)
Price:		JPY 1400-2600

Ancient Ancient Age 8 Year sits between the Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star, which is about 6-years-old, and the Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year. It shares its mash bill (BT#2) with Blanton's, another Age International expression, but its taste profile is a little sweeter and it is a little less complicated overall.

Ancient Ancient Age 8 Year is 86 proof, four proof lower than the Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star. The dilution seems to balance out the additional two years of aging compared to the Ancient Ancient Age 10-star and also affects the color.

Aside from the "8 year" on the label, the design is essentially the same as other Ancient Ancient Age expressions.

It's not as dark as you might think, given that its 8 years old, but its a little darker than Ancient Age 10 Star.

The bourbon is sweet, spicy and with lots of woody tannins (even though its only 8 years old). Ancient Age, like Blanton's, is made using Buffalo Trace's high rye mash bill (#2) and it really shows. The spiciness of the rye and the wood really define the flavor and overwhelm the sweetness of the corn.

Though Ancient Ancient Age and Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star are fairly easy to find, the 8 year is rather scarce. In fact, the 10 year is probably easier to find than the 8 year and the prices between the 8 and 10 year are almost identical.

Verdict: All-in-all, this bourbon is more similar to the Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star than the Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year. The harsher alcohol flavors are still present and the taste profile hasn't evened out in the way Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year's flavor has. As is the case with many bourbons, this one improves a lot once it's warmed up in your glass. I don't mind drinking this bourbon, but given its price and scarcity save some room in your cabinet (or suitcase) for something else.