At the Project we are always interested in good spirits. And like Ralfy, we are firm believers that cost and marketing do not a good spirit make. This is not to say that the so-called "super premiums" may not be good, but we (including Ralfy) are saying they are way, way overpriced.
Fighting Cock is a good, solid, nicely high proof bourbon "distilled, aged and bottled" in Bardstown, Kentucky by the well regarded Heaven Hill who is known for making good, realiable and classic styled spirits. Although not bottled in bond, HH's age statement is credible.
Let's have at it...
Sue Sea
”As you know, I am one who really and truly likes presentation as to me, a fine and intriguing bottle should set the stage, and fairly represent the product. With this in mind I'm not quite sure how to relate the Fighting Cock. I'm not really offended as I spent a lot of time in the country, and lately in Key West where roosters roam the streets and starting crowing at sunrise. But I'll try. It's really a plain old ordinary clear glass bottle. It does have a decent black-banded neck band, but the label is one of those clear plastic stick-ons that feature “Fighting Cock” that uses faux-gold edging to outline the bold and crude lettering, and featuring a very mean and aggressive fighting cock with its sharp bill agape, and open needle-pointed claws, and red raised comb – obviously about to pounce on its opponent in a cockfight. Very aggressive, which certainly gets your attention but honestly, implies an equally aggressive spirit. Was this simply an attention getter?
Expecting almost anything I took a nice micro-dram, especially at its 103 proof, and to my relief found the nose lovely. The primary impression was of good sweet, bread and butter corn (a type of white and yellow kerneled corn) as you'd find in creamed corn or in a nice fresh, buttered piece of cornbread. This over a nice, properly toasted piece of good rye bread, and some deep fruit, maybe a dark cherry and raisin. All carried forward into my early palate – full-bodied, rich and robust and proceeded with a quickly emerging sweet hot heat which some might call a black pepper or clove but which is really a white pepper balanced with the Fighting Cock's inherent heavy corn sweetness, yet in sum I'd have to say that although sweet, it is not cloying.
For the finish consider it like one of those little cinnamon “Red Hot” candies.
I personally would sip this one straight, without water, but do have a glass of ice water on the side. It's a creeper, delicious, but don't plan to drive to Buffalo later. It's definitely an at home, after dinner, cigar enhancing libation. A good one – but almost too good!
In sum, please know that I really don't consider myself yet qualified to reliably score this bourbon, but I did very much like it, to the point that I'd next like to do a horizontal tasting of what Jim has collected. Only in this way can we get a better idea of the bourbon genre and start to develop our own reference points. I'd add that we properly continued by adding some water to open the Fighting Cock up. We did and the result was nothing new beyond taking off some edginess."
Moi:
Fighting Cock is a rich clear amber, with the thinnest possible green edge, really a film, and with a few slow legs (which unlike rum, actually mean something, ie high alcohol). Sue Sea and I are in total sync on this one, so I won't repeat her impressions. To her nose I'd add a bit of vanillan, an undertone of rye, agree on the deep fruit and add a real root beer. The palate was completely consistent, heavy and oily, and moving right along into a growing sweet hear, sweet yet astringent, white pepper finish.
It's not terribly complex, but its quite interesting enough and done well. I've seen reviews that find the Fighting Cock harsh, but not to us. Balanced and consistent, pleasant and enticingly drinkable. And for the price of $17.99, a no brainer for a well hung, 6 year, 103 proof bourbon.
Score (ten is best): solid 7+.
