A strong finish can’t quite carry an uneven, overpriced experience
“Bayou Boogaloo” shifts to bourbon, with an 11 year, 5 month age statement and a 60/36/4 mashbill at 112.8 proof. It’s the most expensive of the trio — and the one with the most to prove.
About Old Cypress
Old Cypress is a boutique whiskey brand rooted in Louisiana, built by founder Joey Faciane, a former chef and restaurateur who brings a palate-first approach to barrel selection. His background in kitchens, where whiskey often marked the quiet end of a long service, shaped both his appreciation for the spirit and the philosophy behind the brand. What began as helping private groups select barrels eventually evolved into something more deliberate: a whiskey label built slowly, without shortcuts, and guided by instinct as much as experience.
The name itself reflects that mindset. Inspired by the cypress trees native to Louisiana — each one growing differently over time — Old Cypress leans into the idea that no two barrels are the same. That belief carries through to the whiskey, where selection is driven less by numbers on paper and more by how the spirit shows in the glass. While sourcing is implied to come from MGP in Indiana, the brand emphasizes its Louisiana identity through additional aging and finishing, along with a distinct house style that favors bold, mature, often fruit-forward profiles.
Old Cypress is intentionally small. The brand is self-funded, and every bottle released has been handled directly by its founder from selection to bottling to packaging. Releases are limited, not by design for hype, but by a commitment to staying hands-on and quality-driven. It’s a model that prioritizes control and character over scale, with each release aiming to reflect both the barrel it came from and the philosophy behind it.
Stats
- Age: 11 year 5 months
- Proof: 112.8 (56.4% ABV)
- Mashbill: 60% Corn │36% Rye │ 5% Malted Barley
- Origin: MGP — Lawrenceburg, Indiana with additional aging in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Finish: Straight, cask strength
- Barrel: IB36-001
- Release: Single Barrel, limited release (December 2025)
- MSRP: $155 (Old Cypress)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Cherry Tootsie Pop, strawberry, and a brief flash of Cow Tales candy. Brown sugar syrup with a hint of green pepper. Expressive, but slightly disjointed.
- Palate: Classic MGP tannic oak takes over —charred, drying, and dominant. Deep red fruit sits underneath but struggles to break through.
- Finish: Tootsie roll and peppery rye spice lead into lingering cherry and chocolate. The oak integrates better here, creating a more complete and impressively complex finish.
This is a (cow) tale of two halves.
The nose is intriguing but unfocused, the palate is overly tannic and somewhat one-note, and then the finish arrives and reminds you what the whiskey could have been.
It’s genuinely excellent on the back end. just not enough to fully redeem the experience.
Distinctiveness
The red fruit and chocolate interplay, especially on the finish, stands out.
However, the heavy tannic oak and drying palate limit how effectively that uniqueness translates into enjoyment.
Author’s Note: Presentation section is excluded as is customary for small sample bottles.
Transparency
Old Cypress does a commendable job listing age, proof, mashbill, and state of distillation, along with additional aging and bottling in Louisiana. While MGP isn’t explicitly named, “Indiana straight” tells the story clearly enough for most enthusiasts.
Value
At $155, this pushes well beyond what feels justified, by about $30–40.
Some of the unique notes add some value, and the finish is legitimately strong, but the overall experience doesn’t support the price.
Buy this if you:
- You prioritize a long, complex finish above all else
- You enjoy oak-driven, tannic bourbons
- You’re curious about non-traditional MGP expressions
Skip if you:
- You expect balance from nose to finish
- You’re sensitive to dry, tannic oak dominance
- Value matters most at this price tier
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 3.5 / 7
- Palate: 4.7 / 7
- Finish: 6.1 / 7
- Presentation: N/A
- Distinctiveness: 4.25 / 7
- Transparency: 6.5 / 7
- Value: 3 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 4.68 / 7 – Angelic
Good to great. High value for the price.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This sample was provided to me free of charge for review. All opinions are my own.
Looking for more whiskey reviews? Browse my latest reviews here.
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