Calumet Farm 15 Year Bourbon Review + Comparison w/Calumet 14 & Sam Houston 14

Calumet Farm just dropped their newest release, a 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with some pretty impressive stats. This thing comes in at a very solid 105 proof, is non-chill filtered, and retails for $130. With a mash bill of 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley, it's pretty clear that this stuff is another bottling of well-aged Barton (AKA 1792) bourbon, but does it manage to stand out in a market that continues to be flooded with non-distilling producers (NDPs) putting out similar products?
I wasn't sure about this one with the mixed reviews of last year's 14-year-old release, but wow, I was impressed! I wrap up the review with a comparison -- Calumet 14 & Sam Houston 14 make an appearance to put this new Calumet Farm 15 to the test. Let me know if you've had this one and what you think!
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[@michaelnasters7]

Just got the Calumet 15yr old for Father's day. Love it. Also got a Makers Mark Private Select store pick from one of our local shops. It's different but also good. My kids have good taste.

[@claytonlewis8799]

I drove to Ohio to get Calumet 15yr. I'm really enjoying it. Great video

[@user-fy6ii5uo7g]

How do you only have 3k subscribers? Your content and production quality are top notch sir.

[@ThreeToesofFury]

wow...just found your channel...i like your approach, presence, knowledge, and delivery. count me as a new fan and subscriber!

[@westpacific52]

Because of you, I watch Whiskey Mountains. Thank you...a lot! What a sweetheart!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Adriana's great!! Glad you found her channel - cheers!

[@ThreeToesofFury]

OUTSTANDING video sir! i think the video and comments below bring to the forefront a key factor on bourbon...i dont think im alone in believing that alot of bourbons have a sweet spot around 10-12 years. Part of the challenge, in general, is finding bourbons with any age statement and then, moreso these days, finding the 10-12 year bourbons. As we move into 14/15 year old bourbons, there's some great stuff out there (i quite dig the Calumet) BUT it also pushes us into that area where the oak in the barrel really can push the taste in a different direction..sometimes too far. Thanks again..keep up the great work!!

[@cartermayfield]

Great review! Calumet 15 sounds like my jam. The Calumet 14 is still everywhere here in San Antonio, so I hope we see the 15.

[@2TEN90]

Great review...we just picked this up finally and will be reviewing it against the 14 like you so we shall see what comes out on top for us. Cheers!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We’re big fans of SH14 here. Looking we need to track down one of these. Great review man!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

It’s super solid! Appreciate it and congrats on launching the channel! 🥃

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@DrumsAndDrams ah thanks so much man! Happy to join the whiskeytube creator ranks. Y’all have so much fun we had to join in. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@yofuman]

Love the drum playing included in the intro. Very nice touch

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Thank you! Gonna keep tweaking it but happy with where it is so far. Cheers!

[@tarenator1]

awesome video, I love the tasting notes and description. Keep up the great work!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Thank you Mark!!

[@paulrosser7421]

Got a Calumet 15 shipped from California to here in the UK and tried it for the first time tonight, is really good and I've just ordered another 3 so grab it while you can.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Yes, definitely grab while you can! It's flying off shelves here in Ohio. Cheers!

[@davidbabcock3581]

Just picked up the 15 today. Was surprised to see it with so many 14 available in Oregon. We can’t get Sam Houston here so thought ok spend the $$$ for Father’s Day.

[@viciousvictortee1298]

I've had a pour of Cal 15. I really enjoyed it. Then I was lucky enough to snag 2 sam 15 and a 14 about the same time. Good pours.

[@WhiskeyCorner]

Great video and Good comparisons! Will be on the lookout for one of these 15yr ones. 👍🏽

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Thank you! I think considering value here, this is a must-buy if you like that old Barton profile 🥃

[@talljohn5350]

Felt very underwhelmed with calumet 14 so I slept on the 15 for a bit. Saw adhd review and tempted me. Buddy of mine got the 15 and I tried it…I now have a bottle lol very very good.

[@kristenswanson5819]

Really great review, thanks!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Thank you! An oldie, but based on the views, it still resonates with folks. I appreciate the view and comment! Cheers.

[@the_snicklefritz]

Totally agree with your observation that the Calumet 15 has "direction". There is no mistaking what it came here to do. It's 15 year old bourbon and its unapologetic about it. The cherry notes remind me of like that hard red shell you get on ice cream at a Dairy Queen or something. Borderline medicinal cherry, but not in an offensive way

[@tde2019]

Bought the last Calumet 14 yesterday at a local store. Don’t know if I’ll ever see a Calumet 15 (or another 14 for that matter) or a SH14 here in Michigan

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Nice pickup! Hopefully you'll find a 15 there too - it's a great one and cool to compare the two. Cheers!

[@993C2S]

It's pretty delicious. I think it's lacking proof at 105. I wonder what this would be like at 115 or 125 proof.

[@Johnny5_]

How does it compare to the SH12? While definitely a different comparison due to age, I'm curious as you've said before that you prefer that one over the SH14.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Great point - I didn’t do that one in the video in order to save time. I’ll compare them soon and let you know!

[@sugarkitty4777]

Sam Houston are batches of only 2-3 barrels. Which one did you compare the Calumet 15 to?

[@DrumsAndDrams]

IN-1, which is very very close to my TX-2 as well. Indiana might be slightly oakier.

[@sugarkitty4777]

@@DrumsAndDrams Thanks

[@anthonywilliams5830]

Great review, thanks! Let me ask this, lots of talk about the cherry and oak. How does this compare to GTS? Obviously the proof is way off, but basic flavors? Thanks

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Hmm. That's an interesting one. I would say the GTS definitely has more candy sweetness and just an overall more balanced profile. The Calumet 15 is delicious, but definitely intensely dark and slightly bitter as compared to GTS. Of course I'd say the GTS probably edges it out, but it probably should! For me, it would come down to mood - the GTS is more elegant and refined, and the Calumet really has some teeth to it. Cheers!

[@Throw.Cheese]

It doesn't compare at all. This tastes like a longer aged 1792.

[@Mrjacharles]

That is some impressive artwork on the bottle 😀😀😀

[@DrumsAndDrams]

It sure is! Cheers!

[@hdcstudio1]

Thx.

[@benbernthal4659]

I wonder how long Barton can keep pumping out this stuff for Calmut, SH, ect. In about 5 years Orphan Barrel is gonna get their hands on it and push it out for $250 a bottle!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

I know right.. I hope it lasts because I’m a fan of their older stuff!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

And LOL @ your Orphan Barrel comment 😂

[@PhatTrumpet2]

Bitchin' intro! So deep in the pocket. Love it. Was that outro footage from your graduate recital?

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Haha thanks! The outro footage is from a lot of different gigs.. I don’t think any of that was from university recitals. There was an electronic show in Columbus, a concerto performance in NY, the Yamaha Young Performing Artist showcase in Indiana-that’s what I can think of off the top of my head haha. Figured I’d put some drums to go with the drams😂

[@orestegallo]

First watch, great job. What's with the eyeballs? lol

[@bigbubby88]

Have you had the Sam Houston 14 OH-01? If so what do you think

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Hey Nick! Unfortunately I never got my hands on any of the Ohio batches. Those things seemed to have gotten snatched up quick! What do you think of it?

[@vincentsimon4037]

I picked up a bottle of the Calumet Farms 15)Giant Eagle) but Sam Houston is impossible to find in Ohio.

[@bigdave2952]

Not a fan of the 14, way too much oak. The SH14 was way better…in my opinion. Great review! Thanks

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Totally understand why you'd say that! I mean shoot, at 14-15 years they all have a ton of oak, but it's interesting to see how that manifests in each one of these based on the barrels they are using to blend. Cheers!

[@bertgurley4958]

Just grabbed a bottle today...

[@fishesdeep]

Just did a first pour. The ethanol is heavy on the nose and on the palate. Not very complex. Definitely oak & Flat cherry cola but not much beyond that. I took a chance with this one but it’s meeting expectations for the price. My last two bottles were Stellum bourbon and rye and for less than half the price, I’d stick with those. We’ll see how it opens up.

[@jamestaylor9258]

Live it, but I don't think transparency is important. Is the bourbon good or not? The reason people want to know is to have an idea beforehand. 🤷‍♂️

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Interesting. I understand why you'd say that -- almost the same concept as a blind tasting.. if it's good, it's good. But I do think transparency is good, especially in the case of George Dickel products. I know for a fact that I don't like 95% of what they produce, unless it's blended with other bourbon that takes away that disgusting minerality. So if I ended up purchasing a $150 bottle of 15 year old bourbon that didn't disclose it's state of distillation and it ended up being Dickel, I can guarantee I would know after 1 smell or sip that it's from Tullahoma and I would've wasted that money. So while I understand your point, I think in this case it's important. Plus, if an NDP isn't willing to disclose this information, there's something they're intentionally hiding, and that's just disingenuous. Cheers!

[@JoeSmith-vi2ln]

This bottle changed me. I have to say there’s no going backwards to lesser juice. Hands down the best bottle I can remember having in recent memory. It’s worth at least 3 to 5 maybe even 10 times what you can buy it for in the store. This is a monster bourbon that frankly is way better than a lot of the unattainable aspirational stuff you hear about.

[@Throw.Cheese]

This is overpriced crap for $130.

[@BourbonJudge]

Great job…..

[@ChrisJoelSmith]

Woooo

[@TellNOonE79]

i scored my Calumet 15 at $109…. southern california.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Nice!! I’d buy two haha

[@hybridm3]

If it is Barton I don’t want any part of it. I hate the fake artificial banana taste and smell in Barton juice….

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Totally fair, although this is so much older than standard Barton stuff that you don’t really get those notes.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Havent had the whiskey but the labels pretty cool

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Yeah I love the look of this and the SH14