Play Like a Champion Today Bourbon

The college football season was in full swing, and when I saw the display in the aisle, I knew I had to grab a bottle - if for no one else, than for Rudy. Today, we check out a limited release - Play Like a Champion Bourbon.

In Honor of Legendary Lou Holtz   

One of my favorite sports movies is the 1993 tearjerker Rudy - the somewhat dramatized, but real life story of Notre Dame football player Daniel “Rudy” Ruttiger. In the movie, as in today, players leave the locker room and tap the overhead sign, “Play Like a Champion Today”.

While a decent amount is known about Rudy, I can’t say the same for PLACT bourbon. Released by L&T Spirits, the bourbon was produced to honor the Fighting Irish Football Coach Lou Holtz’s 100 victories from 1986 to 1996. A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to Holtz’s Heroes - a nonprofit that supports former athletes and awards scholarships. A limited run of 8,400 bottles were produced..

The Tasting     

The thick, square bottle carries the signature Play Like a Champion Today sign from the Notre Dame locker room. The product was distilled in North Carolina and was bottled by PLACT Bourbon, Zebulon, NC. It states it is a double-oaked bourbon, carries a 5-year age statement, and was bottled at a versatile 100-proof. 

Color: Ochre in color, with long, medium-sized legs drip down the inside of my Glencairn glass. 

Nose: There are initial notes of vanilla, tin, and taco seasoning (yes, you read that correctly). A drop or two of water blooms more vanilla, floral, and sundried hay aromas.

Palate: The mouthfeel is lovely, rich and smooth.There is vanilla, oak, and spice, and a recurrence of that slightly metallic note.  

Finish: Drying with an oak and spice crescendo. 

Overall: This was a little nondescript. It was fine - but not very inspiring to be labeled with a rich and storied history as Notre Dame and Lou Holtz. This might be one that as a Notre Dame fan, you chose to decorate with as opposed to consume. Priced at $49, there are better bourbons out there, including Kentucky Spirit, Ben Holladay, and even a Woodford Double Oaked (on sale).