291 Barrel Proof Single Barrel Colorado Bourbon Whiskey

Isn't it wonderful when passions intersect? The owner and distiller of, Michael Myers, constructed his original still from former photogravure plates used in his photography career. 🤯 Barrel Proof Bourbon, 64.2% ABV, Barrel 633: Its aroma possesses pleasant depth from charred aspen wood staves and aged oak, complemented by orange rind, dried fruit, and dark brown sugar. This nose brings to mind the 291 Distillery's signature "wild west" aesthetic, complete with stylish boots and creaking saloon doors. Similar to the Barrel Proof Rye, adding a couple of drops of water improved the palate. A wave of baking spice is met by savory solvency and pepper. Its medium finish is warming to the core, slightly drying, with lingering aspen wood and cinnamon. Certain elements here are reminiscent of a high-ester Jamaican rum. I wish the palate had more of the sweet notes from the nose, but it certainly stands out for its originality compared to more conventional bourbon profiles. 7.25/10. *Note: Each of these bottles was tasted individually with a fresh palate for each pour. The proofs in these samples are slightly higher than those in general release.*

This magnificent single barrel delight has a dark copper hue and very thin, oily legs. It's a pleasure to behold. The complex nose bursts with delightful notes of sweet corn, BBQ sauce, caramel candy apples, citrus, vanilla, aspen dust, cloves, and mint. The palate begins with intense heat, then transitions to notes of cinnamon, rich syrupy cherry, caramel, honey, brown sugar, smoke, and char. Adding a splash of water makes it more like an old fashioned with enhanced cherry and orange notes. The finish is long, cinnamony, and very dry yet sweet, reminiscent of eating a s'more. My specific bottle is one of 49 from barrel 543. I'm a big admirer of this whiskey and believe the full proof allows the flavors and ruggedness to shine uninhibited! I highly recommend! Cheers!

This one certainly packs a punch. Its aroma features a lot of maple syrup, French toast, and a subtle cinnamon, creating an alluring scent. Then it hits you. Notes of mahogany, cedar, and sweet wood and grain emerge, which then slowly and seductively transform into... HEAT. It's very hot on the finish and in the aftertaste, and it lingers. In my opinion, the aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and finish are all superb; it just leaves a fiery sensation on your tongue while it's being pleasant.

The aroma is quite distinctive. I perceive strong pine notes along with citrus, likely from being finished with aspen staves. The palate mirrors the aroma with pine, citrus, and brown sugar. The finish is sweet, yet the pine flavor persists. I would not purchase this again, believing aspen and bourbon should remain separate. This ranks among the worst whiskeys I've experienced, similar to [Brand Name] Masters 17 Five Stout.

Produced in my local area, so let's give it a try: Nose: warming spices, wood, hard fruit candies Palate: fresh raspberries, cinnamon, some brown sugar, wood Finish: mild pepper, citrus peel, subtle dark sweetness (caramel?), woody dryness It's decent, but not exceptionally good or great. I question if it's worth the price. It's a better value at $45-50 a bottle than the $75-100 often seen. I must say, it is surprisingly smooth for its 126 proof.

NEAT NOSE - Like a cedar humidor. PALATE - Loads of pine and cedar. FINISH - Too bad. The pine and cedar continue indefinitely. It's also rough. Very harsh. BUY? - Definitely not. BUY AGAIN? - Absolutely not. Pour it out. To this moment, this is the worst whiskey I've experienced.