Detroit City Butcher's Cut Bourbon

Your initial whiff of this whiskey presents an odd chemical scent, perhaps a mix of Comet cleanser and Windex. However, the first sip reveals its true nature. You're greeted with the taste of plywood dust, not even the good OSB kind. Just cheap, old plywood left outside behind the garage all winter, soaked in rainwater and the urine of your friends who were drinking in there and were too drunk to come inside, so they just stumbled out back to try to write their names in pee on the wood. The mouthfeel isn't terrible, but only because you don't want to keep this liquid on your tongue for long, thus avoiding your tastebuds being assaulted by this rotgut. The finish is unpleasant and disgusting. There are hints of Elmers glue, Robitussin, and the tears of lab test bunnies sprayed in the eyes with Brakekleen. The burn isn't too bad, but only because it passes your throat before you want to puke it back up in a stream of sadness and hatred. The bottle itself is appealing though! 👍

A brief review for this local bourbon. I tried it tonight at a baseball game. I'm uncertain how well my sense of smell was functioning at a stadium with a breeze, while smelling from a 12oz plastic cup, but I did my best. Aside from its 50% ABV, I currently have no other information on this whiskey. On the nose, there are strong oak and rye characteristics. MGP immediately came to mind, but I don't believe this is sourced. It has a dusty aroma, a hint of orange, vanilla, and heavy barrel char. There's also a bit of mint and some floral notes. The palate presents robust musty oak, rye, peanuts, significant barrel char, and cherry cough syrup. It's not bad for a young bourbon. The 50% ABV is both prominent and subtle simultaneously. It has a medium body and a dry finish. The finish is medium in length, featuring charred oak, rye, and a dry sensation. It's acceptable; I'd say a few more years in the barrel would contribute more depth and mellow it out (the oak was so intense it felt like chewing on a bourbon-soaked wood chip). I'm not sure of the bottle's price, but if it's under $40, it might be worth purchasing. 3 stars. Cheers

Nose: Smoky and spicy. Palate: Intense smoky and spicy flavors. The roasted barley and rye are very apparent, complementing the smoky and spicy notes. If I weren't told this was a bourbon, I would never have identified it as such. It lacks significant sweetness. The corn mash flavor surfaces at the end but tastes quite young, which is understandable given its one-year aging period. For $50, superior alternatives are available.

This “bourbon” needs additional time aging in the barrel, at least. It tastes like drinking a glass of sawdust or licking a fresh wood surface. It brought to mind visiting the lumber section at Home Depot (in an unpleasant way). I might be mistaken about the aging; perhaps the barrel was smoked by hand rather than charred. Regardless, something isn't quite right here.

A friend asked me to taste this bourbon. I'm very satisfied with how it turned out. I enjoy bourbon and sample many brands. I love the taste of this bourbon; it's sweeter than average, but I like that. It pairs wonderfully with a cigar.

Belated notes: A very impressive craft bourbon for just one year old. It's sweet, with subtle cherry and earthy oat notes. It has a rich body and the gentle proof spice provides balance. Some barrel character is noticeable despite its young age.