Fireside Single Barrel Straight Bourbon

From a distillery in Denver, CO. This is their single barrel straight bourbon whiskey. Made with Colorado corn, rye, and chocolate barley, produced in a German copper pot, aged for 3 years in charred white oak in CO. This is barrel # 3b 11, bottled at 52.80% ABV. A truly divine spirit! Appears rosy copper and coats the glass with average legs. The aroma is of sweet grain, vanilla-infused oak, milk chocolate, a hint of smokiness, and a subtle rye spice in the background. On the palate, it's sweet grain, dark chocolate, and smoky vanilla oak. This is followed by a pleasant, tingling spicy rye, with only a trace of ethanol – much less than most bourbons at 105 proof. The texture is oily, thick, and coating, feeling soft and sweet. The finish has oak tannins, rye, and sweet grass spice. Smoke remains. No unpleasant or off flavors at the conclusion. The smoky and chocolate notes are present throughout this bourbon from beginning to end. It presents a very enjoyable and consistent character. It captivated me from the first sip. It tastes like an older bourbon, more than 3 years in oak. Ice diminishes the spice and chocolate, but leaves it with a smoky sweetness. I am genuinely taken with this whiskey (especially after tasting it over several days), and I regret not buying two bottles when I was in CO. This is one worth seeking out. A remarkable whiskey (if you appreciate a bit of smoke – I certainly do!), particularly at this price. Hopefully, the distillery will increase production and distribution (at least to Utah 😁) so I can acquire this without traveling to CO... though, that's not a bad thing! Cheers!

This bourbon reminds me of amber ale or English nut brown ale transformed into a whiskey. The nose is malty with hints of baking chocolate and dark tea. The palate continues with the malty theme of chocolate and nuts finishing with some rye spice. Faint rye spice and chocolate liner on my palate. Throughout this drink I have to remind myself that this is a bourbon. The chocolate malt is strong enough to make me forget that. It's not a bad thing, just a unique twist on American bourbon. If you're expecting a fruity bourbon or one with stereotypical bourbon notes look elsewhere.

Spicy aroma, licorice and something else I can't identify. Palate: smoky, citrus, baking spice, orange marmalade, a slight bite that remains. An interesting dram. Lingers. Not balanced but captivating.

Quite spicy, yet smooth. Exhibits notes of cinnamon. Not too pronounced on the nose or palate.