Four Gate Split Stave (Batch 4)

Nose: Initially a little faint, then a slightly tart corn emerges with an aroma of undercooked caramel, reminiscent of Buffalo Trace. There's also some pleasant musty wood with a hint of peanut shell, carrying a touch of spice (cinnamon, ginger, clove, black pepper). It leans sweet and smells somewhat aged, though not intensely barrel-matured. Palate: Drying with a tart quality, yet sweet with corn flavor intertwined with caramel that's slightly underdone. Spices emerge from the musty wood – primarily clove, ginger, and black pepper (minimal cinnamon). I detect alcohol heat, but it doesn't feel overly harsh on the tongue, which is good. A slight prickliness akin to Sichuan peppercorn is present. It's sweet with a mellowness that sometimes suggests considerable age. Finish: The dry tartness and spices linger as the caramel and musty wood recede. A subtle layer of sweetness with a mineral undertone remains. Conclusion: This is a respectable pour. Not outstanding, but very easy to drink. Its subtle complexity and sweetness have grown on me, leading to increased appreciation. I considered the 16 to 19 range and have settled on 17 to 19. Compared to Booker's Country Ham, which I rate a solid 17, this one takes the win. However, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, which I consider an 18 to 19, seems slightly superior. The difference is quite small, though. I wavered between giving this a 19 and settling on a 17, so I'll conclude with an 18. This is sample C from an unlabeled set of 4. It could potentially be one of about 15 different bourbons and ryes. My initial guess was Pappy Van Winkle 15 or Weller CYPB due to its resemblance to Buffalo Trace. It strikes me as tasting more like a 10-year-old bourbon due to its lightness, but I remember Weller 12 seeming younger than its age in a similar way. The apparent higher proof makes Pappy seem more plausible. Reveal: I was incorrect. This is not a Buffalo Trace product. It's remarkable how closely it resembled one, though. While I'm not a huge fan of Buffalo Trace, I appreciate its sweet, slightly light caramel character as an option. This whiskey exhibits the qualities of a well-aged Buffalo Trace bottling, yet it's not related at all. I'm not shocked that another bourbon could mimic Buffalo Trace, but I would never have guessed this was Four Gate Split Stave, given the constant distraction of the Buffalo Trace similarity. This has been an interesting and enjoyable experience. My thanks to a friend for the sample!

This was purchased for my birthday. It has been on the shelf for what feels like a year, and the price dropped from $175 to $160, so I decided to buy it. The label is somewhat lacking – it's a KY straight bourbon but without an age statement. It's rumored to be a blend of KY 12-year-old (18% rye) and KY 5 1/2-year-old (12% rye) bourbons. The distillery is not revealed. It's unclear when the blend is married, but the whiskeys are subjected to a process called Franken-barreling using toasted staves, alternating between #2 or #4 staves from Kelvin Cooperage. It appears the whiskey is blended, aged for an additional 5 months in one of the two Franken-barrels, and then remarried somehow. Bottle #2598 of 2700 bottles, at 57.8 proof (115.5). It is non-chilled filtered. The color is a nice medium amber. Upon opening, it's a vanilla explosion. Oak char and spearmint follow. Cherry juice, pink pencil eraser shavings, and pound cake all emerge. Deep within the glass, there's a hint of ethanol. It's cool on entry, followed by a building wave of heat and tingling spice before a thick, sweet finish sets in. The initial taste is dominated by campfire smoke, clove, cardamom, and abundant vanilla. The mouthfeel is thick with an earthy, mineral quality. I can't quite pinpoint it – somewhere between black tea and light coffee. There's a subtle fruitcake note with stewed strawberries after several sips, but the wood, earthiness, and vanilla are the most prominent flavors. Considering the price, it delivers some very good aspects with its mouthfeel, char, and mineral earthiness. There's a satisfying balance between sweetness and char, but I desire more. More of what, I can't precisely say – perhaps raisin, tobacco, and some lighter fruit or fresh brown sugar notes that are lost in its intensity. I admit I'm envisioning a superior bourbon that might not exist. Expectations often diverge from reality. If cost were not a concern, I would be very pleased, though not ecstatic, with this one. With the price factored in, I'm still happy to pour this again but wouldn't purchase another. Perhaps it would truly shine next to an open campfire; more tasting is needed before a final decision. ——————— After further evaluation, I'm going to nickname this one “Toasted Barton Barrel Strength” because frankly, that's what I suspect it is. On the second tasting, I detected that distinct old brown banana ester more prominently on the nose and palate, which reminds me of Barton, as well as their extensive reserves of aged stock and their accommodating approach to non-distiller producers. It's better than the first pour, and I hope this improvement continues.

Going in completely unaware of this pour, with sincere gratitude to a friend for arranging this and sharing the sample. Let's find out how I do before learning what it is. The aroma offers chocolate-covered pecan caramel clusters, followed by apple, freshly sliced oranges, and banana bread. Hints of nutmeg, cloves, spearmint, leather, and moderate oak are present, alongside a noticeable ethanol presence. The palate has a substantial texture, beginning with chocolate-covered pecan caramel clusters. Fruit notes of apples, oranges, and banana pudding emerge, leading into a moderate, spicy chipotle pepper. This spice gradually recedes, revealing other notes of cloves, spearmint, leather, and moderately tannic oak, accompanied by a strong ethanol presence. The lengthy finish presents dark chocolate-covered pecan clusters, apple, orange, banana runts, spearmint, and moderately tannic oak. This is clearly an aged, high-proof bourbon, showcasing classic bourbon characteristics with a smooth, rich mouthfeel. It transitions to a spicy pepper note mid-palate, which lingers before other spices become apparent. The finish is extended, featuring sweet elements and a moderate oak spice. I have no clue what this is; it strongly reminds me of some Old Carter Single barrels or perhaps a Barton product due to the banana notes, though that might just be my imagination. Regardless, it's an exceptionally crafted bourbon that I found enjoyable with every taste. I just need to brace myself for that mid-palate pepper to fully appreciate the rewarding, long finish. Maybe adding a bit of water would have tempered that spice, but I'm terrible at it and often spoil my drink. Now, it's time to reveal this bourbon delight: Four Gate Split Stave. Amazing, I've been wanting to try this one, especially with their unique zebra casks for aging. I'm truly thankful for the generous sample provided by a friend, as these bottles seem quite elusive.

Drinking it neat after a neck pour. The aroma is quite pleasant. It's more subdued than anticipated, but it opened up with some patience. This barrel experiment is fascinating. It evokes a sense of both distinct wood types and varying ages. Rich oak is present alongside a vivacity often found in younger spirits. The substantial oak presents as both charred and reminiscent of the sweetness from toasted barrels. Caramel, vanilla, coconut, peanut shells, and berries are now prominent. As I spend more time with it, the intensity of all the aromas increases. I could enjoy this for an extended period. Extremely smooth and full-bodied on the palate. What a superb way to begin a Friday evening. On the palate, I detect a sweetness like whipped cream and vanilla custard. The taste quickly turns darker. Peanut butter, chocolate, marshmallow. Oak with a whisper of cinnamon. It's akin to constructing a s'more using a peanut butter cup instead of standard chocolate. The flavors persist for a considerable duration. The legs do not introduce new tastes or alter the profile; rather, it's like a melody gradually fading, lowering its volume. Peanut butter becomes increasingly noticeable over time. I would even liken it to a creamy buckeye now. A truly excellent serving. I don't recall a spirit that invited such contradictory descriptions simultaneously. I just had the thought, "a subtle flavor explosion." How can an intense flavor experience be understated? Excellent work by this Four Gate.

The aroma is strong yet somewhat reserved, and I enjoy that balance. It reveals qualities from the various oak toasts. Sweet caramel, roasted marshmallow, and coconut notes emerge from the lighter toast, complemented by tobacco, chocolate, and woody spice from the heavier char. Truly remarkable. The taste is opulent, velvety, and coats the mouth beautifully. Many of the delightful flavors from the scent are present. Pronounced, deep caramel, s'mores, tobacco, and oak with a leathery character. That tobacco and oak dominate the finish, which is slightly dry but extremely enduring. What a fantastic bourbon. Highest praise for creativity, skill, and realization. This bourbon is flawless; I would not alter it in any way. Perfection.

Outstanding. Four Gate Whiskey Batch 4 – (Split Stave By Kelvin) presents a deep, rich, and complex profile that is flavorful and robust yet controlled and harmonious. It's not an aggressive spirit but rather substantial and refined. Adding water reveals biscuity, cocoa powder, and peanut notes on the nose. The palate then opens up to more dark fruit, introducing leather, citrus, nuts, and hints of baked apples.