HIRSCH The Bivouac

Appearance: Light golden-copper. Smell: Cherries! Leather. Taste: Nutty and sweet, with a touch of spice. A mild bitterness that isn't unpleasant. Finish: Medium length, with lingering nuttiness and perhaps some vanilla. This Hirsch offering is reportedly a mix of a 3-year, 9-month-old bourbon and an 8-year-old bourbon. The result is a somewhat young character, as suggested by the light color. It's still very enjoyable. I actually tried it at a restaurant a few weeks ago and liked it enough to buy a bottle. I also tasted Hirsch's "Horizon" last year (or perhaps in 2021), and I believe I prefer this one.

AROMA Caramel corn, ground corn, dried fruit, some vanilla candy, and a touch of waxy candy corn and herbal notes. It's not particularly complex or unique, presenting a very standard, everyday profile for a younger bourbon. PALATE Caramel, ground corn, vanilla candy, dried fruit, with hints of oak, candy corn, and peanuts. Similar to the aroma, it's not bad, just very standard and middle-of-the-road in profile and delivery. FINISH Medium-short, fading with caramel, vanilla, and a light herbal note.

The aroma has sweet cinnamon, a hint of vanilla, and freshly baked bread. The taste follows with a light and pleasant sweetness, complemented by honeyed oak, toffee, and bittersweet cocoa. A brief peppery warmth concludes the palate. Overall, it's a well-balanced, smooth drink perfect for mixing. This approachable bourbon is quite inviting.

I appreciate the high proof of this bourbon! It's very peanut buttery with a pleasant sweet finish and also has a subtle peppery backbone that persists across your palate. The aroma is wonderfully characteristic of bourbon.

The youthfulness of this spirit is apparent. It might work in a cocktail, but it's overwhelmingly cereal-grain forward. I doubt I'll buy this bottle again.

Quite smooth. A little peppery and not overly sweet, but not bitter or earthy either. It's a bit thin.