Iron Fish Barrel Strength Bourbon Finished In Cognac Barrels

This is a barrel pick from Red Wagon in Troy, MI. There is no age statement and no information about the mash bill. Iron Fish Distillery, established 6 years ago, clearly knows its craft. It was a David vs. Goliath scenario. I tasted Iron Fish (established 6 years ago) alongside Four Roses Single Barrel 10 Year Old Barrel Strength (OESF, 57.5% ABV, 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley), both neat, and then diluted to 40% ABV. A commendable bourbon from the non-Indiana Midwest? Absolutely. Despite its younger age, this distillery is one to watch as it releases older bourbons in the future. Tasted neat: Nose (most prominent first)—Caramel, oak, pecans, cloves, with a slight waxy quality. There was only a mild alcohol burn, a welcome surprise for a 58% ABV spirit. Taste (neat)—medium viscosity, a mostly silky mouthfeel, with a little prickliness (expected for its relatively young age). Initial flavor impression: moderate sweetness, with flavors appearing on the tip of my tongue and rapidly intensifying throughout my mouth (most prominent first): cloves, pumpkin pie spice, Szechuan peppercorns (the flavor, not the heat), oak/char, and then alcohol. The alcohol and flavors were moderately well-integrated, followed by a pleasant aftertaste lasting 10-15 seconds. Tasted 15 minutes after adding water to both spirits (to reach 40% ABV): The nose was more pronounced, the intensity reduced to moderate, and the prickliness vanished, resulting in a silky mouthfeel. I was surprised by the similarity in flavor profile between Iron Fish and the Four Roses Barrel Strength SB, possibly indicating similar corn/rye mash bills, and Iron Fish had a stronger flavor intensity. While the flavor profiles were alike, the Iron Fish seemed slightly younger than the Four Roses (its mouthfeel was a touch silkier, its flavors and alcohol were more integrated across its taste spectrum, and the aftertaste lingered a bit longer). Overall, the Iron Fish bourbon was enjoyable, and certainly more so than bourbons from other new distilleries established around the same time. Although younger than the Four Roses, this bourbon held its own and was worth the cost. I'd recommend keeping an eye on this distillery as they introduce older bourbon expressions in the coming years.