Liberty Pole Single Barrel Peated Bourbon

I took an unplanned detour on my journey home to Ohio to visit this craft distillery. My primary motivation was, naturally, the opportunity to sample a peated bourbon. Firstly, the establishment's appearance is fantastic, and I appreciated the narrative behind the branding. The distiller and their family were present that day for bottling, and they were exceptional hosts. They guided me through the tasting and even shared a sip with me, allowing for an exchange of tasting notes. The distiller exhibits genuine passion and expertise in their craft, exploring not only peat but also a distinctive bloody butcher corn. This crimson corn imparted a pleasantly creamy texture and a leathery, earthy note to all their whiskies, setting them apart from conventional brands. I wish to personally thank the distillery for sharing their enthusiasm and for providing a taste of a cask-strength honey barrel (outstanding!). They've gained a fan, and I will be observing their future developments as their whiskey continues to mature. Furthermore, the peated bourbon met expectations.

The aroma is mostly standard Bourbon. Caramel, vanilla, and oak, with just a hint of peat. The taste stands out with the earthy smokiness perfectly complementing the sweet caramel and vanilla notes of Bourbon. I'm not a major Bourbon enthusiast because I dislike overly sweet things, but this tempers the sweetness without overwhelming it. The finish strongly brings to mind Scotch. Stone fruits and a nearly smoked cheese character are present.

Peated bourbon from Pennsylvania. The aroma presents a curious combination of traditional bourbon and peated scotch: buttery caramel, hearth smoke, oak, and grains. The taste is more like smooth, buttery bourbon, with balanced smoke, sweetness, a touch of brininess, and some stone fruit notes. The finish is brief but pleasantly smoky.

Smells woody, tastes smoky, almost like a scotch – you can really sense the peat aroma. It reminds me of a wheat bourbon. Truly interesting and full-bodied.

An earthy, smoky nose as anticipated, with a pleasant warm smoky flavor that isn't overwhelming, giving it a distinct taste similar to scotch, in my view.

My initial experience with peated Bourbon. I am greatly impressed; the aroma is smooth, the taste is fantastic. It evokes the scent of smoke from a peat fire.