Lonerider Snake Oil Whiskey

Lonerider Snake Oil Whiskey (The bottle says "Aged at Least 1 Day") This is the first non-bourbon I'm aware of from this company, besides a chocolate liqueur. They usually get their spirits from MGP and then finish them in other barrels, like Sherry, Stout Ale, or Tequila. This one says it was produced and bottled in NC on the back, but only Bottled by Lonerider on the front, which makes me think it's also sourced, but from a different NC distillery. I asked the company for more details, but they just repeated the tasting notes from the bottle tag: "It's our 'Shooting Whiskey'. Smells of sweet corn, rye spice, buckwheat honey, and clove. Tastes of almonds, pear, spiced apple, and hay. Finishes with light toasted oak, spun sugar, leather, and tobacco." That sounds pretty complex for a simple 'Shooting Whiskey'... let's see: *APPEARANCE: Light Straw. Since it doesn't say "Straight" Whiskey, I guess it could have a little coloring or flavoring added? *NOSE: Young Corn, Sugar, Oak. *NEAT: Thin. Sweet Corn, Oak, Leather, and Hay. No burn at all on the finish (is that what makes it a good shooter?) with a light coating of Oak, Leather, and Smoke on the palate. *SPLASH: Adding a big ice cube or some water basically turns this into whiskey-flavored water. Drink it neat or shoot it. VERDICT: Does it work as a "Sidecar" to their Lonerider Beer, as they claim? Maybe, but I'm not really into "Shooting Whiskey." However, it wasn't a bad experience at all. You'd probably pay around $12 for something like this from a major brand, but I don't mind spending a bit more for a company in NC. I won't buy a case, but I might keep a bottle for friends and family who do shots. At the very least, its unique label and NC connection make for an interesting conversation starter. If you want to try something from Lonerider, I'd suggest starting with their Deadwood or Tequila Cask Finished Bourbons.