Long Road Distillers Straight Bourbon

After a few months exploring bourbon, it's surprising I haven't tried spirits from nearby producers. Long Road Distillers, Gray Skies Distillery, and Bier Distillery are the closest craft distilleries making bourbon. I chose Long Road because I also wanted dinner, and their food menu is quite good, complementing their spirits and cocktails. I ordered the whisky flight, which usually includes their straight bourbon, straight corn whisky, and straight rye whisky. I was initially bummed they were out of rye, but my disappointment turned to excitement when I found out they would be substituting their wheat whisky, made with red winter wheat. I can say all three samples were smooth and delicious, and I intend to buy a bottle of each, though I wasn't taking notes then. On this specific visit, I bought a bottle of the straight bourbon to take home, which is what I'm reviewing here. Long Road's bourbon is a small-batch, non-chill filtered spirit at 93 proof, described as a "careful blend of three distinct barrels" aged "nearly 3 years." I don't know the exact mash bill, but they do mention the mash contains corn, rye, red winter wheat, and malted barley. The aroma is a sweet delight, with prominent notes of creamy vanilla and candied cherries over toasted oak. The texture is light but not dry, and the taste is sweet, featuring caramel apple and pralines. Not to be overshadowed by the sweetness, a pleasant cinnamon heat emerges, leading to a rather long finish with hints of leather and oak. This is a wonderful spirit to sip on its own and also performs well in mixed drinks, as I discovered at the distillery, plus it's a bottle that supports a local small business. I'm very pleased with this bourbon and anticipate good things from this brand.

I suspect that Long Road employs at least four distinct mash bills for their bourbons, and I'm uncertain which one my sample was. I can say that I really like Long Road as a company, and their products are top-notch, as is this bourbon. However, the bourbon I sampled had an unpleasant, sap-like flavor. I want to believe that with more time, their bourbon will mature, and I'm curious to see its future development. I wasn't impressed with this bourbon for the price.

Assessing it straight. The aroma is delicate with a faint grassy, herbal scent. Hints of butter are present. The palate is fluid with a taste of brown sugar. A slight tingle touches the sides and tip of your tongue, followed by a mild herbal aftertaste. It's rather one-dimensional. Sampled as part of a tasting at the distillery

No harshness on the tongue. Smooth for sipping. A warm, oaky finish. Excellent for someone new to bourbon.

Lingering aftertaste. An acceptable bourbon for a weekday. Nothing remarkable.

Rather harsh; it requires some aging for the cost.