McKenzie Bottled-in-Bond Wheated Bourbon

A friend's review yesterday of a specific bottling made me recall that I have had the Bottled in Bond Bourbon on my "to review" list for some time. So why the delay? It's not because I've been unsure about my overall opinion - it's excellent. But it's a complex drink and I wasn't easily finding the words to describe it. I'm still going to struggle a bit, but here's my attempt - The aroma is very pleasant - a typical bourbon smell of caramel and corn, with a solid base of oak and mild baking spices. The palate has some really nice, mild wood notes, more caramel and corn, and a bit of spice. It's not an excessively sweet bourbon, and it's very well-balanced between rich, oily, sweet, and oakey. The whiskey finishes without a burn and a slight spearmint note. The details I've provided are an accurate representation of what I experienced, but they are not exhaustive. I will update this review if and when I can better identify some of the other great scents and flavors. Had I been served this whiskey without knowing what it was, I would not have guessed it was a wheated bourbon - it's significantly different from other wheated bourbons I'm familiar with - I think it has more in common with bourbons made from corn/rye/barley mashbills. At some point I'll conduct comparative tastings to determine with certainty, but this Bottled in Bond Bourbon might very well be my favorite bourbon under $50. And it seems its popularity is growing fast. After reading a review of the single barrel bottling, I searched for a single barrel bottle for sale online. No success. I also noticed that the standard Bottled in Bond seemed to be out of stock everywhere. Hopefully that will be remedied soon, or else a trip to upstate New York might be necessary.

This one has a powerful aroma! You're hit with pecan wood, ripe red apple, and fresh hay. There's also some ethanol, but thankfully it doesn't show up later. On the tongue, we find pecan nut, oak, cocoa, caramel, and Honeycrisp apple. The flavors are bold and rich. The medium to long finish has oak and spicy cinnamon. It's not the most intricate finish, but I appreciate its fullness. The mouthfeel is thick and chewy, which really complements the bold flavors. Much has been said about this being a wheater, but don't get it thinking it's a substitute for Weller; their flavors are vastly different. Get it because, for the cost, it provides a richer experience than many other wheated bourbons available (I'm looking at you, Maker's). Overall, a solid pour. It's also worth noting that this changed significantly from the neck pour, which was much more focused on chocolate and less complex. Additionally, the plastic cap/cork doesn't seem to create a great seal, as the cap basically slides out with no resistance on subsequent openings. Whether this impacted the flavor development, I can only guess, but I felt it was worth mentioning.

The uncertainty with craft distilleries is whether you'll get something overpriced and too young, or a hidden gem. I don't mind paying more for a solid product. However, what's frustrating is an overpriced, unspecified sourced bottle or young spirit released prematurely (I understand it's a business need for revenue). This one, kindly provided by a friend, thankfully avoids being overpriced or released too early. It's a classic bourbon with notes of baking spices, cinnamon, and significant oak. At nearly 5 years old, it's bottled-in-bond, which is uncommon in the craft scene. For $50, it's an easy purchase. They have a 10-year coming out this year, which I will definitely buy. Thanks for the sample, friend!

Folks, this bottle is an outstanding choice for wheated bourbons. People favor wheated bourbons for their milder character and lack of rye spice. My minor criticism of many wheated bourbons available is their excessive sweetness, though that's just my personal view. The Weller Special Reserve is less sweet and marginally superior to brands like Maker's Mark. However, it's merely an average whiskey that generates considerable enthusiasm. McKenzie offers significantly more flavor and is certainly on the less sweet end of wheated bourbons. It's bottled at 50% ABV, which I believe is ideal for this spirit. The finish is quite extended and inviting. If you see it in your area, get it; the bottle costs around $43.

The aroma is mainly caramel with subtle grassy notes. Flavors of wheat and grain come through with some caramel and a hint of vanilla. Hints of white fruit appear but are well-hidden. There's also a slight spiciness. It has a light to medium body. The finish is long enough to notice, with a bit of ethanol burn that might bother some, and cereal-like flavors. The previously mentioned flavors linger briefly before settling into a caramel apple taste. I'd suggest trying this if you enjoy wheated bourbons.

The nose reveals its youth with cinnamon and a touch of pepper upfront, along with nutmeg and oak. Cooked sugar, vanilla, and caramel are in the background. Hints of brown sugar emerge as it airs out. The palate is dry and oaky, leading with pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg, followed by vanilla custard and a slight nuttiness. The finish is medium-long with cinnamon that keeps the mouth warm and tingling, along with lingering vanilla, oak, and caramel.