Oak & Eden Wheat & Spire - Fired French Oak

The bottle has been open for some time but remains almost full. A generous amount was poured into a snifter. My initial taste was quite enjoyable, so let's examine it closely... The pour into the snifter (generous as it is) appears a deep copper bordering on amber, which is unexpected. On the nose, an intriguing aroma similar to cherry cola, strong but not overwhelming. Yet, there's something else... almost like eucalyptus or menthol, with a subtle mustiness. Some vanilla and perhaps a touch of oak emerge after a while. However, I'm consistently drawn back to the cherry cola note, underpinned by faint eucalyptus or menthol. Intriguing. On the palate, it begins with sweetness and red hots, some warmth, and a light cherry flavor akin to maraschino. Chewing on more sips reveals robust clove spice, leaning towards cinnamon, and a hint of that eucalyptus or even menthol from the nose. Possibly some subtle cola notes. Red hots and light cherry remain consistent throughout. Notably, the wood influence is not at all overpowering for my taste. In the finish, the gentle warmth subsides quickly, but lingering notes of red hots mingle with genuine cinnamon, resulting in an overall medium length. It trails off with a subtle bitter oak. In summary, a cinnamon-infused cherry cola with subtle herbal undertones and a mild warmth throughout. I have a fondness for cinnamon and spice, so this appeals to my palate and stands apart from many other bourbons. The very high wheat content in the mash bill is interesting and likely contributes to this effect. While superior bourbons exist in this price range, this certainly offers a unique and interesting experience, particularly as a study of wheated bourbons and the pronounced impact of wheat on the final product. Perhaps more time in the bottle will allow the French oak to have a greater influence. Nevertheless, an enjoyable pour. 3.75/5

I have sampled a few Oak and Eden varieties; one was decent (Bourbon and Vine) and another was just okay (Bourbon and Spire). My exploration continues; is this "spire" concept a marketing ploy or does it have merit? Let's find out... I typically don't focus on a whiskey's color, as I've encountered dark spirits that taste young and light ones that seem mature, but it's worth noting that for a two-year-old bourbon, this has a remarkably deep hue. Perhaps a positive indicator? On the aroma, I detect dark fruits like black cherry, plum, and possibly pomegranate. There's also caramel, a cookie that's a bit too baked, oak, and smoke. It's quite fragrant for being 90 proof and rather enjoyable. The taste has a surprising amount happening. The fruits are present but brighter than on the nose; think apple and pear, akin to canned fruit cocktail. The gingerbread (or at least the ginger spice) from the aroma reappears. Caramel and barrel (spire?) char linger consistently beneath. While the flavors aren't exceptionally rich, there's a definite complexity. The conclusion brings notes of cocoa powder, cake frosting, and baking spices (more ginger, plus clove and cinnamon), and it lasts a bit longer than anticipated, by which I mean "medium" since I expected brief. The texture is where the youth finally shows; it's rather grainy and introduces a sharpness to the finish that isn't otherwise in the flavor profile. Ultimately, I found this to be an unexpected spirit that performs beyond its category. The depth of flavors makes it hard to believe it's a 2-year-old MGP, suggesting the spire element has some effect. At $50, I'm on the fence about buying it again. On one hand, superior options exist at this price point. On the other, quality wheated bourbons are scarce, and this one fits the bill. I'd consider it a repurchase if no better wheated bourbons were available.

It's rare for me to encounter a whiskey that I struggle to review. This is one of them. After repeated tastings, I simply cannot detect any flavors other than bitter charred oak. I must concur with another reviewer that it bears some resemblance to Maker's 46 (a personal favorite for daily drinking), but where 46 teeters on the edge of being just right and overly oaked and tannic, this one rushes past that boundary as if it's not there. There's a hint of vanilla on the nose. Perhaps some coffee and brown sugar? The palate is dominated by Bitter Drying Oak. Maybe with more time I could discover something else, but I really don't wish to dedicate more time to it. Adding a little water does lessen the bitterness somewhat, but it doesn't reveal any other characteristics. At best, this tastes like mediocre craft whiskey. Why would anyone spend $40 on this when Maker's 46 (regardless of its new bottle design) is likely within easy reach on a nearby shelf?

Part of a virtual tasting session with Oak & Eden. Aroma - Cherry Vanilla Coke, dried berries, acetone, clove, allspice, white pepper, sharp oak spice, and light ethanol. Flavor - Birch beer, sarsaparilla, molasses, toffee, baking spices, cocoa powder, and sweet oak tannins. The finish is medium-short with strong oak spice, clove, allspice, toffee, and light ethanol. This possesses many rich, craft soda flavors on the nose and palate, but overall, I don't anticipate reaching for a second glass. The bourbon offers a more traditional toasted taste, whereas this is distinctive and perhaps suited for a dessert pairing.

(Batch 0035 / Bottle 0871 / 90 Proof) A complex, Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey created by Oak & Eden Distillery in Texas, made using traditional methods and aged for at least 3 years in American Oak barrels. It is then finished in the bottle with a spiral-cut piece of fired French oak, crafted from the same wood type and treatment as the barrel oak. It offers an aromatic beginning with hints of grain, fruit, wood, and spice; its rich character adds notes of wheat, candied fruit, caramel, oak, and vanilla; leading to a complex, medium-length finish. January 2023

This is reminiscent of Marker's Mark 46. It's quite good. I was pleasantly surprised. Aroma: Typical wheated bourbon profile with a spicy kick. Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla with that toasted oak. Flavor: Toasted bread and more toasted bread. As I drank more, all those toasted flavors emerged. Graham cracker crust and marshmallows. Overall: It's a genuinely good pour. This was my initial purchase, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. At 90 proof, it goes down easily. Cheers.