Oak & Eden 4 Grain & Spire - Torched Oak

My journey through the Oak and Eden range continues… The nose presents burnt firewood, orange peel, vanilla, and a minty hint like toothpaste. It's reasonably strong for its proof but too unusual to be considered inviting. The palate offers orange zest, some toasted caramel, butterscotch, and toffee, which is its strongest aspect. Despite the presence of wheat in the mash bill, the flavors are rather disjointed and don't provide a substantial mid-palate, quickly transitioning to the finish. The finish is quite brief, featuring astringent oak, smoke, and that medicinal toothpaste note from the nose. It's not outstanding. The mouthfeel is sharp and abrasive, like sandpaper. I'm not sure if that's a real word, but it is now. Overall, the 'torched oak spiral' doesn't seem to compensate for the whiskey's evident youth. I'd estimate its age at around 2 years. Some of the Oak and Eden offerings have been pleasant surprises, but this one is not. At $54, it's laughably far from being a repurchase. I've encountered superior whiskeys in the $20 range. Best to avoid.

A really rich, bold profile; I'm very fond of this 4-grain mash. It would benefit from an additional 2-4 years of aging to reach top-shelf bourbon status, but considering what it is – a sugar-forward dram – it's well-executed. I detect notes of toasted or burnt butterscotch and definitely dry molasses. The wheat sugar notes, reminiscent of Bit-O-Honey, are dark and subtle, contributing to a heartier, rich sugar middle style of bourbon. I wish more new and established distilleries would explore this; the new J.D. 4 grain (rye) is in this category and is excellent. I find the spiral cut barrel insert a bit of a gimmick, but it's not a significant issue. The notion that it truly aids in 'aging' the spirit in the bottle feels like a stretch. Oak and Eden appears to be experimenting with numerous finishes to see what works, and with the 4-grain addition, they've found success. Cheers!

Batch 02/100. The initial servings from this bottle were acceptable, but not impressive. Following my own rule of judging after finishing half, this has developed into a fantastic whiskey, though it's a tad too sweet for my usual preference. The nose is lovely and sweet, with abundant darker floral and sugary notes intertwined with cinnamon and spice. It does carry some ethanol heat, but the flavors are far more dominant. The palate is like a dessert, featuring sweet, burnt caramel and cinnamon from beginning to end. The long finish has some complexity, with dried fruits and spices prominent. The added oak is subtly present, intensifying toward the finish. Overall, it's a remarkable experiment and worth trying. I don't typically favor sweet whiskeys, but this was excellent. A small addition of water transforms it into toasted marshmallow... definitely a dessert whiskey!

From a remote sampling with Oak & Eden. Wood type: American Oak Infused: No Char level: Intense Smell - Caramel, spicy gingerbread cookie, clove, allspice, mild black pepper, mild dill, dark syrup, scorched orange peel, moderate wood, and faint alcohol. Taste - Gingerbread, almond bread pudding, dark syrup, clove, cinnamon stick, and wood essence. The end is moderate in length, featuring dry dark syrup, dry baking spices, intense wood sugars, and faint alcohol. This comes closest to a robust, twice-aged bourbon from the lineup, though perhaps the caramel and wood are a bit excessive for regular drinking. I enjoy it significantly, but would refrain from pouring several glasses in one evening.

Smells of caramel, apple, and sugar. The aroma is amazing. Texture is like water. I barely taste anything. Maybe vanilla? Or lemon? The finish is where the wood finish truly arrives. An extremely oaky aftertaste. It's genuinely difficult to handle that much oak. It's bitter. There's chocolate. A little cinnamon.

Solid drink. The main flavor is a mystery. Less sweet than bourbon & spire, yet still mellow. A touch of spice concludes it.