Pensive Distilling Co. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (100 proof)

The second and last of the Pensive products I acquired while visiting the impressive distillery and restaurant, the version with more age and a mid-proof was more indicative of a flagship product than the younger 80 proof, but was considerably more economical by volume than the older cask strength offering (though that did taste the best). The price was still excessive for a product from a small craft distillery (and a sourced product, no less), but this was unequivocally the best bourbon of the 3 to bring home for volume to cost ratio, along with factoring in flavor. Regarding the age, it has been a considerable time since I was on the tour, so I am no longer certain of the number, but I believe it was in the 7/8/9 year range, whereas the 80 proof was 3 or 4 years, and the cask strength I recall being 12, but these are all hazy recollections now. With all these variations sharing the same mash bill, the alteration in age and proof still results in a discernible difference, but the core flavors can still be readily identified; I would strongly suspect that this distinctive semi-vertical product line approach would be well-received if other distilleries adopted it (take note). To respect the atmosphere of the distillery (and as it is quite late), I am sampling this in a very dim environment with only a single warm LED "lamp" to illuminate my space. As a result, the color is somewhat difficult to ascertain, but it is significantly darker than the 80 proof version, making the latter appear like water in comparison. The body here seems lighter overall, but contains patches of deep chestnut that are very striking and appealing. The legs adhere for much longer than anticipated at this proof, which is another pleasing surprise. The aroma commences with simple chocolate and a sharp, almost briny earthiness, which transitions subtly into mild, yet savory, mushroom. The earthiness persists completely, and by the time a rather significant ethanol vapor passes through the nasal passage, the scent has now transformed into what I can only liken to damp, old, stale beef, akin to an unseasoned hamburger that has been kept warm for many hours. Lastly, repeated sniffing reveals a new scent of fresh cherry juice, but this is rather perplexing amidst the other aromas mentioned. The initial mouthfeel begins to warm at a good rate, but also starts with a slightly tangy, bitter, metallic sensation. Before I suspect this is heading toward the aromas from the nose, spicy rye permeates the gums with one of the most intense stinging sensations I have ever experienced. Once accustomed to this, some red berry and raw grain flavors emerge amidst the heat, and they diminish or even eliminate the earthiness that was present on the nose earlier. The finish concentrates more on the red berries, which turn somewhat sweet and also incorporate a hint of lemon zest. The prolonged finish presents a very faint reappearance of the earthy blend from the nose, including what very, very faintly tastes like slightly heated and softened white onion. This bourbon is certainly among the leading candidates for the "greatest discrepancy between aroma and taste" award, and in this instance, I am very pleased the tasting notes prevailed. I have no objection to a damp, briny, umami earthiness in my whiskey (in fact, this is typically quite rare in American whiskeys), but this one possesses a very strong aroma that could deter many individuals if they do not appreciate that flavor profile. The way this ultimately tasted is somewhat basic, but still enjoyable and distinctive, and that is why I believe this should be considered the brand's most flagship product, rather than the more obvious 80 proof version. Once this becomes somewhat available (I recall the tour manager mentioning they have no plans to distribute beyond Kentucky, not that anything is available in Ohio anyway), and the price hopefully becomes more accessible, I would be quite content to continue supporting this brand, particularly since these flavors are expected to vary considerably between batches, as all their bourbon products are single barrels (a really commendable feature, by the way).