Pensive Distilling Co. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (80 proof)

The sole reason for visiting Pensive Distilling a few weeks back was the search for a distillery or bar to break up a road trip from Lexington, and Pensive appeared to fit the bill from a map perspective. I arranged a tour and had one of the finest burgers I've ever eaten for lunch, and was thoroughly impressed by the hospitality and atmosphere encountered throughout. A special mention goes to the guide who led an exceptional distillery tour, spending considerable time discussing spirits with my wife and me, proving to be one of the most pleasant professionals I've met. While I won't reveal too much about the tour's structure, I strongly suggest exploring the restaurant beforehand, as some crucial information might be needed before the tour commences. We purchased this spirit and its 100 proof counterpart (they have different ages, but I cannot recall the exact age statement provided), and although the cask strength version (with an even higher, unspecified age) was excellent, its cost was prohibitive for the quantity received, making it unjustifiable. This 80 proof, young bourbon was, to be honest, quite weak and watery for my palate, but my wife enjoyed it, and we were pleased to support a local distillery with a commendable spirit and theme, despite their use of a sourced product with a single, straightforward mash bill. This might be one of the palest American whiskeys, let alone bourbons, I have ever seen, not quite as light as most European whiskies, but somewhere between sherry and light copper. The legs are very thin and wispy, but the aroma is striking, with notes of apple peels, milk chocolate, mushroom, and mineral water (and I dislike being so precise), while the ethanol is actually approachable, yet with a peculiar burn behind it. The flavor softens some of the aforementioned mushroom notes, adding honey or even brandy instead, but the apple and chocolate remain very present, though the overall balance is maintained. The minerality persists, perceived as a mild bitterness, contributing a final flavor reminiscent of a European malt whiskey blended with a more robust, sweeter bourbon. The finish is rather dry, yet surprisingly warmer than anticipated, revealing notes of grassy cinnamon and a hint of lemon oil for those who look closely. Given that this mash bill (70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley) is quite accessible and features common ratios, the flavor profile was genuinely surprising. The barley is much more prominent than in bourbons with a more standard ~5% blend, but with only a slight increase in percentage, it's unlikely to be the sole source of the unique taste. Instead, I contend that this resembles many of the lower proof/aged whiskeys from Kentucky Artisan Distillery (the source). I distinctly recall not enjoying this when tasting it at the distillery, but as it finishes much warmer now (compared to my memory) and possesses a unique, if not unusual or overly specific, set of tasting notes, I can now appreciate it as a refreshing and bold offering from this distillery and their signature product. While I don't recall the precise cost, I know all their bourbon products were priced too high to be practical or appealing to the average enthusiast, but that doesn't mean this specific variant cannot live up to its name.