Pinhook Bourbon Country

This Castle & Key Pinhook, labeled "Bourbon Country" and referencing a racehorse, follows their naming pattern. Unfamiliar with this brand, I was hoping for a pleasant surprise. This release is from the Fall 2018 crop. Nose: Notes of caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and a hint of carrot cake. Gala apple and graham cracker are present, along with strong spice and oak notes like cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, clove, ginger, and allspice. There's even a touch of dill. While not groundbreaking, the aroma is satisfying. Palate: The taste mirrors the nose with more caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar, joined by milk chocolate and toffee. Flavors of both red and green apple, along with cherry, are noticeable. Spices include allspice, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Caramel and vanilla give way to a wave of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and oak. The finish is of medium-long duration. This is an excellent whiskey. The internet suggests it's MGP distillate, which isn't surprising. However, it appears they've also begun their own distilling operations. I'm impressed with this one. If you enjoy betting, this horse is a good choice. Based on this quality, I anticipate Castle & Key will produce outstanding whiskey in the near future. At $32, it's a fantastic value. Bourbon drinkers seeking something different should consider this.

I'll begin by saying this was quite a pleasant surprise! It has a much lighter color than typical bourbon, but I didn't find it tasted immature. The initial aroma and taste were sweet, somewhat reminiscent of a scotch, but they quickly shifted on the mid-palate to reveal oak, vanilla, and perhaps some cherries, definitely fruity notes. I initially felt the finish was lacking, but after a few sips, it grew longer and became very enjoyable. It's a great bottle for its cost, and it makes me keen to sample their other varieties. The branding is brilliant too, though that doesn't impact my score. All the same, I'll likely try to get the whole set from now on!

I adore the finish of this! Peach is clearly the star, but the finish reminds me of little league days and chewing Bazooka Joe. The aroma is certainly sweet, with fresh peachy fruit and light vanilla. The three years of aging are apparent, bringing out the corn. Spice hits the palate and again shows its relative youth. But the finish is incredibly distinctive. It lasts forever!! You get sweet peach, peppery heat, and some light new oak. It coats your mouth so well that licking your lips brings a bubblegum taste. Truly one of a kind for a three-year-old bourbon! 8.2/10!

Aroma: Begins with subtle butterscotch notes, transitioning to a bright fruity scent with a touch of pear. Palate: Medium body, not highly complex (indicative of its youth). A slight warmth. Lingering butterscotch and a hint of apricot on the tongue. Finish: Honey and spice, with just a trace of pear. The spice remains. Very easy to drink. While not precisely what I'd associate with a "bourbon," for a $35 bottle, I find it extremely drinkable. I will certainly keep a bottle of this on hand.

The aroma is somewhat disappointing, not bad, but difficult to discern specific notes as they are very faint. After some time, I detect subtle hints of vanilla, corn, and perhaps cardamom. The palate is much more satisfying, with spice and heat immediately apparent, along with baking spices. The finish is excellent and lasts a long time. This one starts subtly but finishes strongly for an enjoyable, though not exceptional, sip.

The color is amber, but less vibrant than one might expect from older bourbons. It does exhibit legs that linger and descend slowly down the glass. The aroma suggests some youth, but also hints at burnt toast, oak, orange peel, and a whisper of clove. The aroma carries through to the taste, with a fairly rich texture. The finish brings out more oak but is medium at best.