Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey

This 2022 bottling was found at MSRP (perhaps slightly high, but available at a total wine in Louisville), so it seemed like a reasonable purchase... The nose has a pleasant grainy quality, like cornmeal/cornbread, with a touch of brown sugar, lighter fruit notes, particularly strawberry, and some spice. Overall, it's light and sweet. The flavor reveals more oak and surprisingly a bit of ethanol, but it remains an easy-drinking spirit. The finish is the standout feature of this whisky, possessing remarkable longevity for its ABV and in a very pleasing manner. This rating is a challenge... I believe it would be more appropriate around the $60-$70 price point, at which it would be truly excellent (considering the finish). I increased the score slightly because the long, oaky finish justifies the cost... I will handle this bottle with care and age it for a few years!

1/11/19 - I appreciate the initial aroma, but the rest of it seems a bit immature and might require some time to develop. I believe it will be quite good in about a month. The lingering finish is pleasant. Currently rated 6.7/10, with potential for improvement. UPDATE 2/25/19 Remarkable transformation for the better! The aroma is reminiscent of sweet root beer, with hints of vanilla and honey. The palate is smooth with a slight tingle, and the sweetness from the nose persists. The finish is significantly improved. Less spice, the root beer flavor is prominent, and the end offers a woody sensation and warmth for a gentle embrace. This has become exceptionally good. Rated 8.8/10.

Initial tasting notes from a 750ml bottle purchase... Color: attractive golden amber/copper. Aroma: It's distinctly bourbon, pronounced, not subtle, and lingers for an extended period. Taste: Cherry, chocolate, vanilla, caramel… reminiscent of a candy bar. Is this Willits or Noah's Mill? I recognize it's bottled by Michter's from the label and produced in KY; that's all I'm certain of. I enjoy this dram considerably, even at 45% ABV. Medium finish. I'll happily finish this bottle, but at this price, I would likely opt for other options... 8/8/2019 update: at $69.99, it's a great deal... I purchased a second bottle!

The color resembles the crust of rich French toast. The aroma is intensely fruity, with hints of apricot, blueberry, and apple. Upon the first sip, a burst of flavors hits simultaneously. This subsides into a smooth, relaxing finish with notes of dark chocolate and apple. A second sip reveals a blueberry explosion, reminiscent of just the base of a bomb pop, alongside ripe apple (think soft and warm, not spoiled or cooked). The surprising aspect is the intensity of flavor at 91 proof and its ability to coat the palate despite a very light mouthfeel.

Very enjoyable. Finding this in Colorado is uncommon, so I was thrilled to finally acquire it locally. It bears a strong resemblance to products from Buffalo Trace, which is somewhat surprising given its origin from Michter's. It presents numerous fruit notes, particularly orange zest, and a subtle hint of vanilla. This significantly surpasses the standard Michter's sour mash.

Nose- a touch sharp, caramel sugar, herbal tea. Body- Excellent! Sweet fruit notes, brown sugar, herbal tea, and a hint of apple pie Finish- The herbal tea fades into a distinct and very pleasant sweet tobacco essence. A novel experience for me. A friend at Bluegrass Tavern suggested this. Damn, it's good!