Sidewinder 4.2

From Taos, NM, this whisky is a bourbon and rye blend. The distillery's website mentions aging with Ponderosa pine bark and pecan wood, which I interpret as being added to the barrel, though I'm not certain. My bottle's label is Sidwinder, but it will be renamed Ponderosa by the Ponderosa Whiskey Company due to a distillery dispute. It's bottled at 80 proof, has no age statement, cost $25.99 for a fifth at Total Wine, and appears wheat-colored in the glass. NOSE: Custard is the primary and most prominent aroma. It's been ages since I last had custard, but the scent is unmistakable. Beneath the custard, I detected the fragrance of cookies made by a coworker using ricotta cheese (they neither smell nor taste cheesy, and neither does this spirit), a whisper of pine forest, and a touch of honey. MOUTHFEEL: It has a thin yet slightly creamy texture. TASTE: Brown sugar, subtle oak at the edges of my tongue, honey that's very diluted, and some cinnamon emerges as I progress through the glass. FINISH: A distinct eucalyptus cough drop note, and as I approached the bottom, a fleeting taste of pecan that vanished almost instantly on the tongue. The finish is of medium duration. SUMMARY: This whisky shows immense promise. The nose is extraordinary, unlike anything I've encountered in other whiskies, and possibly the most appealing I've ever experienced. If the palate matched the nose, this could easily be my favorite whisky. Sadly, the palate falls short of the nose's potential. I believe at a higher proof, perhaps 100, or even more, this would be an outstanding whisky. RATING: On my personal scale, I rate it Okay, which is the fourth level from the bottom of my eight-tier system. This equates to 2.5 stars, 50/100, or 5/10.

This is a smooth and unique spirit. The taste of the ponderosa bark is incredible. I was skeptical initially but I'm completely won over. The smooth and rich flavor makes you want more. Most New Mexico whiskeys I've encountered are poor, but this is one of my new favorites.

Spicy like a Rye on the finish. Plenty of barrel character. Smooth, with a substantial mouthfeel.