Stillhouse Black Bourbon

This was a completely unplanned purchase today. I hadn't even heard of this bourbon until this afternoon. Typically, my wife rolls her eyes when I mention buying another bottle. However, when she saw this one, she actually exclaimed, "Oh, you HAVE TO get this!" So, when I encounter genuine enthusiasm and encouragement, I can't pass up such an opportunity. LOL! Here it goes... Appearance: Amber with a distinct "mahogany" hue from the coffee component. Aroma: A light aroma with familiar notes of oak and leather I've detected in most bottles. Palate: An unusual initial flavor. I'm definitely tasting the "coffee"; it's impossible to miss. There's some sweetness. It's slightly bitter in the mid-palate and has a slight harshness as it goes down. A moderate burn for a bourbon at the lowest allowable proof. It's an... "interesting" pour, which I entirely attribute to the coffee's influence. But honestly... it's not too bad. I wish I knew its age, but it doesn't taste young, as I had anticipated. Finish: A fairly long finish. I keep returning to the "coffee" because it's truly the standout characteristic of this spirit. I don't see myself buying this again, let alone making it a regular part of my rotation. But I'm glad I tried it and will certainly finish the bottle. Rated 2.75 stars, just shy of 3.0 stars. Updated 10/31/24: Last night, I attended a pumpkin carving party with my neighbors and brought this to share. It received a similar "Not bad!" reaction from those who tried it. They even came back for a second pour. So, there you have it!

STILLHOUSE BLACK NOSE: Young, but pleasant. Notes of young oak, straw, orange peel, peanut, and perhaps a very subtle hint of coffee in the background. NEAT: Young, thin, and fruity. Light vanilla, bitter oak, orange, with a slightly harsh finish. Again, maybe just a hint of coffee in the aftertaste. SPLASH: Adding a little water reduces some of the burn and bitterness but doesn't significantly improve it and causes the minimal coffee flavor that was present to disappear. VERDICT: Whiskey and coffee are two of my favorite things, so I was naturally curious about this. I was expecting a more pronounced coffee flavor? Something I could use in cocktails for experimentation. Without a stronger coffee influence, it's just bottom-shelf whiskey in a tin can. I'll probably use it for Bourbon & Cokes at my next cookout. This has actually inspired me to try infusing my own coffee beans. If it's successful, I'll share the results.

Sipping neat from an old fashioned glass. I didn't let it rest because who has time for that between putting the kids to bed and going to sleep myself? On the nose, I get coffee, faint vanilla bean, and a whiff of ethanol. Maybe even some of those candied nuts found in the mall around Christmas. It's sweet, peaty, and woody. It's woodsy and peaty, and somewhat harsh on the palate. Perhaps a little brown sugar. The finish lasts a good while. No "Kentucky Hug," per se, but a pleasant lingering tingle of wood, peat, and something reminiscent of overripe pear.

It looks like weak coffee. The nose is earthy, with peat and leather being most prominent. A sharp start gives way to sweet oak, with coffee coming through on the mid-palate. The finish has an ethanol burn with that hint of coffee still present. It tastes hotter than the 40% ABV might suggest. Overall, an interesting twist on a middle-of-the-road bourbon that I really wanted to like more, but it ends up just being okay for the price. It's one of those bourbons where the packaging makes you really want it to be better. I'm not sure I'd buy it again at this point.

I tried it neat, thanks to a friend who gifted it to me! I'm enjoying it here at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. On the nose, I detect subtle vanilla, caramel, cherries, and raspberries. On the palate, it's not as sweet as the aroma suggests, but has notes of oak, nuts, and butter. Rated with the assistance of my wife! It's not overly complex and has a mild finish, but it's good for camping, and I'm about to add some ice and have another serving!

This whiskey performs well beyond its price point. Initially skeptical after my wife bought it in a can, I learned a valuable lesson that quality bourbon can come from unexpected places. This is enjoyable, with a strong coffee flavor mingled with vanilla. The finish is smooth and mild, transitioning nicely to black licorice or anise. I find it a good value and would purchase it again.