Straight Edge Bourbon

This entry represents the red wine finished category in my barrel-finished bourbon comparison. It was tasted blind against Slaughterhouse Straight Edge and Hooker’s House 7/21. Applause is optional. Both are commendable, and in terms of value, this one is clearly the winner (less than a third of the cost of a good Hooker’s). However, if you prioritize spending over practicality, Hooker’s House is the choice. This one's aroma was superior, but I much prefer the body of my Hooker’s. Furthermore, the finish on my Hooker’s was truly outstanding. In terms of overall enjoyment, Hooker’s brings me more pleasure. This concludes the playful word choices in this review. The next blind comparison will be Hooker’s House versus Bardstown. Review of Straight Edge: The bottle offers no indication of its finishing process, which could be seen as misleading regarding its maturation. While one hopes for the best from the distilleries whose products one enjoys, the prominent "Straight Edge Bourbon Whiskey" on the front of this bottle and the barely visible "finished and bottled by Splinter Group" on the back raise questions about the producer's intentions. It is not "straight bourbon whiskey," and it is indeed finished in Cabernet casks, although this requires external verification. If there was an intention to obscure this information, I would advise against it for future releases. It is a solid product, and a well-executed barrel finish is something to be celebrated, not concealed on the back label. If the intention was purely aesthetic, then that's understandable. To each their own. The aroma is captivating. Much like Boondocks did with port, this aroma appears to be entirely influenced by red wine. I enjoy Cabernet, so it's not an issue for me, but it is peculiar to smell this and anticipate a bourbon. The body certainly tastes of red wine, but a new flavor emerges. I checked my wife's spice collection to confirm my suspicion: it's almond extract. It seems too potent to be a natural almond flavor and, in my opinion, too strong to be enjoyable. There are also notes of caramel, yeast, and vanilla, but the almond flavor dominates from the mid-palate to the conclusion of the finish. That finish makes me want less of it. There's cinnamon and sugar present, but the almond extract is definitely the primary component. I've found that the longer I try to retain the Cabernet notes in the body, the shorter the almond's presence on the finish becomes. When approached this way, the overall impression of the finish is akin to raw dough for a cinnamon roll. It's a very mild spirit, with virtually no heat throughout. I am confident that some individuals will adore this. I cannot fault its craftsmanship, but it doesn't align with my preferences for bourbon. Its uniqueness warrants a recommendation for anyone interested in barrel finishes to sample it. I would also suggest that those who particularly enjoy Cabernet could use this as an introductory bourbon if necessary. If you have a strong preference for almonds, this could potentially become your favorite whiskey. I will likely include this in a "man down" category soon, and I won't avoid Slaughterhouse's other offerings, as the talent is certainly discernible. However, regarding Straight Edge specifically, I will not repurchase it.

The aroma is restrained and balanced, featuring a pleasant vanilla note and a touch of fruit alongside its richness. It drinks quite smoothly with a subtle spice. The taste is pleasing and balanced, showing notes of wood and toffee, with a definite presence of vanilla and some anise. It leans sweet and doesn't present as its stated age. It's gentle but satisfying. I would have preferred something bolder, but this is acceptable. Given its softness and sweetness, it bears a resemblance to an American Single Malt. It's enjoyable to sip, though not an outstanding example. However, it offers good value for its cost. The scent is bitter and herbaceous. It smells rich yet smooth. A dark cherry aroma evokes Cognac, accompanied by some rye and a little spice. Despite being only 42% ABV, it feels a bit diluted, yet still offers pleasant flavor. A slight, pleasant prickle of spice runs through it without being overpowering. Rich red fruits appear, neither fresh, dried, nor stewed. Hints of orange zest emerge, supported by a subtle, not overwhelming dark chocolate wood and toffee undertone. It would be improved by more strength, richness, and less sweetness, but it's quite good. I also desire more complexity, though the flavor itself is quite pleasing. A rye-like minerality surfaces, detracting slightly from the richness but adding a dimension without being detrimental. I generally appreciate the flavor; it's akin to a more polished Old Forester Signature, but lighter and smoother with added nuances. Nevertheless, this doesn't elevate it to excellence. It's reliably drinkable but lacks the bourbon character I truly desire.

How enjoyable to sample a whisky aged in wine barrels! Another excellent offering from a local establishment. This establishment is a fantastic whisky, craft beer, and wine bar in my local area. They feature over 50 different whiskies and only serve them neat, or with a single large ice cube if requested. No mixers are used. Just the proper way to serve spirits! Here are my thoughts on this particular whisky... Nose: The distinct aroma of red wine hits the senses immediately and it was delightful. There's a subtle alcohol burn, which I prefer, along with notes of peaches, cream, and banana. Flavor: A rich creaminess is the first taste, followed by butter, spice, and then a surprising note of amber resin! How intriguing! The finish has a raisin character. This spirit has an oily, heavier body that also contributed to a full mouthfeel. I genuinely enjoyed this one and am pleased I tried it based on the suggestion from the owner of the bar. I inquired about it after reviewing their whisky menu and tasting notes on this platform before visiting. However, this one was on my potential list. He could tell from my reactions to the other whiskies I had tasted and enjoyed that this one would be a good fit for me, and he was absolutely correct! I will purchase this one. (Update: I BOUGHT IT) Ratings are independent of cost and reflect only my personal impressions.

I had wanted this for over a year but couldn't find it, so I purchased a different product from the same brand, which I found to be decent but not exceptional. This led me to decide against purchasing the original one. However, I recently had the chance to try it at a bar and realized that was a mistake. My preferred bourbons are typically smooth, a bit sweet, with some vanilla/caramel notes and minimal spice. This expression meets those preferences. Unlike the other product I tried, the wine barrel finish is barely noticeable and doesn't mask the pleasant bourbon characteristics. It's straightforward, which is part of its appeal for me. I believe many fans of wheated bourbon will enjoy this, and I also agree with others that it's a good choice for those who typically find strong spirits too intense.

Nose: Toasted brown sugar and vanilla, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove. Dark fruits. Sweet red apples with orange. A slight cream cheese frosting character. Barley in the background - a slightly toasted cereal grain quality. Toasted sesame seeds. Palate: Smooth, definitely 80 proof. Grain is more prominent - the barley is quite active. Honey, oak, tannin. Stone fruits. Luxardo cherries. Roasted peanuts/almonds. The faintest musty cellar note. A distant vegetal flavor. Additional thoughts: This was the first bottle I bought without any prior knowledge beyond the label. The nose offers a lot to discover, and while the palate is somewhat subdued, the overall experience is well worth the cost. My only significant criticisms are that the palate doesn't match the nose's promise, and it has a lot of low and mid-range notes without much high-end complexity. As always, my rating is an attempt at objectivity, minimizing subjective biases.

The aroma is very delicate, offering faint hints of expected bourbon characteristics like vanilla, caramel, and a touch of spice from the 17% rye in the mash bill. These notes are quite muted until a red wine scent emerges unexpectedly. The initial taste is sweet, with brown sugar and a very agreeable texture. It's oily and smooth, yet light. The mid-palate follows familiar bourbon notes: more vanilla and caramel, some oak, dark fruits, and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish takes a complete turn from the palate, becoming entirely dominated by wine notes. You anticipate it, but once it hits, it feels like you're drinking something else entirely. Overall, I find this a bit pricey, but I am in Canada, where obtaining a product from a smaller California producer is naturally more expensive. I had already finished my glass before remembering I was doing a tasting, so yes, it's quite good.