Taylor Bass
3.5
The first release from Big Spring Distillers in Big Spring, TX. This new company was established in 2021 by a veteran of the spirits industry, previously with Virginia Distillery Company. Ninety-Eight is a five-year bourbon sourced from Indiana, with a mash bill of corn, wheat, and rye - no malted barley! Ninety-Eight is a fitting name for its proof. Sweet oak and stewed apples, reminiscent of apple pie filling, are on the nose. The palate offers sweet caramel that quickly gives way to baking spices and a medium finish. This is a traditional bourbon with the milder notes expected from a wheated recipe. It's not as vibrant or fruity as Maker's, and the higher proof contributes to a nice finish. A solid debut for this new Texas brand.
