Turning Point Straight Bourbon Whiskey

TURNING POINT STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY Mashbill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Barley: NOSE: After a quick swirl showing skinny fast-moving legs, this dark amber bourbon reveals notes of Dry Dusty Corn, Candle Wax, Fresh Cut Grass, and Fresh Cut Lumber. There's also a Vegetal Note. After some time in the glass, Tea starts to dominate, along with some Citrus Oil and a floral note. NEAT: The Vegetal Note from the nose is quite strong initially but quickly shifts to Tea. Also notes of Honey, Dark Chocolate, and Tannic Oak. A warming finish with Tea and Oak lingering on the palate. SPLASH: A small amount of water significantly improves what is already a decent whiskey. Both the nose and palate gain a Maple Fudge Note. It reduces the Tannins and turns the Tea into Cola. VERDICT: I typically avoid craft bourbons, but several factors led me to try this one. Southern Artisan Spirits was among the first distillers to open in NC after regulations changed in 2005, and their Cardinal Gin was one of my first (and favorite) craft spirits. This is a Straight Bourbon (meaning at least 2 years old), distilled and bottled by SAS in Kings Mountain, NC (no sourced whiskey here). It's also reasonably priced in the mid-$30s. There's genuine potential here, and I look forward to enjoying it as older barrels become available. This scored 3.5 neat and 4 after a splash. I'll average them for a 3.75.

Nose - pronounced rye character from the mash, notes of grass, spice, lemon zest, with vegetal undertones and a hint of vanilla. Taste - spice-forward with aromatic herbs, fresh grass, light honey, and vanilla. Finish - a lengthy, spicy finish that is pleasant and not excessively hot.

The initial taste is intriguing. The sharpness mellows out nicely. The finish is soft and somewhat difficult to define.

Piercing