Wheel Horse Bourbon (Batch 1)

Nose: Predominantly strong, dusty corn with a subtle hint of licorice. Some cherry notes are in the background. The nose seems young but lively. It's not bad. Palate: Vanilla dominates, resembling corn pudding. It's singular and somewhat one-dimensional. The mouthfeel is quite pleasant and buttery. I anticipated more corn mash character, so I appreciate this aspect. Finish: Slightly smoky and longer than expected, which is a positive. I detect notes of BBQ smoked cherrywood before it dissipates. Overall: The rye expression is far superior, as this tastes very young. HOWEVER, this makes a fantastic Old Fashioned cocktail for a relatively low price (I tried it, loved it, and it might become a go-to). Is it a bad bottle? NO. Is it a hidden gem? NO. I compare it to 2-4 year old offerings from Yellowstone (their own bottling, not sourced HH), and it's in the same category, though slightly behind. I would be interested to taste this at 6 years old or even if a few bottles were aged in a small barrel for a few months. The potential is there, but it's not fully realized yet. An excellent mixer, but a mediocre sipper. Rated 2.75/5.

Appearance is golden honey with minimal legs. The alcohol burn on the nose is surprisingly mild for its strength. The aroma is spicy, featuring cinnamon, rye spice, and black pepper. Hints of color emerge with orange zest, potpourri, black licorice, and pumpernickel bread. The barrel wood scents seem seasoned. The flavor is rich with orange peel, bitter rind, and pith, along with dried citrus fruit, pepper, and cinnamon. The sweet corn character is present, alongside some aged wood and nuttiness, perhaps like pralines. There's a brown sugar sweetness. The finish includes more yeast than anticipated, possibly from the sour mash process. It's surprisingly smoky at the end, reminiscent of spent matches or fireworks. Dark chocolate and coffee notes are present, along with more brown sugar, pepper, and clove spices. This bourbon is a very solid, reasonably priced sour mash creation. It offers excellent balance between nutty and spicy notes, with some exciting elements at the end. It excels in mixed drinks but is also perfectly enjoyable on its own.

Nose... Apple, cereal, oats, and a clear display of corn and rye. Both the rye and corn become more prominent when stirred. Color.. Dark amber, with caramel notes... Taste... Peppery (in a good way), burnt corn, butterscotch, banana bread, and cinnamon. Overall... They begin with a very solid mash bill, and I believe there's only room for improvement. This particular batch, showing such depth after only two years of barrel aging and being non-chill filtered, is especially impressive. If they maintain this pace, this bottle will retail for over $75 after six more years of aging... A very strong start for a two-year-old...

A very buttery opening, with a hint of spice. Sweet to the point of being overwhelming, but in a good way. Definitely made with wheat. It goes down smoothly with lots of butter and a short delay before you feel the warmth. A nice richness, not thin, without being too heavy. I'd prefer a little more complexity, but it's quite one-dimensional. This would work well in a sweeter cocktail, but on its own with ice, it's not too bad. I've had better for everyday sipping (Elijah Craig, Maker's Mark), but it would be welcomed by those who don't drink Bourbon often.

A review comparing this bourbon to another led me to purchase it. For its price point, it's not bad. Its younger characteristics present as lively and effervescent on the tongue. It lacks the syrupy quality of the other, but possesses its own distinct flavors. Barrel wood notes are clearly discernible. It's worth exploring at this cost.

Smells of brown sugar, with lovely peach and vanilla notes initially, followed by an oak spice finish. The appearance and mouthfeel aren't remarkable, but it's flavorful, especially for the cost.