Wilderness Trail Family Reserve Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon (Wheated Bourbon)

I've wanted to sample Wilderness Trail for some time. They are a relatively new distillery in KY, and unlike other newcomers, they held back their first bottle for 4 years as a BiB. You have to admire their patience, especially given the substantial expense of building a new distillery. And many thanks to a friend for sharing a generous taste. This is 114 proof; I couldn't even locate that listing here, so I suspect my friend acquired a special store selection. I've had this sample on my desk since Monday. I've periodically smelled it throughout the week. The aroma is fantastic...marshmallows and vanilla, with a hint of oak. I could be content just smelling the aromas without drinking it. However, the palate was a step down for me... not for any particular reason, but it was simply too intense at 114 proof. I had to add ice, but that dulled the amazing aroma. So, in summary, I made a mistake by adding too much ice. With that high of a proof, I find it challenging to achieve the perfect balance. Regardless, I need to try the 100 proof BiB version of this, which I anticipate will be less intense. Thanks to my friend for the pour!

From a store pick in Scottsdale, AZ. Barrel # 15G29-17, 115 proof. Rich scent of peanut, cashew, cola, black cherry, barrel spices, char, and a mild ethanol undertone. Palate mirrors the nose exactly, with cashew nut being the most prominent flavor; see above for details to avoid repetition. The flavors are full and rich, and as someone who enjoys nutty bourbons, I found the palate pleasing. Good nose, good palate, things are going well, correct? Unfortunately, the finish goes completely wrong. Harsh and abrasive, with full-on charcoal briquette and astringent oak. Even the pleasant nuttiness from the palate transforms into a bitter almond. It lasts a decent amount of time, but with these characteristics, it's more of a drawback than a benefit. A noticeable Kentucky Hug is present. Mouthfeel is grainy and rough, which is not helpful at all. As a fan of the 100 proof small batch, I had hoped to enjoy this more. I expected excellence. Excellence was not delivered. At $57, I will not be purchasing it again. I'm uncertain whether to attribute this to the reviewer or the distillery, but this ultimately proved to be a letdown.

Liquor Lineup Store Pick ABV - 56% Proof - 112 Age - 4 year, 9 months Rickhouse - A-N14-D9 Barrel - ISC #4 char Barrel # - 17A10-9 Yeast Strain: FermPro 1 DSP-KY-20005 Nose: Grain sugar and caramel are prominent, with undertones of char and dry earth. Vanilla bread fills the gaps. Palate: Barrel char with kitchen spices. Sweet candy notes are present at the front of the palate. Finish: Lingering char and overall woody notes persist until the next sip. Medium viscosity that coats the top of the palate and tongue well. There's an overall brightness to this sip, with some earthy notes. Very enjoyable. I'm curious to see what might happen with additional time in the barrel.

The nose begins with creamy oak, vanilla, cherry syrup, smoke, and leather, rounded out by earthy rye spice. The aroma is very full and rich, offering numerous flavor notes that you anticipate exploring soon. The palate is rich with dark chocolate, vanilla, and oak. It's delightfully rich, presenting more like a dessert than anything else. The spice is less intense than anticipated, adding to this whiskey's uniqueness. The finish is medium and creamy, with lingering spicy notes of oak and pepper.

(This single barrel is from the Forecastle Festival in Louisville, KY on 7/12-14/19) Proofed at 111, this is remarkably smooth for its alcohol content. At 49 months old, it offers a lot of flavor, much like what you'd expect from a wheated bourbon. It's soft and spicy; imagine walking into a bakery and smelling the aromas. Now imagine drinking that. I'm glad I tried Wilderness Trail again; this is a good one!

113.9 proof. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Smell: Caramel, apples, vanilla. A hint of oak. Taste: Cinnamon red hots and baking spice. Finish: Moderate warmth but lengthy. With water: No new flavors emerge. Overall: 6.5/10 - Another good drink, but nothing particularly remarkable. The higher proof makes me consider it for a cocktail.