Woodinville Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

Selected by the Bull City Bourbon Club, named "Honey Smack'd" From Barrel No. 3306, Bottle No. 156 59.96% alcohol by volume, 119.92 proof Opened for 1.5 months Aroma: Bright honey, alcoholic mead, artificial cinnamon, young oak, apples and white grapes, a bourbon cask strength version of pot-still Irish whiskey. Taste: Honey, butterscotch, honey crisp apples, French toast, sweet oatmeal. The finish delivers an ethanol punch that was masked on the nose and tongue, then shifts to a light honey syrup with traces of cinnamon and oak. I took a chance on this costly craft bourbon because I had heard the Bull City Bourbon Club was a new organization that had selected some good local spirits in 2020. This far surpassed my expectations. I've sampled numerous cask strength bourbons over the past two years, and this one is remarkably different. While most possess a spicy and dense profile, this one is light, bright, and sweet. I believe the distillery's location in Washington contributes to a distinct character that enriches the bourbon category. The name "Honey Smack'd" given by BCBC is fitting; this tastes like the alcoholic equivalent of Honey Smacks cereal and is more akin to a strong mead than something like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. I've observed various store selections throughout North Carolina, and I doubt any of them are subpar. I strongly advise acquiring one; I suspect it will be a refreshing departure from the typical Kentucky cask strength bourbon.

This is remarkably similar to a club selection I acquired nearly two years ago. I seem to be quite fond of Woodinville bourbon. Its profile of honey and bright fruit is distinctive for cask-strength bourbon in my experience, and it's exceptionally easy to drink. I find many similarities to notes found in Highland malts, though with corn and new oak. The regional climate in Washington likely plays a significant role. These selections often remain on ABC shelves for extended periods. I'm uncertain if consumers dislike them or are hesitant to spend $70 on a less recognized product. Considering the increasing prices everywhere, these represent a very good value.

Opened from a barrel selected by my local NW Bourbon group. The nose presents burnt sugar, char, and oak. The taste is marshmallow, sweet, with notes of wood and leather. The finish is shorter, featuring darker cocoa nibs, more dark caramels, and genuine vanilla bean extract. I compared this to a barrel pick from Total Wines earlier this year. This one has a much more prominent burnt marshmallow sugar aroma and initial taste, then transitions into deeper leather and wood flavors. In contrast, the Total Wine selection remained lighter and leaned towards dark fruits, which this one lacks. It's fascinating to observe the significant impact of barrel variation.

Outstanding cask strength bourbon! This embodies everything positive about the craft bourbon movement. I visited the distillery this summer and participated in a private barrel selection. The team there is dedicated to producing world-class whiskey. They use seasoned barrel staves, toasted heads, and single-sourced corn from a nearby farm. All these efforts culminate in a burst of cinnamon and baked spices on the palate, preceded by a warm vanilla aroma. The oak dominates the finish, which lasts and lasts. A true taste of Kentucky from Washington!

The aroma is very similar to Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, with abundant vanilla, caramel, and some cherry. The spirit enters with considerable heat (as expected given the alcohol content) and cinnamon spice. It's quite intricate for its relatively young age (around 5 years). The mid-palate is pleasing and rich, featuring Vanilla Cherry Coke and a hint of bitter spearmint to counterbalance the sweetness. The finish is extended, with lingering notes of bitter dark chocolate alongside more cinnamon and nutmeg.

The aroma is quite similar to the standard version, but with much less of that woody-craft character. It's present, but in the background, with more emphasis on dark spice, fruit, and sweet notes. The palate is similar, offering a warmer and richer experience than the standard, with a more varied sweet profile, and again, the craft note is subdued. The finish shows the most resemblance to the old standard release, with that woody-craft element making a clear appearance.