The bourbon sample used for this review was provided at no cost, courtesy of the respective company.
Sorry folks, this bottle will not be available until August 23rd.
One of the perks of reviewing bourbon is that I receive samples before they are released to the public. In this case, I was fortunate enough to receive Wilderness Trails 8-year wheated small batch bottled-in-bond bourbon.
I will not give away the ending, but you may want to get in your cars and pitch a tent at your local liquor store on the 22nd.
REVIEW:
This bourbon clocks in at 8 years, making it the oldest in Wilderness Trail’s history.
Some experts say 8-12 years is the perfect maturation for a bourbon. In some cases, I agree, but in this case, I absolutely agree.
In this expression, you receive two special editions, a bottled-in-bond (aged at least 4 years, bottled at 100 proof, and distilled in the same season by the same distillery). And the rarity of being a small batch.
The color is a rich brown tobacco that screams an 8-year-old bourbon. Hints of cardamon, black pepper, and oats explode from the pour. I worried it might be too earthy, but my worries were extinguished with the first sip.
The bourbon was sweet and savory, with chocolate caramel, honey, and a touch of wheat toast. As the sip evolved, black cherry and orange citrus appeared.
The star of the show is the finish. Smooth, as all get out and hardly any burn. The burn you do receive is wanted, as it warms your heart. Touches of honey leak down your throat, with cinnamon and pepper following behind.
The distillery has done an excellent job aging this bourbon to a point where it rivals much more expensive, hard-to-find wheated bourbons. If you are tired of the same old wheated bourbon, then this bourbon is a must-have.
This whiskey receives 4/5 Barrels.
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