Tastes

Interesting but probably won’t seek out again. The pecan definitely strikes a unique note... not unpleasant, just hard to reconcile.

Chatted with part-owner and brand ambassador at a tasting in KC. Actually very pleasant. Definitely something for the WSR/MM crowd. Sweet and easy, but still interesting. A crowd pleaser. Would absolutely drink again and at a very respectable price point for being a small craft whiskey. Not harsh in any way.

Pale reddish straw color - thin body but reasonably oily legs. Thin nose with inescapable ethanol that prevents a long nosing, but not harsh. Mint, vanilla, brown sugar and cereal grain with some cherry notes. A sharp oak and mint open the taste, that fades to coat the mouth in a syrupy, candied vanilla sweetness. Some citrus rind, baking spices, and tart cherry. The finish holds the sweet syrup notes, lingering impressively and outshining the palate. With only a half ounce left in the bottle it has definitely grown on me since opening. I think that’s a deeper appreciation for the OF profile and some palate maturity on my part. A very solid bottle if found in the low $20s. Finish > Palate > Nose.

Bubbles KCMO store pick. Strawberry blonde color and a little thin in the glass. Nosing reveals prominent vanilla frosting with a hint of cherry, morphing into the bananas, rum, and brown sugar of bananas foster. A touch of fresh cane, mint and vegetation. The nose is enlivening and a definite winner. Creamy mouthfeel. The viscosity draws saliva. Again, vanilla dominates while oak and gentle astringency show around the periphery of the mouth. Definitely sweet, showing some brown sugar and butterscotch. The finish lingers impressively for 90 proof with both sweetness and a drying sensation. The SiB is a bit overpriced typically in the $45 range (store pick or otherwise) but this was a steal at $30. I will continue to enjoy this bottle. A great and affordable representation of OF considering their whisky row series is a tad overpriced, although I’ll cave every time for some 1920.

Pale yellow, thin legs. Sherry dominant on the nose. Hay and honey. Floral but not overly sweet. Bright and fresh honeydew and ambiguous apple/pear but maintains a cereal note. Gently sweet on the tongue. Relatively one-dimensional and 100% in-line with the nose. Honeydew, unripened pear, and cereal grain. Astringency throughout the mouth that says it’s a touch more harsh than the 86 proof, but not unpleasant. Here at the end of the bottle, it still leaves a lot to be wanting, but my opinion has improved significantly over my initial tastes. Not anything special and a relatively pedestrian Highland, but IMO it’s a touch better (and cheaper) than Glenlivet and similar whiskys.

Medium amber in the glass. Legs start quickly but linger. Moderate viscosity. A mild nose. Vanilla with a hint of peanut. Traditional bourbon smell, especially HH products. Starts sweet. Green apple, peanut, a touch of char, nice splash of mint and proof spice on the edges of the tongue and then building through the long finish. Lingering cinnamon, cedar, and minty iodine. Impressive, bold, balanced, and nuanced for the price point. Plenty of character without ever being rough. Would stand up beautifully in a spirit-forward cocktail. A lost gem - we’ll see what its 7-year replacement is and costs soon!

OESV Especially nice. Really like this recipe. Higher proof (60%) but balanced nicely with the sweeter 20% rye recipe. Will seek out again.

OBSQ Enjoyable. Would have again but not especially remarkable.

Enjoying more than previous tasting. Had a pour or two waiting for my mint simple syrup to cool for homemade juleps tonight. The key is tons of crushed ice and a little extra mint tossed in.

Not outstanding, but pretty enjoyable overall. Has a slightly funky cherry, vanilla, and oat flavor that I seem to find in a number of craft distillery bourbons... not sure where that comes from, but it’s distinctive.