Buffalo Trace White Dog #1

I reviewed this just over two years ago, in August of 2022. Since then I've found that putting in just a little water improves what's already great stuff, and this review is of the juice with water. This bottle cost me $22.99 at Total Wine, which is a couple or three dollars less than the previous one. It's just a pint (375ml - I don't think in metric measurements), it's 125 proof, there's no age statement since it's never been in a barrel, and in the glass it's clear. It's Buffalo Trace's mash bill #1, but other than it having the standard bourbon ingredients - corn, rye, and barley - I can't learn what that mash bill is. NOSE: It's very grain forward, which you'd expect from something straight off the still. Sometimes I can sort out the three different grains on the nose, and sometimes I can't, especially with water. There's a little mustiness also, that seems to connect mainly to the corn, a vegetal note that I presume comes from the rye, and something that makes me think of wet wood or wool. That doesn't sound terribly appetizing, but in fact I like it. MOUTHFEEL: Creamy - three or four drops of water don't materially alter this, since it's so viscous to begin with. TASTE: There's just one note, but it contains multiple things - the note is honey butter with cinnamon. FINISH: Medium, with red pepper and honey butter. SUMMARY: I find in my handwritten notes here that the date of the previous review was August 14, 2022, so it's been just over a year and a month. It took me a long time to decide to experiment with the juice, but when I first reviewed it I hadn't even been drinking whisky for a year and I didn't know what water and ice could do. Ice ruins this, but just a little water really helps (it's good without, but for some reason after the first glass from this bottle it began smelling and tasting, in the glass, like it's rotting, though from the nose of the bottle it smells and tastes fine). This is a simple whisky of necessity, since it hasn't received any benefit from aging; this is why straight from the still, the way our ancestors drank it. But it's good to begin with, and with a little water it's very good. RATING: On my hick scale I have to rate it somewhat lower than I'd like to, just because it's such a simple whisky. If it were more complex, and retained its current character otherwise, it would have a higher rating. What I gave it is the fifth on my scale (1 is the lowest, and 8 is the highest on this scale), Good. That converts to 3.125 stars, and either 62.5/100 or 6.25/10.

Corn and sweet

125 proof. Corn, lemon, caramel.

MOONSHINE SHOWDOWN Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1 Buffalo Trace White Dog Wheated Mash Continuing to work through bottles in my collection that I’ve yet to review. “White Dog” is the name given to distillate straight from the tap. I bought these a few years ago, as I was interested in the foundations of the distillation process. I recall being less than impressed—this from the perspective of someone who has had moonshine more than once—so I’m taking one for the team here and seeing if I can find some value beyond mere intellectual interest. Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1 Color is gin-clear, as this distillate has never been in contact with wood. Nose is warm and inviting, and shows sweet corn, Cheerios, and sweet yeast rolls. The ethanol manifests itself not unlike Italian grappa. Mouthfeel shows significant viscosity, and there is continued corn sweetness on the palate, as well as that grappa taste—but with none of the paint-thinner bitterness that grappa often has. The finish is short, and there is a little burn, but not out of sync with the high proof. The overall impression is one of warmth and fullness. It’s actually not one-dimensional: sweetness, warmth, and bready elements are apparent. It’s quite interesting to acquaint oneself with the foundational characteristics of a distillate, before the wood maturation; it’s the wood that provides the majority of a whisk(e)y’s aromatics and flavors. Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1 can be found for a little over $15 (for a 375ml bottle). Would I buy it again? It’s not at the top of the list, but the answer is yes: it is unique conversation starter that not only offers educational insight, but is also inexpensive and can actually be consumed. 2.5 on the Distiller scale. 125 proof. NAS because there is none. Buffalo Trace White Dog Wheated Mash Like the White Dog Mash #1, the White Dog Wheated Mash is as clear as purified water; there has been no barrel aging whatsoever. The nose is different than the Mash #1: think of opening the bag that contains your favorite loaf of wheat bread and inhaling deeply. That, and peanuts. The sweet corn is underneath. Not quite as oily on the palate as the Mash #1, but it’s not thin like water. Ethanol is evident on the nose, palate, and finish. The spiciness is slightly higher than the Mash #1, even though the Wheated Mash is 11 proof points lower. There is a lingering alcohol burn, longer than the Mash #1. The Wheated Mash is not as round and warming as the Mash #1. It can also be found for around $15 (for a 375ml bottle). Would I buy it again? I don’t like it as much as the Mash #1, but I would buy it as well for the intellectual exercise alone. 2.25 on the Distiller scale. 114 proof. NAS because there is none. I’m not aware of any other distillery that sells White Dog at retail. It is sold in half-sized 375ml bottles; thus it would appear that it is being sold more for educational purposes than anything else. Buffalo Trace is to be commended for this. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Pungent. Strong taste with a burst of heat that dissipates quickly.

Corny sweetness but that’s about it.