Krogmans Waxx Dippzz

Before even getting to the tasting the branding and labeling has got to be addressed. The name Krogman’s does have some history behind it. What is being presented today is drastically different, and in a tongue in cheek fashion is poking fun at what the bourbon/whiskey industry has become. The labeling of the bottles is downright comical. Simple bottles, but these loud over the top labels are a throwback to the 80’s esque artwork and coloring. With names like Waxx Dippzz, Flipperzz, Smash Bill, Maxx Profitzz, etc. you can see the industry jabs. The barrels themselves are also nicknamed, with the bottle I have the barrel was nicknamed Toffee Coffee. It’s not like anything else you’ll find in the bourbon aisle that’s for sure. The lineup consists of 9 different MGP mashbills and I believe all of them being single barrels. Price I’ve seen has been around the $32-$40 range. The Waxx Dippzz is 51% corn, 45% wheat, 4% barley, aged 2 years, and at 58.4 ABV. First taste was neat, did a 2nd with a little splash of water. Nose- the barrel nickname is fitting, toffee, little bit of vanilla almost like cake frosting, definitely pick up corn, nose is pleasant, but subtle. Palate - burst of sweetness on the front end like simple syrup, definitely a corn forward profile, initially has a really nice buttery texture, get very little of the toffee and frosting as the nose would suggest, little pepper, didn’t get much fruit flavor maybe just a hint of banana. You can tell it’s a very young bourbon. For the ABV it is extremely smooth though which I would attribute to it being a wheated bourbon. Finish - mild to medium finish, finishes fairly dry, mostly corn and leather, little bit of oak. The splash of water didn’t do much for my tasting, preferred it more without, thought the water detracted from the flavors. I did let it rest for about 10 minutes and thought that did help with pulling out some more flavor. For what this bourbon is it’s decent. Your getting basically a cask strength single barrel for under $40. Even despite the popularity of MGP for some I wouldn’t go over $40 for this and ideally would keep it under $35, the age being my biggest hiccup. I think if this were to age at least another two years this becomes a much better product. What it does have going for it is that is incredibly smooth for that ABV, decent price, and flavor profile is good. The mashbiils are present on most if not all the brands so if you know something you gravitate towards as far as a rye, heavy corn, wheated, etc. style then chances are Krogman’s will have something you can compare. I’d buy again as long as under $35, if start getting higher than that I’d probably move on to a tried and true that I know what I’m getting even if not at cask strength. Would be a good bourbon to bring to a party or for a mixer. I could do it as an everyday sipper, but it wouldn’t be my go to, have others out there in the price range that have better flavor and more complexity. Would really like to see this particular mashbill aged another two years.

Sweet and creamy