Smugglers' Notch Maple Bourbon

Review #058 Type: bourbon Proof: 45% Comments: NAS, distilled from a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley, then infused with Vermont maple syrup that was aged in ex-bourbon barrels Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Vanilla, cinnamon, graham crackers, maple syrup, and an interesting musty, woody, oak aroma. Palate: 30/40 Very smooth. Cinnamon sugar and charred oak are most prevalent. There’s oak tannins also, and hints of chili peppers and maple sugar candies. Finish: 28/40 Medium length. Once again, more smooth than remarkable. Vanilla to start, which slowly morphs to black pepper, and ending on a charred wood note. With Water: There’s a distinct flavor of apricots on the palate after a couple drops of water. The finish seems to be a bit extended also, there’s a hint of applesauce at the beginning to accompany the vanilla, then it’s mildly salty for the remainder. Total: 73/100 Final thoughts: This is a very very easy drinking bourbon. It’s not overly sweet, which is something I was worried about initially, rather just subtlety hints at the maple influence. For me this balances out the typical bourbon spice imparted from the charred virgin oak nicely, but it’s just not exciting. Every phase brings on more of the same 3-4 flavors, so while enjoyable it just doesn’t rank for me. Price: $45 Would recommend: maybe Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Like many here I usually don't go for flavored anything whiskey. Other than discrete barrel flavorings , my only forays have been with the Maple flavored Knob Creek and now this one. Pleasantly surprised that the Maple is so subtle and the sweetness level is not overdone. The Whiskey noses well and tastes exactly like it noses. I find many standard American Bourbons are always Vanilla, Caramel, Oak Barrel and pretty much nothing else. I think this has much to do now with the modern trend of flavoring our Whiskeys. This one seems to have hit on a well executed blend of flavoring with the usual suspects and come out the better for it. As a comparison the Knob Creek, while delicious in it's own way, is much like drinking maple bacon. Each has it's uses depending on Mood/taste. $50

Nose - brown sugar, vanilla, caramel, syrup Palate - sweet honey and very pleasant, the maple syrup is surprisingly not overbearing, classic bourbon flavors of vanilla, caramel, oak shine through Finish - short to medium length, fair warmth, about expected for a 90 proof bourbon This was a surprisingly good bottle of whiskey. Normally would not go for bourbon infused with anything, but this exceeded all expectations. Hate to admit that I prefer this over the same distillery's regular straight bourbon.

A hint of maple, with a bite to it