The Gifted Horse American Whiskey

The nose is soft with ripe red fruit, charred oak, vanilla, dried flowers and vanilla custard. The palate is somewhat dry but chewy, with a wave of black pepper filling the mouth along side vanilla custard, cooked brown sugar, intense rye spice and charred oak. The finish is medium long and dry with a lovely fading spice and fruity creaminess coming from the wheat. Time makes it a much better whiskey as it becomes focused and direct and wonderful to sip.

Unbelievably smooth! Easy peasy sipping experience. Slightly sweet (in a baby step way). Incredibly light and sophisticated.

Whiskey night October - enjoying an evening on the porch with a friend, a fire pit, a few blind tastings and a few new bottles. All samples from a Norlan glass. Tasting order: Murray Hill Club, Batch 7 The Gifted Horse, Orphan Barrel Larceny Barrel Proof, A120 Lux Row Double Barrel 12y Garrison Bro. Cowboy Bourbon, 2019 Blind tasting, was told ~115 proof and blend of corn whiskey and 17y KY straight bourbon. Color: Light amber, quick thin legs. Nose: I cannot believe the proof - there’s no singe and no hint of ethanol. Bubblegum, Dymatap, marshmallow cream. Body: Light, mouthwatering and does not coat but goes down clean and quick with no real heat or after burn. Palate: Unsurprisingly sweet with bubblegum, cough syrup, straw, a bit of spice to keep it balanced. No bitter or off flavors. Finish: Quick, clean, one trick pony. There’s no evolution of flavor to speak of (or at least that I can remember). Two things: I called this one out as an orphan barrel pretty quickly on the sourced high age, low proof bourbon alone. It reminds me of Barterhouse 20 but not as complex and really lacks in the oak department. Two, I believe the Bernheim source but get little to no MGP rye from this. Great to try! On to the next one...