Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon

Wheated sweetness. Very solid

It’s a shame that these official ratings don’t get updated occasionally, especially for these craft startup distilleries. This producer has made big waves out west, and produces some damn fine bourbon. I bought this bottle at a roadside gas station in the middle of nowhere off I-80 in Wyoming on my way to a conference and it (Along with the High West Double Rye I found) were excellent traveling companions. This is a wheated bourbon, and honestly, it’s what I wished Makers tasted like. On the nose, it’s got some teeth, almost convincing me there’s rye where there isn’t any. It’s neither flat and muted like Makers, or smooth caramel like Weller. This is a proper western wheater, and it’s kicking the doors to the saloon open. The palate follows, and while it goes down “smooth”, there’s more barrel char and tannins, which make for a more “exceptional mouthfeel” (insert Bobs Burgers meme here). Finish is long and warming. I’ve been watching Fred Minnick’s YouTube channel lately and he talks about what goes into being a professional taster. He says he doesn’t factor price into a review and focuses on the product alone. I get that for the sake of an objective review, but he also gets free stuff and we don’t, so I do think about price. At $40, this isn’t the best value. It’s worth 2 bottles of Makers and it’s more than Weller Special Reserve. It’s also better. If it’s in your market (which since it was acquired by Edrington, it probably is), give it a try. This is a craft distillery that has really come into its own. Cheers!

Sweet, vanilla and oak. Grassy or herby finish. Smooth enough but not my favorite. One and done.