Style: Bottled-in-bond, Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age: 10 Years
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Region: Danville, Kentucky
Among the bourbon whiskey distilleries in Kentucky, Wilderness Trail is a bit of an outlier. The founders have always taken a meticulously scientific and experimental approach. Their unique approach to fermentation and whiskey has produced plenty of damn fine whiskey in their decade of operation.
To celebrate their tenth year of operation, Wilderness Trail is releasing a limited edition single barrel, bottled-in-bond, 10-year-old, wheated bourbon whiskey (wow, that’s a mouthful!) This bourbon consists of a mashbill of 64% corn, 24% wheat and 12% malted barley and every bottle comes from the second barrel that the distillery put down after they started distilling in 2013.
The 10-Year-Old bottle will be housed in a cedar box inspired by the smugglers’ crates of the Prohibition era and the limited number of bottles produced are only available directly from the distillery. We were lucky to receive a small sample for review, so let’s see if Wilderness Trail’s oldest whiskey yet is fit for their tenth anniversary celebration.
Tasting notes
On the nose, this whiskey has a floral aroma with hints of peanut brittle, orange zest, brown sugar, and a gentle pop of baking spice. On the palate, roasty notes of bruleed sugar, toasted walnut, and barrel char immediately stick out. There are also some hints of dark cherry, dried apricot on the mid palate. The whiskey then bursts with clove, cinnamon and allspice on the back end. The mouthfeel is creamy and smooth and gently coats the palate, leaving a subtle, yet lingering finish with notes of vanilla, orange and cherry.
Final thoughts
For a one-off, single barrel, special release, this is a pretty satisfying pour. The aroma and finish are approachable and gentle while still being complex and full-flavored. The palate, however, has a strong barrel influence that isn’t immediately apparent in the nose or finish. That’s not to say it’s unpleasant at all, and some incongruity is to be expected from a single barrel, but drinkers who love wheated bourbons for their softer, gentler profile might be a bit surprised. Overall, it’s a fun whiskey and a fitting celebration of Wilderness Trail’s 10th anniversary. Personally, I can’t wait to taste more of the distillery’s well-aged whiskeys that are sure to come.
