If I have been to ask you for a “bourbon-y bourbon” what precisely may come to thoughts? If in case you have a thoughts in any respect in keeping with Pablo Moix you then’ll discover your reply together with his latest launch, Fortuna Bourbon.
Whereas it might appear that reviving long-forgotten whiskey manufacturers is en vogue nowadays, it must be mentioned that the founding trio of Pablo Moix, Peter Nevenglosky, and Andy Shapira are uniquely positioned to take action efficiently. Pablo and Peter based Uncommon Character in 2021 they usually have been swiftly met by crucial acclaim and avid followers. Now they’ve acquired Andrew “Andy” Shapira, son of Heaven Hill’s President Max Shapira, alongside for the experience and the trio has launched Fortuna Bourbon as a technique to showcase their shared ardour for the historical past of whiskey.
With a legacy that dates again to the 1869 immigration of Philip Hollenbach and is steeped in Stitzel Bros. Distillery lore, telling the story of Fortuna is one which was a right away draw for the founders of its up to date revitalization. In talking to Pablo Moix about his imaginative and prescient for the model he advised me, “Whereas I used to be mixing I used to be truly tasting outdated Glencoe bottles of Fortuna on the identical time as a result of I wished it to be traditionally correct. There are such a lot of revival manufacturers on the market and when folks purchase them I don’t know in the event that they’re taking the time to do this, however I assumed it was necessary as a result of I knew different folks with outdated bottles might wish to attempt them facet by facet. On the finish of the day if it tastes good most individuals don’t care, however as somebody who has a lot outdated whiskey I feel customers might have that expectation of me as properly so I wished to be true to that. I feel we got here fairly rattling shut.”
That includes batches of 6 to 12 barrels saved on ricks low within the rickhouse with whiskey that’s all the time not less than 6 years outdated, Fortuna Bourbon has come out swinging in an period the place most new manufacturers can solely muster up a 4 12 months outdated age assertion for his or her first launch, sourced or not. Staking your fame on not solely sourcing increased high quality barrels but additionally creating extra satisfying blends is a dangerous proposition in at this time’s market, however Pablo Moix and firm have confirmed themselves to be as much as the duty.
When nosing Fortuna Bourbon I used to be first struck by a ton of brown sugar, pie crust, dried glue, and wealthy leather-based notes, with an expression of grapefruit peel. These disparate notes are additional entwined with a little bit of breadiness and the aroma of outdated books typically present in so-called dusty bourbons. I haven’t had any Glencoe bottles of Fortuna earlier than, however this does appear to seize an attention-grabbing amalgamation of contemporary bourbon and the qualities extra continuously discovered within the classic stuff from years previous.
On the palate my first sip is surprisingly effervescent and bursting with butterscotch. That sweetness quickly fades to the again and is supplanted by notes of spiced Brazil nut, pink chili flakes, grilled pineapple, and the aforementioned brown sugar with a chewy viscosity that rewards indecorous lip-smacking.
Lastly, the idea of a “bourbon-y bourbon” comes into view as this expression reveals what could be thought-about traditional bourbon notes whereas complementing them with distinctive flavors and a satisfying texture that steers it far-off from accusations of being quotidian. In melding notes of classic bourbon with some tell-tale indicators of latest juice, Fortuna succeeds by being each exceedingly crushable but additionally complicated sufficient to maintain it in your glass for a whole night. I’m grateful to Fortuna for offering me with a bottle for the aim of this assessment as a result of I’m already rounding the bases on a second – bought myself this time – for pure enjoyment.
102 proof.
A- / $80 / fortunabourbon.com
Fortuna Bourbon
$80
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