To name Jackie Zykan‘s first launch of Hidden Barn Bourbon a blunder could be a charitable understatement, because the whiskey — all seven barrels of it — proved underdeveloped and largely uninteresting. The 4 to five 12 months outdated whiskey, sourced from a Kentucky operation known as Neeley Household Distillery in Kentucky, was “Made the Onerous Approach,” in order that they mentioned, however got here throughout like a corn and wooden bomb — not less than when the peanut shells didn’t get in the best way.
Hidden Barn appears to be dropping whiskeys in tiny batches (Collection 1 is now on Batch #5), and it seems, they seemingly aren’t wed to anyone distillery. For Collection 2, Zykan has sourced 10 barrels of pot-distilled, high-rye bourbon from M.B. Roland distillery, one other tiny Kentucky operation that has one way or the other escaped our discover since 2009 and which has been pouring out merchandise ever since.
Right here’s what we all know (which is loads):
The mash is fermented for three-four days utilizing Christian County, Kentucky water and trade customary yeast. It’s then double pot distilled and picked up at 110 proof. The undiluted distillate is then matured in wood-fired Kelvin Cooperage American White Oak barrels. Barrels relaxation on property, and as soon as matured, are filtered just for sediment earlier than bottling. Positioned in Pembroke, Kentucky, M.B. Roland was the founding distillery of the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Path.
Mash: 60 % Corn (Christian County Grain), 35 % Rye (Walnut Grove Farms), and 5 % Malted Barley (Southfork Malt Home)
Fermentation: 3-4 utilizing Christian County, Ky. water
Distillation: Double pot distilled, collected at 110 proof
Maturation: Between 5-6 years
Barrel: wood-fired Kelvin Cooperage American White Oak
Fill: 110 proof (undiluted)
Effectively, I’ll be damned, however these things is… additionally fairly underwhelming. Huge notes of peanut shell and intense barrel char give the nostril a definite pungency, with notes of inexperienced wooden and a (dry cigarette) tobacco high quality beneath. Grassy and corny in equal measures on the palate, the whiskey takes its time however finally finds some degree of path by the heavy, smoky char character that in any other case dominates, clinging to each nook of the mouth. There’s certainly a few of the promised fruitiness right here, although “overripe blackberry” is a stretch, however it’s not less than obtained one thing akin to fruit punch on show, laced by with raisins. The end makes room for just a little little bit of chocolate syrup, although, once more, getting previous all of the overwhelming char is a troublesome feat.
If Zykan was in search of a “home type” that took her out of the Previous Forester universe, she’s definitely achieved that. I, nonetheless, am prepared for a special taste expertise from the Hidden Barn camp subsequent time round.
112 proof. Reviewed: Batch #1.
B- / $75 / hiddenbarnwhiskey.com
Hidden Barn Bourbon Collection 2
$75
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