Bourbon Heritage Month 2020 Day 14: Smoke Wagon Private Barrel Bourbon Enthusiast Pick

Smoke Wagon Private Barrel “Bourbon Enthusiast” Pick

MGP/Nevada H+C Distilling Co.

60.9% ABV, 121.8 Proof 

8 YO, Cask #6000, Warehouse WC5

Eye: Orange amber.

Nose: Tight nose initially - bits of chocolate eke out. An interesting dill note develops. After airing out, more typical bourbon nose emerges. 

Palate: Blasts out into your mouth with bourbon, vanilla, and cherries. Stewed fruit studded with cinnamon. Short burn followed by tons of flavor. Mouthfeel is oily, coating, and filling and carries the flavors to each part of your mouth.

Finish: Fruity, especially plums. Very little burn. 

Overall: Wonderful just to hold on your tongue and chew on. Delicious throughout. Only the tight nose detracts from the overall experience. 

Rating: 8.3

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)

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