Food & Drink

Review: Boulder Spirits Single Malts 5 Years Old and Bottled-in-Bond Bourbons

Products You May Like

Boulder Spirits — based mostly, effectively, see for those who can guess — produces a spread of whiskeys, together with not less than eight bottlings primarily working to single malt and bourbon. Its whiskey continues to age within the Colorado local weather, and not too long ago Boulder hit a brand new milestone, with a number of whiskeys in barrel at 5 years of age.

We not too long ago obtained samples of its 5 yr previous single malts (at two completely different proofs) and a bonded bourbon (additionally at two completely different proofs). Whereas these will not be but commercially obtainable, our preliminary ideas are. Let’s style.

Boulder Spirits American Single Malt 5 Years Previous 100 Proof – An instructive have a look at what virgin oak can do to a fragile single malt. Instantly heavy and woody on the nostril, the whiskey is overwhelmed by tannin — but additionally finds a radically completely different counterpoint within the type of ultra-sweet butterscotch and spun sugar. The palate has much more occurring, that butterscotch be aware turning into even sweeter and a bit cloying because it develops, paired with a surfeit of baking spices. It’s nearly sufficient to maintain the overwhelming barrel character in examine, however not fairly, because the end stays tannic, nearly astringent. Robust going at instances. B- / $NA

Boulder Spirits American Single Malt 5 Years Previous 136.5 Proof – At (presumably) cask energy, Boulder’s single malt turns into a extra participating beast, pushed by a considerable warmth that sharpens the expertise, tempers the wooden, and supplies a daring clove be aware. It’s nonetheless fairly candy from that butterscotch be aware, however right here it’s much less overbearing. The palate continues the scorching theme, with the wooden and sugary notes exhibiting extra modestly right here. There’s ample spice in attendance — a lot in order that the whiskey doesn’t instantly connote single malt — however it fades sufficient en path to a creamy and chewy end that provides notes of graham cracker pie crust. It’s nonetheless tough across the edges, however it’s far more cohesive and interesting than the 100 proof, to make certain. B+ / $NA

Boulder Spirits Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond 5 Years Previous 100 Proof – Initially funky and just a little vegetal on the nostril, with a ton of pepper within the combine. Time in glass helps among the extra aggressive components blow off, however this stays a pungent, highly effective fragrant expertise for fairly some time. The palate presents extra of a sedate, conventional bourbon character, hotter than the 50% abv would counsel however not overdone, a corn-heavy expertise that folds in components of peanut shells, brown sugar, and a brown butter, all in a creamy swirl. The end tempers the warmth and lets that caramel corn character shine. Simple stuff, however a step above what we see from most craft distilleries today. 100 proof. B+ / $NA

Boulder Spirits Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond 5 Years Previous 129.5 Proof – Much like the 100 proof, however naturally fairly a bit hotter and extra aggressive. Sharp barrel char notes paved the way on the nostril, with a hefty, peanut-and-popcorn character dominating the palate. Brown sugary, vanilla-dusted sweetness is right here, however layered beneath ample notes of cinnamon and cayenne. That peanut character retains kicking effectively into the end, with a touch of dill lingering behind. In contrast to the 100 proof expression, that is racy, by no means creamy, and the warmth by no means fades in any respect. Once more, there’s nothing surprising within the combine, however it stays on level — and a strong instance of high-test craft bourbon. 129.5 proof. B+ / $NA

boulderspirits.com

Boulder Spirits American Single Malt 5 Years Previous 100 Proof

Score


7.0/10

Products You May Like