Food & Drink

Review: Swilled Dog Bourbons and Rye

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Swilled Dog Sherry Cask Bourbon

Launched in 2016, Swilled Canine is a family-owned cider and spirits firm based mostly out of West Virginia. What began as a household basement operation has since grown into an impartial cidery and tasting room in Higher Tract, WV, the place they provide every little thing from tastings to craft exhibitions and a daily sequence of “Yoga & Cider” occasions. Cider aficionados may spot their flagship, seasonal, and restricted launch cans and bottles on an increasing variety of cabinets throughout the nation.

Whereas they’re way more established within the cider world, Swilled Canine has not too long ago dipped its paws into the world of bourbon and rye whiskeys. The primary sequence of expressions is — to no shock — sourced, although they’ve plans to ultimately launch whiskeys from their very own distillate, utilizing corn grown within the space instantly surrounding the distillery. All whiskeys are hand-bottled on the Higher Tract facility.

Swilled Canine’s first 4 whiskeys are sourced from Indiana and North Carolina. Let’s dive in and see how they stack up.

Swilled Canine Straight Bourbon – This bourbon encompasses a 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley mashbill; the age assertion merely says its aged a “minimal of 4 years.” The nostril is fruity, with candy corn and inexperienced oak as sturdy complementary notes. On the tongue, the identical oak and woody notes come via, and it’s a simple first sip. Gentle cherry and a robust rye spice hit slightly additional behind the palate, no shock given the mash invoice and flavoring grain. The end is lengthy with oak and rye sitting on the tongue. The mouthfeel is slightly thinner than many bourbon followers appear to crave as of late, but it surely’s not shocking given the proof. General, it’s an easy bourbon, and what it lacks in complexity it partially makes up for in accessibility. 90 proof. B+ / $45

Swilled Canine Barrel Energy Straight Bourbon – The next-proof expression that includes the identical mashbill and sourcing as Swilled Canine’s Straight Bourbon. The nostril is extra subdued than one may count on at a considerably larger proof, with comparable fruity and woody notes coming via. The tongue has a noticeable pop of younger oak and rye, with much less pronounced sweetness than within the 90 proof model. There’s positively a caramel observe right here, although it’s fairly darkish, bordering on burnt. The end is once more lengthy with wooden and rye spice, although with a thicker mouthfeel that sits on the entrance of the tongue greater than the again. It provides complexity in comparison with its 90 proof sibling, however within the course of the barrel energy expression loses the cherry taste and sweetness that helped make Swilled Canine’s Straight Bourbon so pleasing. It’s a uncommon occasion the place the barrel energy model is deeper, however total a bit much less enjoyable. 117 proof. B / $50

Swilled Canine Barrel Energy Sherry Cask Completed Bourbon – That is the barrel energy bourbon completed in sherry casks; it accommodates no age assertion for the ending interval. Whereas colour doesn’t equal taste, it’s unattainable to disregard this whiskey’s attractive, darkish amber hue, each within the bottle and neat in a tasting glass. The nostril conveys raisins, cherry, and floral notes, which makes the whole scent a bit like rum-laced vacation fruitcake. For 117 proof, the primary sip is mellow, and the sweetness that eludes the traditional barrel energy expression is again in drive right here, together with the younger oak. The end is wealthy, with darkish (once more, borderline burnt) caramel, vanilla, extra raisins, and rye spice, although much less pronounced than the opposite bourbon expressions. It’s a little bit of a dryer end that pairs properly with meals. A drop or two of water additionally helps open up the flavors and aromas in a giant means. 117 proof. B+ / $55

Swilled Canine Barrel Energy Rye Whiskey – Right here we now have a typical Indiana mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, bottled at 115 proof and aged for 12 months in #3 char barrels. On the nostril, it’s deep with botanicals, fruit, and naturally heavy rye spice. The tongue is considerably typical of Indiana-sourced ryes, with rye and baking spices plus a closely pronounced pop of cinnamon, although it maintains a contact of sweetness. On the end, the whiskey’s youth exhibits, with numerous inexperienced and younger oak notes. It doesn’t make this a tough sipper within the slightest, and this might be a stable rye for a flavor-forward cocktail the place wooden notes could be paired with a touch of rustic or fruity bitters. Nonetheless, in comparison with different sourced Indiana ryes available on the market, it’s extra typical than extraordinary. 115 proof. B / $40

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Swilled Canine Barrel Energy Sherry Cask Completed Bourbon

$55

Ranking

8.5/10

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