Editor’s Word: This whiskey was supplied to us as a evaluation pattern by the social gathering behind it. This on no account, per our editorial insurance policies, influenced the ultimate final result of this evaluation. It must also be famous that by clicking the purchase hyperlink on this evaluation our web site receives a small referral fee which helps to help, however not affect, our editorial and different prices.
Doc Swinson’s launched some new whiskeys for the summer time, so now is an ideal time to study this underneath the radar producer and to discover the vary of choices.
The corporate, based in 2017, is an unbiased bottler and the home model of Distillers Approach LLC. As an unbiased bottler, they supply barrels of whiskey to bottle underneath their very own label, typically mixing them to create a signature type, ending them in all kinds of wooden sorts, and chopping to proof, although, right here, the whiskey tends to be launched near cask proof.
Doc Swinson’s calls Ferndale, WA residence. This tiny city is situated close to Vancouver, BC about 100 miles north of Seattle alongside the bay. Right here, a staff of 4 runs all the operation: Jesse Parker, the Head Spirits Grasp; Steve Predominant, the Gross sales Director; Chris Cearns, the Chief Monetary Officer; and Keith Seidel, the Director of Operations.
Parker is younger with no formal coaching, however he minimize his tooth at a small, family-owned distillery the place he started racking up primo awards for his creations. He’s gone on to win a number of dozen extra for his blends for Doc Swinson’s, together with profitable greatest at school for completed bourbon on the San Francisco World Spirits Competitors.
As an unbiased bottler, the model sources all of their whiskies—nothing is distilled in home. The present line up all hails from Midwest Grain Merchandise Distillery in Lawrenceburg, IN, aka MGP. Sourcing from this huge distillery in Indiana is usually a prickly topic for some, however the staff at Doc Swinson’s makes no makes an attempt to cover and positively excels with their picks (see the aforementioned awards).
The lineup jogs my memory of some releases from Buzzard’s Roost I tasted final yr, one other producer that releases completed whiskies from rye-heavy MGP mash payments in the same worth vary, although with a radically totally different char for the ending barrels. Doc Swinson’s lineup tends not present the lushness, pillowy sweetness, and fragrant depth I typically affiliate with MGP bourbons. As an alternative they handle an uncommon twist of reserved but advanced aromatics. Maybe it’s simply that salty Vancouver bay air.
To grasp the core idea of the corporate, you’ll be able to attain for the Doc Swinson’s 5-12 months Blenders Reduce Straight Bourbon. The pattern readily available is coded 22-001. Per their press launch, that is the base mix that they use for ending. It’s a helpful look into what they discover thrilling and need to manipulate additional. That is bottled at cask energy or close to to it. The 2 elements are corn-based bourbons with heavy doses of rye within the mash invoice. The tasting observe from the corporate notes it tastes like “apricots, brown sugar, peanuts, toasted almond, charred oak, darkish chocolate, and cream.”
Sounds scrumptious; let’s style.
We evaluation Doc Swinson’s Blenders Reduce Straight Bourbon, aged for 5 years in new American oak and used as the bottom mix for this model’s ending course of. (picture through Doc Swinson’s)
Tasting Notes: Doc Swinson’s Blenders Reduce Straight Bourbon
Important Stats: Aged for 5 years in new American oak barrels, 57% ABV, mash invoice: 1: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley and a pair of: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, SRP $60/ 750ml bottle.
Look: It is a reasonably deep amber in shade.
Nostril: Aromatically, this had one thing to show. There have been hints of burnt cherries, banana candies, and vanilla crème brûlée. Fiery and feisty, this was closed down at first however opened up with time within the glass. The aromatics remind me of strolling on sizzling pavement previous one among Portland’s finer ice cream retailers whereas they’re making contemporary waffle cones. There’s a inexperienced peppery observe that I can’t pin down, a bit like freshly sliced jalapeño peppers.
Palate: The palate is musky and fascinating with a fragile astringency. The alcohol is definitely excessive, and, compared to different whiskeys of their present lineup, this whiskey has a reasonable to light-bodied really feel that evaporates off the palate. Within the mouth, it presents up flavors of melted chocolate, musk fragrance, lemon zest, and rye crackers. The end is reasonable in size, with notes of candied walnuts, vanilla extract, and cooked blueberries.
