Freeland Spirits Bourbon

I finally got to taste this tonight while all my bourbon buddies were opening crazy things like Heaven's Door and Rock Hill Farm and Parkers 8. But no, I had to try this sample from one of my reps. I was a bit surprised as to the ABV on this. 46%, Batch 002, bottle 550. Ok, that's the technical stuff. The nose was pleasant with colorful and lightly toasted semi-melted caramel. The palate was much more intense than anticipated. I got blasted with something reminiscent of non-alcoholic fake dark cherry consomé with medium cinnamon spice. The feeling in my mouth was overwhelming, but not in a good way. Because of the moderately low ABV, this Bourbon felt way unbalanced. Everyone's a critic and maybe I've trained my palate to coincide with much bigger bourbon houses in the midwest, but I still think if this Bourbon would have been closer to 99 proof, it would have been much more pleasurable to drink. All I got was flavor without much on heat. Too bad, but I hope Freeland creates a barrel proof in the future. I will certainly look forward to it. Cheers!

I got Batch N.7. Nose is of lemongrass and very spicy. It carries a grassy taste along with caramel, walnuts and some baking spices to finish. For 46% it's really quite spicy, quite harsh. This is one for the rocks or needs to sit in the glass for a while. It's pretty similar to a rittenhouse, but a bit more caramelly and nutty. I would wait a few years for Freeland to get a bit better at the bourbon for the price, for now stick with the gins.

Rating: 12/23 This is moderately full with some nuttiness and a bit of fruit. Some kind of caramel sweetness that borders on artificial. The overall profile is on the muddled side. It's fine, but not very complex or edgy. It's pretty bland. I'm looking at an 11 to 13. I'll give it a 12.

Nose is not terribly interesting, but the taste is better. Not as much fruit/wine as i was expecting, but it is smooth and sweet without getting heavy or cloying. With a splash of water, more fruit notes come out. Its very soft, tastes like its wheated. Batch 19

Super dark aroma, spice and chocolate. Flavor is the same, smooth and complex. Love finding a bourbon with chocolate notes this strong. Richness compliments the flavors well, fantastic bourbon.

Brown sugar prominent on the nose. Some molasses too. Lots of flavor! Sugar, baking spices, and the finish really lingers. Best PNW bourbon I’ve had.