Ironroot Harbinger XC (90 Proof)

Rating: 13/23 This particular bottle has been aged for 32 months. N: Immediately, I get that Texas bourbon sawdust like Garrison Brothers has. It doesn't smell über full, but it does have a nice mild sweetness to it. P: Yep, that sawdust hits with a hint of milk chocolate like hot cocoa, mild baking spices, and some corn sweetness that's kind of like light caramel corn. Although the palate is a not super full, those flavors give it a moderate complexity with a nice balance. There is a light areas where some alcohol comes out though and it has a bit of a bite to it. There's also some more bitterness than Garrison Brothers Small Batch has, unfortunately reminding me a bit more of Kings County at times. F: That sawdust remains. Unfortunately, the strongest remnants of the rest of the profile are the bitter alcohol and bite. - Conclusion - Ironroot has a lot of potential and I really enjoyed the core flavors of this offering, which are quite similar to those of Garrison Brothers Small Batch (13/23). I think that the Garrison Brothers is probably a hair better, so I'm giving this the win. At less than 3 years old, this has a lot going for it and is solid competition for Garrison Brothers Small Batch at less than half of the price. I was considering a 14 to 16 for this, but seeing as I gave the Garrison Brothers Small Batch a 14, I think that this needs to be capped at a 14. I know that earlier bottles of this were released at just 2 years old and I suspect it is still pretty easy to get a younger bottle that may not be as good, so I wouldn't be shocked to go below a 14 on a subsequent tasting from a different bottle.

Tried this at the distiller and bought a bottle for a great price. Ripe stonefruit and berries on the nose. Cherry, vanilla, and some spice/pepper on the taste. Long finish with some wood and cinnamon. It’s a great tasting whiskey for the age and the lower proof. I look forward to trying it in an old fashioned or whiskey sour. Their higher proof bourbons are more complex, but this is still a solid whiskey. I’ll probably pay a bit more for the Promethean and Harbinger next time.

Having loved the the Harbinger 115 proof, I decided to give this one a shot last night. Beautiful pear on the nose with a big of cinnamon oatmeal and vanilla. Down at 90 proof it loses a bit of the spice that the bigger brother has but rather than the molasses I get more of a fig fruit and red fruits. While I prefer the 115 proof, this is a really enjoyable drink - I am blown away with the flavor of this whiskey for it being only 2 years old - only in Texas.

Nose is pure halloween candy corn which is somewhat fun. This is the bright spot though. Palate is showcasing a lot of youth and a baby spit type of thing that is very distracting from the rest of the flavor which brings forward maple, pear and cinnamon. Finish is abrupt but showcases a little sweetness and some more cinnamon sticks flavor. It just isn't my cup of tea.

Nose: acetone sweetness, corn, dark fruit. Taste: strong dusty corn flavor and fumes up the sinus. A little bit of cinnamon spice. Oak tannin dryness. Brown sugar or molasses finish. Subsequent tastes you only taste oak. The sweetness has almost disappeared. So followup sips are less satisfying.

Pears and cherries with a smooth aftertaste. 20A Edition, ages for 32 months