I snagged a local offering on recommendation while heading home from the West coast. This bottle of Sonoma County Distilling Co. West of Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey was bottled in the fall of 2017 (#1362 of 320 cases). It has a cherry, fruitcake nose that mellows to a citrusy, floral honey tone. Because this is their take on classic Kentucky bourbon (and aged in new, charred American oak), I braced for more bite but am pleasantly surprised by the more-comforting warmth. The flavour reminds me of dense rum cake that has been soaked in booze: spices, orange zest, oak with a spiked syrup kick. With time, smoke deepens my sips like a jazz saxophone playing a solo in an underground bar. This whiskey coats my mouth but has a light mouthfeel. The finish is quite short, save for a slight allspice tongue tingle. I wish it stuck around longer as it's a pleasant drink. 7.5/10
Sonoma County Distilling Co. West of Kentucky Bourbon No. 1
About this bottle
Sonoma County Distilling prides itself in its "grain to glass" practices, with all production from fermenting to aging, bottling and labeling handled in house. West of Kentucky No. 1 is the first in the distillery's planned annual bourbon releases, made from a mash of yellow corn, unmalted rye and cherry-smoked barley twice distilled on direct flame in copper-pot stills. The bourbon is aged in small virgin casks for a year and change, then given an additional finish in full-sized, used whiskey barrels.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 9 parsed reviews.
For me almost unconsumable straight, two star bc I could make it a mixer. They're a funky finish I'm still unable to ID... Let's leave the bouron making to the easterners. If you like this, and many people have said so, please share your insights w/me! #wanttolikeit
Very sweet nose (very cherry, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves) gets a little smokey (cedar, almost pipe tobacco like) after the first sip. Rich smokey taste with cherry and warm vanilla and cherry notes. Hot and peppery finish.
The low ABV really hurts this bourbon, as it lacks depth or length. Despite that, it's pleasant, with notes of chatted oak, cherry and vanilla.
I wanted to like this whiskey, but it is average at best and you can get much better value for money with something like Eagle a Rare 10.
A bit too much oak flavor. Not as smooth as I like. Would not buy again
3 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
