I lastly got my practical a bottle associated with Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Bourbon, plus let me inform you, the hype surrounding this high-proof pour is in fact justified. If you've been hanging about the whiskey globe for more than a few minutes lately, you've probably noticed that everyone is chasing after "the next huge thing. " Generally, that involves some over-hyped bottle along with a fancy tag that tastes such as any other mid-shelf juice. But every single once in a while, a craft distiller comes together and actually delivers some thing that makes you sit up a little straighter in your chair.
For me, this bottle had been one of those moments. Smokeye Hill isn't coming out of Kentucky or Tennessee, which usually makes the purists a little skeptical. It's a Colorado-born brand, and while "high-altitude aging" can sometimes sound such as a marketing gimmick, there's something happening in those barrels that's worth speaking about.
The very first Impression: It's Not Just a Pretty Label
When you first see Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Bourbon on the corner, it looks tough. It doesn't try out too hard with gold foil or velvet boxes. It's a clean look that says, "I'm here to end up being drank, to not sit on a trophy shelf. " But as soon as you pop the cork, you recognize this isn't your standard 90-proof mixer.
Being a barrel-proof expression, the particular ABV varies from batch to batch, but you're usually looking at some thing north of 120 proof. That's lots of heat. However, the nose doesn't simply slap you along with ethanol. Instead, it's this dense, wealthy wave of burned sugar, toasted maple, and a tip of dark cherry. It smells heavy—the type of scent that will lets you know the mouthfeel is going to be thick just before you even get a sip.
What's Actually in the Bottle?
In the event that you're a geek for the details, the mash bill is how things obtain interesting. Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Bourbon uses a high-rye recipe. Now, some high-rye bourbons can obtain a bit too "grassy" or healing if they aren't aged lengthy enough, but that's incorrect here. The rye brings the massive amount of spice—think black pepper and cinnamon—but it's wrapped in enough corn sweetness that it feels balanced.
The water source as well as the climate play an enormous role too. Mainly because it's aged within the Colorado mountains, the particular pressure changes as well as the dry air perform weird, wonderful things to the whiskey. It forces the liquid into the wood more aggressively when compared to the way it might in the humid Kentucky factory. The result is really a profile that tastes older than the actual age statement might suggest. You get those heavy tobacco and buckskin notes which you usually only find within bottles which have been seated in a rickhouse for a decade or more.
The Tasting Experience: No Water Required (Unless You Want It)
I'm a company believer that you should often try a barrel-proof whiskey neat first. You need to see what the distiller intended before you begin playing with the chemistry. When I got my first sip of Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Bourbon, the first thing I observed was the "Kentucky Hug"—except it has been more like a Colorado bear crawl. It's warm, for certain, but it isn't "sharp. "
The Palate
The front associated with the tongue gets hit with a huge dose of salted caramel and vanilla bean. It's sweet, but not cloying. As it moves to the middle of your palate, that high-rye spice begins to wake up. It's such as eating an item of dark chocolate-covered ginger. There's the bit of a good oily texture to it, which I like. I hate a thin bourbon, plus this one coats your mouth like syrup.
The Finish
This particular is where Smokeye Hill really wins points. Some high-proof whiskeys have the "flash" finish exactly where the flavor disappears as soon as you swallow, departing only the burn off. That one lingers. You get a lot of cooking spices—nutmeg, clove, and more of that toasted oak. It stays with you for a great minute or 2, fading into the nice, dry cacao note.
In the event that the heat is definitely a bit much for you personally, adding a tiny splash of distilled water opens it up wonderfully. It tames the spice and brings about more of the particular fruitiness—think grilled peaches or dried apricots. Honestly, it's the versatile pour depending on your disposition.
Why High Altitude Matters
You'll hear the folks at Smokeye Hill talk the lot about their location, and it's not just since the views are excellent. Whiskey aging will be basically a giant video game of breathing. The barrel "breathes" the particular liquid out and in of the wood staves as temperatures and pressures change.
In the high-altitude environment, the particular air is slimmer and drier. This particular causes water in the barrel in order to evaporate faster than the alcohol in several cases, which could really drive the proof up as time passes. This also means the wood interaction is intense. That's the reason why Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Bourbon offers such a dark, mahogany color. It's taking in everything that will charred oak provides to give.
How It Even compares to the Big Brands
Let's end up being real: if you're spending the money on a high quality barrel-proof bottle, you're probably comparing this to things such as Stagg, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, or even Rare Breed.
Does this beat them? That's subjective. But I'll say this: this holds its own. This has an unique character that differentiates it from the "nutty" profile of a Jim Beam product or the "cherry-heavy" profile of the Zoysia grass Trace product. It feels more artisanal. There's a specific grain-forward honesty in order to it that reminds you this came from a smaller operation that's really watching the barrels.
It doesn't feel mass-produced. There's a complexity generally there that makes it a great "slow" sipper. You don't just gulp this down while watching the game; a person sit with it plus try to pick out the different levels.
Could it be Well worth the Hunt?
Depending on in your area, finding a container of Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Bourbon could be a little bit of a problem. It hasn't reached every corner of the country however, and because it's a small-batch operation, they aren't moving out millions of cases.
When you see it, grab it. Especially if you're tired of the particular same four or five brands that everyone else is publishing on Instagram. It's an excellent conversation starter for the bottle talk about, mainly because most individuals haven't tried it yet, and their particular reaction if they taste that first 120+ proof sip is usually usually pretty golden.
Final Ideas for the Pour
All in all, whiskey is supposed to end up being fun. Sometimes we get too swept up in tasting notes and "investment" worth and we overlook to actually take pleasure in the drink. Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Bourbon is the fun whiskey. It's bold, it's intense, and it's unashamedly flavorful.
It represents a shift in the industry where build distillers aren't just looking to mimic Kentucky—they're wanting to make some thing that tastes such as the place this comes from. If you like your bourbon with a little bit of a punch and a great deal of personality, this is one you certainly have to add to your bar cart. Just make sure you've got no place to push afterward, because this mountain fruit juice definitely packs a punch.