"This has got an interesting fruity nose, but a slightly disappointing young and sharp palate"
(Photo from Whiskybase)
Based on truly Texas ingredients, being yellow dent corn, soft red winter wheat and, obviously, special locally sourced water, the distillery also uses wild yeast strain that was found on a single Pecan nut in the vicinity of the distillery. A commercially interesting finding, since the Pecan tree is the Texas state tree, and therefore prominently used on their website. This proprietary yeast strain provides the spirit with “dried fruit, sweet spice, and floral notes that are unique from any other strain of yeast”, according to the distillery. Although that sounds interesting, we are happy to try that for ourselves, so here we go!
Nose
The nose starts with light caramel, raisins, dried cranberries, raisin cake and vanilla. It doe not have a lot of power, but it is reasonably well balanced and has a certain complexity. The nose develops into more sweetness (Fudge, sweets) and fruitiness (raspberry jelly, cranberry tea). Not bad at all I would say and it is slightly different from other bourbons, so I dig the impact of their own yeast. Even more fruits and a slightly acidity come up making it almost winey.
Taste
Like with many young craft bourbons, the actual tasting delivers often delivers a disappointing experience after a good nose. Very acidic, sharp taste that is very astringent on the tongue. A few fruits (raspberries and gooseberries), a distant hint of cookies, more like dough, and a lemon and lime backbone. Green apples, unripe pears, it does really feel very young. Reasonably after taste that brings the same with more acidity and sourness.
Overall
The nose brought on the front of my seat, but the palate threw me back in. Well not threw, sink, with disappointment. This just needs more maturation and power to do anything on the palate. Too soon release, in my opinion. But I will keep an eye on them for older releases
- Review 2019-060
- Bourbon
- Firestone & Robertson Distillery (undisclosed ratios of yellow dent corn, soft red winter wheat and 6-row malt)
- Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co.
- NAS
- Unknown bottling date
- New American oak barrels
- Natural colour
- Chill-filtered
- 45
- Undisclosed number of bottles
- ±50
- Difficult to find
- Whiskybase #92575
What others say
Big thanks to for sharing the sample!
Scores
• these are my personal views, so do not take them too seriously… nothing beats tasting these for yourself •
- Gooseberries
- Raspberry jelly
- Green apples