Smoke Wagon Small Batch Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Distillery: MGP
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Age: NAS
Proof: 100

On the nose – it’s like walkin’ into a frontier saloon right after the cook’s been torchin’ crème brûlée. Creamy caramel and vanilla ride in first, nice and easy, with oak tappin’ along behind. Then comes a little peppery dust, like a windstorm blowin’ through Dodge, and just a nip of ethanol, the kind that reminds ya not to get too cozy too quick. Sweet, a little fiery, and simple enough even a greenhorn could tip his hat to it.

On the palate – whoa there. Starts gentle, caramel cream and dry oak, makin’ ya think it’s gonna be a polite sip. Then suddenly the rye spice busts through the swinging doors like an outlaw lookin’ for trouble. Green peppercorn, aged oak, and a slap of vanilla jump into the brawl. The sweeter notes try to break it up, keepin’ things from turnin’ into a full-on barroom melee. Bold stuff – just enough rowdy to keep it excitin’, but not so wild you’re pickin’ teeth off the sawdust floor.

The finish – well, that’s where the duel gets settled. Dry oak and leather step up first, but the rye spice pulls a fast draw and hangs around long after the smoke clears. Vanilla and caramel poke their heads out now and then like gamblers peekin’ ‘round the corner, but the woody-spice combo owns the street ‘til it finally rides off into the sunset.

All told, Smoke Wagon Small Batch is the kind of whiskey that plays rough but knows when to tip its hat. If you’re a lover of spice, this bottle’s your trusty six-shooter. If you’re not, well… best mosey on down to somethin’ softer.