Hill Rock - Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey
$110
Hill Rock – Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 92.6
Age: NAS (No Age Statement) – Solera Style Aging
Distillery: Hill Rock Estate
Type: Bourbon Whiskey (Finished)
Mash: Unknown (Undisclosed)
Website: Hill Rock
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Fruity, Raisins, & Carmel. There’s a slight burn on the nose when you take a deep whiff. Usually when I dig deep on the nostrils I can pick up a lot of different notes. This one keeps me from getting too deep into it.
Taste/Palate: I expected this to be alcohol heavy on the palate due to it being so upfront on the nose. That was not the case. It was smooth upfront and into the midpalate. You get more Dark Fruits I.E. raisins, tiny bit of Vanilla and Caramel. Mild on the spice and a hint of Floral notes.
Finish: This is where this dram comes alive for me. The palate was good, but the finish on this one is very good. You get all the previous notes blended together and it lingers for a while. There’s an addition of Oak and Leather that mixes in and is very pleasant.
Verdict: I started out with the nose and was not super impressed. The taste was good and I started to come around. By the finish and I was able to swirl this one around in my mouth a bit it opened up a lot more for me. Each sip seems to get a little better as well. For the $110 that I picked this up for I would buy again.
The Story: I have passed this bottle many times on the shelf. Later, I kick myself for not picking it up because I only occasionally see it at Binny’s in the Chicagoland area. After a couple of years and the bourbon prices continue to rise it’s easier to jump on this bottle when other bottles are starting to catch up in price-point. 4 years ago, I’d say it wasn’t “worth” it. Nothing to do with the taste, just what you get for $110. Now, I believe it is worth it from a value perspective.
The Distiller’s Story: The main story line for this particular bourbon is the aging technique that’s used – Solera. It’s very common for Cognacs, Ports, & Sherry’s, but not for Bourbons. Hill Rock was the first to use this technique for a Bourbon. There are a couple others trying it now including beer aging as well.
So what is Solera aging? Basically the premise is simple. Lets say you have 1 barrel of bourbon. You age it and empty it half way. You then fill it up and age it again. Empty half way, fill and age again. If you never empty the barrel you marry the old with the new juice. As this process continues the age continues to get older and older. I over simplified, but that’s the 101 version. Hill Rock does this method, but it’s more complex. They have a pyramid of barrels, and I’ve read they also incorporate different sized barrels too.
Word has it Hill Rock sources their bourbon. That’s fine, that’s become standard these days. Its what they do after words that gives it uniqueness and adds value. Normally I’d complain about a sourced bourbon being above $100 (Like Midwinter Night’s Dram – High West), but they do more than finishing the bourbon. They add layers, literally.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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