Iron Fish Distillery - Bourbon Whiskey - Finished in Maple Syrup Barrel
$45
Iron Fish – Bourbon Whiskey – Finished in Maple Syrup Barrels
Collection: Maple Syrup Finished (Farm Blended)
Proof: 86
Age: NAS
Distillery: Iron Fish Distillery
Type: Finished Bourbon (Maple)
Mash: Sourced from a Unknown Location. Per the Website the Mash contains Corn, Rye, and Barley.
Website: Iron Fish Distillery
(MI Maple Head to Head results at the end of article)
*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: I’ll just get this one out of the way early… Maple. I hope you were sitting down there. Ok ok, jokes aside. In addition to the obvious Maple the grains are one of the first things that I pick up. It’s a very subtle earthy grain spice that I get at the beginning of the nose. This is similar to my Iron Fish – Mad Angler review minus the Maple. There are other clear sweet notes that remind me of a Werther’s Original (Buttery Caramel) on the tail end of the nose followed by a little Anise.
Taste/Palate: It will come as no surprise that this bourbon falls on the sweeter end of the bourbon spectrum. Medium/Thick on the Palate. You get clear Maple throughout combined with the same sweet notes from the nose. There’s a little Rye Spice at the end that adds balance.
Finish: Very calm and with a smooth Maple and Sweet finish. I do not get spice on the finish like I get on the nose or Palate. There is very minimal alcohol burn.
Verdict: This is a very well balanced finished Bourbon. The youth of the Bourbon is offset nicely by the maple cask finish. I was worried that this would be a Maple Sugar Bomb. Yes, it’s sweet, but it’s not too sweet. If you are purchasing a Maple Finished Bourbon expect sweet. I really enjoyed this Bourbon. I’ll have to be in the mood for something sweet though.
The Story: My first shot at trying Iron Fish was a few weeks ago with their Mad Angler release. That release was more focused on Farm to grain and what MI has to offer regarding a whiskey product. This time I wanted to try one of their finished versions. I have heard good things about the Maple aged (specifically cask strength that I can’t find currently), but this proofed down version should give me a good barometer. As stated before in my previous review the Mezcal aged Whiskey has caught my eye. I feel that the smokiness from the Mezcal will compliment nicely with these younger juices. Look for that review in the future, however it might be more in the distant future given I’ve done 2 Iron Fish reviews in a short period of time.
The Distillery’s Story: Check out the link above for my Mad Angler review. There’s a more extended version of the Distillery Story Summation. In short, Iron Fish is a newer distillery doing fun and interesting things with sourced whiskeys. Mezcal, Tawny Port, Four Cask, Caribbean finishes, and more. They are slowly converting to a Farm to bottle distillery that grows their own grain, distill their own spirits, and age. We are now starting to see their juice introduced and blended with sourced product. In the future they will be able to bottle their own product from Grain to bottle. In the meantime they are doing very very well with what they’re working with. Two Thumbs up for this Distillery and I see bright things in the future.
Head to Head Results against Iron Fish Maple Finished Bourbon:
I wish I could call a clear winner, but instead I have to call it a win by split decision. I’ll break down below.
– Best Sipper: I’d have to give this one to Iron Fish. It was thinner and less sweet. You can get the maple in the taste but it feels less syrupy.
– More Complex: This one goes to Eastern Kille. The rye mixed with the maple gave it more complex flavors. Both have a young feel to them, but the rye vs the bourbon seems like the best mix. Just wish it was thinner.
– Better in a cocktail: By an Inch, Eastern Kille. I tried both in an Old Fashioned and Eastern Kille was better. When I imparted some Hickory Smoke to give each cocktail some complexity they were a tie.
– Most Balanced: I give this one to Iron Fish. Iron Fish was simple, but very well balanced. The maple is an accent vs a dominant.
– Overall Winner: Once again by an Inch.. Iron Fish. Iron fish seemed better blended and imparted the Maple slightly better. Eastern Kille is Maple/Honey dominant and true to it’s name is a Breakfast Rye. Mix it with some OJ and it’s surprisingly good. I’d like to try Eastern Kille with slightly less time in the Maple Barrel or at higher proof. Iron Fish has a barrel proof version of the Maple finish and it’s on my list to try.
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.
Nose, Palate, and Finish I rank regardless of cost. Value (recent addition) is ranked based on taste vs price.
Reviewer: David S
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