Oak & Eden Finished Whiskey - Bourbon & Spire Toasted Oak
$49.99
Oak & Eden Finished Whiskey – Bourbon & Spire Toasted Oak
Collection: Toasted Oak Spire – Label Batch 0067 – Bottle No. 0447
Proof: 90
Age: NAH – 2+ Years
Distillery: Bottled by Sanctified Spirits. Distilled by MGP (Indiana)
Type: Bourbon Whiskey Finished
Mash: (Estimated) 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Barley
Website: Oak & Eden
*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: Heavy butterscotch upfront. Very sweet. Vanilla & Caramel are present. I don’t get much in regards to fruits. It’s not heavy on spices. A little Cinnamon. You also get a little Cracked Corn smell as well, but it’s slight.
Taste/Palate: Very mild and sweet. Buttery mouthfeel and taste. Slightly bready with more prominent notes of Caramel, Vanilla, and Candied Simple Sugar.
Finish: On the finish the sweet taste and Butterscotch fade out and you’re left with a tiny bit of heat and tingle on the inner cheeks and lips.
Verdict: As far as “Toasted” is concerned this is my favorite so far. Many I have tried have so much bread dough flavor that it’s off-putting. This one is a nice blend of sweet notes. If you’re looking for a dessert drink this is a very good pour, this would fit the bill. It’s not overly complex that you would get with many additional years in the barrel, but it’s a very solid young bourbon. The story for this bourbon is the spire that’s in the bottle. In theory this will continue to age as the juice sits in the bottle and interacts with the spire. I waited 3 weeks from my first taste to this review to see if I could see a significate difference. I did notice little difference. I’ll let this sit for an extended period and update this review for the future.
The Story: I’ve have seen advertisements for this brand, but never saw a bottle sitting on any shelves. I was passing through Indiana and they had this guy in the case for $49.99. I decided to jump on it. My first experience with this brand was at a friends house who is in a bourbon club and received a bottle of Cask Strength Oak and Eden Bourbon with a spire. I tried it and it was very solid and put it on my list for reviews. I wasn’t able to snag a cask strength, but if I remember correctly I might like the 90 proof version better. I’d love to put them side by side. In my opinion cask strength doesn’t do too much for younger bourbons in general. I like cask strength whiskeys but I prefer when they are a little more complex.
The Distillery’s Story: Oak and Eden’s entire lineup (Bourbon & Spire, 4 Grain & Spire, Wheat & Spire, Bourbon & Brew, Rye & Spire, Bourbon & Vine, Rye & Rumba, etc.) all have one thing in common. They have a “spire” of wood that’s placed in the bottle for additional aging. With this approach the bottle will still technically age while in transit, while sitting on the store shelf, and while sitting on your shelf in between tastes. Many companies do “finishing” of their bourbons; For example Angel’s Envy finishes in Port Barrels for their bourbon or Rum Barrels for their rye. I like the concept of bottle finishing and based on what I’m tasting the execution is solid. From what I’ve read they source their whiskey from MGP, which is very common these days, then they put their stamp on it and it’s unique!
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
