Name: Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Color: Light Brown
Nose: Corn, oak, vanilla, white fruit
Taste: Corn/rye, toasted oak, vanilla/caramel, apple, and pepper
Iron Smoke Distillery is based in Fairport, NY which is in the upstate area of New York near Lake Ontario. It was established in 2011 by Tommy Burnett who wanted to create a whiskey with the flavor of apple smoke barbecue. I have never heard of such a flavor combination in a whiskey and I had my doubts, but I am always will to try something new.
Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged 2+ years in new American white oak that is triple charred and is then bottled at 40% abv. The mash bill is a four-grain combination that is sourced from farmers in the Finger Lakes region. The official mash bill is not released, but I found it more corn mash forward.
When I first opened the bottle my immediate reaction “this stuff is young, rough, and affordable baseline whiskey…”. I was also surprised at how hot it tasted for a 80 proof whiskey. As I sampled a bit more, I noticed there was something hidden on the backend. The more I sampled with water/ice the more I could detect the apple and wood smoke flavors. I was surprised how nice they tasted. I am not going to lie, I thought it was going to be a gimmick cocktail type whiskey but I was pleased to see that Iron Smoke was not making a gimmick whiskey. I will not say Iron Smoke Bourbon is a slow sipper, but on ice it works very well for me. I think with one or two more years in the barrel the whiskey would soften to a level that would be more enjoyable served neat.
Priced around $50 and worth the money if you like the profile and I am looking forward to trying more expressions.
If you like it, drink it! – Chris
If you like it, drink it!
Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.
