Being easily one of our favorite Colorado Distilleries, we have another review from Laws today; their Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon Barrel #384, from Argonaut Wine and Liquor. The mash bill on this barrel is 60% corn, 20% wheat, 10% rye, and 10% Malted Barley, and it is distilled twice in a 550 gallon copper pot/column still before being aged more than 3 years in a new 52.8 gallon white oak barrel and bottled at 116 proof.
Color: This bourbon pours a deep caramel, golden color. Lots of color from the oak barrels.
Nose: Sweet corn notes are immediately noticeable, and some baking spices come through. There are some sweet fruit notes, a bit of pear. The nose is extremely inviting.
Palate: Sweet fruit and baking spices start off the sip, moving into some citrus and tangerine notes on the mid palate. The back end of the sip is full of sweet, cinnamon sugar flavors and honey, that lingers for a very long time. The entire sip is ridiculously smooth, there is no sign of the 58% ABV.
As always we added a little bit of water:
Nose with water: the sweet corn flavors are still there, and the spices all come through as well, however there isn’t anything that really opened up.
Palate with water: Still a very sweet palate, and the mid palate gains a little bit more citrus, and some black tea flavors come through. The finish is a lot shorter with the water, but still has some cinnamon and honey flavors. The sip is a little less exciting, a little more toned down with the water.
Most bourbons, especially the cask strength ones, open up with a couple drops of water. This particular barrel seems to defy that, actually being more enjoyable before the water was added.
Ratings:
A: 90/100 (88 with water)
Z: 94/100 (88 with water)
O: 92/100 (88 with water)
If you pick up this bottle, and we highly recommend that you do, make sure to try it straight, no ice or water at first. It is well worth the flavors that come through, and it is ridiculously smooth.
