Review: Left Bank Bourbon and Single Cask Bourbon
Left Bank Distilled Spirits has a distinctive process for making their whiskey. They begin with two-year-old sourced bourbon made from a balanced mashbill including roughly 69-72% corn, 18-21% rye, and 5-10% malted barley. Then, finishing staves are added to the barrels. These consist of 34 pieces of oak: 1/3 heavily charred American oak, 1/3 heavily toasted American oak, and 1/3 French oak. The barrels are then loaded onto cargo ships and sent down the Ohio River to New Orleans. Here is how the good folks at Left Bank describe the experience:
This journey, which now takes 18 days, is part of the “barrel torture” known as craft aging. As the alcohol is rocked by the rhythm and movement of the river, the aging process begins, and a unique flavor profile is produced by the motion, textures, temperatures, and other elements along the journey.
Let’s pour a glass and see what that extra time on the Ohio River did to the flavor of these two whiskeys, both straight bourbons.
Left Bank Straight Bourbon – I was a bit suspicious of the impact that some additional wooden staves and a mere 18 days on the water would impart to young whiskey, but this doesn’t taste like most two- or three-year-old bourbons. It comes across as older and better balanced. The whiskey starts with enjoyable aromas of sweet corn, candy corn, and butter, and it smells a bit boozy. The palate is quite different, where it presents almost like a rye whiskey, with lots of cinnamon and rye spice along with black pepper, followed by caramel and oak. The alcohol that seems heavy on the nose suits the rye-like palate nicely, and the various flavors come together really well. Soon enough I found that I had unexpectedly finished my sample. Which is to say: This is a dangerously drinkable whiskey that will appeal to fans of high-rye bourbons. 105 proof. Reviewed: Release 3, Batch 1. B+ / $50
Left Bank Single Cask Full Proof Bourbon – This single barrel bourbon is four years old and bottled at “full proof.” The extra age and abv leads to a much more intense whiskey. The nose opens with deep, complex notes of caramel, butterscotch, butter, burnt sugar, vanilla, dates, and angel food cake. It really is a lot to take in and warrants some time to appreciate. Yet somehow, the alcohol is almost completely hidden on the nose. That’s quite a trick at this proof, but it comes roaring back on the palate. Along with the big alcohol bite, the bourbon brings on big, rich notes of vanilla, lots of fresh cracked black pepper, caramel, butter, and butterscotch. Some water calms things down and opens things up, and this whiskey can take quite a bit without losing flavor. There’s also a nice, oily mouthfeel here, and the finish is long as notes of butterscotch and butter linger. This is a full throttle whiskey that deserves attention from those who seek out high-proof bourbon. I’m a fan. 119 proof. Reviewed: Release 3, Barrel 3. A- / $64
Left Bank Single Cask Full Proof Bourbon
$64
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