Beckenridge Port Cask Finish

Happy Whiskey Wednesday, friends!

After getting some exquisitely bad news from my dentist about the virulent gum infection I've had for years, I think it's high time to purge my mouth with the nectar of the gods. Coming up is a new taster to me and something I've been eyeing in the store for a bit, and finally decided to give a shot; Beckenridge Distillery's Bourbon / Port Cask finish.

Now, if you know me or have been reading these reviews, you'll know that I absolutely fucking LOVE Angel's Envy Port Cask, and I was eager to try a different distillery's attempt at one. Let me preface this by saying, yes, I have tried High West's Mid Winter's Night Dram (not the Yipee-Kai-Yay though) and we'll definitely get to that once it's more seasonally appropriate. The major difference between the Beckenridge Port finish and other port cask-finished whiskeys is the higher rye content bourbon mash bill. Coming in at 3 years minimum age, the bourbon just barely skirts the legal definition for a bourbon, but hey, that's fine by me, ol' Beckenridge has a lot to show for it.

Nose - Immediately picking up the high rye that jump straight out of the glass, I get heavy pepper and oak scents, that fade really interestingly into a cascading sweetness of caramel and vanilla, the classic bourbon compatriots. 

Palette - As your bring the glass closer to your mouth, you can almost sense the peppery, spicy elements of the rye flowing in via vapors, tickling the tongue with curiosity and mild anticipation, but this vanishes as surprisingly, the elements of the nose come through in reverse; A smooth, creamy, sweet caramel / vanilla bourbon classic slips in, with hints of dried dark fruit and sherry, all these flavors stay while the heat of the rye warms but doesn't burn, slowly numbing the tongue.

Finish - after the slight numbing from the rye spice, you are left with a sensation almost medicinally herbal, like that of a cherry throat lozenge that you left only on your tongue, with sweetness and spice lingering for a surprisingly long time.

this is quite a tame, unique experience of a bourbon that has a lot of layers and can be surmised to that of listening to a cool, unique concept album; Complete with a clear beginning, middle and end, with chorus, similar and often contrasting notes and chords, hell even the crescendo. This is a great sipper that, I fear, will be gone all to quickly at the rate things are going.