Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Doc Swinson’s Blenders Cut Straight Bourbon

We review Doc Swinson’s Blenders Cut Straight Bourbon, aged for five years in new American oak and used as the base blend for this brand's finishing process.

OVERALL RATING

6
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Doc Swinson’s Blenders Cut Straight Bourbon review

Tasting Notes

About:

Aged for five years in new American oak barrels, 57% ABV, mash bill: 1: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley and 2: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, SRP $60/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
This is a moderately deep amber in color.
Nose:
Aromatically, this had something to prove. There were hints of burnt cherries, banana candies, and vanilla crème brûlée. Fiery and feisty, this was closed down at first but opened up with time in the glass. The aromatics remind me of walking on hot pavement past one of Portland’s finer ice cream shops while they’re making fresh waffle cones. There’s a green peppery note that I can’t pin down, a bit like freshly sliced jalapeño peppers.
Palate:
The palate is musky and interesting with a delicate astringency. The alcohol is certainly high, and, in comparison to other whiskeys in their current lineup, this whiskey has a moderate to light-bodied feel that evaporates off the palate. In the mouth, it offers up flavors of melted chocolate, musk perfume, lemon zest, and rye crackers. The finish is moderate in length, with notes of candied walnuts, vanilla extract, and cooked blueberries.
Finish:
Comments:
Aside from the vanilla note on the finish, this whiskey just doesn’t scream bourbon at the top of its lungs like other MGP rye-heavy bourbons do for me. The aromatics take a while to come around, but are interesting when they make their fashionably late entrance. The muskiness intrigues me, but I’m not in love with the high ABV.rnrnI would consider this a must-buy or try if you’re a fan of Doc Swinson’s, otherwise, I get more out of the finished whiskeys than this unaltered release.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Suzanne Bayard

Suzanne Bayard struck out to the West Coast with her now husband almost a decade ago to explore the intersection of wine and policy in its world-class wine regions. She manages a Portland, OR bottle shop by day as the wine buyer and newsletter editor. She is also the Director of the Deep Roots Coalition, an organization of 30 Willamette Valley wineries that educate on and promote dry farming and sustainable practices. She joined the Whiskey Wash to explore two other passions: writing and whiskey.

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