Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by MGP. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
Eight and Sand is a technical term in trains and railroads. Eighth is the fastest setting on a train’s throttle, and they used to use sand on the wheels of the locomotive to prevent slipping. To say “Eight and Sand” signifies smooth travels.
As we mentioned back in February, Lawrenceburg, Indiana-based Midwestern Grain Products (otherwise known as MGP) has come out with another whiskey under their own label. No longer content with remaining in the shadows, they’ve emerged with two other brands, George Remus and Rossville Union.
Eight & Sand is among MGP’s latest. And it’s still a little mysterious.
They released a press statement when it came out with little information about the product used in the whiskey, just that it is “a blend of bourbon and whiskies married together to create a smooth and satisfying experience in every sip.” The label states there are no additives, colors, or flavors used, and the materials along with the sample describes Eight & Sand as “a combination of several bourbon and whiskies aged over four years.”
Although their website lists cocktail recipes, which is always a red flag for me, a portion of proceeds from each sale go toward supporting railroad museums and train station historic preservation and restoration projects. So that’s cool.
Tasting Notes: Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey
Vital stats: A blend of bourbon and whiskey aged over 4 years; 88 proof; about $30.
Appearance: Reddish gold, like the sun streaming in during a fiery summer sunset during which you have to do a double-take to ensure it’s not your walls that are on fire.
Trending Stories
Nose: Nilla wafers, and manila paper. Also, this has got a strong strawberry scent: both strawberry Quik and regular strawberries. But the kind of strawberries that are a little white in the middle. Or like strawberry-scented air freshener.
Palate: This…isn’t terrible. But it’s not great, either. It’s pretty generic. It doesn’t have a good, desserty quality of a nice whiskey. It definitely tastes like you’re drinking alcohol. It tastes high-proof, when it isn’t.
Latest News