Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Ah the agave plant, truly a gift to the human race. Used for thousands of years, ancient civilizations have used the plant for food, to make ropes, clothing, weapons, fences, twine, paper, sweeteners, and of course, tequila. Tequila, made exclusively from the blue agave varietal of the plant, is a spirit with as much (or almost as much) variation in flavor as whiskey, with various expressions having a mix of floral, fruity, herbal, nutty, savory, spicy, or sweet notes.
While it is the regular Scotch, and increasingly bourbon, which is finished in a variety of ex-spirit barrels, such as rum, brandy, bourbon, port, sherry, etc… those finished in ex-tequila barrels are FEW and far between. Don’t believe me? Just type “tequila finished whisk(e)y” into Google and you get about 5 different entries. Do the same thing for sherry and you’ll break the internet.
Enter FEW Spirits’ latest release, the All Secrets Known Bourbon. Actually a re-release, the bourbon, made in collaboration with Alice In Chains, has been finished for six months in tequila barrels, resulting in a bourbon acquainted by grassy agave undertones. The inspiration for the spirit in the first 2019 release channeled this spirit of new horizons. “Alice In Chains is part of one of very few movements that can be legitimately credited with shape shifting an entire culture…” remarked Paul Hletko, master distiller at FEW. “Nobody sounds like Alice in Chains. We were inspired by their courage to create a sound that flouted convention.”
As a tequila fan, I was excited to try this expression, expecting extra vanilla, agave fruitiness, and citrus flavors to accompany the classic bourbon flavors of caramel and oak. On the nose, FEW Spirits All Secrets Known Bourbon delivers, with notable tequila aromatics taking as much space as the bourbon smells. Unfortunately, the palate is another matter. Here, the tequila nuance is mostly lost within a sea of oak and it was only on the finish that I was able to detect some lingering agave vanilla and sweetness.
Tasting Notes: FEW Spirits All Secrets Known Bourbon
Vital Stats: non age statement; finished for 6 months in ex-tequila barrels. 101 proof (50.5% ABV); $60/750ml.
Appearance: Mahogany and orange.
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Nose: Young agave, black pepper, and vanilla cream soda weave among each other. Some toasted oak plays toward the edges of the nose.
Palate: Honey and a flash of young agave quickly recede to anise and oak. This is followed by… more oak, interspersed with black pepper and the occasional vanilla highlight. The finish has a nice grassiness and touch of coriander.
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