Bourbon

Four Gate Whiskey Company Batch 2 "Outer Loop Orbit"

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RATING

Whiskey Review: Four Gate Whiskey Company Batch 2 “Outer Loop Orbit”

by Alex Caroll
February 12, 2020

Tasting Notes:

About:

Appearance:

Nose:

A wave of lemongrass, pine sol, citrus, botanical notes of gin, and a hint of vanilla.

Palate:

Sharp mouthfeel, orange rind, chocolate, and a brief hot finish.

Finish:

Comments:

I was expecting subtle influence from the Curacao-gin casks, but they absolutely dominated the spirit. I could barely pick up traditional bourbon notes, and if anything it reminded me more of classic cocktail or a Daiquiri. rnrnI applaud cask experimentation, and I like what Four Gate was going for here. It’s unique, it’s pleasant on the nose, but falls short for me as a reliable sipper. Or really as a bourbon altogether…It could serve as a nice, albeit pricey base to zest up an Old Fashioned, Boulevardier, etc.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Four Gate Whiskey Company. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.

Four Gate Whiskey Company prides themselves on exploration, and Batch 2 “Outer Loop Orbit” is no exception. The meat of Batch 2 is a blend of 5 1/2 year Kentucky straight bourbon and 12 year high rye Kentucky straight bourbon, nothing terribly unorthodox. Things get interesting in the finish, where they opted to finish this batch in Orange Curacao gin casks. Unique, esoteric, whatever you want to call it, this is an odd bird.

Orange Curacao is a distinct orange liquer – aged with Laraha Orange peels – and the barrels for this particular batch have also been used to finish a batch of gin. That is quite the journey for that wood, and I really couldn’t initially fathom how this would all come together in a glass.The team at Four Gate apparently wasn’t initially sure either, but the end result they felt was “out of this world” – hence they dedicated the batch name to the address of Kelvin Cooperage, who sourced the barrels, and the 1962 Mercury Mission.

Four Gate Whiskey Company Outer Loop Orbit (Batch 2) (image via Four Gate Whiskey Company)

Tasting Notes: Four Gate Whiskey Company Batch 2 “Outer Loop Orbit”

Vital Statistics: blend of 5.5 and 12 year Kentucky straight bourbons (5.5 yr mash bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley, 12 yr: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley); 120.3 proof; non-chill filtered; MSRP: $199

Color: copper orange

Nose: A wave of lemongrass, pine sol, citrus, botanical notes of gin, and a hint of vanilla.

Palate: Sharp mouthfeel, orange rind, chocolate, and a brief hot finish.

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