Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Striped Pig Distillery. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
While it seems virtually impossible that I’ve encountered the first instance in which a musician has formed a synergistic partnership with a distiller – I’m sure there are a gazillion Pop, R&B, Rap, and Country music stars with their own vodkas, brandies, and whiskeys – I’ve never personally encountered one of these until I tried Homegrown Boone’s Bourbon.
Inclined to distrust what seems like a gimmick for a musician and a distillery to gain exposure, something seemed different about this particular partnership between Striped Pig Distillery and Tyler Boone, both based out of South Carolina.
The biggest difference is that I hadn’t heard of either of them, which I may attribute to the fact that I live on the other side of the continent.
In any case, Tyler Boone’s overall persona fits with the vibe of bourbon well in that he seems to have a style that blends southern rock, folk, and country, having opened for bigger acts such as Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Edwin McCain, according to his website.
Striped Pig doesn’t advertise itself much on the public face of the Boone’s Bourbon brand other than being listed as the distiller that made it in fine print. As for the bourbon itself, there’s not much to note about it, apart from knowing it was aged for an undisclosed amount of time in new charred American oak and the fact its mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% barley. It was also bottled at 117 proof.
Tasting notes: Homegrown Boone’s Bourbon
Vital stats: a mash bill of 71% corn, 21% rye, and 4% barley; no age statement, but it spent whatever amount of time it was aged in charred, American white oak barrels; 117 proof; around $36 per bottle.
Appearance: Both in the bottle and in a glass, Boone’s Bourbon is a standard amber hue with a touch of red giving it a bit of a coppery tint.
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Nose: The first sniff of the glass brings with it an unusual mix of both sweet and spicy – still on the sweeter side with vanilla and sweet corn forming the base, but with notes of smoky oak and cloves adding an edge to the bouquet. Although the spicy side ebbs a bit, those aromas stay fairly constant over time.
Palate: Entry to the mouth brings a strong flavor of caramel – buttery but somehow not very rich – with a faint note of green apples adding a hint of fruity tartness to the base. That sits for a moment before taking on a bit of a smoky character as a cinnamon flavor begins to build and build until it eclipses anything else.
Swallowing brings a potent, wince-inducing burst of that cinnamon flavor before easing into a smoky, earthy prune- and raisin-like sweetness that’s reminiscent of sherry. Although the cinnamon flares up a bit at times, that prune and raisin sweetness is the dominant flavor as the sip fades away. Adding a drop of water to my dram toned down the harshness while also wiping out the more unique, dried fruit flavors.
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