Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Bourbon

We review Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Bourbon, put forth by a distillery built by veterans known for being among the first on the ground in Afghanistan post-9/11.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Tasting Notes

About:

111 proof (55.5% ABV); Eight-year wheated with a mash bill of 70% corn (Yellow Dent 2), 20% wheat (soft red winter), 10% barley (two row, combination distillers malt and base two row); around $80 per 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
Dark maple, topaz.
Nose:
Boozy up front, brown sugar, with a hint of toasted oak.
Palate:
Rich, with a punchy baking spice to start, a bit of heat, finishing with subtle molasses flavors. The addition of a touch of water opens up the whiskey, giving it more depth, with dark fruit flavors emerging from the background.
Finish:
Comments:
I’ll admit to being skeptical upon first receiving this bottle. So many times, I’ve been disappointed by marketing-based products with pretty labels and such. I kept an open mind and opted to taste before getting into the background portion of this review.rnrnHorse Soldier bourbon gets a win! I liked this one a lot and could easily see it being featured in any manner of spirit-forward cocktails, especially an Old Fashioned. It has all of the favorite characteristics of a winter sipper. A higher proof, rich, with belly warming flavors and a lingering finish.

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.

Kenji Mizumori

Kenji Mizumori, a seasoned bartender at the Pope House Bourbon Lounge in Portland, Oregon, has been a devoted bourbon enthusiast for decades. He has a particular fondness for bold, high-proof whiskeys, favoring those that exceed 100 proof.

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