- Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Laws Whiskey House. 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 towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Four grain whiskeys can pose a certain level of difficulty, given the complexity of the mash bill being aged. Most traditional bourbons tend to be a three grain recipe consisting of corn, rye or wheat, and malted barley. Thus, adding an extra element to the mix can be a tad bit daunting. There’s a certain romance to keeping to the basics, though adding a fourth grain to the recipe, done right, can add an inexplicable depth to a whiskey.
This isn’t the first time that the people at Laws have done a four grain, giving them experience working with such recipes. However, this is a bottled-in-bond version, extending the necessities further, having to jump through the various hoops of being bonded by the government. Beforehand, Laws had released a three year version of this whiskey done at 95 proof, or 47.5% ABV, using the same mash bill: 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom rye, and 10% heirloom malted barley.
Based out of Colorado, the team at the Laws Whiskey House have dedicated themselves to a grain to glass philosophy as well as making use of the diverse local climates to aid in the aging of their products. Grains are sourced from local farms and are largely of heirloom varieties.
The unofficial motto at Laws Whiskey House is “no shortcuts.” Officially, it’s “Craft over commodity. Quality over quantity. Whiskey above all.” Amidst a burgeoning craft spirits scene in Colorado, founder Al Laws knows that whiskey done right takes time, creativity, and dedication. What makes Laws unique is his reinventing of whiskey tradition in order to create the best possible product, from his custom-made Vendome still to the difficult and painstaking production of four-grain whiskey as a flagship product.
Tasting Notes: Laws Four Grain Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond
Vital Stats: 100 proof, 50% ABV. Aged six years in government bonded warehouses. Mash bill is 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom rye, and 10% heirloom malted rye. Bottle price is around $72 per 750ml bottle.
Appearance: This one was easily a pale orange. However, I was surprised as to how quickly the many legs formed along the sides of the glass.
Nose: Bright and pretty hot. Aromatic notes were fairly simple, consisting of a blend of lemon and orange zest and ending with a touch of butterscotch in the background.
Palate: Here’s the basics on this one. Medium bodied, with about the same amount of finish. Big spice from the rye up front and burnt caramel towards the end. I was expecting more citrus, given the nose, but not the case this time around. On the palate in the middle, there was a big hit of oak, which was surprising as a six year bourbon. When I added a few drops of water, the citrus did show up to the party
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