Bourbon

Whiskey Row Bottled-In-Bond Review

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Whiskey Row Bottled-In-Bond Review

Charles Steele samples the brand new Whiskey Row Bottled-in-Bond expression, aged for a minimum of four years in new, charred American oak.

by Charles Steele
April 22, 2025

Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.

Tasting Notes:

About:

This is one of the debut releases from Avalon Spirits’ premium bourbon line. Created at Kentucky Artisan Distillery and conceived by the late Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee Steve Thompson, Whiskey Row Bourbon draws inspiration from Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row. This Bottled-in-Bond expression was aged four a minimum of four years in new, charred American oak barrels after being distilled from a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley.

Appearance:

Copper

Nose:

We open with a touch of alcohol before giving away to fruits like pineapple and apricot. Notes of lemon grass, mint, and kombucha are present as well. Something tangy is present as well like pine needles or sap. Very little barrel oak.

Palate:

Cocoa powder, almonds, seared wood, wheat grains and corn. There is a touch of acidity overlaying the notes akin to Irish whiskey.

It is a well meaning flavor profile approaching reasonable depth of flavor. It can sit on the tongue for a beat before the proof begins to overtake the senses.

Finish:

Pine nuts on the back end, there is dark candied cherries, bakers dark chocolate. I found a smooth transition off the tongue, down the throat, and disappearing. Not a tremendous hold but it gets the job done.

Comments:

I found this glass to be a delightful journey through some more dense flavors than I anticipated. It’s a nice dram but I’m also a sucker for bottled-in-bond expressions.

Proofing a whiskey just right is a critical component of a successful expression. To high and it’s basically jet fuel for the average consumer, to low and it feels like we’re drinking oak water. There is real artistry and chemistry involved when proofing a whiskey. Which may be why I like bottled-in-bond expressions. I think 50% ABV is a great point for a causal drinker. Here, it worked well. There was plenty to enjoy and certainly some things that I missed. You can add a little water or an ice cube and find still other notes, which makes for a good whiskey experience.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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