Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a free sample to review by the party behind it. The Whiskey Wash, while appreciative of this, did keep full independent editorial control over this article.
The Bull Run watershed is the primary water source for Portland, Oregon, and it has been said of this precious water resource that “it is one of the best tasting natural watersheds in America, if not the world.” The Bull Run distillery, while not as old as the Bull Run, was founded in 2010 by Lee Medoff, and Patrick Bernards. They are using the water from Bull Run to add a great mouth feel to their line up.
Bull Run Distilling, while waiting patiently for their own in barrel whiskey to come of age, has been sustaining itself via the fairly popular Temperance Trader Bourbon. This high rye mash bill (65% corn, 25% rye, 10% barley) bourbon, aged four plus years before bottling, was sourced in Indiana before being cut with Bull Run water to 84 to 89 proof. As you can see from the video below, they make a big deal about the use of the water in their spirits:
As for the bourbon, here’s what the distillery has to say about it:
Behold — a devilish delight — born in Bourbon Country, but exclusively finished at Bull Run Distillery. Temperance Trader Bourbon is cut with the pure, raw water from the Bull Run Watershed. Perfect for sharing with friends and fellow aficionados. Imbibe, but please, temper thyself.
The Taste: Opening with soft, warm, vanilla notes, expanding to a spicy mid-palate with a finish that’s all silk and honey.
Serving notes: Sip it straight or pour it up – the perfect fireplace companion.
Pairing: Ginger, Cherry, Citrus and Clove.
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As for what I actually thought of it, here are my tasting notes;
Color: golden Amber
Nose: Cinnamon, rye, all spice with cloves
Palate: spice, honey, oak at the end, clove and caramel- velvet mouth feel
Finish: oak, rye and spices nicely balanced, on the shorter end- not a long finish
Overall this is a great representation of the craft distillery movement in Oregon, the finest ingredients, hand craftsmanship and a great bourbon to enjoy here in the Pacific Northwest. I give the Bull Run Temperance Trader Bourbon a score of 88.
As for pricing and availability, you can find it at most Oregon liquor stores for around $35, as well as through a number of online retailers which may ship to where you live. You may also want to find a box of Moonstruck Chocolate’s Bull Run Distillery Temperance Bourbon Whiskey Truffle to sample as well.
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