We're suckers for farm-to-glass bourbons because you feel like you can really trust the process when everything is done in-house. Sure, tons of folks are mashing, distilling, maturing and bottling their own product. But at Broadslab Distillery in Benson, NC they are also growing the grains on their farm. While the farm-to-bottle process isn't completely unique, it is somewhat rare these days. And what really sets this distillery apart from others is their flue-cured aging process. Their patent pending process means that they actually age their whiskey alongside hanging/curing tobacco, providing a unique process that carries over into distinct North Carolina flavors.
Owner and master distiller Jeremy Norris insists on doing things the old way, or as he refers to, the right way. The distillery cooks in a 500-pound copper pot still and the barrels are put aside until the whiskey has reached that familiar golden-brown color and rich aromas. And that is what brings us to the Broadslab Distillery Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon today. This small batch single barrel is an impressive 115+ proof and just gorgeous in the glass.
Tasted neat, as always, the bourbon showed up with raw leather, cedar, maple, tobacco and vanilla on the nose. Since this was a pop-and-pour taste initially, we decided to give this bourbon some air time in the glass before getting an accurate opinion of what it offered. There was a unique and pleasant earthiness to this bourbon. It was joined with spice cake, eucalyptus, cherry cola and vanilla throughout. The finish was lively and this was not overly sweet. Tasting a product like this confirms that we already knew; Not all great distilled spirits are born in Bardstown, KY!
This is a well-rounded bottle. We like the aromas, the tastes and the label. The fact that you can find a really nice product like this, it makes you wonder why people chase only allocated bottles. Small Batch. Single Barrel. Cask Strength. What else do you want?
ABV: 57.63% (115.26 proof)
Distillery: Broadslab Distillery
Suggested retail price: $68.95
Drink The Bottles score: 91/100
