I get excited when I review bourbons of family-owned craft distilleries producing their own distillate. That was the case with Union Horse Distilling Co.'s Reserve Straight Bourbon.
Union Horse Distilling Co. Reserve Straight Bourbon is a corn and rye sour mash recipe barreled at 110 proof and aged for over five years in new Missouri oak barrels. I was first exposed to this company's single-barrel bourbon at a local liquor store in metropolitan Atlanta, where I live. It was an excellent first-tasting experience for a bourbon at that price point. However, that bourbon was cask strength, and this is 92 proof. Let's see how this reserve straight bourbon performs in this Union Horse Distilling Co. Reserve Straight Bourbon review.
Nose
There was a wonderful caramel and vanilla aroma when I opened Union Horse Distilling Co. Reserve Straight Bourbon. Once that initial burst of smell dispersed, there was coffee, candy corn, and slightly youthful oak with a mild fruitiness. Vanilla and mild ethanol too. Corn.
Palate
Mint and spice forward. Both heavy. The palate definitely leans toward the dry end of the spectrum. You will not find a lot of sweetness in this 5+ year bourbon aged in new Missouri oak barrels. However, towards the mid-palate and beyond, a malted mint chocolate and mocha flavor is not sweet. Initially, Union Horse Distilling Co. Reserve Straight Bourbon drinks above its 92-proof but settles down after a couple of sips.
Finish
The finish is pleasantly warm and radiating. Union Horse Distilling Co. Reserve Straight Bourbon is even drier than the palate. Light minty mocha that moves toward the leather and tobacco end of the spectrum, but the dry mint is what stays with you.