Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger
Straight Bourbon Whiskey
57.99% ABV
Nevada H&C Distilling
Distilled in Indiana
Price: $46.99 at TW&M
Review
Please enjoy my Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger Review!
Uncut The Younger – What’s that?
Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger is the latest bourbon from Nevada H&C Distilling. What’s new and exiting about The Younger is that it is meant to be an available and affordable high proof daily drinker. The composite bourbons are distilled by MGP, similar to the other Smoke Wagon releases. However, for The Younger, predominantly 4-5 year old bourbons are used. Furthermore, the mash bill is comprised of 36% rye and an undisclosed amount of other grains. We can guess that this is MGP’s 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% malted barley mash bill, but, it could be different.
What’s in a name?
Well, that’s a very good question. Although the name Uncut the Younger conjures up thoughts of Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered (or for the beer geeks out there, Pliny The Younger), the similarity ends there. According to co-founder Aaron Chepenik, Uncut The Younger is meant to be quite different from Uncut Unfiltered. For example, Uncut Unfiltered is meant to be a premium high proof bourbon; the high octane big brother of Smoke Wagon’s Small Batch Bourbon, if you will. However, The Younger is from a different family tree.
Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger is in fact the barrel strength sibling of Smoke Wagon’s affordable and available Straight Bourbon. Consequently, to aid in brand recognition, The Younger comes in the same basic wine bottle as the Straight Bourbon, albeit with amber colored glass. Also, each batch of Uncut unfiltered is meant to be unique and different. Conversely, The Younger (and the Straight Bourbon) have a similar flavor profile every time.
Tasting Notes – Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger Bourbon
Let’s taste it:
Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn
Nose: Dried apricot, pear, cedar, honey, cherry candy; subtle cinnamon; noticeable alcoholTaste: Cinnamon red hots, simple syrup and light honey sweetness, oak and rye spices; noticeable heat; syrupy mouthfeel; cherry candy in the back and light pear lingersFinish: Cinnamon red hots continue to grow and are joined by black pepper spiciness; oak and simple syrup, cherry candy and honey sweetness linger into the long finish. There’s a decent burn with a warm “Nevada hug”.
A Complex Bourbon
This is a fairly complex, relatively hot, spicy, viscous bourbon. But I don’t mean that in a bad way at all; this is one meant for those used to high proof and strong flavors. While the alcohol makes itself known right from the start, the other flavors change over the course of the sip. The nose starts out with some fruit, but fairly rapidly the spiciness of this bourbon dominates. Cinnamon red hots are the flavor of the day, but they are complimented by some simple syrup and honey sweetness, as well as candy and fruit. Interestingly, Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger changed fairly rapidly after being open for just a few days, although I have found that with other high proof bourbons as well. The flavors better melded together, the spice mellowed a bit, and the fruit became more noticeable.
Conclusion
I am really enjoying this bourbon. While the heat and alcohol are there right from the start, there are sweeter candy and fruit flavors as well. I compared this to an Uncut Unfiltered that I happened to have, and the flavors were similar, but stronger in the Younger. The heat is also greater. It only follows that this is definitely a bourbon meant for the seasoned bourbon drinker; they will be able to best appreciate the complex flavors. For those not accustomed to high proof, this is not the one for you – yet; but it is a treat awaiting you in the future. Like many high proof younger bourbons, this one benefited from being allowed to open up a bit, and I suspect it will continue to develop.
I hope you have enjoyed my Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger Review! Would you like to read about another Barrel Strength MGP Sourced bourbon of a similar age? Check out my Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon Review!
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