Doc Swinson’s got here out of nowhere a number of years in the past, and since then the model (utilizing all sourced inventory) has completely exploded. What started as a handful of sourced whiskeys is now a bazillion totally different bottlings, filed into numerous sequence.
We lately obtained a care package deal of 5 of those expressions, so let’s get proper to it.
Doc Swinson’s Session Mix Bourbon 5 Years Previous – A mix of two 5 yr outdated MGP bourbons: one 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley, the opposite 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley. Aged in white oak char #4 barrels with char #2 heads. A surprisingly oaky assault begins issues off on the nostril, then plenty of rosemary and mint atop a layer of peanut shells and charred mesquite. Extra peanut and popcorn notes dominate the palate, which turns into more and more malty because it develops, finally showcasing baked apples and a few graham cracker notes. Calmly peppery — extra white pepper than black — afterward, the end is somewhat savory, with overtones of the lumberyard and easy peanut butter. “Session” is the right descriptor for this in any other case innocent product. 90 proof. Reviewed: Launch #23~0001. B / $35
Doc Swinson’s Blenders Lower Bourbon – Principally a higher-proof model of the Session Mix, with the identical two MGP bourbons, aged 5 years (although there’s no element on the casks as there’s with the Session Mix) after which completed in “three kinds of fortified wine and spirits casks.” The additional abv and ending assist, offsetting that preliminary woodiness, although the inexperienced natural notes linger — rosemary and sage dominant. Brighter and sweeter on the palate, there’s fruit right here that’s backed up by plenty of contemporary floor pepper, a pinch of turned earth, and a slight component of anise. Daring however balanced, the savory qualities on the end complement the fruitier assault somewhat than detract from it. Earlier than I knew it, my pattern was gone. 115 proof. Reviewed: Launch #22~0001. A- / $48
Doc Swinson’s Exploratory Cask Bourbon French Toasted – The identical two bourbons within the Session Mix above, each a minimal of 5 years outdated, individually completed in new, toasted French oak casks for five.5 months and 9.5 months, respectively, then blended and proofed. It’s superb how a lot the end offers right here, making for a way more engaging spin on the Session Mix. Vanilla cream aromas are backed up by gingerbread, darkish purple fruit, and a few milk chocolate parts. The longer it spends in glass, the extra the whiskey’s baking spice high quality reveals itself. The palate showcases all the above, layered with ever-sweeter notes of glazed almonds, coconut, and dried fruits — nearly raisiny. Prolonged and sultry on the end, this drinks like a much more mature and expressive whiskey than any 5 yr outdated MGP I’ve ever had. I used to be unhappy to see the pattern go. 110.8 proof. Reviewed: Launch #23~0001. A / $67
Doc Swinson’s Exploratory Cask Bourbon Garryana – Similar two bourbons as above aged 5 years, 10 months outdated, blended, then aged in a 350 liter Garryana oak cask (Garryana oak hails from the Pacific Northwest) for two.5 months. Garryana oak is a divisive wooden, and tasting this whiskey could be useful in explaining why. Toasty — even smoky on the nostril — the whiskey has a dense nuttiness and earthiness that smolders within the glass, obscuring just about all the pieces else. Happily some sweetness manages to push previous this preliminary rush of moodiness, and the palate brightens up, mixing umami notes with outstanding baked apples, sesame cookies, and gingersnaps. A little bit clove-heavy on the end, but it surely’s in any other case clear and energetic. Fairly a journey. 108.8 proof. Reviewed: Launch #23~0004. A- / $67
Doc Swinson’s Bottled in Bond Rye 7 Years Previous – Nonetheless listed as “coming quickly” on Doc’s web site, that is MGP’s 95% rye/5% corn recipe aged in char #4 barrels for 7 lengthy years. Much less thrilling than among the bourbons, this can be a boldly grassy and peppery rye that will probably be acquainted to anybody who’s encountered this recipe earlier than. Minty and laden with charred wooden notes, the whiskey has a heavy vegetal high quality that takes a gritty flip towards tobacco late within the sport. Not disagreeable, however nothing particular so far as rye goes. 100 proof. Reviewed: Launch #23~0001. B / $60
Doc Swinson’s Exploratory Cask Bourbon French Toasted
$67
