You’ll discover Union Horse Distilling in Lenexa, Kansas (close to Kansas Metropolis), the place it’s been placing out whiskeys of all stripes — bourbon, rye, single malt, and extra — for 14 years (plus vodka). That is our first encounter with the operation; in the present day we have a look at two of the corporate’s present 5 releases. Bottles are hand-numbered with batch and bottle quantity — plus the initials of “crafter” Patrick Garcia.
Let’s dig in.
Union Horse Distilling Rivalist American Single Malt Whiskey – Rivalist has been within the works for seven years at Union Horse, made with three totally different kinds of malted barley — odyssey, chocolate, and caramel — which is aged in new American oak barrels for 4-plus years. It’s fairly distinctive on the nostril, even for the far-from-standardized American single malt world. Toasty and leathery on the nostril, there’s ample char up entrance, nevertheless it’s complemented by a surprisingly candy high quality — butterscotch with lemon curd — adopted by a fistful of florals. Equally toasty on the palate, the whiskey provides a heft that’s outsized for an ASM, with notes of toasted walnuts, tobacco leaf, and a few funky terpene flavors. Once more some sweetness involves the rescue — extra butterscotch, vanilla, and pastry cream — however the barrel has had its method with this spirit a bit an excessive amount of, leaving it tannic and large on each char and biting camphor, which make all these delicate malts a lot too tough to parse. A little bit of chocolate on the end is a pleasant contact, although. 96 proof. Reviewed: Batch #4. B / $58
Union Horse Distilling Reunion Straight Rye Whiskey – A 100% straight rye, 5-plus years outdated. It’s humorous to style a 100% rye that’s much less daring than a 100% malt whiskey from the identical distiller… however right here we’re. Reunion has a lot of the anticipated nostril — huge greenery, charred wooden, nostril-searing spice — nevertheless it’s tempered by notes of darkish chocolate, candy cream, and a few unique brown banana character. Surprisingly tame on the palate, the whiskey provides an instantaneous sweetness you don’t usually see in rye, particularly 100% rye. Extra banana, creamy vanilla custard, and gingerbread notes all percolate collectively to create an incredibly festive and refreshing expertise. The grassy herbaceousness of the rye is extra evident on the end, however even right here it’s light and effectively built-in with the sweeter, fruitier notes that precede it. The marginally overproof abv feels nearly good contemplating the general profile. Surprisingly well-made stuff that will be at residence in a Sazerac, or as a solo sipper. 93 proof. Reviewed: Batch #43. A- / $81
Union Horse Distilling Rivalist American Single Malt Whiskey
$58
