Smoke Wagon Bourbon was founded by Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh in 2012 as part of Nevada H&C Distilling Co. They source their bourbon from Midwest Grain Products of Indiana (MGPI) using MGPI’s 36% high rye bourbon mashbill. Chepenik was convinced you can develop a brand flavor profile using MGPI’s bourbon: “You can definitely get proprietary flavors from MGP through your blending, through using multiple vintages, and from pulling barrels from multiple floors” (Go Bourbon). They also age their barrels in the Las Vegas desert. That climate provides the weather fluctuation needed for aging bourbon and helps develop their signature bold flavors.
In February 2016, Chepenik started blending barrels for their initial release of Smoke Wagon Small Batch (2016 San Francisco World Spirits competition gold medal). The Uncut Unfiltered was their next release. As of the writing of this article, Nevada H&C Distilling Co has only released 25 batches of Smoke Wagon Bourbon Uncut Unfiltered and 21 of those happened between May 2020 and October 2020 (Chepenik on Instagram). That shows how much growth they’ve seen in 2020 alone.
If you’re on Instagram, Aaron Chepenik is active on their profile with giveaways, bourbon geek knowledge, and more. It’s a great follow for bourbon nerds. I’ve been lucky enough to try all the releases below as well as two 12-year-old Smoke Wagon Single Barrel picks out of Atlanta. They’ve all been good. Don’t sleep. That’s why the Smoke Wagon Bourbon Uncut Unfiltered and Small Batch made my best bourbons ranked list.
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Table of Contents
Which Smoke Wagon Bourbon is Best?
So which Smoke Wagon bourbon should you hunt and buy? It’s not just Smoke Wagon Small Batch vs. Uncut Unfiltered either. We’ve compared all their bourbon expressions below:
Smoke Wagon Rare and Limited Guide
Batch Number | Blend Age 1 | Blend Age 2 | Blend Age 3 | Blend Age 4 | # of Bottles | ABV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batch #1 Batch | 100% 8 year | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1500 | 59.45 |
The Only 5 Yr | 100% 5 Year | N/A | N/A | N/A | 192 | 55.8 |
Special Batch Small Batch Batch* | 10% 12 Year | 10% 11 Year | 10% 10 Year | 70% 4 Year | 342 | 49.35 |
*Aaron, to date, has been giving cases of these away on IG. They have not been released for sale. |
Smoke Wagon Rare and Limited Batch 1 Review
Smoke Wagon Desert Jewel | Details |
---|---|
Production | Sourced (MGP) |
Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% barley |
Age | 8 Years |
Proof | 118.9 |
ABV | 59.45% |
Yield | 1500 Bottles |
Floor | 5th |
Barrels | 11 |
Price | $80 |
Distillery | Nevada H&C Distilling Co |
Smoke Wagon Rare & Limited is a blend of 8-year-old bourbons from 11 barrels on the 5th floor. According to Nevada H&C Distilling Co.,
It is balanced with notes of caramel, honey, and butterscotch upfront at almost 119 proof. The finish has cinnamon, oak, and big deep earthy black pepper spice.
Smoke Wagon is a great new brand. Like the guns on their bottles — they are winning the West in my opinion. Yes, they are MGP sourced but the magic of blending and other tricks like silver filtering help make this brand truly unique.
Nose – 90 out of 100 Points
Toasted marshmallow, burnt caramel and oak, corn, and butter.
Taste – 90 out of 100 Points
Cherry, vanilla, a citrus ring with a hint of chocolate and black pepper, cinnamon that tickles the tongue for a bit. As I swirl it around, I get some caramel and fruit notes too. It is oily and tangy.
Finish – 90 out of 100 Points
After it fades, it leaves my mouth watering a little bit dry when it first hits. The taste lasts for a while so I say long finish. I get toasted wood, some banana & chocolate.
Verdict – Silver 90 out of 100 Points
If the proof was at say 127 to 134, Smoke Wagon Rare and Limited would have had a more balanced mouthfeel and more pronounced flavors. The oily mouthfeel was nice, but with more age, it could have been a 95 or higher. Not bad for Smoke Wagon’s first batch of Rare and Limited.
Tasting notes shared with permission — Matthew M. Gore aka The Whiskey Cabinet
Smoke Wagon Bourbon Uncut Unfiltered Review
Smoke Wagon Bourbon Uncut Unfiltered | Details |
---|---|
Production | Sourced (MGP) |
Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% barley |
Age | Blend of 4, 6 and 10 year old barrels |
Proof | Varies |
ABV | Varies |
Price | $65 |
Distillery | Nevada H&C Distilling Co |
Pros | Bold Flavors |
Cons | Limited Distribution |
Rating | Gold 93 Points |
Inventory | Buy, Stock, and Drink |
A thin layer of bourbon coats my Glencairn whiskey glass with tiny beads slowly making their way to the bottom of the glass. Not as oily as I would have expected.
Nose – 91 out of 100 points
Peaches and cream. Vanilla creme pie drizzled with caramel. Cinnamon and charred oak.
Taste – 93 out of 100 Points
Brown sugar and maple syrup on the front of the palate. Oak and baking spice rounding the top and side of the palate. Creamy fruit sweetness on the back of the palate. That was unexpected surprise. I don’t usually get sweet notes so far back in the palate.
Finish – 95 out of 100 Points
Sugar-coated peaches grilled with baking spice, white pepper, and charred oak. It’s a long finish that’s complex and balanced.
Verdict – Gold 93 out of 100 Points
This reminds me of an OESF from Four Roses — a perfect balance between sweet and spice. Plus Uncut and Unfiltered doesn’t drink like 114.9 proof. It’s a bold but easy-drinking barrel proof flavor bomb. The layers of flavor and complexity plus its current price point make it a great value. The only hold up — availability. These Uncut Unfiltered batches are becoming hard to come by.
Smoke Wagon Bourbon Uncut Unfiltered Batches
ABV | Bottling Date | Batch |
---|---|---|
58.3 | 11-9-16 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
58.15 | 2017 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.53 | 4-12-17 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.9 | 8-1-2018 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
58.45 | 11-12-18 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
58.35 | 7-1-19 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
8-19-19 | Not Assigned a Batch # | |
58.1 | 9-6-19 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.45 | 12-21-19 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.85 | 1-19-20 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.6 | 1-27-20 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.5 | 3-3-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.35 | 3-11-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
56.8 | 6-4-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
56.85 | Not Assigned a Batch # | |
57 | 7-3-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.45 | 7-7-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.3 | 8-7-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
56.95 | 8-13-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.1 | Not Assigned a Batch # | |
56.6 | 9-2-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
56.32 | 9-23-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
56.37 | 9-25-2020 | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.73 | 9-25-2020 (special blend) | Not Assigned a Batch # |
57.69 | ||
56.69 | 10/3/20 | 23 |
57.78 | 10-18-20 | 24 |
58.01 | 10-20-20 | 25 |
57.44 | 11/16/20 | 26 |
57.46 | 11/18/20 | 27 |
57.43 | 11/21/20 | 28 |
57.89 | 12/1/20 | 29 |
12/7/20 | 30 | |
57.16 | 12/9/20 | 31 |
57.33 | 12/11/20 | 32 |
57.22 | 12/15/20 | 33 |
12/18/20 | 34 |
Research is crowdsourced and was shared by a friend in a local bourbon group. Organized by John Boehnlein and Brandon Joseph.
Smoke Wagon Desert Jewel Bourbon Review
Smoke Wagon Desert Jewel | Details |
---|---|
Production | Sourced (MGP) |
Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% barley |
Age | 10 Years |
Proof | 104 |
ABV | 52% |
Price | $80 |
Distillery | Nevada H&C Distilling Co |
Smoke Wagon Desert Jewel Bourbon was a limited release of 10-year bourbon from the fourth floor of the Nevada H&C Distilling Co. The MSRP was $80 at release. As of early 2020, I was still seeing members in local bourbon groups finding bottles of this at retail. That however was short-lived. By middle summer, the legend grew and these were all but extinct.
Nose – Silver 88 out of 100 Points
Rich figs and raisins, cream, leather
Taste – Silver 88 out of 100 Points
Mapley-syrupy goodness, light orange peel, a little bit of that leather from the nose
Finish – Silver 88 out of 100 Points
Long, pleasant, some fruit comes back into the picture
Verdict – Silver 88 out of 100 Points
Tasting notes shared with permission — Tyler – The Bourbon RN
Smoke Wagon Small Batch Bourbon Review
Smoke Wagon Small Batch Bourbon | Details |
---|---|
Production | Sourced (MGP) |
Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% barley |
Age | 4 to 5 year old MGP bourbon |
Proof | 100 |
ABV | 50% |
Price | $50 |
Distillery | Nevada H&C Distilling Co |
Light caramely, gold in my Glencairn glass. Smoke Wagon Small Batch has medium viscosity and good legs.
Nose – 89 out of 100 Points
The nose has the goods. I love using a Glencairn topper letting the whiskey sit for a bit before I start. Removing the topper, I smelled caramel, cinnamon, and some stewed pears with baking spices. Nose in the glass reinforced those flavors. The bourbon came off sweeter but with recognizable Smoke Wagon savory, baking spices notes. There’s also a vanilla pudding note hiding in there.
Taste – 87 out of 100 Points
Made for a good ol’ Kentucky Chew. Small Batch has a great mouthfeel. Super creamy with baking spice prominent on the side of the palate with just hints of burned oak, and black pepper round out the back of the palate experience. It reminded me of drinking a Mexican horchata. My horchata could’ve used a caramel drizzle with a splash of vanilla. Missing some caramel and vanilla from the nose on the palate. That would’ve rounded out the profile.
Finish – 86 out of 100 Points
The finish is on the short side of medium but it’s more horchata and a creamy charred oak note.
Verdict – Silver 87 out of 100 Points
Smoke Wagon Small Batch is a fantastic drinking experience for those who love a high rye bourbon. The nose has admirable complexity and balance. Some of that is lost on the palate and finish but don’t hesitate to stock in your cabinet and enjoy with friends.
Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review
Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Details |
---|---|
Production | Sourced (MGP) |
Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% barley |
Age | NAS |
Proof | 92.5 |
ABV | 46.25% |
Price | $34.99 |
Distillery | Nevada H&C Distilling Co |
Pros | Great Daily Sipper |
Cons | Tad Young |
Rating | Silver 84 Points |
Inventory | Worth Stocking for Sipping and Mixing |
Nose – 83 out of 100 Points
The Smoke Wagon straight bourbon whiskey has a delicate nose. I get fresh ground sweet summer corn than sweet grits with brown sugar and just hints of baking spice. It’s rounded out with subtle floral and light caramel notes.
Taste – 85 out of 100 Points
I get a pleasant but noticeable young whiskey grain note, more floral notes, and light caramel mid-palate with baking spice and black pepper adding intrigue to the lighter notes. It’s well rounded but not complex.
Finish – 85 out of 100 Points
The finish is an entanglement of floral notes, baking spice, and black pepper. It’s a medium finish.
Verdict – Bronze 84 out of 100 Points
This score is solid for what I would consider a daily sipper. It’s well rounded with interesting flavors. What it’s missing is the age and complexity of its older brothers. I sipped through a bottle of my own this summer. That’s the sweet spot for this drinker because of the sweet and floral notes — hot summer day with a cigar.
Smoke Wagon Single Barrel Store Picks
Barrel Number | Age | Proof | Warehouse | Retailer/Club | Store Pick Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
302 | 122 | WC5 | |||
303 | 8 Years | 121.6 | WC5 | Argonaut Liquor | |
304 | 8 Years | 124.5 | WC5 | Over Priced Bourbon/Bourbon Peeps | Ya Done Good A-A-Aron |
305 | 8 Years | 122.9 | 5280 Whiskey Society/Davidson’s Liquor | Tombstone Skin That Smoke Wagon | |
307 | 8 Years | 123.6 | WC5 | Total Wine Vegas | |
308 | 8 Years | 125.7 | WC5 | Binny’s | |
309 | 8 Years | 122.2 | Grape Press Liquor | Chug That Smoke Wagon See What Happens | |
310 | 8 Years | 124 | WC5 | Liquor World Vegas | Woo This Isn’t For Everyone/Chile Pepper |
311 | 8 Years | 126.5 | WC5 | Dad Chasing Bourbon IG/Players Club | Death Certificate/Advisory Barrel Strength Content |
312 | 8 Years | 124.9 | WG5 | 21 Kings | The Kings S.I.P |
313 | 8 Years | 123.2 | WC5 | Kenwood Liquors | |
314 | 8 Years | 122.2 | WC5 | K&L Wine Merchants | |
315 | 8 Years | 124.5 | WC5 | Warrior Liquor | Joe Exotic |
316 | 8 Years | 124 | ? | ||
317 | 8 Years | 123.6 | Collective Pour | ||
318 | 8 Years | 124.2 | Cypress Craft Beer and Liquor | ||
319 | 8 Years | 123 | WC5 | Total Wine Vegas | |
320 | 8 Years | 124.4 | WC5 | K&L Wine Merchants | |
321 | 8 Years | 125 | WC5 | Antioch | |
322 | 8 Years | 122.2 | WC5 | Liquor Barn | |
323 | 8 Years | 122.3 | WC5 | Las Vegas Whiskey Drinkers & Collectors | |
324 | 8 Years | 122.1 | WC5 | Del Mesa Liquor | Zig Zagon |
325 | 8 Years | 124.6 | WC5 | Total Wine Vegas | |
327 | 8 Years | 122.7 | WC5 | Chips Liquor | Smoke Time Smoke-a-Cola |
328 | 8 Years | 121.4 | WC5 | Bub City | |
329 | 8 Years | 122.4 | WC5 | Gold Eagle | |
330 | 8 Years | 123.4 | Colorado Springs Bourbon Society/I-25 Collaboration | Thank You For Being A Friend | |
331 | 8 Years | 123.2 | WC5 | Sip Whiskey | |
332 | 8 Years | 122.2 | WC5 | Central Wisconsin Bourbon Society | Cheech and Chong Up In Smoke |
333 | 8 Years | 125.7 | ODWS | ||
334 | 8 Years | 122.7 | Columbia Bourbon Collective | CBC Premium Pick | |
335 | 8 Years | 124.3 | WC5 | Off Premise Chicago | The Bull Barrel |
336 | 8 Years | 124.8 | WC5 | Lukas Liquor | The Antidote |
374 | 8 Years | 116 | WC4 | Garfield’s | |
377 | 8 Years | 113.7 | WC4 | Liquor Lineup | Casino |
389 | 8 Years | 113.3 | Colorado Bourbon Rye Collectors | ||
391 | 8 Years | 112.6 | WC4 | The 75 | The Magnificent Seventy Five |
499 | 8 Years | 112.86 | WC4 | CFS 9.20 | Canal's Family Selection (NJ) |
500 | 8 Years | 114.6 | WC5 | Total Wine Vegas | |
501 | 8 Years | 113.4 | WC4 | Joe’s Beverage Warehouse/Joe’s Bourbon Society | |
502 | 8 Years | 112.72 | WC4 | NYC Barrel | |
503 | 8 Years | 111.3 | NYC Barrel | ||
504 | 8 Years | 113.4 | WC4 | Roc Elite | The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly |
505 | 8 Years | 115.6 | Spec’s | ||
506 | 8 Years | 116.84 | WC5 | Astor Wines & Spirits | |
507 | 8 Years | 115.8 | Spec’s | ||
508 | 8 Years | 117.54 | WC5 | Pascale's Liquors | Grateful Dead Dancing Bears |
509 | 8 Years | 114.6 | WC5 | Spec’s | |
510 | 8 Years | 116.6 | Spec’s | ||
511 | 8 Years | 112.4 | Spec’s | ||
512 | 8 Years | 116.8 | Spec’s | ||
513 | 8 Years | 112.5 | Spec’s | ||
514 | 8 Years | 115.2 | Spec’s | ||
515 | 8 Years | 114.5 | Spec’s | ||
516 | 8 Years | 114.22 | Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse | ||
517 | 8 Years | 115 | WC5 | Spec’s | |
531 | 8 Years | 114.22 | WC5 | Arlington Wine & Liquor | Whiskey Club Battle Royale! |
532 | 8 years | 116.72 | Bayway Liquors | ||
5034 | 13 Years | 107.3 | Dallas Fort Worth Whiskey Club | Bigger And Better | |
5303 | 12 Years | 114.5 | Village Green Market | ||
5368 | 11 Years | 113.2 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5370 | 10 Years | 110.6 | Total Wine | ||
5371 | 10 Years | 109.8 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5372 | 9 Years | 111.8 | Bellagio | Harvest | |
5373 | 11 Years | 114 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5376 | 10 Years | 114.1 | Bellagio | ||
5378 | 10 Years | 110.7 | Total Wine | ||
5383 | 11 Years | 111.8 | Costco | ||
5386 | 10 Years | 113.4 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5387 | 10 Years | 114.1 | Total Wine | ||
5389 | 10 Years | 114.3 | Total Wine | ||
5391 | 10 Years | 110 | Total Wine | ||
5392 | 10 Years | 114 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5406 | 10 Years | 112.8 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5411 | 10 Years | 109.8 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5451 | 12 Years | 109 | WG4 | West Dupont/Prav Saraff | Hot Box |
5457 | 12 Years | 109.7 | WG4 | West Dupont/Prav Saraff | Gold Rush |
5460 | 12 Years | 111.4 | Total Wine | ||
5465 | 12 Years | 111.4 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5468 | 12 Years | 111.8 | ? | ||
5471 | 12 Years | 113.3 | WG4 | West Dupont/Prav Saraff | Vegas Vacation |
5472 | 12 Years | 111.1 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5506 | ? | ? | ? | ||
5521 | 10 Years | 113.5 | Wolfgang Puck | ||
5523 | 10 Years | 116.2 | Total Wine | ||
5526 | 10 Years | ? | ? | ||
5528 | 10 Years | 115 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5530 | 10 Years | 113.4 | Total Wine | ||
5534 | 9 Years | 94 | WG4 | Aria | |
5537 | 9 Years | 100 | WG4 | MGM | |
5538 | 9 Years | 100 | NY NY | ||
5540 | 9 Years | 115.5 | Total Wine | ||
5541 | 9 Years | 116.7 | Total Wine | ||
5545 | 12 Years | 135.7 | WG4 | Nevada H&C | Summer of 1942 |
5546 | 9 Years | 115.8 | Total Wine | ||
5547 | 9 Years | 114.7 | WG4 | Total Wine | |
5565 | 10 Years | 116.6 | Total Wine | ||
5567 | 10 Years | 117.6 | Total Wine | ||
5572 | 9 Years | 100 | Wine Warehouse | ||
5584 | 13 Years | 117.4 | Total Wine Vegas | ||
5586 | 13 Years | 117.28 | WGS | Colorado | First Chair |
5590 | 12 Years | 114 | WG3 | West Dupont/Prav Saraff | Sometimes What Happens In Vegas Ends Up In DC |
5594 | 12 Years | 114.1 | WG3 | West Dupont/North Carolina Bourbon Society | Say When |
5595 | 12 Years | 113.2 | WG3 | Crazy Naz Liquor | |
5596 | 12 Years | 113.9 | WG3 | Liquor Express | Josephine |
5597 | 12 Years | 115 | K&L Wine Merchants | ||
5598 | 12 Years | 113 | WG3 | Crazy Naz Liquor/Bourbon Enthusiast | |
5599 | 12 Years | 108.8 | WG3 | Chips Liquor | James Madison |
5600 | 12 Years | 114 | South Jersey Bourbon Drinkers | Tombstone Go Ahead and Skin It | |
5602 | 12 Years | 116.4 | WG3 | West Dupont/Prav Saraff | Prav’s Picks |
5603 | 12 Years | ? | N/A | ||
5604 | 12 Years | 108.8 | Total Wine | ||
5605 | 12 Years | 109 | Louisville Bourbon Hounds | Tombstone Go Ahead Skin That Smoke Wagon | |
5607 | 12 Years | 110.6 | WG3 | West Dupont/21 Kings | Old Elvis |
5608 | 12 Years | ? | K&L Wine Merchants | ||
5609 | 12 Years | 106.6 | WG3 | Liquor Express | Abigail |
5610 | 12 Years | 112.3 | Canal’s MT Ephraim | American Dream | |
5611 | 12 Years | 114.6 | WG3 | West Dupont/North Carolina Bourbon Society | Tombstone Skin That Smoke Wagon See What Happens |
5612 | 12 Years | 114 | WG3 | Crazy Naz Liquor | WUF Society |
5613 | 12 Years | 112.8 | WG3 | Off Premise Chicago | This Is Not Four Naz |
5615 | 12 Years | 113.8 | Chips Liquor/Bourbon Enthusiast | Elixir | |
5616 | 12 Years | 113.5 | WG3 | Chips Liquor | Snoop Dog Drink Smoke Everyday |
5631 | 12 Years | 109.8 | Crazy Naz Liquor | ||
5632 | 12 Years | 112 | WG3 | Louisville Bourbon Hounds | Tombstone Hell’s Coming With Me! |
5633 | 12 Years | 110.3 | WG3 | K&L Wine Merchants | |
5635 | 13 Years | 108.4 | ? | ||
5636 | 13 Years | 108.4 | Hudson Wine Market/NJBYC | Smoke On The Water | |
5637 | 13 Years | 104.6 | Liquor World Vegas | Perfecto Maduro | |
5789 | 12 Years | 114.3 | Total Wine | ||
5878 | 13 Years | 113.4 | Minnesota Whiskey Elite | ||
5879 | 12 Years | 115.14 | Chips Liquor | Smoke on the Water | |
5880 | 13 Years | 116.1 | The Barrels and Bottles Foundation | Midwest Grain Products MGM Logo | |
5881 | 12 Years | 117.6 | WG3 | K&L Wine Merchants | |
5882 | 12 Years | 117.6 | WG3 | Crazy Naz Liquor | |
5883 | 13 Years | 118.1 | ATX Dead Liver Society | The Princess Bride | |
5887 | 12 Years | 118.5 | Vino Fine Wine/Beast Masters Club | Wide Hog Jeans | |
5888 | 12 Years | 118.2 | WG3 | Crazy Naz Liquor | |
5889 | 12 Years | 115.8 | WG3 | Adventures Club | Ocean’s 11 Vegas Heist |
5890 | 12 Years | 116.4 | K&L Wine Merchants | ||
5892 | 12 Years | 115.4 | WG3 | Vino Fine Wine/Beast Masters Club | Hot Pickle Tanning Oil |
5893 | 12 Years | 111.4 | Total Wine | ||
5894 | 12 Years | 116.6 | Liquor World | ||
5895 | 12 Years | 111.4 | Total Wine | ||
5896 | 12 Years | 116 | WG3 | Crazy Naz Liquor | |
5897 | 12 Years | 116.8 | WG3 | Vino Fine Wine/Beast Masters Club | Stachey Mustache Wax |
5900 | 13 Years | 120.94 | WG3 | El Cerrito Liquor | Tombstone |
5901 | 13 Years | 123.5 | WG3 | Apex Volume 1 | |
5902 | 13 Years | 116.4 | The Brotherhood of Bourbon | Oregon Trail | |
5903 | 13 Years | 117 | Someone Say Whiskey | ||
5909 | 12 Years | 114.4 | WG3 | Village Green Market | |
5910 | 12 Years | 115.2 | WG3 | Vino Fine Wine/Beast Masters Club | Morning Wood Polish |
6000 | 8 Years | 121.8 | WC5 | Bourbon Enthusiast | |
6005 | 8 Years | 122.2 | WG3 | Horus Aged Ales | |
6006 | 7 Years | 120.8 | WC5 | Trevor's Place | |
6007 | 7 Years 11 Months | 119.5 | WC5 | West Dupont/21 Kings Bounty | Young Elvis |
6008 | 7 Years 7 Months | 120.9 | WC5 | Chips Liquor | Where There Is Smoke There Is Fire |
6009 | 8 Years | 123.6 | WC5 | Moreno’s Liquor | Barky Blinders |
6011 | 8 Years | 122.5 | WC5 | Atlas Valley | |
6012 | 8 Years | 122.5 | WC5 | HB Liquor | |
6013 | 8 Years | 122.3 | WC5 | Off Premise Chicago | |
6015 | 8 Years | 121.7 | WC5 | Bourbon Enthusiast |
Research is crowdsourced and was shared by a friend in a local bourbon group. Organized by John Boehnlein and Brandon Joseph
Smoke Wagon Single Barrel Bourbon 8-Years-Old
- Selected by: Columbia Bourbon Collective
- Warehouse WCS
- Barrel 334
- 61.35%
- 122.7 Proof
This Smoke Wagon Bourbon 8 year single barrel has great glass coverage with ribbons of oily legs.
Nose – 94 out of 100 Points
This bourbon has deep, rich caramel notes buttressed with cinnamon glaze on flaky pie crust. I also get notes of tart apples and cherries. Plus you know it’s high proof. But the word to describe this nose is luxurious.
Taste – 91 out of 100 Points
The palate is a bit muted compared to the nose. I’m let down a bit. I wanted all that deep, rich flavor to carry over. It’s creamy charred oak. Most of the flavor hits back and top of the palate. It’s toasted cinnamon and black pepper. You do just a hit that rich caramel but it disappears quickly because the heat that carries through finish shows up.
Finish – 93 out of 100 Points
The finish is long. It’s baking spice, oak, and black pepper.
Verdict – Silver 92 out of 100 Points
I can’t believe I’m saying this but the proof got in the way of some of the flavors on the front and mid-palate. It’s a solid 8-year-old bourbon with a nose and finish that could knock out most whiskeys. Saying all that, I still prefer this 8-year-old single barrel over the 12-year-old Smoke Wagon bourbon I tried two days prior (review below). Age isn’t everything.
Smoke Wagon Single Barrel Bourbon 12-Years-Old
I tried this at a Christmas tasting and forgot to take a picture of the label for the barrel details. Medium viscosity for this Smoke Wagon Bourbon 12 year.
Nose – 88 out of 100 Points
Baking spice. Licorice. Oak. This nose is savory with just a hint of that licorice sweetness.
Taste – 94 out of 100 Points
Charred oak. Vanilla. Baking spice.
Finish – 93 out of 100 Points
Baking spice. Sweet charred oak. Black pepper.
Verdict – Silver 92 out of 100 Points
This 12-year-old Smoke Wagon bourbon was a treat to drink. The nose wasn’t bad. It was more of a preference thing. The licorice, oak, and baking spice wasn’t my favorite flavor combination. But the palate and finish didn’t disappoint.
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You're here because you've been asking, "Which Weller bourbon is the best?" We've got you covered with reviews of every Weller in your Weller bourbon collection plus more. Some of you may be newer to bourbon and may just want to know the types of Weller bourbon. Experienced drinker or newer to the...
What makes the 57.73 abv batch of SW Uncut a “special blend”?
That’s a great question, and honestly, I’m not sure. The data was crowdsourced from the Smokewagon IG account. My guess probably something Aaron said as he videoes each blend. If you don’t follow him you should.