Wilderness Trail 6 Year Single Barrel Wheated
Family Reserve Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Barrel # 765288; ISC Classic #4
Rickhouse: E-N12-9-15; Yeast Strain: 927
55.2% ABV
$70
Website
We would like to thank Wilderness Trail Distillery and Allison Worldwide for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says
Wilderness Trail, the award-winning Kentucky Distillery known for using modern science to optimize old-world distilling traditions, is proud to announce the launch of 6-Year-Old Private Barrel offerings in their single barrel lineup. This marks a notable milestone for the young craft distillery, which was founded only 13 years ago.
The collection features three distinct 6-year-old, single-barrel, cask-strength, non-chill filtered expressions including a Wheated Bourbon, a High-Rye Bourbon, and a Rye Whiskey. Each is meticulously crafted using Wilderness Trail’s Sweet Mash process, proprietary yeast strains, and a Level 4 Alligator Char barrel profile to deliver elevated flavor definition and barrel complexity.
Hand-selected for its distinct character and complexity, each single barrel is a testament to the combination of employing modern fermentation science with traditional Kentucky maturation techniques. Wilderness Trail’s unconventional approach to traditional bourbon-making is crafted for the true whiskey enthusiast looking to explore alternative styles and is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks.
“At six years, our single barrels hit the sweet spot where our sweet mash fermentation and proprietary yeast strains deliver layered complexity without sacrificing balance,” said Dr. Pat Heist, Co-Owner and Chief Scientific Officer of Wilderness Trail Distillery. “The Wheated, High-Rye bourbon, and Rye Whiskey selections let enthusiasts choose between softer high-wheat elegance and the vibrant spice and herbal nuance of rye, each barrel a distinct expression of science meeting tradition.”
Crafted for true whiskey enthusiasts. Each single barrel is hand-selected, bottled at cask strength, and features a high-wheat mashbill for a uniquely soft, rich flavor.
Aged for 6 years, it features a mashbill of 64% corn, 24% wheat, and 12% malted barley using proprietary yeast strains. Aged in a #4 char barrel and entered at 110 proof.
FLAVOR PROFILE
Color: Rich, unfiltered deep amber
Nose: Sweet and nutty.
Taste: Notes of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and stone fruit.
Finish: Hints of baking spice, oak, and barrel char.
HOW TO SIP IT
All our whiskeys are best enjoyed neat or on the rocks in a classic sipping glass.
If you’re inclined, you can add a few water droplets to open up their rich aromas. We’ll leave that up to you.
What Gary Says
Nose: Coffee cake with vanilla icing, caramel, cinnamon, oak and a hint of cloves.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, caramel, butterscotch, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, pepper spice approaching chili oil.
Finish: Short to moderate in length with oak and pepper spice.
Comments: For the ABV this one drinks a tad hot to me (if I had to guess, I would have put it north of 60%) but a bit of water doesn’t hurt it. In fact a few drops brings out fruit notes on the nose (apples and pears) and tamps down the pepper on the palate, taking the butterscotch over to more of a toffee note. Tried this in an Old Fashioned and it did really well (where I tend to prefer rye-bourbons).
Rating: Stands Out
