Trail’s End 8 Year Bourbon

My Price: $39.99

Country/Area: Kentucky/Oregon, USA

Distillery: Undisclosed. Finished, proofed and bottled by Hood River Distillers

Proof/ABV: 90 Proof/ 45% ABV

Mash Bill: Undisclosed Corn, Rye, Malted Barley Mash Bill

Barrel: New American Oak, Finished in White Oak

Age: 8 Years in New American Oak before an undisclosed time finishing in Oregon Oak

Nose:  Green Apple, Honeysuckle, Ethanol

Taste: Caramel, Oak, Fresh Fruit

Review: After picking up a bottle of 10 year old Cask Strength Trail’s End that was a single barrel pick from The Bourbon Van on YouTube, I decided this Kentucky sourced bourbon was worth paying some attention to. I headed to my local liquor store and picked up a bottle of their 8 year old to try out. At 90 proof it is very classic bourbon. The bourbon is sourced from an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky and aged 8 years before making the trek to Oregon where Hood River Distillers finishes it in Oregon Oak. Oregon Oak and I have a bit of a contentious relationship. Although McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt is one of my favorite whiskies of all time, most other whiskies aged in Oregon Oak produce a bit of a sawdust note on the taste to me. That is not the case with Trail’s End 8 year. It is a classic bourbon both on the nose and palate, offering notes of caramel, vanilla and oak. The proof does not overpower you nor does it underwhelm you in flavor. Is it better than a 10 year old Eagle Rare? In my opinion, no. But I can actually find it and it is very enjoyable. Cheers!

My Rating: Sip it. It’s a good pour for the money.

May the miles you hike be filled with wonder and the glasses you raise be filled with whiskey.

Cheers!

Rating scale:

-Spit: Don’t bother with this one. If a friend gives you a dram of it, are they even your friend?

-Shoot: Good enough to get you drunk.

-Sip: Tasty enough to enjoy neat or on the rocks.

-Stock: I’d recommend keeping a bottle on hand.