Wilderness Trail Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Bottled in Bond 750ml

Wilderness Trail was founded in Danville, Kentucky in 2013 by two fermentation scientists who had spent a decade consulting for much of the American whiskey industry before building their own distillery, and the production choices reflect exactly that background. This bourbon is bottled in bond, which is a federal standard dating to 1897 rather than marketing language: the product of a single distilling season at a single distillery, aged at least four years in a government supervised bonded warehouse, and bottled at precisely 100 proof, with the distillery permit number displayed on the label. Small batch here means something specific too. The distillery defines it as a maximum of twenty barrels drawn from a single fermenter, which is a far tighter definition than the industry generally uses, and the batch number is printed on the front. Two production decisions set the whiskey apart further. Wilderness Trail uses sweet mash rather than the sour mash almost universal in Kentucky, starting each fermentation fresh rather than carrying backset forward, which demands considerably more rigorous sanitation but produces a cleaner, softer spirit. They were the first Kentucky distillery to commit to it. The whiskey also enters the barrel at 110 proof, where 125 is the industry standard, after coming off the still around 137. More water in the barrel changes the extraction, drawing more wood sugars and less harsh tannin. Barrels are cooper select with eighteen month air dried staves, toasted then given a number four char, and the bourbon is bottled unfiltered. Expect butterscotch, ripe orchard fruit, oak and brown sugar with a warm spiced finish.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Rich amber, falling down the glass in thick legs.

Nose: Butterscotch and ripe peach with a hint of red apple, rounded by oak and brown sugar.

Palate: Malt and brown sugar lead, with cinnamon and gentle spice building, smoothed by oak and a lift of orange peel.

Finish: Warming and of good length, closing on oak, spice and lingering caramel sweetness.

FAQ

What proof is Wilderness Trail Small Batch Bourbon? Exactly 100 proof, or 50 percent alcohol by volume. Bottled in bond whiskey must legally be bottled at that strength.

What does small batch mean here? Wilderness Trail defines it as a maximum of twenty barrels drawn from a single fermenter, which is far more specific than the industry standard use of the term. The batch number is printed on the front label.

What does bottled in bond mean? A federal standard requiring the whiskey to be the product of a single distilling season at a single distillery, aged at least four years in a government supervised bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.

What is sweet mash? Each fermentation starts fresh rather than using backset from the previous batch, which is the standard sour mash method. Wilderness Trail was the first Kentucky distillery to adopt sweet mash.

Why does barrel entry proof matter? This whiskey enters the barrel at 110 proof where 125 is standard in Kentucky. More water in the barrel changes what the spirit draws from the wood, pulling more sugars and less harsh tannin.

Where can I buy Wilderness Trail Small Batch Bourbon online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.