Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon - Review
Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon is a premium offering from Nevada H&C Distilling Co., a relatively young player in the American whiskey scene. Founded in 2012 by Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company has quickly gained recognition for its high-quality, sourced bourbons.
While Nevada H&C Distilling Co. doesn't distill the whiskey themselves, they source their bourbon from MGP (Midwest Grain Products) in Indiana, a well-respected distillery known for producing high-quality spirits. The company's unique approach lies in their aging and blending processes, which take place in the Nevada desert. This location provides a distinctive environment for maturation, contributing to the bourbon's character.
Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered is a cask strength bourbon, bottled without dilution or chill filtration. It's made from a high-rye mashbill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, resulting in a bold and spicy flavor profile. The bourbon is a blend of carefully selected barrels, with the company employing a vintage blending philosophy to achieve a complex and balanced taste[1].
The whiskey has garnered significant acclaim in the spirits industry, winning multiple awards including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2017, 2020, and 2021[3]. Tasting notes often highlight its rich and sweet profile with a thick mouthfeel, balancing heat and rye spice with creamy textures and caramel sweetness[3].
Smoke Wagon's distinctive packaging features a wax-sealed bottle adorned with crossed guns and the Latin phrase "Bibamus Moriendum Est," meaning "drink, for we must die." This branding reflects the company's philosophy of enjoying life and their product to the fullest[4].
Despite being a relatively new entrant in the bourbon market, Smoke Wagon has quickly established itself as a respected brand. Their success demonstrates that with careful sourcing, skillful blending, and a unique aging environment, a non-distilling producer can create a whiskey that stands out in the crowded bourbon landscape.
Review:
Nose: Floral and fruity notes are immediately noticeable. I get a carnation like scent with cherry/raspberry like jam on toast. A small waft of vanilla comes in as well following these fruity scents. However, it is not overly sweet and almost has a cereal like graininess to it as well. I would compare this nose to the Special K corn flakes with yogurt covered fruit. With the proof, also comes the punch as the ethanol is by no means hidden here.
Palate: This was an explosion of flavor on the first sip. Cinnamon, butterscotch, stewed apples, and some oakiness immediately flood my palate. This whiskey starts out a bit savory on the first taste but as you swallow, it is immediately washed over by that caramelized fruity sweetness. On the back end I get that yeasty-malty mash bill taste with a heavy oak presence. The oak is not off-putting whatsoever and is incredibly nice as it adds some more tannins to an overall sweet bourbon.
Finish: The finish is pretty long on this one. The fruity flavors die out quickly, but remains are those deep wood sugars and butterscotch notes. It has a very creamy and chocolatey like finish with a bit of spice that dances on the tongue for about 10-15 seconds after sip. I am still able to get the brown sugar note almost 30-35 seconds after the sip. The oak influence on this is really pretty surprising for what I would guess to be a 5-6 year old bourbon. While the ethanol was very prevalent on the nose, it was fully covered up by the notes in the palate and finish.
Overall: 85. While I didn’t have too much of a write up on this one, this bourbon was a delight. Be aware however, this bourbon was an earlier release by the distillery and was bottled in August of 2021 during a 3 month window where the distillery actually ran out of their classic amber bottles. (You can read a cool note they left on this bottle explaining that issue in the 2nd picture). I had bought this bottle over three years ago and I had forgotten its quality. Smoke Wagon was on a real tear for a while there when it came to consistently producing high quality spirits. I have heard the quality has declined slightly as time has gone on but the Uncut Unfiltered bourbon has still remained true to its form. The nose was solid but overall a letdown compared to the show that the palate and finish had put on. The bourbon really shined in its complexity from the moment it touched your slips to 30-40 seconds after the sip. I would fully recommend this bottle but be warned of its proof! They typically range from 110-120 proof (55% - 60%)
Value: 78/100; (+0 on the overall) At retail this bottle is $60. I believe I paid $70 for it and I would probably go up to $80 on this bottle. THis used to be allocated and at this price range, for good reason. Smoke Wagon has done a very nice job at keeping their supply relatively level and i have seen multiples of these at various stores that I have stopped into. In this price range and proof point, this is definitely a strong competitor in the space. This competes with the likes of James E. Pepper Decanter, Old Forester 1920, and Wild Turkey Rare Breed.
Availability: Available. This used to be pretty allocated but now appears to be relatively easy to find if you stop by a store or two.
Citations:
[1] https://whiskeyfortheages.com/whiskey-reviews-brians-smoke-wagon-uncut-unfiltered-straight-bourbon-review/
[2] https://www.thewhiskeyshelf.com/smoke-wagon-uncut-unfiltered-review/
[3] https://www.nevadadistilling.com/uncut-unfiltered
[4] https://www.breakingbourbon.com/review/smoke-wagon-straight-bourbon