Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Made from locally sourced grains from a traditional mash bill, the Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon is among the best in its category. It is produced by a family with a history of distilling in the bourbon industry.

Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon can be traced the modern era of the 19th century when two French brothers moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

Discover in this in-depth Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon review everything to know about this drink and answers to all related questions.

Let’s get sipping!

Overall
4.2
  • Value for Price
  • Mixability
  • Sippability

⇒ Fun Facts ⇐

Name:Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brand:Wilderness Trail
Country:United States
Spirit Style:Small Batch Bourbon
Spirit Type:Bourbon
ABV:50%

Brand History

Located in Danville, Kentucky, Wilderness Trail Distillery started in 2012. Shane Baker and Pat Heist established it. The aim is to blend the old traditions of making bourbon and other spirits with science. Moreover, only locally-grown grains ensure only the best products are created.

The founders are specialists in this business with over 20 years of experience in fermentation. They make only the finest bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka. Some Wilderness Trail Distillery products include Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Small Batch, and Bottled in Bond.

Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Category: This drink is straight bourbon, a whiskey distilled for at least two years in new charred oaks. During the aging process, bourbon oxidizes and penetrates the wood, which affects its color. It must be made in the United States from at least 51% corn and up to 80 proof.

Process: Wilderness Trail Distillery uses an exceptional sweet mash process rather than the usual sour mash. They were the first to use this process in Kentucky as their sole mashing technique. Since they won’t acidify the grains, they derive more flavors with a smoother finish from the grains. The company distills, ages, and bottles all of its whiskeys.

In addition, Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon is made from a traditional mash bill of 64% corn, 24% rye, and 12% malted barley. Then, copper pot distilled from fermented batch sweet mash process put into the barrel at 110 proof and aged for four years, nine months. Finally, it is bottled in bond single barrel at 100 proof.

Appearance: This drink appears amber, with a bit of yellow straw. Also, it has slow, long legs.

Nose: The aroma is of both ripe fresh and caramelized banana, with a touch of vanilla and nutmeg, black pepper, and cinnamon spices.

Taste: This bourbon is cool on the palate and something to feel at home with. However, it opens with a little heat (not overwhelming) as a reminder of its alcohol content. The front palate experiences notes of caramel and bread, which transition into a rich alcohol mid-note and a hint of banana flavor.

Finish: The nose and palate team up to arrive at a dry, lingering finish of vanilla, toasted oak, and black pepper.

Alcohol content: Each bottle is packaged at 50% ABV (100 proof).

Price: The price per bottle of Wilderness Trail Single Barrel is around $70.

Pros and Cons

Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon is excellent and recommendable. If you want to know what we think, we will explain it here:

Pros

Great with water: If you want to up the spice and sweetness of this bourbon, you can add a little water. However, be meticulous with it to avoid the disappearance of individual flavors. Some people may prefer it straight out of the bottle than when diluted. It is still acceptable.

Touch of sweetness: If you don’t mind a higher-proof alcoholic drink, you will love the sweetness accompanying this bourbon. The higher alcohol content enables it to hold up well in cocktails while bringing its spices to the drink.

Balanced flavor: The flavors are not complex, and the few present are balanced well and complemented by the appropriate amount of back-of-the-throat heat.

Cons

Immature profile: It feels like this barrel was not ready when bottling. It feels raw, woody, immature, and crafty, which doesn’t sit well sometimes.

Perfect Pairings for Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Pairing bourbon and food is an age-long practice with no plans to stop. People need something to eat while having a pleasant time with their favorite drink. Moreover, the food helps to lessen the alcohol effect. Food also serves the purpose of bringing out the flavor of the bourbon and cleansing the palate. Here are some of the dishes to consider:

Crackers: Salted or unsalted crackers will perfectly pair this drink. However, avoid heavily salted crackers or anyone not nicely flavored because it will negatively affect the palate.

Dried fruit: This has concentrated sugars that can easily combine with the fruit flavors in Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Apricots, cherries, cranberries, and pineapples are great to start with.

Nuts: Having a selection of nuts will be ideal. Their tannins are great for the bourbon’s flavor. Combine almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts.

Cheese tray: A rich cheese tray is necessary. Cheese buttery fats can mask the mouth and alter the bourbon flavor. However, the salty and smoky background will help to unmask it. Consider aged parmesan, aged Gouda, cheddar, brie, and smoked Gouda.

Meats: meats have umami flavors and saltiness that pair well with Wilderness Trail Single Barrel. You can mix thinly sliced salami, pepperoni, country ham, and others in a tray and serve with this bourbon.

Chocolates: With their tannins and concentrated sugars, chocolates will hit the spot when paired with this bourbon. Whether you prefer dark or milk chocolates, their effect on Wilderness Trail Single Barrel is extraordinary.

Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

How best is Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Served?

There are a few ways to drink this Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Let’s identify some ways to make it fun:

Neat: Many bourbon purists prefer drinking it neat. It is served at room temperature and with nothing added to it. This is the best way to get the best from a bottle of Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

With water: Another avenue to make drinking this bourbon fun is by splashing in some water. Ensure not to dilute your drink with too much water. A few drops will up the notes and take off the heat while allowing the sweetness to seep in.

On the rocks: Enjoying your bourbon over a cube or two of ice hits the spot on a summer afternoon. Remember that ice melts quickly, so you need to gulp it down as fast as you can. Alternatively, use larger rocks that would take time to melt.

In cocktails: Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon mixes well if you want to jazz it up. A bourbon cocktail is elegant, refined, and flavorful. This is the best if you want a fun way to try new flavors. The Manhattan, Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, etc., are some of the best ways to mix your bourbon.

Popular Related Drinks

You can choose other options if you are not cool with Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The truth is that you may not feel the depth and compexity of the drink the way others may. But that does not mean it is a bad drink. So, if you are at sea over what to go for, we have helped to figure it out. Here you go!

1792 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: The best barrels are used to craft this exceptional bourbon. The barrels are then bottled one at a time to preserve the individual distinctiveness of the drink. The price per bottle is $55. Flavors of caramel and butterscotch are more pronounced and directly balanced with hints of toffee and fruit.

291 Colorado Barrel Proof Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey: This full-bodied, straight-from-the-barrel Colorado bourbon is an award-winning drink. It is aged in American white oak barrels and sold at $99. The alcohol content is 63%.

Angel’s Envy “Cupid’s Share” Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: It was produced in 2021 and was out hot and spicy, with virtually everyone talking about it. Each barrel has a different profile with mixed fruit. The company proofs it down slightly, with varying amounts for each selection, as the market permits. It sells for around $100, which is fair for the quality.

Frequently Asked Questions – Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Why is single-barrel bourbon expensive?

It costs distillers more to make single-barrel bourbon because of the nature of the barrels. Besides, the flavor is improved according to the unique characteristics of the individual barrels the bourbon is aged.

How old is Wilderness Trail Bourbon?

The bottle is distilled and aged between five and six years before being bottled at 100 proof.

Where is Wilderness Trail Bourbon?

It is located on 163 acres in Danville, Kentucky. Wilderness Trail Distillery is family-owned and started operations in 2012.

Cheers!

Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon is hearty for the finest palates. It makes a great party companion, giving out celebrity vibes. The price is adequate, and the flavors are well-balanced.