A couple of friends and I decided to get together to watch some football. Ignore the score in the picture, it did not go well for Tulane. On the table is four offerings from Union Horse distillery for which I recruited my friends Alex and Jeremy to help with tasting notes. Unfortunately for all of us (and Tulane), execution proved a little difficult. Union Horse was established in 2010 and distills, ages, and bottles their whiskey in Lenexa, Kansas.
Reunion Straight Rye Whiskey
Age: 5 Years
Proof: 93
Tyler’s Notes:
Nose: I get some dill immediately reminiscent of Dickel. A couple of swirls and there is some maple and a hint of rose water.
Palate: It’s thin but oily. Dill again but lighter than the nose. Predominately maple and light cinnamon spice.
Finish: Smoked brisket and pepper. There is a light heat that lingers.
Jeremy’s Notes:
Overall: It’s sweet, can’t pin down the flavor. Not very rye forward.
Alex’s Notes:
Overall: Feels metallic.
Barrel Strength Reunion Rye Whiskey
Age: 18 Months
Proof: 112.3
Tyler’s Notes:
Nose: Orange and cinnamon. Heat is there with some ethanol. Vanilla comes out after digging deeper.
Palate: Medium mouth feel and oily. Baking spice and brown sugar first. I’m reaching for the second sip but going to say brown gravy.
Finish: Dilly finish with some pepper. Drinks lower than its proof.
Jeremy’s Notes:
Overall: Not a whole lot there for a barrel strength.
Alex’s Notes:
Overall: Sweeter and less metallic than the standard rye.
Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age: 5 Years
Proof: 92
Tyler’s Notes:
Nose: Leather bomb. Tobacco and bbq rub if I try, but mostly leather.
Palate: A musty leather which reminds me of my first sip of Old Fitzgerald 15 year. It’s medium in the mouth and on second try I pull a little green apple. But the leather dominates.
Finish: There is a hint of sweetness that begins when you start to swallow, maybe caramel. It moves quick to cinnamon and finishes with a light heat.
Jeremy’s Notes:
Overall: Not a whole lot of flavor. Doesn’t seem like it has enough age.
Alex’s Notes:
Overall: Hmmmm. Whiskey.
Rolling Standard Midwestern Four Grain Whiskey
Grain: Barley, Wheat, Corn, Rye
Age: 18 Months
Proof: 92
Tyler’s Notes:
Nose: Sour green apple that I tend to get with a good bit of malted grains. It’s smoky but there is some light caramel as well.
Palate: Medium in the mouth. There is a bit of youth I get with sweet corn notes. Cedar, vanilla, and nuts come through on the second sip.
Finish: Light and easy finish with some sweet vanilla notes that linger.
Jeremy’s Notes:
Overall: I like this one best. It’s smokier than the rest.
Alex’s Notes:
Overall: Conflicted palate; I don’t see a lot of cohesion.
My hope here was to provide some perspective from people who take whiskey drinking way too seriously (me) with those that drink to enjoy (my friends). On second look I’m definitely trying way too hard. Enjoy what you drink.
- Tyler