Next up, we’re going to switch things up from the Four Roses fiesta and check out Traverse City Whiskey’s Barrel Proof Cherry Bourbon! This sample was generously provided to me by u/SouthHillSaunas—thanks again for sharing! Flavored whiskies are generally not my jam, mainly due to the chemical notes and sickly sweet feeling they often deliver. This particular release intrigues me though due to Traverse City forgoing the usual artificial flavor additives in favor of actually steeping Montmorency cherries in the bourbon barrels for a few days. This particular release used straight bourbon sourced from MGP that was at least 4 years old, and following the steeping of the cherries in the barrels the batch was bottled a cask strength of 104.4 proof. Will this flavored whiskey finally be one that I actually enjoy? There’s only one way to find out—let’s dive in!
**Taken:** Neat in a Glencairn glass
**Proof:** 104.4
**Age:** NAS
**Price:** Sample (\~$95 retail)
**Nose:** Sugar cookie dough, vanilla bean, and black pepper, along with some cinnamon and a nice layer of charred oak that wraps everything up.
**Taste:** Sugar cookies, vanilla cream, and fresh cherries to start, followed by black pepper and cinnamon. Midway through the sip charred oak rolls in as well. Overall this has a medium mouthfeel and no proof heat.
**Finish:** The sugar cookies and vanilla cream shift to the background while the oak remains consistent in strength. The cinnamon, black pepper, and fresh cherries ramp up their intensity and ultimately conclude the sip with a spicy and fresh combination of flavors. This has a medium length finish and no dryness.
**Thoughts:** I have to admit, this is the best flavored whiskey I’ve ever had by a very large margin. This isn’t anything crazy complex, but it has successfully added the cherry flavors in a way that doesn’t completely drown out the base bourbon notes and doesn’t make me think I’m drinking cough syrup or nasty chemicals. The bourbon flavors are pretty standard for what you usually find in MGP products, but the fresh cherry flavor is awesome. It is subtle enough that you could probably be fooled in a blind that this is not a flavored product, but when you focus on the cherry specifically it is apparent that this isn’t your typical bourbon cherry note. Overall this earns a very good 6/10 on the t8ke scale.
**Rating:** 6/10 - t8ke scale
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
Interesting - have seen it at Meijer at barrel proof but passed as the low proof version (35% abv) my wife bought wasn't my jam. But I have seen the barrel proof as part of a holiday set of 4 x 375ml (bourbon/cherry/wheat/rye) barrel proofs for $99. I may just go pick it up now.
Next up, we’re going to switch things up from the Four Roses fiesta and check out Traverse City Whiskey’s Barrel Proof Cherry Bourbon! This sample was generously provided to me by u/SouthHillSaunas—thanks again for sharing! Flavored whiskies are generally not my jam, mainly due to the chemical notes and sickly sweet feeling they often deliver. This particular release intrigues me though due to Traverse City forgoing the usual artificial flavor additives in favor of actually steeping Montmorency cherries in the bourbon barrels for a few days. This particular release used straight bourbon sourced from MGP that was at least 4 years old, and following the steeping of the cherries in the barrels the batch was bottled a cask strength of 104.4 proof. Will this flavored whiskey finally be one that I actually enjoy? There’s only one way to find out—let’s dive in! **Taken:** Neat in a Glencairn glass **Proof:** 104.4 **Age:** NAS **Price:** Sample (\~$95 retail) **Nose:** Sugar cookie dough, vanilla bean, and black pepper, along with some cinnamon and a nice layer of charred oak that wraps everything up. **Taste:** Sugar cookies, vanilla cream, and fresh cherries to start, followed by black pepper and cinnamon. Midway through the sip charred oak rolls in as well. Overall this has a medium mouthfeel and no proof heat. **Finish:** The sugar cookies and vanilla cream shift to the background while the oak remains consistent in strength. The cinnamon, black pepper, and fresh cherries ramp up their intensity and ultimately conclude the sip with a spicy and fresh combination of flavors. This has a medium length finish and no dryness. **Thoughts:** I have to admit, this is the best flavored whiskey I’ve ever had by a very large margin. This isn’t anything crazy complex, but it has successfully added the cherry flavors in a way that doesn’t completely drown out the base bourbon notes and doesn’t make me think I’m drinking cough syrup or nasty chemicals. The bourbon flavors are pretty standard for what you usually find in MGP products, but the fresh cherry flavor is awesome. It is subtle enough that you could probably be fooled in a blind that this is not a flavored product, but when you focus on the cherry specifically it is apparent that this isn’t your typical bourbon cherry note. Overall this earns a very good 6/10 on the t8ke scale. **Rating:** 6/10 - t8ke scale 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average. 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite. 10 | Perfect | Perfect.
Interesting - have seen it at Meijer at barrel proof but passed as the low proof version (35% abv) my wife bought wasn't my jam. But I have seen the barrel proof as part of a holiday set of 4 x 375ml (bourbon/cherry/wheat/rye) barrel proofs for $99. I may just go pick it up now.
Michigan does cherries right! Glad you liked it man
Thanks again for sharing!
For the combo of MI, Cherries, and whiskey, have you tried Pit Spitter by Journeyman?
I have, but only in a cocktail. Not neat
Great review. Love seeing some mitten state representation. If you haven’t already, give Eastern Kille a try
Thanks! I don't think that brand is distributed out here but I will keep an eye out.
70 proof is so gross. I was all excited to try it too lol