WC Tries Out Some Big Bottom Barlow Trail American Blended Whiskey

WhiskyCritic went to the Big Bottom and lived to tell about it.

Specifically, WC tried some Big Bottom Barlow Trail American Blended Whiskey, a small batch whiskey from Oregon’s Big Bottom Distilling [owned by Eastside Distilling] blended from three well-aged whiskies and the gold medalist at the 2015 Great American Spirits Festival.

Press release materials accompanying this whiskey claims it contains notes of caramel, floral, oak, spice and vanilla origins. WC would call this wishful thinking or, more likely, subjective – as most whiskey tasting is prone to be. While there were some caramel and vanilla notes at the outset, WC detected far more spice – especially upon repeated and lingering tastings – than anything other element. If that is something that paddles your boat, then this whiskey might be for you. Bearing that in mind, WC would award Big Bottom Barlow Trail American Blended Whiskey a pedestrian 77 out of 100 – but if you like spiciness with your blended whiskies, then you can add 10 points to that score.

Big Bottom Barlow Trail American Blended Whiskey is offered at 45.5% alcohol by volume [91 proof] and retails for $30 per bottle.