Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon Review: Craig and Cynthia Taste an Aspen-Finished Whiskey

Locke + Co.
Big Blaze Bourbon
Second Release
Bourbon Whiskey
Aged A Minimum of 5 Years
95 Proof
SRP: $58.99
Review by Craig & Cynthia

Please enjoy our Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon Review by Craig & Cynthia!

Background — Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon Review

Locke + Co.’s Big Blaze Bourbon is a pour that literally carries a piece of Colorado’s recovery story in every glass. Aged for a minimum of five years in new American oak and bottled at an approachable 95 proof, this expression gets its distinct identity from a unique finishing process: hand-cut discs made from naturally burned aspen harvested from private property in Grand County affected by the historic 2020 East Troublesome Fire.

The East Troublesome Fire ignited on October 14, 2020, in the central Rocky Mountains of Grand County. Fueled by extreme winds, the blaze rapidly grew into a 10,000-acre inferno that spread to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. By the time snow, rain, and firefighting efforts brought the fire under control later that month, it had destroyed more than 400 homes and scorched over 193,000 acres.

Far from just an unconventional technique, the bottle serves a mission, with proceeds benefiting the local first responders who battled the blaze. It sets up an intriguing tasting experience. A tribute to resilience that promises classic sweet and spice bourbon notes elevated by a subtle, rustic aspen wood twist.

10% from every bottle sold is being donated to Grand Fire Protection District No. 1.

Details — Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon Review

• Brand: Locke + Co. Distilling, Denver, CO
• Distilled in: Kentucky
• Aged and Blended By: Locke + Co. Distilling
• Bottled by: Ballmer Peak Distillery in Lakewood, Colorado
• Whiskey: Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon
• Type: Bourbon Whiskey
• Release: The second release of the limited-edition Big Blaze Bourbon
• Mash Bill: Not provided
• Age: A minimum of 5 years
• Barrels: New American oak barrels
• Finish: Finished with hand-cut, naturally burned aspen discs sourced from private property in Grand County affected by the 2020 East Troublesome Fire
• Proof: 95 proof
• ABV: 47.5%
• SRP: $58.99
• Charitable Contribution: 10% from every bottle sold is donated to Grand Fire Protection District No. 1
• Awards: Gold at the 2026 Ascot Awards and Double Gold at the 2026 Denver International Spirits Competition
• Availability: Select bars, restaurants and liquor stores throughout Colorado, as well as online in 48 states
• Brand Website: LockeAndCoDistilling.com

Tasting Notes — Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
🎨 Color: Light amber

👉🏻 Nose (Craig): Campfire S’mores, canned marshmallow crème, chocolate caramel candy, definitely some grains, black walnut bitters
👉🏻 Nose (Cynthia): Oatmeal with brown sugar & cinnamon, Biko (a Filipino sweet rice cake made with sticky glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar), molasses, black pepper, gingerbread cookie

👉🏻 Taste (Craig): Wood forward with the bitter notes carrying through to the palate. Maybe something from the Aspen wood? Some spice, nutmeg, fresh cut wood.
👉🏻 Taste (Cynthia): Smokey but not peaty, like smoked meat. Some pineapple and other tropical notes, thick caramel, black pepper

👉🏻 Finish (Craig): Short, lingering black walnut bitters
👉🏻 Finish (Cynthia): Short

Craig’s Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon Review — S’mores, Wood and Black Walnut Bitters

The nose of Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon opens with comforting campfire s’mores and rich, charred marshmallow cream. Decadent chocolate caramel treats take center stage against a subtle background of toasted grains, all grounded by an intriguing, earthy accent of lingering black walnut bitters.

Wood-forward on the opening with a prominent grain character, the palate introduces comforting layers of chocolate malt and toasted marshmallows, followed by a crisp wave of fresh wood. An underlying earthiness and subtle herbal notes add depth, while lively rye spice and a pinch of light nutmeg are balanced by a dark, aromatic bitterness reminiscent of black walnut bitters.

Remarkably light in body rather than heavily coating, Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon leaves that distinct, earthy bitter note to linger long after the sip.

Cynthia’s Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon Review — Savory Smoke, Pineapple and Black Pepper

The palate of Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon combines heavy sweetness, culinary smoke, and unexpected bright fruit. That sweetness quickly gives way to a unique, savory smokiness. Unlike the boggy peat found in Scotch, this smoke feels warm and culinary, similar to cured meats or the edge of a hickory barbecue.

This is where the naturally burned aspen finish makes its mark, making an impression of a campfire-adjacent woodiness without overwhelming the underlying grain. Just when it threatens to lean too heavy or savory, a pop of tropical pineapple hovers on the tongue. It adds a vibrant, acidic lift that brightens the entire mid-palate.

Finally, a sharp bite of cracked black pepper sweeps in on the backend, sharpening the flavors and providing an exciting spice that kicks up the pour.

Craig’s Conclusion — Big Blaze Bourbon’s Burnt Aspen-Finished Personality

Overall, Locke + Co.’s Big Blaze Bourbon lands right in the middle. I didn’t particularly love it, but I certainly didn’t hate it either. Its unusual wood-forward, bitter-herbal profile makes it undeniably unique and a fun departure from standard pour profiles.

While it might not become an everyday staple, the distinct naturally burned aspen-finished personality makes for a memorable pour, and the fact that a portion of sales directly supports firefighters makes it a bottle well worth backing.

Cynthia’s Conclusion — An Unconventional Bourbon Worth Trying

Ultimately, Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon is not going to become a personal favorite or a regular pour for me, but it is worth trying. The crazy interplay between savory barbecue smoke, bright tropical pineapple, and sharp black pepper makes for an eccentric, memorable tasting experience that breaks completely out of the expected bourbon profile.

If you are open to an unconventional dram that trades traditional oak for a distinct, flavorful experiment, then this is a whiskey worth pouring.

Have you tried Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Locke + Co. Big Blaze Bourbon Review by Craig and Cynthia! Next, read these related reviews: Old Elk Slow Cut Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review and Woody Creek Distillers Bourbon Review.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for our review. We appreciate it!

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