Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon Review | 92 Proof Blend of Wheated & Rye Bourbons

Shortbarrel
Four Grain Bourbon
92 Proof
SRP: $39.99
Review

Please enjoy our Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon Review!

Background – Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon Review

Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon is the Atlanta-based brand’s flagship expression, originally rolled out in the Southeast before expanding to a nationwide release. It is now available in retail markets across Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, with direct-to-consumer shipping available to most U.S. states through the brand’s website.

The bourbon is created as a blend of sourced barrels from Wilderness Trail and Green River Distilling, combining multiple mash bills to incorporate all four traditional American whiskey grains. The Wilderness Trail component is a wheated bourbon, while Green River contributes a rye bourbon. The intent behind the blend is to balance the softer, sweeter characteristics of wheated bourbon with the added spice and structure from the rye-based component. For this blend, Shortbarrel leaned more heavily towards the wheated component.

After initial aging in Kentucky, the barrels undergo additional maturation in Shortbarrel’s Atlanta warehouse. This secondary aging environment, with higher temperatures and humidity, allows for further development of the whiskey prior to final blending.

Founded in 2020, Shortbarrel began as a passion project among friends following a barrel selection experience in Kentucky. The company name is derived from a common whiskey term “shortbarrel,” which refers to a barrel that has lost 50% of its content to the angel’s share, leaving behind a whiskey incredibly deep in flavor – something that founders Adam, Clinton and Patrick strive for in every bottle of their whiskey.

Details – Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon

• Brand: Shortbarrel
• Expression: Four Grain Bourbon
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Mashbill: 65% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley, 3% rye
• Age: 4–5 years
• Proof: 92
• Source Distilleries: Wilderness Trail & Green River
• Additional Maturation: Atlanta, Georgia
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered
• Price: $39.99

Tasting Notes – Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻 Nose: Fairly full flavored for the proof; moderately sweet; tart orange citrus, slight graininess, sweet corn, honey, rye spices mainly cloves, faint hint of spearmint, dark cherries in the background; alcohol vapor is appropriate for the proof.

👉🏻 Taste: Fairly light-bodied; light caramel and honey, mild dry oak, touch of black pepper; hints of sweet berries; mild black tea, more evident after a few sips

👉🏻 Finish: Slight remaining honey sweetness, increasing and lingering black pepper; mild black tea; increasingly dry, with mild lingering dry wood, spice and char

A Surprisingly Light Palate

The nose is full, fairly sweet and complex. Different flavors are evident in each sniff, including sweet and tart fruits, rye spices, honey, corn, subtle graininess and even a hint of mint.

Given the full flavors in the nose, the relatively light-bodied palate came as a bit of a surprise. It lacks the complexity and layers of the nose, with mild sweetness from caramel and honey, but also some dryness from dry oak and mild spice. Mild black tea becomes more noticeable after a few sips and carries into the finish along with mild honey sweetness.

There is increasing dryness in the finish, with mild black pepper spice, dry wood and a touch of char lingering for a while. Hints of sweet berries come and go throughout the sip.

A Light-Bodied Bourbon with a Full Nose and Drying Finish

I enjoyed the full flavors and complexity in the nose of Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon. Although the palate is a bit light and straightforward, there is still a nice progression from the sweeter flavors at the start into the drier and spicier finish.

This release stands apart from much of Shortbarrel’s lineup, which has focused on finished and/or higher proof whiskeys. Four Grain is meant to be your go-to everyday pour. As such, this bourbon will likely appeal to those looking for a lower-proof pour with pleasant, approachable flavors and an affordable price point. Those who prefer a fuller-bodied, more layered experience may want to look elsewhere within Shortbarrel’s lineup.

Have you tried Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Shortbarrel Four Grain Bourbon Review! Next, read this related article: Shortbarrel Announces Afterswarm Meadowfoam Limited Rye Whiskey.

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

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