CLASSIFICATION: Bourbon.
COMPANY: Breckenridge.
DISTILLERY: Breckenridge Distillery.
ABV: 43% (86 proof).
AGE: NAS (No Age Statement).
Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
According to the label, it is aged for a minimum of 2 years in new toasted American oak barrels. According to the website, it is aged between 2 and 3 years at a minimum. In statements from the master distiller, Jordan Via, except for the original release, subsequent versions are offered with a minimum of 3 years of aging.
MASHBILL: 56% yellow corn, 38% green rye, 6% unmalted barley.
COLOR: Fresh tea, medium intensity.
According to Jordan Via, the water used by the distillery is key and comes from the municipal supply of Breckenridge: essentially, naturally melted fresh snow rich in minerals. Breckenridge is located 9,600 feet (2,926 meters) above sea level in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
NOSE: Cinnamon, spicy rye, oak, and vanilla with just the right amount of barrel toast notes.
PALATE: The rye spices, cinnamon, and pepper contrast with the oak, vanilla, and honey. It’s well balanced. Although it may seem under-structured at first glance, its flavor is much more complex than expected, which is emphasized by its alcohol content.
FINISH: Medium finish, with a fair amount of notes originating from the toasting. The flavors really stand out and leave an excellent aftertaste. It gives the impression of being a higher-proof bourbon than it states with its ABV and competes very well with other labels above 45% ABV (90 proof).
COMMENTS: When drinking, it doesn’t seem to present unique characteristics, falling into the traditional range of what you might expect from a bourbon. It’s a familiar, complex flavor that’s hard to distinguish in a blind tasting. Its story is somewhat convincing, as the distillery claims to use snowmelt rich in minerals, which speaks to a not-so-secret “secret” ingredient. Then there’s its early age of 2 to 3 years, which I would never guess just by the taste. I consider it a top-tier traditional bourbon that seems to have more barrel years than stated and, at a price point of $50 or less, should be on the shelf of any collector.
