Hirsch – The Bivouac

Don’t Buy – Try at a bar first!

DISTILLERY	Hotaling & Co
REGION	San Francisco, CA
AGE	95% – is 3 years and 2 month old 5% – is 8 years
STRENGTH	50% ABV ( 100 Proof)
MASHBILL	Blend of two whiskeys (Ratio): 95% – 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% Barley Malt 5 % – 72% corn, 13% Rye, 15% Barley Malt
MSRP	$50

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GLANCE

Clear with light golden hay color hue. Light intensity.

NOSE

From a fresh crack, the rye’s presence shows up but doesn’t overpower. After that subdues, The Bivouac wastes zero time showing its youth. I got raw oak, cereal notes with light to medium intensity. There is ethanol sharpness that comes in at times but dissipates. As it opens up I got notes of honey, granola, roasted pine nuts and vegetal aromas. These came in with light intensity. After letting it seat for 10 mins, I got very subdued notes of raisins & dates.

PALATE

Prominent flavor profile here is oatmeal with whole milk creaminess and cinnamon. Rye spice is mild but present. Drizzle of honey sweetness throughout the palate with fresh oak. Tastes rougher around the edges and back of the palate. Some green apple and melon notes towards the back of the palate.

FINISH

Short to medium in length and not complex. Subdued blip of notes found on palate.

CLOSING REMARKS

Statement from Hirsch

“The Bivouac, pronounced “be∙voo∙ak,” refers to a temporary camp without a tent or cover. It alludes to a way of travel only meant for those who want to truly immerse themselves in nature. HIRSCH The Bivouac honors those adventurous spirits who are brave enough to take the road less traveled.
 
The Bivouac combines two straight bourbons distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky – the world capital of Bourbon. Our custom mashbill is inspired by A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16-year-old legendary whiskey, providing balance to our make. 95% of the blend is distilled from mashbill of 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley, aged a minimum of 3 years. The remaining 5% is distilled from a high malted barley mash 72% corn, 13% rye, 15% malted barley, aged for a least 6 years, for added complexity. Bottled at 100 proof with approximately 160 barrels bottled with every batch. Enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite cocktail.”

Hirsch is owned by a prominent spirits company Hotaling & Co. Innovation Distiller Kevin Aslan is tasked with managing Hirsch’s product pipeline and he coordinates with Bardstown Bourbon Company who distills for Hirsch (along with for many other spirit companies).

I honestly don’t have a lot to say for this offering from Hirsch. This is perfect campfire whiskey or something to sip on while at a bbq. Not complex, no bold flavors, decent mouthfeel with roughness coming from the young whiskey (which makes up 95% of the blend). I would be interested in trying their cask strength offerings or see if they can add more age to the 3 year old whiskey in this blend.

I will say, I do like their marketing. I like the transparency of the blend with details such as the mash-bill and age. The labels are unique and do stand out on a shelf. I also like they are trying to appeal to the millennial, who are becoming a growing population of new whiskey drinkers. Overall though nothing too offending but if you are looking for a sipper to take you on a journey of flavors, this isn’t it.

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