Wyoming Bourbon Whiskey K & L Private Select

Something different and new – I enjoyed it overall

DISTILLERY	Wyoming Whiskey
REGION	Kirby, WY
AGE	NAS
STRENGTH	62.1% ABV (124.2 Proof)
MASHBILL	68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
MSRP	$60 (but was acquired for $50)

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GLANCE

Clear with dark gold/brown hue (medium to deep intensity)

NOSE

Clean with pronounced intensity. Sweet cherries, vanilla, brown sugar and raisins. Hint of nutmeg and gingerbread. As it opened up I got crisp apples and peas with sweet oak.

PALATE

Caramel and vanilla with ginger. Lighter at the front and rich in the middle. Caramel & cocoa with cherries. Sweet with watery to mouth-feeling texture (medium viscosity). Medium to pronounced flavor intensity. Notes of raisins. Tannins enter back of the palate

FINISH

Caramel, and vanilla with nutmeg. Medium in length and simple to some complexity. Here the oak tannins emerge, drying on the tongue

CLOSING REMARKS

I had been hearing rumblings coming from Wyoming whiskey for a couple years or so but hadn’t really become motivated to search some out. Craft distilleries have been growing in number since little over a decade. Recently, they have seen a huge boom. Wyoming whiskey was founded in 2009 by Brad, Kate Mead & David Defazio. They released their first bourbon whiskey product in 2012 from the help of former Maker’s Mark master distiller Steve Nally. Brad, Kate & David are ranchers and lawyer by trade. When they came together to start Wyoming whiskey, they headed to Kentucky in search for a partner who could get them started on the right path. They found that in the great Steve Nally. When looking at the uniqueness of Wyoming whiskey, they have a lot going on.

• They are the first whiskey distillery from Wyoming
• The unique terroir of Wyoming (weather, and locally sourced grains)
• Being a craft distillery they age their whiskey for ~5 years in 53 gallon barrels
• Utilization of two different yeast strains

From David himself their first release had hype in Wyoming and had built up local demand. Unfortunately, their first release didn’t leave up to the expectations and they had to go back to the drawing board. They persisted and stuck to the beauty of their terroir, and I think now they are releasing great products at an affordable price point. This specific barrel selection, I felt had tannins being interjected and causing imbalance. As it has opened up I have been enjoying it more though. Unique flavor profile and might not be for everyone but if you enjoy this class of spirits, you must give it a try at least once. Cheers!

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