Wilderness Trail Bourbon Single Barrel – Side by Side Showdown!

Wilderness Trail Kentucky Straight Bourbon SB – K&L Pick

DISTILLERY	Wilderness Trail
REGION	Danville, Kentucky
AGE	4 Years, 9 Months
STRENGTH	55.13% ABV (11.26 Proof)
MASHBILL	64% Corn, 24% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
MSRP	$60
Barrel #	780645
Rickhouse	A-S17-B1
Yeast Strain	FP1

Wilderness Trail Kentucky Straight Bourbon SB – Eureka! Pick

DISTILLERY	Wilderness Trail
REGION	Danville, Kentucky
AGE	4 Years, 9 Months
STRENGTH	55.1% ABV (110.2 Proof)
MASHBILL	64% Corn, 24% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
MSRP	$60
Barrel #	771193
Rickhouse	E-S5-11-10
Yeast Strain	FP1

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This side by side has been done blind with one glass being marked by a sticker.

GLANCE

K&L – Clear slightly darker than no sticker. Medium intensity of golden hue

Eureka! – Clear with a low to medium golden hue

NOSE

K&L – Clean with pronounced intensity. Lightly roasted peanuts in the background. Floral forward with light fruit with sweetness drizzled all over. Cooked lentils like aroma which was interesting and some savory aromas. As it opens up I got caramelizing butter, maple syrup, french toast. Hints of caramel and vanilla.

Eureka! – Clean with pronounced intensity. Fruit and spice forward. Blackberries, raspberries, and cooked berries. Reminded me of a red blended wine that has high composition of syrah grapes. Cinnamon, toasted brown sugar, caramel and vanilla which came through as more prominent.

PALATE

K&L – Medium flavor intensity, off-dry to medium sweetness and doughy & silky mouthfeel. Salted cashews, churned butter, toast, graham cracker with blueberries and honey.

Eureka! – Medium flavor intensity, medium sweetness and mouth-filling (creamier texture). Floral hit me first, cooked peaches and apricots with fresh raspberries. Vanilla, oak and caramel enters in the middle of the palate. Towards the end there is cooked oats with condensed milk like flavor note with cinnamon and nutmeg spice in the back.

FINISH

K&L – Medium to Long with some complexity. Honey, fudge, vanilla and oak

Eureka! – Medium to Long with some complexity. Cinnamon, nutmeg, honey and black tea

CLOSING REMARKS

Wilderness Trail was founded in 2012 by Shane Baker and Dr. Patrick Heist. They both come from a STEM background (Dr. Heist comes from microbiology & holds a Ph.D in plant pathology – Shane’s background is mechanical engineering) which was really cool for me to learn since I work in biotech! In 2006 they found FERM solutions which will end up becoming a crucial part of their success with Wilderness Trail.

About FERM Solutions – From company website

“Ferm Solutions is a leading research, product development, engineering and technical service provider to the ethanol and distilled spirits industries. We specialize in all aspects of process optimization and supply products and technical services that ensure maximum production and yield.”

With Ferm solutions they became subject mater experts in yeast and fermentation for distilling, brewing and wine making. Hence, the yeast used to produce this bourbon is from Ferm Solutions! In 2022 Campari acquired a 70% stake in Wilderness Trail for $420 million.

Link to their Yeast strain

https://ferm-solutions.net/product/fp-1-vodka/

Now to the side by side of these single barrels. Wilderness Trail bourbon (their non black or yellow label) is a high wheat mashbill which to no surprise to me delivered a very supple and gentle drinking experience. Wilderness Trail has some uniqueness when it comes to their flavor profile, which is always great to see when the shelf is getting populated with ever more brands. In this side by side, hands down the Eureka! pick wins! On the nose and palate it was punchier. There was more flavor complexity and the mouthfeel was superior. To be clear the flavor intensity is significantly less than what you would see with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof or Maker’s Mark 46 cask strength. Still, the softness of Wilderness Trail complemented with some great flavors offers a nice change of pace for whiskey enthusiasts who want to take a break from the punchier bourbons. Will I reach for these offerings from Wilderness Trail often? Probably not, I tend to lean towards big or bolder expressions. I will say this if its a Sunday and I am on vacation overlooking some beautiful views, the Eureka! pick fits the bill. Cheers!

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