Sweet, simple and soft sums up Shortbarrel Four-Grain Bourbon
There is a significant number of consumers who would like this and buy it repeatedly. It's enough flavor and spice for them; approachable as an everyday drinker. This is the kind of whiskey that becomes a good seller that pays a lot of bills at the distillery.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Green River Distilling Co. and Wilderness Trail Distillery
- MASH BILL: A blend of wheat-forward and rye bourbons with a combined mash bill of 65% Corn | 20% Wheat | 3% Rye and 12% Malted Barley
- AGE: 4 to 5 Years
- YEAR: 2026
- PROOF: 92 (46% ABV)
- MSRP: $39.99
- BUY ONLINE: Shortbarrel Bottle Shop
STEVE'S NOTES
SHARE WITH: Share with whiskey drinkers not into high prices and who prefer softer, sweeter drinkers. One Shortbarrel fan I know loves whatever the brand releases just because of that sweeter profile. The brand has bolder offerings, too.
WORTH THE PRICE: It's a decent buy $40, though I'd like it a little lower for a young 90 proof. But the fact is craft whiskey makers have to charge a little more.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. Due to the size of Shortbarrel releases, it's unlikely you'll find this on a whiskey list at a bar and be able to give it a trial run.
OVERALL: Instead of distilling a four-grain mash, Shortbarrel achieves that corn, wheat, rye and barley flavor combination via blending sourced whiskies from two excellent distilleries. The result is much like other four-grain whiskies I've had that began as four-grain mashes: round, balanced, unassertive, not complex, yet flavorful all the same. There is a significant part of the whiskey consumer market that would like this and buy it repeatedly. It's enough flavor and spice for them; approachable as an everyday drinker. This is the kind of whiskey that becomes a good seller that pays a lot of bills at the distillery.
The nose begins with cinnamon, vanilla cream, strawberry, fresh roses and raspberry donut. The fruit bouquet on this is truly surprising.
On the palate come black and red raspberries, rosewater, citrus rind, fresh pastry and just a little toasted oak. The finish is light, not lingering but slightly drying. The whole isn't complex, but it's entirely sessionable. This is a good young whiskey that will satisfy many who set their whiskey limits at 90 proof.
BRAND NOTES
Soft, complex, and easy-drinking, with a creamy texture from the wheat and subtle spice from the rye.
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.