Scotchology, as the name might imply, focuses primarily on scotch with a healthy interest in other world whiskies. One realm we generally stay away from is bourbon. This is not because we think lesser of the quintessentially American spirit, but rather because it is its own realm in many ways, and scotch provides us with plenty of pathways. Sometimes, however, it is nice to take a small deviation. The Smoke Wagon Small Batch is a high rye bourbon from Nevada Distilling, This small batch offering was first released in 2016 and is a mix of younger, more vibrant rye and older, more complex bourbon. The spirits themselves are from spirits producer MGP, as actually distilling in the heat of Nevada can result in high loss due to evaporation.
Distillery: Nevada Distilling
Region: Foreign
Age: NAS
Strength: 50%
Price: $48.99
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Nose: Angel food cake, pineapple, fruit cocktail, coconut milk, rye, vanilla, bergamot, frankincense, spice
Palate: Rye, spice, cereal
Finish: Corn
Comments: Try experimenting between smaller sips and larger gulps to get a fuller experience. Note the detailed stenciling on the bottle.
Adam – I find the nose of the Smoke Wagon delightful, completely unexpected. Bergamot and rice, with a sweetness that is not all corn. Not at all what I would expect from a standard bourbon profile. I mean, the vanilla and rye elements are there, but the fruit is what caught me off guard, as well as offering a distinct call back to Earl Grey. I’m also pleasantly surprised at how smooth the whiskey is, especially at 50%. I’m hoping it’s those older bourbons that help with that. The palate profile is much narrower than the nose, but the rye and spice come out and dance a little jig with the corn sweetness before settling into a warmth in your chest. The spice notes become more prominent with bigger sips. I’m not a regular bourbon drinker and I don’t know if I would buy multiple bottles of this, but I can at least say I am pleased it is on my shelf for the moment.
Kate – The Smoke Wagon smacks me sideways. This should be a cartoon whisky. The characters have all these crazy things happen to them and then they jump up and yell “yee-haw!” The smell of corn is left in the empty glass. Like a drink from a film noir, ironic and humorous.
Like the lie of Las Vegas, dazzling lights and all.
Henry – Bold spices, bergamot, and frankincense on an appealing nose of surprising complexity. In comparison, the palate falls flat, with sweet vanilla, toast, and a milder version of the spice and bergamot featured in the nose. Finish is medium, with lingering sweetness devoid of the bold complexity it promised at the outset.
Ben – Like a fruit cocktail until you taste it, then it’s Fruity Pebbles. The Smoke Wagon is a funny bourbon. Like the lie of Las Vegas, dazzling lights and all.
