Doc Porter’s Bourbon

A little background

A craft distillery based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Doc Porter’s distills three aged whiskey variants as well as a gin and a vodka. The $40 bourbon boasts, “After distilling to perfection, the high-wheat spirit rests a minimum of 8 months in 15 or 30-gallon American white oak barrels (#3 Char)” although in conversations with folks at the distillery during a recent visit, it sounds like the 8 month mark may be climbing upward as they transition to using larger barrels. The bourbon they currently produce is distilled from a mashbill of 60% corn, 30% wheat, and 10% malted barley.

(Tasted neat from a Wide-Bowl Glencairn Glass)

Color

Autumn Honey

Nose

This bourbon hits with very little ethanol, and starts off with notes of raw corn and barley. After two or three whiffs, the unmistakable and unique scent of salted soft sourdough pretzels comes through loud and clear.

Palate

Touching down on the tongue with a lot of standard bourbon caramel, followed by a sweeter barley grain note- almost honey-nut cheerios, but light on the actual honey.

Finish

A light though not watery mouthfeel flows into a medium-long finish that lasts several breaths. Starting at the rear corners of the mouth and dissipating right up the center of the tongue, that salted pretzel note returns, along with a hint of sweet ripe melon with the slightest spark of oak bringing up the rear.

In closing

While not a particularly complex bourbon, Doc Porter’s Bourbon is approachable and certainly an enjoyable sipper. A good nose, followed by a mild palate and an amiable finish, this whiskey may be on the young side, but it is far from dislikable. As craft distilleries get a little more age on their stocks in coming years, this may be one bottle to keep an eye on as time will only add some much-needed complexity to this bourbon.