Stellum Bourbon

A little background

Created by the same folks behind the Barrell Craft Spirits brand, Stellum bourbon is created with the modern whiskey drinker in mind. From the simple no-frills label to the limited but consistent offerings, the brand seems to be an attempt at making high-proof, consistently blended whiskey available and popular for everyone. The website indicates the bourbon’s flavor profile is the result of three Indiana mashbills, two of them high-rye and one of them high-corn. However, the website also indicates that Kentucky barrels and Tennessee barrels are incorporated into the blend to adjust the profile and the proof. Stellum Bourbon has a retail price of $54.99 USD.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Honey

Nose

A little cherry and clove rise from the glass initially, followed by an aroma of caramel, corn, and the slightest almond note. After a few moments the almond note grows stronger, along with some white pepper. Considering the proof, this nose was surprisingly mild and approachable.

Palate

Standard caramel and vanilla spread over the palate initially, but a big burst of black pepper and cloves erupts after a moment, spreading across the center palate but leaving hints of sweetness in the corners of the mouth.

Finish

The finish carries loads of baking spice, from cloves to black pepper to the white pepper note from the nose. The length of the finish is medium, with just the smallest touch of heat to remind you that it’s nearly 115 proof. As the finish fades a gentle sweetness returns and fills the mouth slowly, starting at the tip of the tongue and slowly receding toward the throat.

In closing

Overall I like this pour, but I’m not entirely in love with it either. I think the folks at Barrell Craft Spirits set a goal of creating a consistently good, high proof pour that provides drinkers with an approachable sipper full of flavor, and I think they have met that goal. The nose and the palate are pleasantly approachable, with a mild finish that belies the proof. Additionally, the complexity is about what I would expect from a blend of whiskeys from three states, and despite the inclusion of TN barrels I found nothing off-putting about this pour. My only complaint is that it seems slightly on the young side, in the sense that at no point did I detect significantly aged barrels. It’s nowhere near one of those poorly-aged spirits that tastes like white dog and oak chips, but it also lacks some of the depth and richness that I hope to find in my favorite pours.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Stellum Spirits. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.