CORSETS, WHIPS + WHISKEY; Benash Liquors Pick
Spirit: CORSETS, WHIPS + WHISKEY (Benash Liquors Barrel Pick)
Distillery: Journeyman Distillery
Aged: NAS
Price: $56.99
Proof: 114.1
About The Distillery:
“We’re dedicated to creating a quality product, taking the time to craft it to its highest potential and utilize only pure, organic ingredients. While whiskey is what we originally fell in love with, all of our products have a special place in our hearts. Variety and quality are what motivate us. Everything about Journeyman Distillery is handcrafted, and we like that our home reflects that attention to labor. The original maple factory floors are from the 1800s. We have an original concrete bar that was made in Grand Rapids, with coordinates etched into the side—to mark this historic and unique location. We’re using wood from the family barn in central Indiana; wood that was once the flooring for an early 1900s schoolhouse. We feel that E.K. Warren, the original builder of the factory—while being a staunch prohibitionist—would be proud to see his building shining bright. Our bottles are like our building: steeped in family history that we’re thrilled to share with you.”
About Corsets, Whips + Whiskey:
“Journeyman Distillery is located in an 1800’s corset and buggy whip factory in Three Oaks, Michigan. Once a dry town, we feel we’ve finally added the essential ingredient to a great party. Corsets, Whips & Whiskey is a single-grain, cask strength version of our Buggy Whip Wheat that comes directly from barrel-to-glass. Named after the products produced here at the historic Featherbone factory building throughout time; this whiskey is a true tribute to American manufacturing. This limited-release whiskey showcases the high quality and terroir of the organic Michigan wheat used to produce it. The 100% wheat provides a soft sweetness and smoothness to this whiskey unlike any other and reminiscent of an Irish whiskey on the palate.”
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Nose
(3.5)
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Palate
(4.5)
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Proof vs Heat
(5)
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Value
(4.5)
Review & Notes
Nose: Fresh apples, dried fruit, dark chocolate, fresh-cut trees
Palate: Mild Oak, fresh sweet caramel cream, toasted pecan
Finish: Long peppery wheat, citrus, honey, leather
Review: Benash Liquors absolutely nailed this pick. While I understand that the mash bills are completely different, on my initial sip at Benash, my first thought was Weller Full Proof. When I was able to open my own bottle, because I obviously picked one up (“Of course you did.” -my wife), I continued to get a lot of Weller notes but began to experience the depths of the barrel and what the 100% Wheated mash bill had to offer.
Journeyman doesn’t specify the age on this barrel but it is aged in a 10-gallon barrel so it doesn’t take as long to get a lot of the “older” flavors that we get from a presumably longer aged whiskey, all of which are on display with this pour. The mouthfeel reminded me of a lot of highly sought-after “top tier” Buffalo Trace products with a viscous, oily texture.
This pour comes in at 114.1 which is right around my sweet spot for proof. However, the creamy texture mellows out the heat as it drinks a lot lower than the noted proof, and the oily texture allows the finish to linger. The sweet wheat seems to last forever as the mild leather closes out the profile. A good “wheater” is tough to beat and this single barrel store pick is no exception. Benash offers a lot of fantastic single-barrel store picks but this one is a must-buy.
Cheers!
