West Fork Whsky Co. High Corn Bourbon Cherry Brandy finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.

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 West Fork Whsky Co. High Corn Bourbon Cherry Brandy finished.


    Over the past couple of years I've been a fan of the West Fork Whsky Co. Based in Westfield, Indiana they are doing some great examples of craft whiskey in my eyes. Their "in house" brand is being distilled, aged, and bottled by them along with all the transparency on mash bills, age statements and all those deep details. This release is a bit unique. Essentially West Fork is taking a 100% corn mash bill ant then finishing it in a cherry brandy barrel.  
    
    Starting with a new American oak barrel aging for 4 years, this high-corn bourbon receives an extra 18 months in cherry brandy barrels. We don't see many distilleries use 100% corn let alone going with a bourbon vs a whiskey. The catch on this release is you are really using the barrel itself to do a lot of "heavy lifting" to bring flavors to the bourbon vs the barrel and a blend of grains. This was quite the surprise drop on a Friday night, but luckily I was visiting West Fork for the r/bourbon single barrel pick. So I decided to snag a bottle!


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/3vL3C8_7mts

Age Statement: +4 years.

ABV: 51.5%

Mashbill: 100% Corn.

Area of Distillation: Westfield, Indiana.

Finishing: Cherry Brandy Barrels for 18 months.

Appearance: Red amber.


On the nose:
    The aroma immediately delivers rich, cherry-forward notes that’s sweet yet slightly medicinal, evoking a cherry cough drop or syrup. This cherry note is both tart and juicy, reminiscent of freshly squeezed cherry juice, which gives it a lively quality. Underneath, there’s a soft corn dustiness that brings out the whiskey’s 100% corn base. Offering a buttery sweetness and a hint of grain. A touch of sweet cream and vanilla adds a smooth, creamy layer, balanced by a faint caramel undertone. There’s a bit of warmth from the alcohol on the nose, but it doesn’t overpower.


Taste:
   The first sip brings an immediate wave of cherry flavor, which is intense and syrupy, echoing the nose’s cherry cough syrup character with a bold tartness. As the cherry note settles, a grilled corn sweetness starts to shine, offering a hint of caramelized, buttery corn flavors that bring warmth and depth. The cask’s influence introduces a pronounced oaky and char that adds complexity and contrast to the sweetness, giving the whiskey a slightly toasted quality. Notes of vanilla and sweet cream emerge subtly, adding a softness that smooths out the intensity of the cherry. A mild pepperiness creeps in mid-palate, providing a slight kick and balancing out the sweeter notes.


Finish:
    The finish is long and lingers with a clingy, syrupy feel that allows the cherry flavor to remain prominent well after each sip. The char and oaky notes adds a nice undertone to the sweetness and keeps it from feeling overly sugary. The corn profile continues to stand out here, with a bit of husky dustiness that adds earthiness. It does have that linger of ABV that is a tad strong, but not to the point of overpowering the palette. 


Final Thoughts: 
    West Fork's High Corn Bourbon is a solid pour for those who enjoy a sweet, cherry-infused whiskey. The cherry brandy barrel finish brings bold fruitiness that pairs well with the bourbon’s underlying corn character. Though it lacks the complexity found in more varied mash bills, it delivers exactly what’s expected; a sweet, cherry-forward experience.


Rating: C+ (Slightly above average).

Cost: $54.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/3vL3C8_7mts

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

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