I received this spirit as a review sample from Echo Spirits Distilling Company, linked here. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.
There is something refreshing about a distillery that treats blending like a craft instead of a marketing angle. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Echo Spirits has built a reputation not just on distilling, but on thoughtful sourcing, finishing, and transparency. Their Engineer Series is essentially their workbench, a space to experiment and fine tune flavor profiles.
Batch 25A, nicknamed Trail Mix, immediately caught my attention because of how open they are about the blend. Percentages, mash bills, aging timelines, even the finishing details are laid out clearly. For a whiskey enthusiast, that kind of transparency is a big plus before the cork is even pulled.
Age Statement: 5 years.
ABV: 58% (Cask Strength).
Blend:
- 58% bourbon aged 5 years & 8 months with a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, & 4% malted barley.
- 42% is the same base bourbon, aged 5 years and 8 months.
Mash bill: 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley.
Finishing: 58% Double Oaked for 1 year 1 month.
Area of Distillation: Bardstown, Kentucky.
Appearance: Rich espresso.
On the nose:
Right away, the nose delivers a burst of orchard fruit. Apple and pear lead the charge, followed by dried apricot and dark raisin. There is a sweet corn backbone supported by a balanced rye spice that never turns herbal or medicinal. A gentle layer of cocoa powder and barrel char rounds it out, while the double oak shows up as a soft vanilla sweetness rather than an overpowering wood note. It is inviting, layered, and remarkably smooth for the proof.
Taste:
The name Trail Mix absolutely fits. The first sip brings granola and oat notes, followed by chocolate and dried fruits. Dried apricot and raisin stand out again, with a subtle tropical sweetness that hints at something like dried papaya or pineapple tucked into the mix. There is a light peppery spice and a steady sweet oak presence.
As it opens up, toasted marshmallow comes forward, almost like roasting s’mores over a campfire. That roasted sweetness plays beautifully with the chocolate and grain notes. Despite being cask strength, it drinks softer than expected, closer to a well-aged seven-year bourbon than a five-year. The texture is rich and coating, making it dangerously easy to sip.
Finish:
The finish carries fruit, grain, and a touch of peppery spice. Sweet oak lingers, but this is where the only real criticism comes in. It fades a bit quicker than I would like. The ride is excellent, but it ends just a touch abruptly. Still enjoyable, just not quite as long as the rest of the experience deserves.
Final Thoughts:
Echo Spirits has delivered a well-executed blend that highlights what thoughtful finishing can achieve. The partial double oak treatment adds depth, sweetness, and texture without sacrificing the bourbon’s core identity.
For a five-year-old bourbon, this drinks above its age. The transparency in the blend, the balanced use of finishing, and the cohesive flavor profile all work in its favor. The slightly shorter finish keeps it from climbing higher, but this is still a bottle I would happily revisit.
Rating: B+ (Great).
Cost: $54.99 for 750ml.
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