Monk's Road Private Select Bourbon Whiskey Review.

    Monks Road is a label I’ve seen floating around my local market for a while, but one I’d never pulled the trigger on until now. This single barrel cask strength pick came from my buddy Rich at Holly’s Package Store in Greentown, Indiana, and seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally see what Log Still Distillery is bringing to the table. 

    Log Still Distillery operates out of Kentucky and sits in that middle ground between sourcing and full in-house distillation. They utilize contract distillation, meaning the whiskey is produced at another Kentucky distillery using agreed-upon specifications before being aged and bottled under their label. There’s nothing wrong with that approach, but the lack of transparency here immediately raises some questions. 

    Some reports suggest this could be coming from Bardstown, which would honestly be something to lean into if true. Bardstown produces excellent whiskey. Most online chatter points toward barrels around six years old, but that remains speculation as well. Instead, we’re left guessing, and for a premium-priced single barrel, that lack of information stings more than it should.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/NIJf2jMDjDw.

Age Statement: N/A (Rumored to be +6 years) (Single barrel).

ABV: 58.58% (Barrel proof).

Mash bill: N/A.

Area of Distillation: Kentucky.

Appearance: Honeyed amber.


On the nose:

    The first pass brings classic bourbon aromas: oak, vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar. There’s a light green apple sweetness and some graham cracker underneath, paired with a subtle nutty note. Unfortunately, the alcohol presence is aggressive. Even for cask strength, the ethanol comes across sharp and punchy, overpowering the softer aromas.

    As the glass sits, things take a turn. A chalky note reminiscent of Pepto-Bismol tablets starts to creep in, and the alcohol only grows louder. What began as a fairly standard, promising bourbon nose evolves into something muddled and unpleasant, making this a tough one to keep revisiting.

Taste:

   The first sip hits hard. Cinnamon red hots, cinnamon stick, clove, and heavy baking spice dominate immediately. There’s an oily mouthfeel that coats the palate well, but not necessarily in a good way. Cedar, wood shavings, and musty oak follow close behind, accompanied by a noticeable ethanol bite.

    Mid-palate, there’s a buttery corn sweetness and a hint of rye-driven spice, but it never quite balances out. The alcohol stays front and center, bringing a rubbing alcohol note that distracts from what could have been a really interesting flavor profile.

Finish:

   The finish is long, hot, and astringent. Musty oak, pepper, and lingering spice give way to a metallic edge that overstays its welcome. For something rumored to be six years old, this drinks shockingly young, closer to a four-year bourbon that needed more time in the barrel.

Final Thoughts: 

    This is a tough one. There are genuinely interesting flavors here, especially the heavy cinnamon and spice character, but they’re constantly undermined by harsh ethanol, musty wood, and a metallic finish. At $70, the value just isn’t there, especially when similar store picks were found elsewhere for significantly less.

    This might improve with oxidation over time, but right now, it feels rushed and unrefined. With more age or better barrel selection, Monks Road could have something special. Unfortunately, this particular single barrel misses the mark.

Rating: D (Poor).

Cost: $69.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/NIJf2jMDjDw.

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