West Fork Whsky Co. Swoleracha Hot Sauce Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.

-

West Fork Whsky Co. Swoleracha Hot Sauce Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.


    West Fork Whiskey Company has always been a personal favorite of mine, and for good reason. Based in Westfield, Indiana, they’ve been steadily building a reputation for bold, creative releases that showcase both skill and a playful sense of experimentation. I’ve supported them for years and have more bottles from West Fork than any other distillery in my collection. This particular release, Sorracha, might just be one of their wildest ideas yet.
    
    It’s the product of a collaboration with King Butter, a local Indiana legend in the world of hot sauces, spice blends, and rubs. King Butter’s hot honey barrel finish has already made its way into West Fork releases in the past, but this time they’ve turned the heat way up. The process involved aging hot sauce in a West Fork barrel, emptying it, and then filling it with their wheated bourbon plus keeping it a single barrel.


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

Age Statement: N/A. (Single Barrel).

ABV: 52.5%.

Mash bill: 73% corn, 17% wheat, 10% rye.

Area of Distillation: Westfield, Indiana.

Appearance: Deep orange.


On the nose:
    Instantly, there’s no mistaking what this is. The aroma delivers jalapeño-like heat, cracked black pepper, and a distinct saltiness reminiscent of a curing rub on smoked meat. There’s a faint undercurrent of honey sweetness from the bourbon itself, but the capsaicin-driven spice dominates. A wisp of vanilla and char from the barrel peek through if you search for them, but the savory heat takes center stage.


Taste:
    It opens with an immediate hit of salt and spice, again calling back that jalapeño comparison. There’s a honeyed sweetness in the mid-palate, raw and unfiltered, that works surprisingly well against the fiery backdrop. The mouthfeel is richer and thicker than expected—almost viscous—likely a result of the finishing process. Freshly cracked black pepper is abundant, joined by smoky, earthy tones that hint at barbecue sauce. The bourbon’s character is faint but present, adding structure to the intensity of the spice.


Finish:
    Long, lingering, and unapologetically hot. The spice clings to the back of the throat, leaving a warming burn that’s less about alcohol and more about pure capsaicin. Sweetness and smokiness trail behind, making for a finish that’s equal parts challenging and fascinating.


Final Thoughts: 
    Swoleracha isn’t a whiskey you sip on the porch every evening, it’s a conversation piece, a mixologist’s tool, and a love letter to bold, local collaboration. It delivers exactly what the label promises: a spicy, savory, and slightly wild drinking experience. This is not poorly made, but its appeal is situational. For cocktail creators, adventurous drinkers, or fans of unique finishes, it’s worth a try. For traditional bourbon lovers looking for balance and subtlety, it might be a bit too much. Still, West Fork and King Butter deserve credit for taking a risk and absolutely nailing the concept.


Rating: C+ (Slightly above average).

Cost: $49.99 for 750ml.

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

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

Learn more about King Butter via his link: https://kingbutter.com/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dovetail Distillery Cut Throat Oat Whiskey Review.

-
Image
Dovetail Distillery Cut Throat Oat Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Dovetail Distillery, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.           Dovetail Distillery, currently the smallest craft distillery based in Nevada. Currently the distillery is doing quite a bit with unique grains and one of those grains is Oats. Oats can be a fun grain your craft distilleries can play around with and add a unique profile to their spirits. Their Cutthroat Oat Whiskey is no exception, bringing three unique grains to the mix. After being double distilled it is aged for two years in custom char/toast American white oak 15-gallon barrels. This barrel size can be tricky, it does take a keen eye and palate to make sure this size of barrel doesn't take over.       Given my fascination with oat-based spirits, I was eager to dive into this bottle and see how Dovetai...
Read more

Old 55 Distillery Single Barrel Cask Strength Sweet Corn Bourbon Whiskey Review.

-
Image
Old 55 Distillery Single Barrel Cask Strength Sweet Corn Bourbon Whiskey Review.           Old 55 Distillery is a small craft operation tucked away in Newtown, Indiana, just south of Lafayette, and they’ve built a name for themselves by doing something very few dare to try, making bourbon with 100% sweet corn. I’ve crossed paths with a few of their spirits before and have always respected the level of care they bring to the table: all distilling, aging, and bottling is done in-house, with a heavy emphasis on local grains. Their Bottled-in-Bond Sweet Corn Bourbon is the bottle most people around here know, but this release, a single barrel, cask strength version, was something I’d only ever seen at the Market District in Carmel, Indiana.       Sweet corn isn’t just a novelty for Old 55, it’s an expensive, labor-intensive choice. A bushel of the common yellow dent corn runs about $4 (2020 prices), but the sweet corn they use costs over $1,...
Read more

Abduction Whiskey Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.

-
Image
   Abduction Whiskey Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Abduction Whiskey, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Abduction Whiskey is based out of Pacifica California. Where the bottling itself is only about six months old, but the amount of passion behind the brand stems much longer.  Ryan Murray, a chiller mechanic, he took a leap of faith to turn his love for whiskey into something tangible, a move that resonates with many dreamers in the whiskey world. With an alien-themed aesthetic that ties into the idea of “abducting” barrels to create something uniquely their own. The bourbon is sourced from MGP and blended in-house to develop a their profile. While many bottlings opt for a three-grain combination, going with four should bring an extra layer of complexity that can enhance both texture and flavor.  For the full video review visit th...
Read more