West Fork High Corn Bourbon Finished in Cherry Brandy Barrels Review.

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West Fork High Corn Bourbon Finished in Cherry Brandy Barrels Review.

West Fork High Corn Bourbon Finished in Cherry Brandy Barrels

    West Fork Whiskey Company out of Westfield, Indiana continues to prove they are serious about the craft side of bourbon. This particular release is a high corn bourbon, distilled, aged, and bottled in-house, then finished in cherry brandy barrels. What really caught my attention was the mash bill: 100% corn. Yes, that qualifies as bourbon. After four years in new American oak, it spent another year and a half in cherry brandy barrels, bringing the total age to five and a half years. On paper, that is a fascinating experiment.

    A 100% corn mash bill is naturally going to lean sweeter and softer, without the spice from rye or the added structure from malted barley or wheat. That means the finishing barrel has a huge role in shaping the final product. In this case, the cherry brandy cask is not a background note. It is the lead singer.


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

Age Statement: 4 years. (Single barrel).

ABV: 51.5%

Mash bill: 100% corn.

Area of Distillation: Westfield, Indiana.

Finishing: 1 1/2 years in Cherry brandy barrels.

Appearance: Reddish hue.


On the nose:
    The cherry brandy influence jumps out immediately. Sweet cherry syrup, cherry cough drops, and even something reminiscent of cold cherry juice straight from the fridge. There is a buttery sweet corn note underneath, along with a slight dusty grain character. A bit of char and a touch of sweet cream vanilla round things out. It almost smells thick, with a viscous, syrupy quality in the aroma.


Taste:
    The first sip delivers a strong cherry bite, similar to cherry lozenges or cherry syrup, followed by sweet grilled corn and a dusty corn husk note. The char from the barrel is surprisingly bold and competes with the sweetness. Sweet cream vanilla shows up mid-palate, and a bit of pepper and warmth from the 51.5% ABV keeps it lively. The second sip reveals more of the base bourbon, with the corn and char pushing back against the cherry sweetness.


Finish:
    It clings. This is a lingering, sweet, cherry-forward finish with char and a slight tartness that hangs on. It feels like a last-pour-of-the-night kind of whiskey due to how long it stays with you.


Final Thoughts: 
    This is a fun and genuinely unique bottle. A 100% corn bourbon finished for a year and a half in cherry brandy barrels is not something you see every day. It does exactly what it promises: cherry, sweet corn, and char. There is not a ton of complexity, but it is not trying to be layered and intricate. It is bold, sweet, and straightforward.

    If you like cherry and you like corn sweetness, you may rate this higher than I did. For me, it lands in the enjoyable but situational category. I will gladly share it with friends because it sparks conversation.


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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