Tag: Border Bourbon Review

Elora’s Border Bourbon Cask Strength Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Elora’s Border Bourbon Cask Strength Review

original review written August 29, 2022

ELORA’S BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This bourbon is a sweet pour that gives immediate comfort and warmth. Although there are not a whole lot of herbal, floral, or nutty elements to it, the mellow sugars and fruitiness help make it absolutely worthwhile.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH VITAL STATS:
Elora's Border Bourbon Cask Strength

– Catagory: Small Batch Bourbon
– Region: New Richmond, WI
– Distillery: DSP-WI-15005, 45th Parallel Distillery
– Stills: 3 German-made copper
– Barrel Construction: Three-year air-dried Ozark white oak staves from McGinnis Wood Products
– Master Distiller: Bob McKenzie
– Mash Bill: 62% corn, 12% rye, 12% wheat, 14% malted barley
– Barrel Char: #3 (Medium char)
– Barrel Entry Proof: 117
– Age: minimum 5 years
– ABV: 60% (120 Proof)
– Price: $59.99 (at the Wisconsin Distillery in 2022)

Learn more at 45th Parallel Distillery.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed this bourbon alongside my sister, Hannah, and father, Brian, while listening to acapella cover songs featuring singers with wide vocal ranges.

Click Hannah and Brian to read their views!

MUSIC SELECTIONS FOR BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH:

Music is a big part of my life, both playing and listening and there are many songs I love. As I appreciate a bourbon, songs compliment the dram. The following pieces came to mind as I sipped this pour.

“Photograph” by Ed Sheeran
– Ed Sheeran; May 9, 2015; Ed Sheeran, leader; X (Multiply), album

Swan Lake, Op. 20, Act II: No. 10, Scene. “Moderato” by Piotr Ilych Tchaikovsky
– London Symphony Orchestra, September 15, 2018; Pierre Monteux, conductor

For me, this bourbon captures the feeling of fondness and infatuation. “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran showcases these feelings because it speaks of how a couple’s love for one another is showcased in all the photos taken. It also gives the comfort that even though there may be future conflicts, their relationship will remain strong. For the Swan Lake excerpt, the forbidden love between the cursed swan maiden, Odette, and a prince named Siegfried is demonstrated in the sugars and warm spices in this bourbon. Although the both of them meet their demise in order to break the swan maidens’ curse, their love for one another stays strong and true.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH AROMA (19/20):

Oak is a prominent scent on the nose with tart rainier cherries encasing it. There is also a heavy red wine element that seems to ensure the fruitiness of the bourbon. Notes of various candies like sour patch kids, jolly ranchers, and Mike-&-Ikes are present as well. While the aroma of this is proving to be very fruity overall, hints of ginger, allspice, cane and brown sugar, and vanilla extract add to the sweetness. It should also be stated that there are a few grains that help provide a subtle, yet solid backbone to the drink’s aroma.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH FEEL, BALANCE AND VISUAL (14/15):
Elora's Border Bourbon Cask Strength

– Feel (5/5): It is very smooth and creamy in the mouth, and it settles nicely in the chest. It is very warm in the heart, almost like it wants to threaten a Kentucky hug.
– Balance (4/5): The flavors blend spectacularly with one another, and while this is a very good bourbon, it is heavily influenced by sweeter tones. There are not a whole lot of herbal, floral, or nutty elements in this.
– Visual (5/5): There is a defined crown that has long skinny legs which are relatively spaced from one another. The color of the dram is mahogany.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH TASTE (23/25):

There are more sugary notes than fruity ones in the actual flavor of the bourbon. Charred marshmallows, golden caramel, vanilla, and toffee can be detected. Maraschino cherries, pomegranate, berries, candied peaches, and candied oranges are present and offer a strong fruity tone. There is a subtle note of oak that helps support the sweetness of the bourbon. A hint of gingerbread and banana bread can also be found in the taste, and both flavors help to mellow everything out in an incredibly pleasant, warm flavor.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH FINISH (19/20):

The warm feeling in the chest lingers for a long while and is able to simultaneously provide comfort. The taste of cane sugar and candied fruits linger in the mouth for a considerably long time; it would not be out of the realm of possibility to say that it lasts for a full minute. It was a pleasant feeling and taste for the entirety of the finish.

BUY AGAIN / WORTH THE PRICE (20/20):

For $59.99, I would most certainly say that this is worth the price. This is a fantastic bourbon, and I would be more than willing to splurge on this. (10/10)

I would absolutely get this again. I have had many bourbons over the last few years, but I can definitely say that this one stands out for me. Absolutely fantastic! (10/10)

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH RATING: 95/100

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Elora’s Border Bourbon Cask Strength Review
written August 2022 by Elora Dawson
Reviewer, Writer, WhiskeyfortheAges.com

Each review will include a couple musical excerpts; one representing my musical career in a classical setting, and the other from more mainstream genres. I hope you enjoy your whiskies with my music selections!

Border Bourbon Cask Strength

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Border Bourbon Cask Strength Review:

reviewed 29-August-2022

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH REVIEW:

Border Bourbon Cask Strength (Border CS) is a fine bourbon, one I wish was readily available to me in Idaho. Aromas of roasted corn, blackberries, and dark dried fruit along with spices of dark cinnamon and sweets of woody caramel pass to the palate. This is a well blended bourbon with a solid oak foundation. If you are in the upper midwest, find and secure as many bottles as you dare.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH VITAL STATS:
Border Bourbon Cask Strength

Category: Small Batch Cask Strength Bourbon
Region: New Richmond, WI
Distillery: DSP-WI-15005, 45th Parallel Distillery
Stills: German-made copper (three)
Master Distiller: Bob McKenzie
Barrel Construction: Three year air dried Ozark white oak staves from McGinnis Wood Products
Mash Bill: 62% corn, 12% rye, 12% wheat, 14% malted barley
Barrel Char: #3 (Medium char)
Barrel entry proof: 117
Age: nas (but 5 years minimum)
ABV: 60% (120 Proof)
Price: $59.99 (at the Wisconsin Distillery in 2022)

45th PARALLEL’S “FULL CIRCLE” OF LOCAL PRODUCTION

In 2007, 45th Parallel became one of only 50 Craft Distilleries in the United States.

45th Parallel’s process is a full circle local production and begins when we pick up grain from Rusmar farm. We then mill, mash, ferment, and distill it all within our facility. Afterwards, the grain is shipped to another local farm where it is used as feed for livestock. Naturally, the livestock turn the grain into fertilizer for next year’s crops.

— Learn more at 45th Parallel Distillery.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

Taken out of the newly opened bottle, the first one and a half ounces mixed with the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, by alternating the pours, four once review amounts went into three Glencairns. My daughters and I enjoyed the bourbon neat as we prepared this review.

Check out Hannah’s and Elora’s reviews for this bourbon!

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH NOSE:

When Border CS is first brought to the nose, there is little if any burn. I smell roasted corn and wheaty grain. But fruit abounds as ripe blackberries, dark plums, and dark dried prune fruit leather waft from the glass as spices of dark cinnamon, faint ginger, white pepper are mixed in dark wheat bread. Sweets come in as rich vanilla, sweet brown sugar but woody caramel, and light molasses. There are a few faint toasted pecans here however sweet, old seasoned oak and smoky sweet barrel char blend with ashes and musty wet leather to give this bourbon a wonderful nose.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH PALATE:

The first sip of Border CS gives a warm but comfortable bite. I taste roasted sweet corn and fresh tobacco, then come blackberries, plums, dark dried fruit leather, and soft prunes. Each sip brings more as spices of cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper tickle and sweets of rich vanilla, brown sugar, nearly burnt woody caramel, and like sensed on the nose, light molasses treat the tongue. There is a touch of bitterness, like hazelnuts, but the flavor is not off-putting. And as noted above, seasoned heavy old oak, smoky sweet barrel char, ashes, and musty wet leather round out the flavors.

Border Bourbon Cask Strength

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
While there is a bite (owing to the 120 proof), Border CS is creamy and viscous as the tongue is tickled although the wash is fairly easy to hold. This is a solid and well blended bourbon. As the pour is sipped, a long-lasting solid crown ring forms, then thin legs break to transport the dregs quickly back to the terracotta pot colored pool.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH FINISH:

Border Bourbon Cask Strength has a long and lingering finish with a pleasantly warm burn. In the finish, traces of roasted corn blended in acidic berries, plums, and dried prunes fade in and out. My tongue tingles with ginger and black pepper as woody caramel fades with seasoned heavy old oak and barrel char. The empty Glencairn smells of bourbony oak and is almost as good as each sip.

MY RATING: 92/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
If you find yourself in the Midwest, secure as many bottles as you dare.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 92/100 to access other whiskies with this score.

Click 45th Parallel to jump to this distillery.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Border Bourbon Cask Strength
Border Bourbon Cask Strength

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Border Bourbon Cask Strength Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Border Bourbon Cask Strength Review

Original review written on August 29, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

If you ever see this dark flame of a fruit gem, buy it, and then buy a spare. Complex, rich, deep, fruit, warmth. This is what bourbon should be, full stop. 97/100

VITALS:
Border Bourbon Cask Strength Review

– Made In: New Richmond, WI
– Distiller: DSP-WI-15005, 45th Parallel Distillery
– Classification: Small Batch Bourbon
– Age: nas (but 5 years minimum)
– Mash Bill: Corn=62%; Rye=12%; Wheat=12%; Malted Barley=14%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 117 proof
– ABV: 60% (120 proof)
– Prince: $59.99 USD in Wisconsin (at 45th Parallel)

“In 2007, 45th Parallel became one of the only 50 Craft Distilleries in the United States.

45th Parallel’s process is a full circle local production and begins when we pick up grain from Rusmar farm. We then mill, mash, ferment and distill it all within our facility. Afterwards, the grain is shipped to another local farm where it is used as feed for livestock. Naturally, the livestock turn the grain into fertilizer for next year’s crops.”

Visit 45thparalleldistillery.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from Glencairn glass with sister, Elora, as well as father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out Brian’s review of this bourbon here!
Check out Elora’s review of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

I imagine sitting under a pergola with this bourbon, sun trickling in but not feeling overbearing. Add in some misters along the edges of your shelter, and any heat around you, melts solely into the glass. The world is giving you a gentle hug – rather like an arm casually wrapped around a shoulder. It doesn’t feel invasive – simply making you feel included and warm. Border Bourbon, in fact, erases borders of any kind.

Photo by zekkotek on Unsplash

NOSE:

Warm caramel greets the nose with campfire marshmallow, but the sugary sweetness is quickly met with dark fruits that seem just shy of overripe. I can’t pin down the exact fruit, but even the nose, it feels as though I’ve had a blackberry or cherry burst in my fingers from too much pressure. Deep floral tones are present here also, contributing a softness like a petal to the aroma. I can find oak, but like much of the remaining nose, it’s a sweet oak. It melds with the rest of the sweetness almost too perfectly (but you won’t catch me complaining).

PALATE:
Border Bourbon Cask Strength Review

– Mouth Feel: Oily, oily, viscous, and oily. This coats everything in the palate in a film of warmth and sweet.
– Balance: Though the sweet is heavy, everything feels balanced between it and the sugar and fruit.
– Visual: Terracotta pot in color, exceptionally long legs cling to the side of the glass, and they simply will not disappear.

– Taste: While I can let this sit on my tongue for some time without feeling aggravated by the alcohol, the sheer warmth makes me want to move along with the sip to get to the next part of it all. The sweetness is a molten caramel that seeps into the palate and makes everything feel alive. A rich rose follows along with a sinfully sweet pomegranate. The seedy fruit is overripe, removing the tartness and only creating deep sweetness. Ripe blackberries chase the flavors to the back of the palate, sweeping all of the flavors together into one brand of warmth and juice.

This bourbon does not need any enhancing, but the temptation to provoke it with a Kentucky chew overwhelms. The sting of heat absolutely burns the tip of the tongue, but it evokes more fruit juice that seems to coat everything on the palate in a fruit syrup. An oak foundation only makes every bit of the burn and flavor last longer.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Exceptionally long. It’s been minutes since I’ve taken a sip, and I still know that I’ve recently had this bourbon on my palate.
– Between Sips: Oak is most prevalent here between sips. giving something to chew on while pausing. The heat never leaves either, hugging each corner of the palate and making the oak and a little bit of fruit, stay alive.

– No More: This only grows in intensity the further into the glass I get. At this point, I’d rather just set this review aside and enjoy the rest of my glass. It’s just hot bourbon packed with darkness and fruit – what’s not to love?

The empty Glencairn is a surprising, clean oak. The warmth that was on the palate isn’t as forward here at the bottom of the dram, but I’m actually not too bothered by this. It gave its everything to the actual sip, and that’s how it should be. That’s not to say there isn’t oak, or even a hint of sudden spice present, but this tulip glass did bloom exclusively for the consumable pour.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At $60, buy, buy, buy. What an absolute steal for a bourbon that hits so much higher than its price. This easily falls into one of the best values of its price category without me even having to think about it. If I lived in an area where I could readily purchase this, I would never be without. Ever. For those who may struggle finding this bottle (our local friends), imagine an even more elevated Old Forester 1920.

BORDER BOURBON CASK STRENGTH REVIEW RATING: 97/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 97/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
Click 45th Parallel to jump to this distillery.

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