Elora’s Horse Soldier Reserve Bourbon Review
original review written September 12, 2022
ELORA’S HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This bourbon is unlike anything I have ever had before; it brings nutty and savory notes along with sweeter tones accompanying it. Overall, it offers a warming darkness that encompasses the dram and comforts the drinker.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON VITAL STATS:
– Catagory: Wheated Bourbon
– Region: St. Petersburg, FL
– Distillery*: American Freedom Distillery
* Distilled by and stored in Ohio at Middle West Spirits
– Mash Bill: 70% corn (yellow dent), 20% wheat (soft red winter), 10% malted barley
– Barrel Char: unpublished
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– Age: nas
– ABV: 61% (122 Proof)
– Price: $65.85 (Montana, Summer 2022)
Immediately following [the 9/11] attacks on our nation, the USA responded with a daring insertion of small teams of Green Berets into northern Afghanistan. The Northern Alliance successfully overthrew Mazar-i-Sharif, a Taliban stronghold, with the support of these brave men. This region’s inhospitable, mountainous terrain made efforts [difficult] and enemy engagements on wild Afghan horses a necessity for one Special Operations team (ODA595). Nicknamed the “Horse Soldiers,” all these brave men are honored today by America’s Response Monument overlooking “Ground Zero” in New York City. [In addition,] our bottles … are molded with World Trade Center steel.
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed this bourbon alongside my sister, Hannah, and father, Brian, while listening to folk country music.
Click Hannah and Brian to learn their views!
MUSIC SELECTION FOR HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON:
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.
“God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood
– Lee Greenwood; July 1, 2021; Lee Greenwood, leader; You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’, album
The Planets, Op. 32, No. 2 “Venus: The Bringer of Peace” by Gustav Holst.
– Chicago Symphony Orchestra, January 19, 2019; James Levine, conductor
September 11, 2001 was a tragic date in American history. On that day, planes intentionally destroyed the World Trade Center, killing nearly three thousand people. Personally, I have no memories of this traumatic event because I was a toddler when it happened, but I still feel sorrow for those affected by it. I do, however, remember the stories told by my parents, many of which involve people in our hometown having signs say, “Honk if you love America,” or of people consoling one another on the streets.
I wanted to choose a song that encompassed this patriotic appreciation of my country for this modern music selection, hence the reason I selected “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood. As I am writing this, I also wish to take this time to thank all of the soldiers, first responders, and everyone else involved for their service during and following the events of 9/11.
As for the orchestral choice, I chose Gustav Holst’s No. 2, “Venus: The Bringer of Peace” from his The Planets, Op. 32 because I was able to attribute each of the warm flavors to the strings and winds. There are a lot of hardy and slow-moving low notes from the string basses and cellos that bring a sense of calm while the high, ethereal chords from high winds and strings chime in with hope and happiness.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON AROMA (17/20):
When I first smell this, I get a lot of wheat bread, which is no surprise, considering how wheated the bourbon is. Sweet notes are evident in this as well, taking up the majority of the scent. Toasted marshmallow, sugar cane, and French vanilla ice cream can be detected. I am having a hard time getting wood out of this since the bread and sugary sweetness seem to overpower this category, but I can track down a hint of char. There are some fruits that I can get out of the dram, such as apricots, peaches, pomegranate, and rainier cherries, as well as a few savory spices, like peppercorn, parsley, and oregano. Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and buttered pecans should also be worth mentioning because they seem to offer a briny tint to the aroma.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON FEEL, BALANCE, VISUAL (14/15):
– Feel (5/5): It is a rather mellow bourbon when I first sip it. There is heat, for sure, but it is more of a pleasant warmth that settles well in the palate and stomach. It also is a bit creamy and leaves a comforting tingle in its wake.
– Balance (4/5): The taste of this tends to lean heavily on the nutty side rather than sweet, but it is not unwelcomed. All the flavors overall blend nicely into a hardy glass of bourbon that offers a complex array of darker flavors.
– Visual (5/5): I can easily see a thin crown outlining the glass with varying lengths of legs. Big, thick droplets cling to the glass as they slowly trickle down. The color is somewhere around auburn and flame, but I am more inclined to agree to it being the latter.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON TASTE (22/25):
The taste is quite different from the scent in that I’m not getting nearly as many sweet notes. In fact, I would say I get more savory elements. Sesame and olive oil, toasted corn, toasted rye bread, sunflower seeds, baked beans, pecans, peppercorn, and fennel seeds can be found in this. I do get hints of marshmallow, sweet cream, and caramel, which does help bring a welcomed sweetness. One taste that is worth mentioning is one of honey nut cheerios or the flavors of the Luckies in the cereal, Lucky Charms. As for fruity tones, I get pomegranate, pears, and cranberries.
HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON FINISH (19/20):
The feeling lingers on the palate for about a half a minute, but the actual flavors dwindle after a short period of time. For me, more nutty flavors like pecans and sunflower seeds linger longer than any of the sweeter ones, but I am able to get a bit of vanilla, marshmallow, brown sugar, and cranberries. Rye and wheat bread, popcorn, and char are also evident.
WORTH THE PRICE / BUY IT AGAIN (18/20):
– Value (8/10): Honestly, $65.85 to me seems like a pretty big ask. I liked it very much, but it is not a bourbon that I would pay this kind of price for.
– Purchase (10/10): I quite enjoyed it, and the savory notes were unexpected, yet pleasant. If it were offered elsewhere at a cheaper price, I would gladly reach for it again.
ELORA’S HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON RATING (90/100):
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ELORA’S HORSE SOLDIER RESERVE BOURBON REVIEW
written June 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!
