Mad River Bourbon Whiskey

Overview
Mad River Distillers Bourbon represents a craft departure from traditional bourbon profiles, crafted with a unique four-grain mash bill in Vermont's farm-to-glass tradition. It embodies the distillery's commitment to local ingredients and innovative spirit production since expanding from rum in 2013.

Specs at a glance

Good to know
Mad River Distillers operates from a renovated mid-1800s horse barn on a Vermont farm, adhering to a farm-to-glass philosophy with grains sourced nearby and water from a 150-year-old spring. Originally focused on rum, the lineup grew to include rye, bourbon, brandy, and flavored expressions, highlighting the distillery's versatile craft approach.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Cereal grain dominates with a hint of citrus and soft honey undertones.
• Palate: Balanced corn provides a sweet base accented by honey, light herbal elements, and subtle smoke.
• Finish: Short and lingering with light pepper, cocoa, and a smoky close.

Notable details

• Production: Distilled and aged briefly in Vermont, bottled at 96 proof to preserve youthful intensity.
• Lineage: From Mad River Distillers, founded 2013, emphasizing local, sustainable sourcing in a historic farm setting.
• Comparison: Stands out from typical corn-heavy bourbons due to its wheat, oats, and barley inclusion for added softness and complexity.
• Availability: MSRP around $52, reflecting craft positioning for a young release.

"Mad River Distillers bourbon is a unique and well-balanced young whiskey with complementary flavors and strong potential as the distillery ages more stock." – The Whiskey Wash

Closing
A promising entry-level craft bourbon that rewards those seeking regional innovation over extended maturity.

Sources

[1] Thewhiskeywash – "Mad River Distillers Bourbon Whisky Review: Tasting Notes & Analysis"

[2] Thewhiskeywash – "Mad River Distillers Bourbon Whisky Review: Tasting Notes & Analysis"