Whiskey Wednesday – Trail’s End 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Hood River Distillers expands its lineup of bourbon with Trail’s End 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon. This new bottle of Trail’s End joins the previously established Trail’s End 8 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon from the distillery.
This new bottle of Trail’s End 10 Year is crafted with 10-year Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey that is then finished in Oregon Garry oak casks. Hood River Distillers sources its 10-year Kentucky Bourbon that comes from a select few barrels. The bourbon then makes its way westward along the path of the Oregon Trail where it arrives in Hood River to finish in toasted Oregon Garry Oak casks and blended with water from Mt. Hood to sit at 105 proof.
Trail’s End 10 Year offers up aromas of vanilla and dried fruit without the heat that can be expected on a bottle over 100 proof. The palate is full of cherry, baking spices and subtle citrus brings for a pleasant sipper. It finishes smooth with a bit of spiciness lingering until your next sip.
When compared to the Trail’s End 8 Year that sits at 90 proof, the new Trail’s End 10 Year at a bolder 105 proof ends up being a bit smoother than its younger sibling. The biggest difference is in the price of a bottle. Trail’s End 8 Year retails for $34.95 in Oregon while Trail’s End 10 Year retails for $59.95.
The release of Trail’s End 10 Year becomes the second whiskey collaboration between Hood River Distillers, the oldest distillery in Oregon, and the expert team at Clear Creek Distillery, the second-oldest distillery in Oregon.
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.
DJ,
I appreciate your review of the Trails End 10 however the mystery continues which exactly Kentucky Distillery is the source of the base spirit of those “select few barrels”.
Many of these distilleries that offer its whiskey to be sourced by other distillers have non-disclosure agreements set in place to keep this information private. I do believe that this is the case with all versions of Trails End.