Boondocks
“Life is short, break the rules”
The name Boondocks is derived from an expression city folk use to describe rural areas. Originally distilleries ideally needed to be close to their grain suppliers, and also close to an abundant water supply, so whiskey making regions were known as the ‘Boondocks’. A non distilling producer, the brand was first launched in 2016, releasing two 11 year old American whiskeys. The bourbon we are reviewing was originally sourced as an incredibly smooth and rich 8 year old straight bourbon whiskey and then finished and aged for an undisclosed period of time in used port barrels.
It is difficult to estimate how long this 8 year old bourbon is further aged in used port wine barrels to obtain that desired sweet spot the Master Distiller is striving for, also hoping to compliment the bourbon and not overpower it with the forceful port flavours. For reference, other more well-known port finished bourbons are aged additionally from as a little as 3 months right up until 2 years.
Boondocks bourbon has a marvellous array of aromas on the nose, and for us we found it full of very light pear like fruits with tons of white sugars. We expected to find the port finish notes on the nose immediately but did not actually pull that through very easily. Dark red fruits and plum like notes from the onset alongside a slight rye kick. Not as sweet as you expect and the port finish could even be masking the sweetness rather than enhancing it. Finish is short but pleasant enough.
Mixed reviews were out there for Boondocks as you’d probably expect. From ‘Poor man’s Angel’s Envy’ to ‘Without doubt better than Angel’s Envy’. As you will see from our score we may well be sitting on the fence with this one with splinters in our ass. This bourbon is presented in an awesomely shaped bottle alongside pretty cool simple labelling. The whiskey inside is good, it may not be for the purists but every now and then, reaching out for something different just about hits the spot! Life is short, go grab a bottle (well at least a sample).
