Whiskey War Barrel Proof American Whiskey Review & Tasting Notes

 

In 1978, the Kingdom of Denmark and Canada levied a war against each other that finally ended in 2022. Not a single shot was fired. The dispute was over the tiny Hans Island. Things ramped up when in 1985, the Canadians invaded Hans Island and left behind their flag along with a bottle of Canadian whisky. That year, the Danish Minister of Greenland Affairs retook Hans Island, leaving behind his flag and a bottle of Schnapps. There were a lot of back-and-forth tongue-in-cheek land grabs over the years. Then, on June 10, 2022, the two nations divided the island via a treaty. The great Whiskey War came to an end.

 

Guess what? The Whiskey War has nothing to do with the whiskey I’m reviewing today from High Bank Distillery Co called Whiskey War. Instead, its name is based on something a bit more violent:

 

“Prohibition is said to have started just 12 miles from our High Bank facility, in Westerville, Ohio. In 1875, Henry Corbin took a chance and opened a saloon in an area known to strongly oppose the consumption of distilled spirits. Not once, but twice, the saloon was blown up. It was said before the first explosion, Henry came outside to address the protesters with two pistols drawn. That single act is believed to have ignited the Whiskey Wars of prohibition and launched the Anti-Saloon League. Unique batches inside our expertly blended whiskey wage war with each other and your taste buds come out the victor.” – High Bank Distillery Co

 

The distillery began when co-founder and Master Distiller Adam Hines, on a 2006 motorcycle ride with his father, came across several rickhouses in Kentucky and Tennessee. Adam’s father explained their purpose, and Adam took an immediate interest in becoming part of the Wonderful World of Whiskey. He constructed the distillery in Columbus, Ohio, and the facility opened in March 2018. High Bank utilizes a pot still to distill whiskey and added towers to manufacture gin and vodka.

 

There are a few versions of Whiskey War with a flagship expression, another called Midnight Cask, a third called Double Oaked, a fourth called Double Double Oaked, and finally, a Barrel Proof. Today’s journey is the Barrel Proof Batch 71.

 

While High Bank is producing its own distillate, Whiskey War Barrel Proof is a blend of Straight Bourbons and Ryes sourced from Indiana and Tennessee. The bottle carries no age statement; however, High Bank’s website suggests everything aged “at least five years.” Batch 71 is packaged at 59% ABV (118°), and per the control state’s Ohio Liquor (OHLQ) website, a 750ml bottle is available for $54.99.

 

Before we delve further and discuss smells and flavors, I must thank High Bank Distillery Co for providing me with a sample of Whiskey War Barrel Proof in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious!

 

Appearance: I poured this whiskey into my Glencairn glass and sipped it neat. I lost myself while gazing at the liquid. It was reddish, orangish, golden, and brownish, all simultaneously. A microthin rim released thin, straight, fast tears.

 

Nose: I encountered scents of cocoa powder, cherries, caramel, candied ginger, rye spice, and wintergreen. Taking the air through my lips provided a slight cherry vanilla.

 

Palate: Whiskey War possessed an oily texture. Scratch that; it was very oily. The front of my palate found cocoa powder, corn, and cherries. Then things got dry at the middle with oak tannins, tobacco leaf, and leather. The back tasted of clove, black pepper, and ginger.  

 

Finish: Flavors of clove, freshly-cracked black pepper, ginger, leather, oak, and tobacco leaf left a bold, building, long-lasting finish.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Whiskey War Barrel Proof drank under its stated proof. In fact, the “heat” didn’t come until late in the finish. It did leave my tongue with a slight tingling sensation. I noted the sweet and spicy contrast as this American whiskey journeyed across my mouth. They played an innocuous war, much like the one fought between the Danes and Canadians.

 

So, what’s my verdict? This is a whiskey that’s full of character. It is certainly priced right, considering both its age and proof. I believe you'd be happy if you wound up purchasing a Bottle. I know I am with this in my whiskey library. Cheers!

    

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.