Hatch Distilling Co "Fellowship Bourbon" Review

In Wisconsin, we have some of the most fertile cropland in the country. If you head up to Door County, you’ll find drop-dead gorgeous scenery on top of that farmland. Door County is both a rural area and a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of people each year.

In Door County, a village called Egg Harbor is home to about 358 people. Chris Roedl founded Hatch Distilling Co. in August 2017. He was a beekeeper, and as his hives grew in size and number, he dreamed of distilling their raw honey. He didn’t just think of mead; he was distilling gin and vodka from honey.

Later, Hatch Distilling added brandy, liqueurs, Mezcal-style agave spirit, and whiskey to its repertoire. Most of the ingredients are grown locally in Egg Harbor, and Chris forages, ferments, distills, ages, barrels, and bottles in-house.

“In the modern era, we’ve come to think of spirits simply as another commodity on the shelf, and have lost the connection that they traditionally held to the people, culture, and landscape around them. At Hatch, we feel that spirits are the perfect bridge between the incredible local agriculture of Door County, as well as the millions of people who find themselves here throughout the year — both locals and tourists. Join us.” – Hatch Distilling Co.

Today, we’ll explore Fellowship Bourbon, which is dedicated to the honor of Egg Harbor’s residents, all 358 of them! It is made from regeneratively grown heirloom corn and AC Hazlet rye, grown by the distillery’s neighbors. Batch 22 is aged at least two years in new, 53-gallon charred oak barrels, then packaged in 750mL bottles at 45% ABV (90°). It is currently only distributed in Wisconsin.

How does it taste? To answer that, we have to #DrinkCurious. And I’ll start that right after thanking Hatch Distilling Co. for providing me with a sample of Fellowship Bourbon in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

• Whiskey Type: Bourbon
• Distiller: Hatch Distilling Co.
• Age: At least two years
• Mashbill: Regeneratively grown heirloom corn and AC Hazlet rye
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 45% ABV (90°)
• Price per 750mL: $43.99
• Batch 22

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore Fellowship Bourbon neat. The liquid possessed a gingery color as it built a thick rim and discharged husky, fast, crazed tears.

Nose: I waited for 15 minutes before I started sniffing. The aroma was very nutty, and quickly joined by mint, brown sugar, cherries, and milk chocolate. Inside my mouth, the air tasted of oak and muted mint.

Palate: Fellowship Bourbon unleashed a dense, creamy texture with a bold dose of roasted coffee. As I took another sip, I found almonds, burnt marshmallow, and coffee on the front. The mid-palate featured mint, barrel char, and rye spice, while the back included milk chocolate, clove, and leather.

Finish: Leather, overly-toasted marshmallow, chocolate, clove, almonds, toffee, oak, and black pepper played off one another. I found no waves or troughs; it was an even finish that lasted 1:33, classifying it as long.

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The most fascinating part of Fellowship Bourbon was the mishmash of sweet, savory, spicy flavors that kept looping during my tasting session. Reading the descriptors, you’d assume it was a jumbled mess; that’s not the case at all. It was more like a community of notes working harmoniously – in fellowship.

Sometimes, you wonder what a whiskey might be like at a higher proof. I’m willing to be wrong, but I don’t believe, in this case, that adding proof points would yield a positive result. Many things were happening inside my mouth and throat, and more alcohol would likely make for a confusing pour.

Chris is a talented craftsman and consistently delivers unusual whiskeys that make you think about what’s in your glass, and that’s a skill that I appreciate; no one will ever mistake a Hatch whiskey for someone else’s!

Many craft whiskeys start at $50.00, and Fellowship Bourbon weighs in below that. It has a lot going for it, especially for those who crave robust pours. My Bottle rating is appropriate. 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.