Review: Watershed Straight Bourbon Finished In Great Lakes Barrel Aged Christmas Ale Barrels, Limited Release

Distillery: Watershed

ABV/Proof: 53.7/107.3

Age Statement: 6 years, Finished for 9 months

Mash Bill: 72% Corn 21% Rye 7% Malted Barley

If you’re in Ohio, or planning a trip here soon, Watershed may have piqued your interest in starting your Christmas shopping a little early. Great Lakes Christmas Ale hardly needs an introduction, but finishing a bourbon in their Barrel Aged Christmas Ale barrels is sure to catch the attention of many, even those who don’t typically reach for bourbon.

Nose: Fresh cut oak, toffee, baking spice, and subtle red fruit. I would say this nose is very toffee forward.

Palate: Red fruits emerge right away leading into clove and cinnamon spice. As I work my way further, sour fruit, subtle toffee and tannic oak. Though I do find some notes, I think the baking spice is incredibly dominant.

Finish: Like I mentioned in the palate, it’s very dominant baking spice giving a long lasting hug, subtle red fruits and drying oak.

Rating: 6.6/10

I think this is a cool collaboration and one that’ll be a great conversation piece during the holidays, if you are lucky enough to find a bottle. With that being said, I also think this is teetering on being too baking spice forward for some. Regardless, keep your eyes peeled in select OHLQ stores for this. Cheers!🥃🥃

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