Inside the bottle: Nostalgia and scarcity drive up our ratings of Union Horse Distilling Co.’s whiskeys

Courtesy Union Horse Distilling Co.

Union Horse Distilling Co. is just around the corner in Lenexa, KS. The mid-western pride and grit that makes Kansas City such a thriving community is the same fuel that drives Union Horse forward in the spirits market. With multiple offerings, there is something for every level of whiskey enthusiast.

From grain to glass, this is a product of the mid-west. Locally sourced grains, handcrafted along each step of the way, and aging on site under watchful eyes are all elements contributing to a superior product.

Visits to the distillery can be scheduled and Union Horse also likes to open the doors with several public social events designed so can let your hair down and learn a little more about who they are. Two very special releases are arriving just in time for Christmas, and they both make me proud to be a midwestern fella! 

Union Horse Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey

This limited offering from Union Horse Distillery was, if anything, a complete surprise. Distilled by a single distillery, in a single distillation season, aged a minimum of years years and bottled at 100 Proof, this Bottled in Bond expression stands alone. With its roots in Lenexa KS, Union Horse is a locally celebrated label. Here’s what I was pleasantly surprised by in this pour:

On the nose

In one word? BALANCED. Oak and caramel in equal parts. Beneath that, a sweet cotton candy note mingling with soft baking spice. Everything in this nose just blends wonderfully so that no single aspect dominates the others.

On the plate

SOFT. This is a dangerously approachable whiskey. It does not even begin to hint at its Bottled in Bond status of 100 Proof. A wonderful pillow of oak char and caramel balance their way across the entire palate, front to mid to back. Tiny “pop-rocks” of spice dancing along the sides of the tongue.

Finish

Short to mid with hat beautiful balance of oak, vanilla, and cherry leading the pack.

ABV: 50% ABV (100 Proof)

Rating: 90

Price: $53.00

Union Horse Limited Release 10 Year Reunion Straight Rye

First things first, there will only be 500 bottles of this available. The first 100 will go online for pre-sale 12/15/2023 with a distillery pick up date of 12/18. The remaining 400 bottles will hit retails shelves that week as well.

With an even more limited availability, the Rye offering is a treat for any whiskey connoisseur. Rye whiskey tends to mature in the barrel a bit more quickly than bourbon does. Knowing that, I was extremely excited to sample this 10-year offering.  It did not, in any way, disappoint. Immediately, on smelling alone, I knew I was in for a treat.

On the nose

Honeysuckle and hay, Rye grain and oak, aged spearmint, and dusty summer barns, all surrounded by a beautifully soft hint of confectioner’s sugar. The nose begs one to slow down and explore. Recalling those childhood memories of summertime back yard, softly chewing on red clover blossoms, relishing the sweet yet herbal flavor on the tongue while the swallows swoop the skies above you.

On the palate

An initial burst of rich sweetness that reminds one of homemade caramel sauce made from sweetened condensed milk (this may be a Midwest thing, but if you know you know).  A slight rye spice shows up mid-palate but remains respectfully in the rear seat to the caramel sweetness.

Finish

This finishes short to mid with that sweet, condensed milk caramel note taking center stage, accompanied by the soft oak char notes.

ABV: 62.5% ABV (125 Proof)

Rating: 93

Price: $150.00

Score Key:
90-100: Buy it, hoard it. Share it only with Whiskey nerds who you want to be indebted to you.
70-89: Buy it, enjoy it liberally because you can get more when you want to.
40-69: Worth it to try because you can always make a cocktail if you need to
20-39: go ahead if you want to… experience is learning.
0-19: You were warned.