Treaty Oak Ghost Hill Bourbon Review

Updated October 29, 2018

By Father John Rayls

Rating: B+

Treaty Oak Ghost Hill Bourbon
(Credit: John Rayls)

Treaty Oak Distilling was founded in 2006 by Daniel Barnes in Dripping Springs, Texas, and is comprised of a mixture of talent coming from distillers, sommeliers, botanists and architects. Treaty Oak’s Ghost Hill Texas Bourbon Whiskey is named after the 28 acre ranch that hosts Treaty Oak.

The mashbill is comprised of 57% yellow Texas corn, 32% Texas wheat and 11% malted barley (not sourced in Texas). The bourbon is aged 4 years with new American oak at a #3 char level, and bottled at 95 proof.

The Bourbon
The look is of bright copper, with highlights are a combination of polished copper and polished brass. The legs are reluctant and thick and slow to gather enough weight to drain. Eventually, they make their very slow journey towards the bottom.

The nose is medium to aggressive and rises quickly to the consumer. There is no burn, but tingling is ever present. The air is filled with aromas of oak and sweet corn on top of a general earthiness.

On the palate is an immediate presence of cinnamon, as in Red Hots Cinnamon candy. The mouthfeel is only lightly creamy, which is very surprising after watching the legs. In many ways, this is a whole-mouth experience. It begins at mid-mouth and quickly spreads to the front and to the tip of the tongue. The cinnamon begins to fade as the sweet corn asserts itself. Before the finish kicks off, the palate experiences a light earthiness. All of this happens fairly rapidly as the finish begins to grab your attention. The bourbon is consistent as it continues with its sweet corn and cinnamon dominance.

The finish begins at mid-mouth and quickly travels to the upper back of the mouth without ever forgetting the original point of departure. It transforms from cinnamon to pepper as it gradually fades away.

The Price
You can find it at a suggested retail of $49.99.