Bearcat Espresso Infused Bourbon Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: C-

Bearcat Bourbon is bottled by Bearcat Infused Bourbon. This is a NAS whiskey bottled at 80 Proof (40% ABV) and distilled by OZ Tyler Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, and bottled in Missouri. The plan is for all operations to be moved to Kentucky later this year.

The OZ Tyler Distillery Bourbon Whiskey mash bill is 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley.  According to the OZ Tyler Distillery website their Bourbon Whiskey is aged in #4 char oak barrels.  OZ Tyler Distillery provides Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, Rye Whiskey and American Whiskey to licensed distillers and international spirits traders.  Bearcat Bourbon is one of those licensed distillers.

Bearcat, according to their website, is the 1920’s slang term for a fiery-spirited woman, also defined as a “a hot-blooded or fiery girl.”   They point out that “whiskey may be known as a ‘man’s drink’, women played a major role in the history of American whiskey as early distillers, bootleggers and industry innovators.”  So, Bearcat Infused Bourbon was named to honor of the countless women throughout history whose unacknowledged contributions helped the American bourbon whiskey story.

The Bourbon
In my Glencairn glass, the color is a darker brown with gold overtones. The legs are noticeable and are thick moist gripping my glass.

The nose holds powerful aromas of expresso and hints of mocha dance in my nostrils. The initial flavor is expresso coffee with a slight hint of spice. The mouthfeel is easy sipping with little heat and an abundance of expresso on the palate. The finish is long, dry and overwhelming with touches of espresso mocha.

Although not overly enjoyable neat, but useful in a cocktail for sure or over vanilla ice cream was a winner. Founder Mark Szumowski thought there was a need for a flavorful and accessible brown whiskey, and he teamed up with Jason Kane of Liquid Opportunities to create Bearcat Infused Bourbons. I’m sure there is someone out there that will drink this.  I’m putting my bottle on the mixer shelf and saving it for creative cocktail making and blending with ice cream. When experimented with a cocktail this juice gets interesting so take look at the website page devoted to Bearcat Bourbon Cocktails.

The Price
Bearcat Bourbon is available in Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Wisconsin at a suggested retail price of $29.99 and I see it online for $26.99.