Bearcat Orange Peel And Spice Infused Bourbon Review
By Randall H. Borkus
Rating: D+
(Credit: Randall Borkus)
Bearcat Bourbon is bottled by Bearcat Infused Bourbon as an NAS whiskey done at 80 proof (40% ABV), distilled by OZ Tyler Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, and bottled in Missouri. The plan for Bearcat 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, but keep in mind OZ Tyler uses their own accelerated aging process, TerrePURE. OZ Tyler Distillery provides Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, Rye Whiskey and American Whiskey to licensed distillers and international spirits traders.
Bearcat /bair-kat/ 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 bright reddish gold and one swirl of the glass produces thick moist legs gripping my glass. The nose is overrun with aromas of orange spice which floods my nostrils.
The initial flavor is heavy orange peel and bitters with a slight hint of cherry candy. This drinks like an orange peel Old Fashioned or maybe a specialty Fofo Manhattan. The mouthfeel is easy with almost no heat and it bursts on the palate with overwhelming orange peel bitters. I try a few drops of water and still nothing but the orange peel bitters on my palate.
The finish is long, bitter and overwhelmed with an orange peel infusion. I didn’t think it in the least bit enjoyable neat. I tried some over ice but it didn’t help. I’m just not a fan of that orange peel bitter flavor.
The saving grace here was when I created a cocktail for a friend who loves over the top bitters and orange peel sweetness. Not surprisingly, the website devotes a page to Bearcat Bourbon Cocktails. 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 Bourbon. I’m sure there is someone out there that will drink this. I found one friend who enjoys an Orange Peel bitters heavy cocktail and gave him my bottle.
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.
I came across your review after trying this and feeling as though I needed a support group for what I experienced. Tried this on a whim since I love Cask & Crew Orange roasted whiskey. This is by far the worst pour I’ve had, especially at $30. I initially thought I had made an error in my Old Fashioned, so I waited a day and tried it neat. Wow, that was a mistake. I poured it out, something I cannot remember doing. The finish is offensive. Not bad, offensive. I can only consider finishing this bottle hiding it deep beneath a Coke Zero or something similar.
Randall gave it a D grade… 🤷
“Randall gave it a D grade”
I know, I was in agreement with them.