Spirit Works Four Grain Bourbon Review

By Douglas Fraser

Grade: B+

Spirit Works Four Grain Bourbon
(Credit: Spirit Works Distillery)

Spirit Works is a craft distillery located in Sonoma County, California. Owners Timo and Ashby are a husband and wife team, are known for producing a unique Sloe Gin. They later expanded to make vodka and whiskey. The all-female distilling team at Spirit Works produces their spirits with local organic grains that are milled, fermented, and distilled all on-site. Their Four Grain Bourbon is their newest release, and the first one since 2015.

The Bourbon
Spirit Works Four Grain Straight Bourbon is matured for a minimum of 4 years in 53-gallon New American Charred Oak casks. The mashbill is made of 60% corn with wheat, barley, and rye, blended from two pot-distilled bourbons. Spirit Works Four Grain Straight Bourbon is bottled at 90 proof/45% ABV.

On the label there is a space for the batch number, but on the bottle I tasted the batch number was not written down. I also noticed a striking thickness in the texture on the palate which was somewhat disagreeable. However, the aromas and flavor of this well-crafted bourbon were astounding making it on par with some of the most well-known wheated bourbons.

Color: Amber Honey

On the nose are instant aromas of brown butter, crème brulee, caramel, cinnamon, cooking spices, and some floral notes. On the palate the spirit is rather thick and oily but has continuing notes of brown butter, creamy vanilla, charred oak, maple syrup, and baking spices. The finish is blatantly short with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, oak, burnt sugar, and more baking spices.

The Price
Spirit Works Distillery’s Four Grain Straight Bourbon is priced at $50.