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Ah the agave, truly a gift to the human race. Used for thousands of years, ancient civilizations used the plant for food, rope, clothing, weapons, fencing, twine, paper, sweeteners and of course tequila. Tequila, made exclusively from the plant’s blue agave grape, is a spirit with as much (or almost as much) flavor variation as whiskey, with varied expressions. having a blend of floral, fruity, herbaceous, nutty, salty, spicy or sweet notes.
Although it is ordinary Scotch, and more and more bourbon, which is finished in a variety of ex-spirit barrels, such as rum, brandy, bourbon, port, sherry, etc…those finished in ex-tequila barrels are rare. You do not believe me ? Just type “tequila finite whisk(e)y” into Google and you get about 5 different entries. Do the same for sherry and you’ll break the Internet.
Enter the latest release from FEW Spirits, the All Secrets Known Bourbon. Actually a re-release, the bourbon, made in collaboration with Alice In Chains, was aged for six months in tequila barrels, resulting in a bourbon with grassy agave undertones. Inspiring the spirit of the first 2019 release channeled this spirit of new horizons. “Alice In Chains is part of one of the few movements that can be legitimately credited with changing the shape of an entire culture…” remarked Paul Hletko, master distiller at FEW. “No one looks like Alice in Chains. We were inspired by their courage to create a sound that flouted convention. »
As a tequila fan, I was excited to try this expression, expecting additional flavors of vanilla, agave fruit, and citrus to accompany the classic bourbon flavors of caramel and oak. On the nose, FEW Spirits All Secrets Known Bourbon delivers, with notable tequila aromas taking up as much space as the bourbon smells. Unfortunately, the palace is another matter. Here, the tequila nuance is largely lost in a sea of oak and only on the finish could I detect a lingering touch of vanilla and agave sweetness.
We review FEW Spirits All Secrets Known Bourbon, a re-release of a tequila barrel finished bourbon developed in partnership with Alice in Chains. (image via Jeffrey Nitschke/The Whiskey Wash)
Tasting notes: LITTLE spirits all the secrets known Bourbon
Vital Statistics: declaration of non-age; finished for 6 months in ex-tequila barrels. 101 proof (50.5% ABV); $60/750 ml.
Appearance: Mahogany and orange.
Nose: Young agave, black pepper and vanilla cream soda intertwine. A bit of toasted oak plays around the edges of the nose.
Palace: Honey and a flash of young agave quickly give way to anise and oak. This is followed by oak, interspersed with black pepper and occasional hints of vanilla. The finish has a nice herb and a touch of coriander.
