Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Blue Corn Bourbon

Though it is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana by industry giant MGP, Smokeye Hill is not the same old sourced bourbon dressed up in a fancy label.  Rather, it is contract distilled exclusively for Hazelwood Spirits from a proprietary mash bill that includes heirloom blue corn along with yellow corn, rye, and malted barley.  The whiskey is transported to Colorado Springs where it is barreled in both 30 and 53 gallon barrels of char levels 2, 3, 4, and 5.  These barrels age for at least 5 years before being bottled without chill filtration at 131.5 proof.  The nose gives scents of caramel corn, vanilla, old leather, and rich oak.  On the palate, flavors of rich vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and clover honey deliver sweetness before earthy tobacco and oak arrive.  The tobacco and oak linger through a long finish and are joined by caramel and nougat.