Pinhook Bohemian Bourbon Vs. Peerless Bourbon
After my bottle of Pinhook Bohemian has spent a few weeks opening up, the prominent alcohol notes have definitely faded, and I wanted to revisit it. Here I’m trying it next to another bottle that I enjoy, but also initially suffered from young-heat.
These are both young, barrel proof bourbons from young distilleries who show a lot of promise.
Pinhook) $50
This is an interesting bottle that continues to get mixed reviews. It is aged almost 3yrs, and is 114.5 proof.
The nose is very bright and citrusy along with mild alcohol burn, and since the bottle has been open awhile I’m getting more caramel-corn on the nose.
The first sip tastes decedent on the tongue with a pleasant oily mouthfeel, a hint of salt, and full-flavor. There are flavors of charred oak, some orange peel, lots of cinnamon, caramel-corn, and some alcohol burn that has muted as the bottle has been open. The mid-palate has more depth and reveals layers of citrus, vanilla, leather, and rye-spice.
The finish is medium-long and fruity, but also suffers due to the young age (young-oak, and alcohol burn).
Peerless) $75
Aged 4yrs and 110.2 proof. Sweet mash.
The lighter nose starts with rye-spice, and some alcohol that opens up to reveal some floral spearmint, oak, vanilla, and slight peanut-butter.
The palate is a little thin and starts with herbal rye spice, and then the sweeter flavors of vanilla and caramel come out, along with some dark fruits, cinnamon, toasted oak, and some peanuts.
Finish: Medium long with rye spice and more herbal notes transitioning in to a lightly drying toasted oaky finish with some clove, cinnamon, and cardamom.
VERDICT) While both young, these are both very enjoyable bottles. My palate prefers the fuller, sweeter, more complex, and more cinnamon-forward flavors of the Bohemian. The Peerless wins on the finish, as the Pinhook suffers from younger age.
It’s actually pretty close, but especially when you factor in price, the Bohemian is my preferred bottle, and hands the Fancy Glencairn another rare defeat!
I can’t wait to taste these bourbons after they spend more time in barrels!