Olivia Taylor
NOSE: Tobacco Leaf | Green Peppercorns | Wet Charred Oak | Rye Bread | Mushroom Compost | Earthy
World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday 6 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review
Established in 2020, World Whiskey Society (WWS) is a non-distiller producer that sources whiskeys from all over the world, often packaging them in highly unique bottles. The company has a standard Doc Holiday collection composed of a 7 year old, an 8 year old, and a 10 year old bourbon. This release, however, varies from those as it is both younger and comes from a different source.
The name Doc Holliday pays homage to John Henry Holliday, an American gambler, gunfighter, and surprisingly also a dentist – hence the reason he earned the nickname “Doc.” Holliday is best known for his role as a temporary policeman in the 1881 gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, which is regarded as the most famous shootout in the history of the American Old West. In the spirit of WWS’s unique bottle designs, the bottle stopper is a solid metal replica of the cylinder of a loaded six-shooter revolver, the label resembles an old-timey document, and it’s adorned with a 3-dimensional metallic skull of a steer.
The sip opens with a very funky nose that is full of earthy organic scents. Tobacco leaf and green peppercorns are present, but so is a wet charred oak scent along with a highly unusual mushroom compost aroma. It’s a very strange combination and while it’s not a turnoff, it definitely makes you pause.
Palate: Cinnamon Syrup | Spiced Raisins | Light Vanilla Bean | Gentle Oak | Rye Spice | Silky Mouthfeel
Thankfully the palate reverts things back to more standard rye mashbill territory, delivering a silky mouthfeel that’s full of spice notes along with a gentle underpinning of sweetness.
Finish: Baking Spices | Cinnamon Stick | Light Rye Spice | Touch of Syrup | Dry Oak | Short
The finish brings things home on a short, albeit spicy note, highlighting baking, cinnamon, and rye spice. Overall this is a nice bourbon that falls just a touch short due to its unusual opening and incredibly short finish.
Like all single barrels, each will taste different, and I’d be interested in seeking out another barrel from the Doc Holiday line to see if this vein of uniqueness is consistent among other barrels in the series. The bourbon in review comes from barrel number 122A2 and is bottle number 182 out of 197.
Overall
A flashy eye-catching bottle can’t seem to mask the fact that this single barrel of Doc Holliday delivers one of the more out there flavor profiles of 2023. Although the distillery is not disclosed, the bourbon’s mashbill is one that is produced at MGP, a common source for single barrels bottled by many different producers, though this barrel still tastes unique even when compared to that group.
If you’re interested in giving Doc Holliday 6 Year Single Barrel Bourbon a try for yourself, it is a great way to experience a unique take on a very common MGP based mashbill and is a must-try for any whiskey enthusiast
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: World Whiskey Society Co.
Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed Indiana distillery
Release Date: August 2023
Proof: 115.8
Age: 6 Years
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Color: Bright Copper
MSRP: $89 (2023)
Ter.
The unique combination of flavors in this release from WWS is sure to entice adventurous whiskey drinkers. The tobacco leaf and wet charred oak add a smokiness to the nose, while the green peppercorns and rye bread provide a spicy kick. The addition of mushroom compost gives an earthy undertone, making for a well-rounded and complex aroma. Overall, the WWS Doc Holliday 6 Year Single Barrel Bourbon is a unique and exciting addition to the world of whiskey.
Ter revolver.
Now onto the whiskey itself, the NOSE is described as having notes of tobacco leaf and green peppercorns, which give off a spiciness, balanced with wet charred oak and rye bread. The addition of mushroom compost and earthy undertones creates a unique and complex aroma, making this a truly intriguing bourbon. Overall, this whiskey is a great addition to the Doc Holliday collection and showcases the WWS’s commitment to quality and originality.
Ter.
As for the whiskey itself, the NOSE profile includes distinct notes of tobacco leaf, green peppercorns, wet charred oak, rye bread, mushroom compost, and an overall earthy quality. This is a complex and intriguing combination of aromas, which promise an exciting and robust tasting experience. Fans of bourbon and fans of western history alike will appreciate the story behind this particular release from WWS.
Er.
As for the whiskey itself, the nose is comprised of strong notes of tobacco leaf, green peppercorns, and wet charred oak, alongside more subtle undertones of rye bread, mushroom compost, and an earthy aroma. This combination creates a complex and robust aroma, setting high expectations for the taste.
Overall, the WWS Doc Holliday 6 Year Single Barrel Bourbon is a well-crafted spirit with a bold and unique profile, paying tribute to an iconic figure in American history. It’s certainly worth trying for anyone who appreciates a good whiskey with a story behind it.