Review of Doc Holliday 8 Year Straight Bourbon

World Whiskey Society (WWS) was established in 2020, and seeks out whiskeys from around the world with a singular goal in mind – uniqueness.‍Doc Holliday is one of the World Whiskey Society’s collections, honoring John Henry Holliday, an American gunfighter from the Old West. The bottle stopper is a solid metal replica of the cylinder of a loaded six-shooter revolver, and the label resembles an old-timey document, adorned with a 3 dimensional metallic skull of a steer. The bourbon originated from Ivy Mountain Distillery, which stopped distilling in 2019.

Sweet caramel meets buttered cornbread to form an inviting aroma upfront. A swirl of the glass and deeper inhale reveals an orange citrus note that’s enveloped in a chocolatey malt blanket and a wave of spice against the persistent malty undertone. At over 130 proof, it’s not devoid of heat, but at the same time it’s surprisingly manageable. You’ll notice an enjoyable uniqueness as it all comes together, delivered by its complex, yet punchy assembly of aromas.

Beginning with a healthy dose of rye spice upfront, sweeter notes of caramel and chocolate emerge with intensity. Fruit flavors consisting of green apple and orange rind materialize, albeit light against what ultimately becomes a persistent spicy note throughout. A rich, sweet malty note appears on the backend of the palate, making it equal parts familiar and unusual at the same time. Like the nose it’s surprisingly manageable considering its high proof point, shifting from punchy to rich and full.

Spice persists into the finish, shifting from rye to pepper and allspice. Beyond the initial layers of spice, tobacco, chocolate, and a touch of chili pepper spice tease their way in. A sweet undertone materializes, but remains nondescript. The intensity of the bourbon increases to its highest level, making for a long, spice-filled finish that maintains a healthy level of sweetness even though it takes a backseat to the spice. It turns dry as it lingers, with aged oak and leather mingling in.

On the surface Doc Holliday is an attention-grabbing bottle. You don’t see many stoppers that resemble loaded revolver barrels – or really any for that matter – nor do you typically see 3D adornments affixed directly to a bottle’s label, though a few bottles do and they tend to catch your eye. Digging deeper reveals a whiskey worthy of your attention. The release is only one barrel, rarely seen, from a defunct distillery with a storied past, at 8 year age mark for craft bourbon, with a unique mashbill. It may not immediately shock you in the way a heavily finished bourbon might, but offers plenty of layers to peel back to encounter an array of unique features.

The bourbon’s price tag may be a risk on something that might not be for everyone, yet the uniqueness and complexity of its flavor profile, the fact that there are so few bottles of it, and its ease of drinkability lead to the conclusion that it is a good deal.