Hirsch The Bivouac Bourbon arrives at 100 proof. Priced at $55, we assessed it with care.
Nose
This whiskey is a medium pale golden amber that forms fat tears. The nose belies the youth of most of this blend: pencil shavings, young spirit, and green cereal with a light doughnutty sweetness.
Palate
Fairly rough on the palate, though spicy with nutmeg and black pepper. Peach settles on the mid-palate.
Finish
It’s cool that the Hirsch brand is being revived. I wish they’d left the bulk of this blend in the barrel a little longer, or added more than 5% of the old spirit. I’d be interested to try their single barrel iterations, or the cask strength to see a little more clearly the high end of their achievement.
Verdict
Hirsch The Bivouac Bourbon is a modest offering that, at $55, serves its purpose without distinction. Those seeking depth or complexity may wish to look elsewhere in this price bracket.
