Bourbon Review: Oak & Eden 4 Grain & Maple Bourbon

Oak & Eden 4 Grain & Maple Bourbon arrives at 90 proof. Priced at $59.99, we assessed it with care.

Nose

Light caramel color, light in the glass. Sweet maple aroma with a strongly tannic backbone.

Palate

This does pretty well in the glass on its own, and this is certainly among the better infused whiskeys I’ve had. That said, it is a bit one dimensional to really excel as a standalone sipper. Fire up the maple Old Fashioneds – to me, Oak & Eden’s 4 Grain & Maple is best employed as a cocktail component, not to mask the fact that it is a bit one-note, but specifically because it is so good at playing that note it really ought to be part of a band. rnrnIt’s not the first thing I’d reach for at its price point, but fans of maple whiskeys will be pleased. And why shouldn’t they be? This achieves a richness and naturalness of flavor that most infused whiskeys don’t even pretend to.

Finish

To nobody’s surprise, there’s a dominant maple note, but not in a gimmicky or cloying kind of way so much as with that real syrup flavor that I can’t ever find a proper word for except ‘green’. The maple flavor folds in well with backing vanilla and tannic flavors with mild cinnamon/baking spice on the finish. Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Verdict

Oak & Eden 4 Grain & Maple Bourbon is a modest offering that, at $59.99, serves its purpose without distinction. Those seeking depth or complexity may wish to look elsewhere in this price bracket.