Oak & Eden Wheat & Honey Whiskey landed on my desk at 90% ABV, carrying a $59.99 price tag. Here is what I found.
Nose
The nose is very light, easy to smell in the glass without burning the nose. I found light hints of honey, a coolness of stilled water, and a small hint of yeast or bread. With successive smells I found maraschino cherries, melon fruit, and some more light honey. Overall, the nose was extremely light, but not all together unpleasant.
Palate
My first sip, I almost couldnt taste anything. For my second sip, I really swirled it around in my mouth to coat my palate. I found oak tannins with a touch of oak char. When I brought air back into my mouth to help detect the lighter notes, I found clove, soft florals, and honey. There was a whisp of some chemically pine sol flavor, but I only found that note once. The finish felt to end almost before it began. With a watery mouthfeel, I wasnt expecting this to linger much at all. You rebound from the whiskey very quickly, without much lingering on the tongue.
Finish
This is a fun concept and probably best in a cocktail. The subtle notes and easy flavors will make it a great addition to any subtle whiskey drink. A hot toddy, or maybe eggnog, would be an excellent place for this whiskey. As a straight whiskey, though, it simply doesnt do what you want a whiskey to do. The flavors are very subtle and disappear too quickly.rnrnIn the end nothing is offensive to your taste and it is easy drinking, but bottle staves, to this reviewer, are still just a gimmick.
The Bottom Line
Oak & Eden Wheat & Honey Whiskey is fine — not bad, not great, just fine. At $59.99, I think there are better options in this range if you are willing to look around.
