The world of whiskey is full of bottles that promise more than they deliver. Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon vs Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon: Which Bourbon Is Better? belongs to the rarer category that simply lets the liquid speak.
Choosing between Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon and Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.
Specifications at a Glance
| Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon | Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | and the use of local grains |
| Type | Bourbon | Bourbon |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 45% ABV) | 46% ABV, mash bill: 95% corn and 5% malted barley, |
| Price | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Rating | 7/10 | 4/10 |
Nose
Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon: After a minute or two in the glass, I was presented with notes of cornflakes and honey, reminding me of Saturday morning breakfast, alongside the aroma of dried mango and sunflower seeds.
Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon: The spirit is lively at first whiff, with notes of Triscuit crackers, heavily toasted walnuts, roasted meat, and cornhusks. On revisiting the nose, the aromatics are grain-forward like boiled oats or toasted bread. On the sweet side, the nose is custardy like stracciatella ice cream and banana pudding. There is a rich, yeasty aroma like baking bread. It settles in and quickly becomes the dominant aroma.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon: The whiskey is very mild at the front of the palate, but the intensity spreads nicely and grows mid-way through. The honey of the nose is joined by orange zest, buttered corn, and clove, with a lightly spicy finish that has a vegetal flavor, similar to fresh parsley.
Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon: On the palate, the spirit is moderate to full in body with an oily texture and a slight zing to the alcohol. Flavor-wise, there is an overwhelming note, more like eating raw bread dough than drinking beer. The yeast and raw grain notes are powerful and quickly overwhelm.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon: Comments: Distilled from Blue Corn, Wheat, Malted Barley, and Rye. Aged for no less than a year
Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon: The finish is moderately long with notes of nutritional yeast, vitamin pills, and chocolate covered cherries. A dash of water brings out a note of vanilla cream, but leaves the yeastiness. This really needs something to counter-balance the raw dough note, perhaps it would do well in a salty or smoky cocktail.
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
When it comes to value for money, Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon offers significantly more bang for your buck at $50.00 compared to Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon's $50.00.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon takes the crown with a rating of 7/10 compared to Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon's 4/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
Read the Full Reviews
- Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon – Full Review
- Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon – Full Review
Final Reflections
Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon vs Hudson Whiskey Five Year Old New York Straight Bourbon: Which Bourbon Is Better? is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
