Review: 13th Colony Distillery Southern Bourbon Whiskey

Using sourced bourbon and rye whiskey isn't inherently bad, and I actually think it's a big part of why this brand has a good reputation. Consumers and reviewers generally seem to enjoy what they're producing.

The only downside is that they're not upfront about it. It wouldn't hurt to clearly state it on their labels or website; we'd appreciate the transparency. But credit where it's due—they haven't crossed the line by claiming to be "Distilled at 13th Colony Distillery."

What 13th Colony should really highlight is their innovative maturation and finishing techniques. Their focus on using finishing woods like Maple or French Oak wood spirals to enhance flavor while the whiskey ages is what's generating buzz.

They also deliberately expose their barrels to temperature and humidity changes for more interaction between liquid and wood. And their experimentation with double-barreling has significantly impacted their sourced bourbon, especially with their Double Oaked Bourbon.

When I sampled it, I was blown away by the wave of sweet, chocolatey, and woody aromas. It's like a mix of Nutella, Oreo cookies, oak, light smoke, ash, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a whole lot of chocolate.

I can understand how these scents develop, but I wasn't prepared for the intensity. You are going to love it.