Sweet upfront | Raisin | Brandy-soaked cherries | Earthy undertone | Unique

Nutmeg | Cinnamon | Graham cracker | Dark fruit | Black currant | Nutty undertone | Rounded mouthfeel | Funky & kind of weird in a good way | Full

Leather | Baking spices | Light citrus | Butterscotch | Rock candy | Nutty | Lingering caramel note with a splash of dark fruit

Boss Molly is a brand founded by three women who met at a poker table - Victoria Horn, Kate Rosante, and Brandi Bowles. This is their first release, and according to the company, “ Bringing Boss Molly to life scared the shit out of us.” They go on to say, “But together, we put our blood, sweat and tears into every bottle.” A candid introduction to the brand, but did their gamble pay off?

The short answer: yes.

The whiskey was distilled in North Carolina and entered the barrel at only 100 proof as opposed to the more common legal maximum of 125. It has a “high wheat” mashbill, though the exact breakdown is not disclosed. The bourbon was finished with toasted brandy staves for an undisclosed amount of time before being bottled, and the finishing seems to have had a strong impact on the flavor profile. Being from an unknown distillery in North Carolina, the base bourbon’s starting point is unknown, but at only 90 proof, it’s surprisingly full-flavored. The aroma is sweet upfront, and there are layers upon layers of flavors including an array of fruit, spices, and nuts that go beyond a typical bourbon flavor profile. The palate gives way to a weird funky note on the backend that grows on you. Spice and leather notes up front on the finish concede to a nutty, caramel-filled backend that’s punctuated by a splash of dark fruit. It’s an unusual mix of flavors, and while it’s a bit awkward at times, somehow it works. As an added bonus, the label is pretty damn cool too.