Rich caramel | Barrel char | Dark brown sugar | Molasses | Milk chocolate

Molasses | Dry oak | Cinnamon spice | Burnt caramel | Stone fruit underside

Roasted walnuts | Light tannins | Chewy oak

Mile High Spirits is based out of Denver, Colorado and is a great example of a distillery putting in the hard work and continually improving their product. A lot of their whiskeys use a unique selection of grains which transform their whiskey from being yet another craft bourbon into something much more memorable and one of a kind. As time has passed, Fireside has continually increased the age of their whiskeys as opposed to maintaining the status quo. Fireside Wheated Bourbon works because it was given time to mature and develop the balance and intensity it offers.

Right up front, fans of high proof wheated bourbons will find a lot to love with Mile High Spirits’ latest release. It’s big, bold, and rich, which is what many look for in high proof wheaters. Despite the increase in complexity found in recent batches of Larceny Barrel Proof, that brand doesn’t quite reach the punch that Mile High Spirits managed to pack in this latest release.

Fireside Wheated Bourbon’s nose starts off with a slurry of potent caramel, dark brown sugar, molasses, and milk chocolate scents. It’s a unified aroma that doesn’t provide much depth but makes up for it with impact. The palate is similar, offering more molasses, dry oak, cinnamon spice, and a stone fruit underside that shows promise but struggles to fully bloom. Given the potency of the palate, it drops off rather quickly as it transitions to its finish of roasted walnuts and light tannins. A chewy oak note lingers which is something I love when high proof wheated bourbons offer it.

What this bourbon lacks in complexity, it makes up for with impact. It’s a fair tradeoff and one that works with this release. High proof equating to impact isn’t always a guarantee with wheated bourbons. Iet’s very easy to become overbalanced, overly tannic, and even astringent. Fireside Wheated Bourbon never crosses over to any of those territories, and instead offers a full-flavored sip that any wheated bourbon fan would love.  

Fireside's Wheated Bourbon has been a limited release for the company as it continually increases in age. The 5 year cask strength version isn't currently available in wide release, but that is in the process of changing. The bottle in review comes from baerrel #18e10.br.77.